Yingjin Zhang Knihy

This study explores the ways in which the city and urban life have been represented in modern Chinese literature and film. The author has three to trace the literary and filmic configurations (i.e., symbolic constructions) of the city in modern China; to investigate the ways the city is placed in an ambivalent - if not negative - light in these configurations; and to work toward an understanding of how one can study the nature of the city/country problematic in modern Chinese literary history.The book draws upon many literary and filmic texts that have been either previously ignored or deemed of no importance, and presents them in such a way that they - together with certain canonical works interpreted from new perspectives - point to an important structure of urban imagination in modern China. Throughout, the author draws upon theoretical insights from a wide variety of disciplines - anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, as well as literature, film, and cultural studies - to illuminate particular issues.

The book explores the evolution of Chinese national cinema across three distinct regions: mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. By employing historical and comparative perspectives, it highlights the parallel developments within these areas. The critical analysis provided delves into the thematic and stylistic changes that have occurred over time, offering insights into the unique cinematic landscapes of each region.

This book introduces "polylocality" as a framework for exploring the evolving landscapes of contemporary Chinese cinema in a globalized context. It offers critical insights and original observations, making it essential for film scholars and those interested in cinema and modern Chinese culture.