Cinema Off Screen: Moviegoing in Socialist China

This book explores the institutional, ideological, and cultural role of film exhibition in China, demonstrating that it can produce meaning in itself apart from the films being shown. It argues that cinema takes place off screen as much as on screen and offers a study of institutional operations and lived experiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

When it comes to the ever-evolving landscape of movie-watching, this book presents a thought-provoking case study that challenges the conventional understanding of film exhibition's institutional, ideological, and cultural significance. By delving into the history of film exhibition in China from the founding of the People's Republic in 1949 to the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, Cinema Off Screen offers a fresh perspective on the role of cinema in generating meaning.

Through extensive archival research, in-depth interviews, and personal recollections of audience members, the book shifts the focus away from the filmic text and delves into the intricate workings of institutions and the lived experiences of viewers. Author Chenshu Zhou highlights how the screening space, media technology, and the human body interact in unique ways to shape encounters with cinema, often going unnoticed. This groundbreaking exploration opens up new conceptual avenues for reimagining the ever-changing institution of cinema.

In conclusion, Cinema Off Screen is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between cinema, institutions, and culture. By challenging the boundaries of traditional film analysis, the book offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the power of film exhibition to create meaning and shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520343399