About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherColumbia University Press

ISBN-100231188137

ISBN-139780231188135

eBay Product ID (ePID)27050022360

Product Key Features

Number of Pages416 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication NameChinese Film Classics, 1922-1949

Publication Year2021

SubjectAsian / Chinese, Asia / China, Film / History & Criticism

TypeTextbook

AuthorChristopher G. Rea

Subject AreaArt, Performing Arts, History

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height1 in

Item Weight20.9 Oz

Item Length8.9 in

Item Width7.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional

LCCN2020-035683

ReviewsChristopher Rea's Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of early Chinese film. Featuring clear plot overviews, fascinating production details, close analyses of key scenes, and incredible detective work that traces the influence of early Hollywood and European cinema, this is the introductory textbook we have been waiting for., Christopher Rea's Chinese Film Classics is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of early Chinese film. Featuring clear plot overviews, a glossary of basic film terms, fascinating production details, close analysis of key scenes, and incredible detective work that traces the influence of early Hollywood and European cinema, this is the introductory textbook we have been waiting for., These films represent for me not just the dawn of Chinese cinema, but also the visualization of my own cultural roots. They vividly established in my imagination the cinematic awakening of ancient China in a rapidly modernizing world. Rea's sensitive reading of these films is a fascinating and insightful look into this unique cultural touchstone., An accessible and valuable companion to the Republican Chinese feature films....with a teaching-informed approach, the book is an ideal companion and textbook to be used in Euro-American classrooms., An excellent work for film studies and for anyone wishing to learn more about China in the first half of the 20th century . . . Highly recommended., With concise plot summaries, select critical sources, and a fund of historical revelations, Rea provides an impressively coordinated set of studies of Chinese films from the Republican period. His valuable contribution is destined to become a key research and pedagogical resource in the years to come., A valuable addition to the field that makes early Chinese film history and analysis accessible, and familiarizes general readers with the diverse styles and creative vitality of early Chinese filmmakers., These films represent for me not just the dawn of Chinese cinema but also the visualization of my own cultural roots. They vividly established in my imagination the cinematic awakening of ancient China in a rapidly modernizing world. Rea's sensitive reading of these films is a fascinating and insightful look into this unique cultural touchstone.

Dewey Edition23

IllustratedYes

Dewey Decimal791.43095109041

Table Of ContentList of Figures Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Silent Films 1. Laborer's Love ( Laogong zhi aiqing ), (Zhang Shichuan, director, 1922) 2. Playthings ( Xiao wanyi ), (Sun Yu, director, 1933) 3. Sports Queen ( Tiyu huanghou ), (Sun Yu, director, 1934) 4. Goddess ( Shennü ), (Wu Yonggang, director, 1934) 5. The Great Road ( Dalu ), (Sun Yu, director, 1934) 6. New Women ( Xin nüxing ), (Cai Chusheng, director, 1935) Part II. Sound Films 7. Song at Midnight ( Yeban gesheng ), (Ma-Xu Weibang, director, 1937) 8. Street Angels ( Malu tianshi ), (Yuan Muzhi, director, 1937) 9. Hua Mu Lan ( Mulan congjun ), (Richard Poh, director, 1939) 10. Long Live the Missus! ( Taitai wansui ), (Sang Hu, director, 1947) 11. Spring River Flows East ( Yi jiang chunshui xiang dong liu ), (Cai Chusheng and Zheng Junli, directors, 1947) 12. Spring in a Small Town ( Xiaocheng zhi chun ), (Fei Mu, director, 1948) 13. Wanderings of Three-Hairs the Orphan ( Sanmao liulang ji ), (Zhao Ming and Yan Gong, directors, 1949) 14. Crows and Sparrows ( Wuya yu maque ), (Zheng Junli, director, 1949) Abbreviations Appendix 1: Other Significant Extant Chinese Films, 1927-1949 Appendix 2: Selective Name List of Film Personnel Filmography Bibliography Index

SynopsisWinner, 2023 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 is an essential guide to the first golden age of Chinese cinema. Offering detailed introductions to fourteen films, this study highlights the creative achievements of Chinese filmmakers in the decades leading up to 1949, when the Communists won the civil war and began nationalizing cultural industries. Christopher Rea reveals the uniqueness and complexity of Republican China's cinematic masterworks, from the comedies and melodramas of the silent era to the talkies and musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Each chapter appraises the artistry of a single film, highlighting its outstanding formal elements, from cinematography to editing to sound design. Examples include the slapstick gags of Laborer's Love (1922), Ruan Lingyu's star turn in Goddess (1934), Zhou Xuan's mesmerizing performance in Street Angels (1937), Eileen Chang's urbane comedy of manners Long Live the Missus! (1947), the wartime epic Spring River Flows East (1947), and Fei Mu's acclaimed work of cinematic lyricism, Spring in a Small Town (1948). Rea shares new insights and archival discoveries about famous films, while explaining their significance in relation to politics, society, and global cinema. Lavishly illustrated and featuring extensive guides to further viewings and readings, Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 offers an accessible tour of China's early contributions to the cinematic arts., Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 is an essential guide to the first golden age of Chinese cinema. Offering detailed introductions to fourteen films, this study highlights the creative achievements of Chinese filmmakers in the decades leading up to 1949, when the Communists won the civil war and began nationalizing cultural industries. Christopher Rea reveals the uniqueness and complexity of Republican China's cinematic masterworks, from the comedies and melodramas of the silent era to the talkies and musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Each chapter appraises the artistry of a single film, highlighting its outstanding formal elements, from cinematography to editing to sound design. Examples include the slapstick gags of Laborer's Love (1922), Ruan Lingyu's star turn in Goddess (1934), Zhou Xuan's mesmerizing performance in Street Angels (1937), Eileen Chang's urbane comedy of manners Long Live the Missus (1947), the wartime epic Spring River Flows East (1947), and Fei Mu's acclaimed work of cinematic lyricism, Spring in a Small Town (1948). Rea shares new insights and archival discoveries about famous films, while explaining their significance in relation to politics, society, and global cinema. Lavishly illustrated and featuring extensive guides to further viewings and readings, Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 offers an accessible tour of China's early contributions to the cinematic arts., Chinese Film Classics, 1922-1949 is an essential guide to the first golden age of Chinese cinema. Christopher Rea reveals the uniqueness and complexity of Republican China's cinematic masterworks, from the comedies and melodramas of the silent era to talkies and musicals of the 1930s and 1940s.

LC Classification NumberPN1993.5.C4R43 2021