CHNS2021: Chinese Cinema

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• To use Chinese films (subtitled in English) to explore political, social and cultural features of China in the 20th century. To develop an understanding and appreciation of the use of cinematographic techniques as a form of entertainment and cultural expression.

• The course includes a representative selection of films from the early 20th century through to the present day, illustrating the development of artistic and cinematographic techniques. It locates Chinese film within existing artistic traditions, such as Peking Opera, and within world cinema. It also explores the manifold functions of film in a highly politicised society: as entertainment, as information and as political propaganda.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Knowledge of iconic 20th century Chinese films and their directors
• Film-reflected knowledge of Chinese society and its political, military, architectural and geographical environment
• Knowledge of the techniques and vocabulary of film criticism

Subject-specific Skills:

• Ability to evaluate critically cinematographic techniques, both artistic and technical
• Ability to analyse the ways film reflects Chinese society and understand the motivations of film-makers
• Ability to appreciate the influence of literary and cultural movements on film in China

Key Skills:

• The ability to employ the sophisticated reading skills acquired to gather, sift, process, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources (print, digital, aural, other audio-visual)
• The ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, devise and sustain coherent and cogent arguments
• The ability to write and think under pressure, manage time and work to deadlines
• The ability to make effective use of information and communications technology

• The module will be taught in Terms 1 and 2.
• Lectures and seminars with an emphasis on student presenting their own ideas. Students will be required to watch films outside class and to find relevant materials to develop their own interpretations for presentation to the group in seminars. Assessment will be by summative essays.

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