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Many 20th century Chinese films were concerned with issues of nationhood, identity, trauma, and a national past. In recent years, however, while some directors have continued to focus on the nation’s past, others have chosen to look at the present and the effects of globalization on Chinese society and culture. This course asks that students begin to understand Chinese cinema(s) as transnational, a triangular composite of Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong cinema that has also been influenced by Hollywood, Japanese and Korean cinema, amongst others. Students will be introduced to Chinese film history and criticism via an examination of eleven films directed by some of Greater China’s most skilled directors.

Week 1 (4 September):             Introduction

Week 2 (11 September):           The Goddess 神女 (1934)

Week 3 (25 September):           Spring in a Small Town 小城之春 (1948)

Week 4 (2 October):                  Two Stage Sisters 舞台姐妹 (1964)

***Friday 4 October Assignment 1 Due***

Week 5 (9 October):                  Boat People 投奔怒海 (1982) – guest lecture by Ms. Miao Zixin

Week 6 (16 October):                  A Better Tomorrow 英雄本色 (1986)

Week 7 (23 October):                 A City of Sadness 悲情城市 (1989)

***Friday 25 October Assignment 2 Due***

Week 8 (30 October):          Raise the Red Lantern 大紅燈籠高高掛 (1991)

Week 9 (6 November):          In the Mood for Love 花樣年華 (2000)

Week 10 (13 November):         Devils on the Doorstep 鬼子來了 (2000)

***Friday 15 November Assignment 3 Due***

Week 11 (20 November):          A Touch of Sin 天注定 (2013)

Week 12 (27 November):          Yi Yi 一一 (2000)

***Friday 6 December Audiovisual Essay & Written Supplement Due***

Participation                                                      10%

Short assignments                                             40%

Audiovisual essay assignment                            35%

Written supplement to the audiovisual essay       15%

Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/.