COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 100

 

Special Topic: Chinese Cinema

Winter 2021

 

FINAL EXAM/PAPER

 

Write a paper on the following topic.  The paper should be at least 6-7 pages in length, double-spaced, coherently written, with 1-inch margins on all sides.  The preferred font is Times New Roman 12.

 

 

Chinese Socialism Past and Present

Chinese Culture Traditional and Modern

 

Choose the films of at least three different directors that we have studied in the second part of the class since the midterm paper.  Discuss and compare the major themes, prominent subject matter, and distinctive styles of the films of these directors. 

 

We have watched these films in entirety or have discussed part of them in class.  Choose from the following list.  Do not write about other films without getting permission from the Instructor or the TA.

 

• Suzhou River (Director Lou Ye, starring Zhou Xun, 1999)

Youtube links:

Part One (1/2), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH-7o7lFvno

Part Two (2/2), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZSK-AICz-o

• Beijing Bicycle (Director Wang Xiaoshuai, 2001)

Link: https://archive.org/details/BeijingBicycle

• Xiao Wu (aka The Pickpocket, director Jia Zhangke, 1997).

Link to the first 50 minutes of the film with English subtitles.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL9LGnrcpYA

Link to the whole film without subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAoOidlFU2s

• 24 City (Director Jia Zhangke, 2008).  Kanopy
• A Touch of Sin (Director Jia Zhangke 2013).  Kanopy
• Mr. Six (Director Guan Hu, starring Feng Xiaogang, 2015).  Kanopy

• Youth (Director Feng Xiaogang, 2017). Kanopy
• The Piano in a Factory (Director Zhang Meng, 2010). Kanopy
• Kaili Blues (Director Bi Gan, 2015). Kanopy
• Eat Drink Man Woman (Director Ang Lee, 1994). Swank
• Finding Mr. Right (Director Xue Xiaolu, 2013). Swank
• China Peacekeeping Forces (Director Ning Haiqiang, 2018)

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELnzhkw914

Most of these films with English subtitles are available on streaming platforms such as Kanopy and Swank as subscribed by our UC Davis Library. I have already given the links in the syllabus or in follow-up announcements via Canvas.  Some other subtitled films are available on Youtube as I have provided the links above.

 

Feel free to compare the recurrent themes and stylistic characteristics of a new generation of filmmakers with those of the earlier generations such as the so called “Fifth Generation” from mainland China (directors Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Tian Zhuangzhuang).

 

The case of Ang Lee is different from those of mainland Chinese directors because he was born in Taiwan and has been making films in the US.  Be cautious if you wish to make a comparison between him and other directors whom I have studied in the class.

 

The required readings on the syllabus are a good resource for writing the paper.  You are also welcome to consult materials from outside the class.  If that is the case, make sure you acknowledge the sources.

 

Once again, like the midterm paper, both what you write and how you write are important.  Avoid simple generalization.  You need to refer to specific elements in the films.  Your writing should reflect the level and ability of an upper-division college student.  Coherence, organization, and elegance are important criteria for good writing.

If you anticipate difficulty in writing this paper, try to make an appointment with the University’s Writing Center to get some help as soon as possible.

 

Paper is due on the date of the scheduled final exam, Thursday, March 18, by midnight.  Please submit your paper electronically to our Canvas course site.  No late paper will be accepted unless there is a legitimate reason.