Chinese 391

Course Title: Taiwan and Hong Kong through Film and Fiction

Instructor: Jie Zhang

Schedule: Wednesday 1:10pm-4pm; Sunday 7-10pm (for screening)

This seminar offers an overview of modern Taiwan and Hong Kong culture and society through the analysis of representative Chinese-language films. Students will familiarize themselves with the most important genres and filmmakers of the “Sinophone cinema” outside mainland china. In some cases, we will discuss the relationship between the films and the fictional works to which they are related. Specifically, the course considers films directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, King Hu, Edward Yang, Stanley Kwan, Wong Kar-wai, Stan Lai, John Woo, Ann Hui, and Tsai Ming-liang, among others. Students will understand the dynamics of Taiwan and Hong Kong culture and society and acquire basic skills to appreciate Taiwan and Hong Kong films as a formal and social construct. All readings, films, and discussion are in English. This course can fulfill requirements for Asian area study concentration and, with permission of the international studies director, for international studies.