Interpretation Of The Communication Of "Sun Wukong" Film And Television Image Construction

The image of “Monkey King” has always been a treasure in Chinese traditional culture.It is also an important symbol of culture.With changes of times,the film image of “Monkey King” is constantly attached with new significance and vitality.Since 1920 s,with the development of times,the signifier and the signified meaning of the film image of “Monkey King” is also evolving.It is related with the own nature of“Monkey King” image,also with the context of massive culture transmission.This paper analyzes signifier and signified meaning of film image of “Monkey King” in different historical media background through textual layer,myth layer and ideology layer,with the signifier and signified meaning,and its transmission of the film image of “Monkey King” since 1920 s as study object,according to structuralism semiology theory of Roland Barthes as research basis,integrated with specific film and TV programs of the “Monkey King” image.According to research statistics in the paper,the film image of “Monkey King”firstly appeared in 1926.There are around 46 Chinese films and TV programs with“Monkey King” as the main character.In the meantime,it is developed differently in neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea,and even adopted by Southeast Asia,Europe and America,and other regions.The film image of “Monkey King”firstly appeared in 1920 s,also the initial exploring stage of China's film art.Although there was huge amount of film and TV programs about “Monkey King” during this period,there is very few left because of immature production method,rough storage method,social turmoil,wars and etc.Entering the 1930 s,the September 18 th Incident in 1931 brought great revolution to China society,as well as social language environment.Meanwhile the left-wing and renaissance of domestic film campaign rising,along with the objective of “reforming the gods,superstition,fierce,killing style of domestic film,advocating art,advertising culture,inspiring civil wisdom,rescuing filming industry;serious,earnest,conscientious;popularizing social education,against foreign film monopoly,improving art morality,respecting actor'spersonality”,the 1930 s was quite empty for “Monkey King”.The media background,audience psychology and social development level of foreign film and TV programs about “Monkey King” is different with China,also with small total number.To sum up,this paper won't focus on films and TV programs from 1920 s to 1930 s and abroad.Therefore,the writer mainly investigates 4 productions: “Princess Iron Fan”(1941),“Havoc in Heaven”(1964),“A Chinese Odyssey”(1995)and “Journey to the West:Conquering the Demons”(2013).This paper mainly uses “Monkey King” in the above four productions as study object,to analyze signifier and signified meaning of film image of “Monkey King” in different historical media background through textual layer,myth layer and ideology layer,and to obtain the reason and revelation of constructing the image of “Monkey King”.Research in the paper is divided into the following parts:Part ?: “Monkey King” in “Princess Iron Fan”(1941).First of all,about the“Monkey King” in textual layer,the signifier meaning is combination of an actor playing a martial role in Chinese traditional operas and Mickey Mouse in Disney cartoon;the signified meaning is fusion of Chinese traditional nationality element and foreign excellent experience.Second of all,in the myth layer,the signifier meaning is the character of beating “Bull Demon King” with “Pig” and “Monk” and borrowing palm-leaf fan to put out fire in “the Mountain of Flames”;the signified meaning is the image of uniting massive people and all social powers to fight against the invasion of the Japanese imperialist.Finally,in the ideology layer,the signifier meaning is the character under the background of Anti-Japanese War and the spirit of uniting all powers to fight against invasion;the signified meaning is the essence of humanization.Part ?: “Monkey King” in “Havoc in Heaven”(1964).First of all,about the“Monkey King” in textual layer,the signifier meaning is the image of facial makeup in Chinese traditional opera;the signified meaning is the reflect of Chinese national characteristics.Second of all,in the myth layer,the signifier meaning is to havoc in heaven and beat the immortals,and eventually return to “Mountain of Flowers and Fruits” for happy life;the signified meaning is that Chinese people must be able todefeat natural disaster to live a happy and healthy life.Finally,in the ideology layer,the signifier meaning is the character during three years of natural disasters after the founding of the nation;the signified meaning is politicalized symbol.Part ?: “Monkey King” in “A Chinese Odyssey”(1995).First of all,about the“Monkey King” in textual layer,the signifier meaning is a robber leader with foul-mouth,covered with down and slovenly dressed;the signified meaning is a“small potato”.Second of all,in the myth layer,the signifier meaning is a selfish and philistine “small potato” who has emotional entanglement with multiple women,and is bored of the trip of fetching the scriptures;the signified meaning is infusion of humanized element.Finally,in the ideology layer,the signifier meaning is decomposition of divinity and highlight of humanization;the signified meaning is highlight of humanization element under the influence of postmodernism.Part ?: “Monkey King” in “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons”(2013).First of all,about the “Monkey King” in textual layer,the signifier meaning is the short,ugly,malformed and horrified “Monkey King”;the signified meaning is fully demonized “Monkey King”.Second of all,in the myth layer,the signifier meaning is a bloodthirsty demon who is very selfish and wants to regain freedom.Finally,in the ideology layer,the signifier meaning is the increased influence to “Monkey King”image by the development of technology;the signified meaning is that the cultural connotation shouldn't be ignored by just relying on technology.Part ?: the reason and revelation of constructing the image of “Monkey King”.The reason is concluded into 4 aspects: the transition of context transmission,the psychological changes of audience,development of media technology and cross-generation connotation of the image of “Monkey King” itself;the revelation is that along with the development and progress of time,the “unti-heronic” tendency of authors processing the image of “Monkey King” is more and more obvious.