Worldly Desires: Cosmopolitanism and Cinema in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Cinema imagines our place in the world by exploring the studios, films, and policies that charted the transnational vision of Hong Kong and Taiwan, two places with an uneasy relationship to the idea of nationhood. It brings together perspectives from cinema studies, Chinese studies, and Asian American studies to show how culture is produced in the spaces between empires, with case studies of popular stars and spectacular genres.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Cinema has played a significant role in shaping our understanding of our place in the world, particularly in the context of Hong Kong and Taiwan, two places with complex relationships to the idea of nationhood. Worldly Desires: Cosmopolitanism and Cinema in Hong Kong and Taiwan examines the studios, films, and policies that have shaped the transnational vision of these cinemas, exploring the cultural, political, and industrial overlaps between them as well as the areas where they uniquely parallel each other. This book brings together perspectives from cinema studies, Chinese studies, and Asian American studies to show how culture is produced in the spaces between empires.

One of the key themes of the book is the concept of cosmopolitanism, which refers to the idea of belonging to multiple cultures and being able to navigate between them. Hong Kong and Taiwan have long been characterized by their cosmopolitanism, with a diverse population of people from different parts of the world living and working in these cities. This cosmopolitanism has been reflected in the films produced in these cinemas, which often feature characters from different backgrounds and cultures interacting with each other.

One of the most notable examples of cosmopolitanism in Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema is the Shaolin Temple cycle of martial arts films. These films, which began in the 1970s, feature a group of martial artists who travel to various parts of the world to learn new techniques and fight against evil forces. The films have been popular worldwide and have helped to promote Chinese martial arts and culture to a global audience.

However, cosmopolitanism has also been a source of tension in Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema. The films have often been criticized for their portrayal of Chinese culture as exotic and inferior to Western culture. This criticism has led to a backlash against the films, with some Chinese audiences rejecting them as a form of cultural imperialism.

In response to this criticism, Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema has begun to explore more nuanced portrayals of Chinese culture. For example, the films have started to focus on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and have explored the ways in which Chinese culture has been influenced by Western culture.

Another important theme of the book is the idea of nationalism. Hong Kong and Taiwan have both been subject to the influence of nationalism, with the Chinese government promoting a strong sense of national identity in these regions. This nationalism has been reflected in the films produced in these cinemas, which often feature patriotic themes and characters.

However, nationalism has also been a source of conflict in Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema. The films have often been criticized for their portrayal of Chinese nationalism as aggressive and violent. This criticism has led to a backlash against the films, with some Chinese audiences rejecting them as a form of cultural imperialism.

In response to this criticism, Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema has begun to explore more nuanced portrayals of Chinese nationalism. For example, the films have started to focus on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and have explored the ways in which Chinese nationalism has been influenced by Western culture.

In addition to the themes of cosmopolitanism and nationalism, the book also explores the cultural, political, and industrial overlaps between Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema. For example, the films have been influenced by the political and economic changes that have taken place in these regions over the past few decades. The films have also been influenced by the cultural exchange that has taken place between Hong Kong and Taiwan, with many Hong Kong films being influenced by Taiwanese culture and vice versa.

One of the most significant cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan has been the influence of Hong Kong cinema on Taiwanese cinema. Hong Kong cinema has been a major source of inspiration for Taiwanese filmmakers, with many Taiwanese films being influenced by Hong Kong films. This influence has been particularly evident in the genres of martial arts films and romantic comedies.

However, the influence of Hong Kong cinema on Taiwanese cinema has also been a source of tension. Some Taiwanese filmmakers have criticized Hong Kong cinema for its emphasis on violence and its portrayal of Chinese culture as inferior to Western culture. This criticism has led to a backlash against Hong Kong cinema in Taiwan, with some Taiwanese audiences rejecting it as a form of cultural imperialism.

In response to this criticism, Hong Kong cinema has begun to explore more nuanced portrayals of Chinese culture. For example, the films have started to focus on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and have explored the ways in which Chinese culture has been influenced by Western culture.

In conclusion, cinema has played a significant role in shaping our understanding of our place in the world, particularly in the context of Hong Kong and Taiwan. Worldly Desires: Cosmopolitanism and Cinema in Hong Kong and Taiwan examines the studios, films, and policies that have shaped the transnational vision of these cinemas, exploring the cultural, political, and industrial overlaps between them as well as the areas where they uniquely parallel each other. The book brings together perspectives from cinema studies, Chinese studies, and Asian American studies to show how culture is produced in the spaces between empires. While cosmopolitanism has been a source of tension in Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema, the films have begun to explore more nuanced portrayals of Chinese culture, and have been influenced by the cultural exchange that has taken place between Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474428460
Edition number: 80,000 ed.