When I think of Hollywood, I think of blond haired actresses or blue eyed actors walking the red carpet. I had never thought that Chinese actors and actresses as well as Chinese directors would one day partake in the red carpet ceremonies in Hollywood. Actually a Chinese actor, Jackie Chan has acted in minor roles in Hollywood movie beginning in the 1980’s. Some of the international movies that won prizes in film festivals have been released in America, but these movies and actors/actresses were not seen as equal to Hollywood’s productions.
However, the fame and popularity of Chinese actress, Zhang Zhi Yi and a Chinese actor, Jet Li have brought recognition to China’s movie capabilities. The films that the actress and actor have stared in include a Chinese language movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Memoirs of A Geisha”, “Romeo Must Die”, and “Hero” have made an impact in ticket sales.
Hollywood movies such as “Broken Arrow”, “Matrix”, “Kill Bill”, “Brokeback Mountain”, and “Incredible Hulk” also have been influenced by Chinese film making talents of Chinese directors, martial arts directors, and special effect artists: John Woo, Lee Ang, Woo Yeun Ping, Zhang Yimou, and Jackie Chan.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” by Lee Nag made a sensation in Hollywood in 2000. Not only do the movies show the martial arts of Kung Fu, but the movies also expose viewers to sentimental and legendary storylines, colorful traditional costumes, and nature’s beautiful background in this Chinese movie.
The fact that this Chinese movie has been a sensational popularity in Hollywood means “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” signals a major paradigm shift in Hollywood's repertoire as well as in the tastes of American audiences” (qtd in Pham). Orientalism, actually Chinese traditional philosophy and culture as well as exaggerated martial art scenes by Chinese film making talents in Chinese movie are enough to stimulate the American mind, not only through visual sensation.
According to Yingjin Zhang, Chinese movie connotes “a more meaningful way” beyond only entertainment: “nor merely in one of 'authentic' Chinese culture and history, but ultimately in the context of cross-cultural, multiethnic”(qtd in Pham). Nowadays Chinese films are aimed at the global market, especially Hollywood: that Chinese movies have invaded Hollywood is not accidental.
However, the fame and popularity of Chinese actress, Zhang Zhi Yi and a Chinese actor, Jet Li have brought recognition to China’s movie capabilities. The films that the actress and actor have stared in include a Chinese language movie, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “Memoirs of A Geisha”, “Romeo Must Die”, and “Hero” have made an impact in ticket sales.
Hollywood movies such as “Broken Arrow”, “Matrix”, “Kill Bill”, “Brokeback Mountain”, and “Incredible Hulk” also have been influenced by Chinese film making talents of Chinese directors, martial arts directors, and special effect artists: John Woo, Lee Ang, Woo Yeun Ping, Zhang Yimou, and Jackie Chan.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” by Lee Nag made a sensation in Hollywood in 2000. Not only do the movies show the martial arts of Kung Fu, but the movies also expose viewers to sentimental and legendary storylines, colorful traditional costumes, and nature’s beautiful background in this Chinese movie.
The fact that this Chinese movie has been a sensational popularity in Hollywood means “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” signals a major paradigm shift in Hollywood's repertoire as well as in the tastes of American audiences” (qtd in Pham). Orientalism, actually Chinese traditional philosophy and culture as well as exaggerated martial art scenes by Chinese film making talents in Chinese movie are enough to stimulate the American mind, not only through visual sensation.
According to Yingjin Zhang, Chinese movie connotes “a more meaningful way” beyond only entertainment: “nor merely in one of 'authentic' Chinese culture and history, but ultimately in the context of cross-cultural, multiethnic”(qtd in Pham). Nowadays Chinese films are aimed at the global market, especially Hollywood: that Chinese movies have invaded Hollywood is not accidental.
Therefore, appropriate harmony of Eastern and Western tastes is intended in order to assimilate the Chinese culture in the world as well as in America.
References:
References:
“Chinese movies and Hollywood.”
Pham, Minh-Ha T. “The Asian invasion (of multiculturalism) in Hollywood.” Journal of Popular Film and Television. 22 September 2004. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-123589388.html
“Hong Kong movie skills grow in Hollywood.” International Market News. 11 July 2002. <http://www.piercelawgroupllp.com/hongkong_movie_skills.PDF>
“Hong Kong movie skills grow in Hollywood.” International Market News. 11 July 2002. <http://www.piercelawgroupllp.com/hongkong_movie_skills.PDF>
1 comment:
Interesting post here! You make excellent points throughout to show how Chinese cinema has affected Hollywood. The more you wrote about it, the more I was convinced.
What do you think can enhance cross-cultural harmony from Eastern and Western cultures?
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