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Industry And Aesthetics Of Contemporary Cinema Of China: 1978-2008

Posted on:2010-07-20Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:C F WanFull Text:PDF
GTID:1115360278476287Subject:Chinese Modern and Contemporary Literature
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Essential changes in both the industrial mechanisms and aesthetic styles occurred during the term of 30-year's Open- and -Reform. The development of economic and marketing mechanisms in the film industry considerably contributed to the changes in cinematic aesthetics and film productions in contemporary China. In fact, the industrial mechanisms'fundamental impact on film productions exits not only in today's market economy, but also in the previous planned economy era. This thesis argues that film productions are restricted by the economic systems and markets. This relationship sometimes is not very obvious because it is covered by some phenomena. For example, the unlimitedly ideological exaggerations cover the fact that even ideological achievements should be received through the economic lever. From a broader perspective, ideology is the reflection of ruling class's economic interest, belonging to the socialist political economy and being restricted by the law of socialist political economy. The thesis examines the features of this relationship at different historical trajectories, focusing on the changes in mechanisms and markets in the film industry and the changes in aesthetics during the 30-year's Open and Reform, and how the former factors have contributed to the latter. And then, in order to strengthen the theoretical and practical significance of this topic, the thesis manages to build a tentative theoretical model about the industrial relationships and makes some relevant discussions.There are five chapters. Introduction provides the background of this research, the explanation about the research scope and problems, the significance, the literature review and gaps, and the main methodologies. Chapter 1, 2, and 3 are the major body of the thesis. Chapter 1 is about the classic period of Chinese film (before 1987); chapter 2 is about the transforming period (1987-2001); and chapter 3 is about the period since China's entry into World Trade Organisation in 2001. These three chapters examine industrial mechanisms, production modes and aesthetics in each period, placing emphasis on the existence of the relationship that the formation and changes in industrial mechanisms will lead to the changes in production modes and aesthetics. Chapter 2 explores, for example, that the government utilized the state capital to produce and distribute films directly. The main-melody films quickly emerged and meanwhile the birth of the unique main-melody's aesthetics- the marvellous characters. With the development of market and the increase in audience's needs, large amounts of capital from both overseas and non film sectors flowed into the production of popular entertainment films, which resulted in the high tide of entertainment films. Along with the effects of coproduction films and imported Hollywood blockbusters, the entertainment films'aesthetics- the marvellous spaces emerged. Meanwhile, the production of art films prevailing in the last period began to transform as a result of market development. The fifth generation depended on foreign capital and created many art commercial films. The sixth generation relied on domestic private capital and produced many low budget underground films. However, both the fifth and sixth generations were aimed to the international markets. Therefore, new art film aesthetics- the Oriental spectacles grew up. The novelty of this train of research in current domestic film academy guarantees the original contribution of this thesis. Chapter 2 and 3 follow the same train.The conclusion provides a theoretical model on the basis of the analyses and discussions in the former chapters. The significance of the model is the clear demonstration that the formation of film aesthetics is in a mutual conditions: it is formed by the upper level of capital structures and the lower level of market structures. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the theory about the industrial relationships, because such research will to a great extent influence the direction of Chinese film.
Keywords/Search Tags:industrial mechanism, production mode, aesthetics
PDF Full Text Request
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