COMPLIT302 Week 11 Lecture Notes

Introduction to Annalise and the Father Knows Best Trilogy

• Focus on three films from the 1990s, part of the Asian wave.
• Rise of Asian cinema in the US and its relation to Hollywood.
• These films are nominally Chinese but gained Western popularity.

Shift from Literature to Film

• Decline in reading habits among students leads to a focus on film.
• The global trend since the 1990s: more content consumption online.
• Films allow for broader coverage of themes than literature.

Globalization and Transnational Film

• 1990s globalization enabled new film types, leading to international festivals and online distribution.
• Debate over national cinema vs. international recognition and mainstream consumption.
• Globalization distributed benefits unevenly, favoring network owners.
• Challenge for local/national cinema to maintain identity amidst a global culture.

Ang Lee and his Cinematic Approach

• Ang Lee, a Taiwanese director, draws on various genres, notably Hong Kong cinema.
• Criticized for being too Westernized, yet popular in the West as a "Chinese director."
• Explores themes of identity, performativity, tradition vs. modernity, and Confucian vs. Western values.

Key Films Discussed

• "Pushing Hands," "The Wedding Banquet," "Eat Drink Man Woman."
• Themes include filial piety, love, obligation, and authenticity.
• Films often mix genres and are semi-autobiographical.
• Address issues of generational conflict, national vs. global identity, and reimagining history.

Importance of Confucian Values

• Films explore traditional Confucian family values vs. Western influences.
• Address performativity of identity and the authenticity of the self.

Ang Lee’s Philosophy and Film Style

• Emphasis on authenticity and personal truth in filmmaking.
• Films balance traditional Chinese values with Western cultural elements.
• Films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" examined for their crossover success and cultural impact.

The Wedding Banquet and Its Themes

• Explores themes of sexuality, identity, and family dynamics.
• Depicts a gay couple maintaining appearances for family acceptance.
• Highlights Confucian ideals subtly within a modern context.

Globalization's Impact on Cinema

• Films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" break Western stereotypes, push back against Hollywood.
• Emphasize cultural identity, aesthetic innovation, and genre reinvention.

Hong Kong Cinema and Martial Arts Films

• Historical context of Hong Kong cinema’s evolution post-Chinese civil war.
• Martial arts genre rooted in traditional Chinese storytelling and folklore.
• Ang Lee’s adaptation and interpretation of these traditions in modern cinema.

Modern Day Implications

• Films continue to address globalization, transcultural identities, and the East-West dichotomy.
• Success of recent films like "Everything Everywhere All at Once" shows evolution of the genre.

Course Logistics

• End of semester test covering weeks 7-11.
• Focus on comparing films and their treatment of identity, globalization, and cultural conflict.