Metro Movies: Cinematic Urbanism in Post-Mao China takes readers on a comprehensive tour of the urbanization of Chinese cinema. Focusing primarily on movies from the end of the twentieth century; it is the first single-authored work to explore the relationship between the changes in Chinese societymdash;caused in part by the advent of postsocialism; the growth of cities; and globalizationmdash;and the transformation of Chinese cinema.Author Harry H. Kuoshu examines such themes as displacement; cinematic representation; youth subculture; the private emotional lives of emerging urbanites; raw urban realism; and the allegorical contrast of the city and the countryside to illustrate the artistic richness and cultural diversity of this cinematic genre.Kuoshu discusses the work of director Huang Jianxin; whose films follow and critique Chinarsquo;s changing urban political culture. He dedicates a chapter to filmmakers who followed Huang and attempted to redefine the concept of art films to regain the local audience. These directors address Chinese moviegoersrsquo; disappointment with the international adoption of Chinese art films; their lack of interest in conventional Chinese films; and their fascination with emerging audio-video media. A considerable amount of attention is given to films of the 1990s; which focus on the social changes surfacing in China; from the trend of hooliganism and the Beijing rock scene to the arrival of an urban pop culture lifestyle driven by expansionist commerce and materialism. Kuoshu also explores recent films that confront the seedier aspects of city life; as well as films that demonstrate how urbanization has touched every fiber of Chinese living.Metro Movies illustrates how cinematic urbanism is no longer a genre indicator but is instead an era indicator; revealing the dominance of metropolitan living on modern Chinese culture. It gives new insight into contemporary Chinese politics and culture and provides readers with a better understanding of Chinarsquo;s urban cinema. This book will be an excellent addition to college film courses and will fascinate any reader with an interest in film studies or Chinese culture.
#2474264 in eBooks 2011-02-24 2012-08-09File Name: B00CRZQ9H4
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Theater is an extremely important component of every actors trainingBy Mike Kimmel Scenes for TeensMs. McDonnell has put together a solid and nicely organized book for young actors specifically geared towards performing on stage. Theater is an extremely important component of every actors training. I especially like the section on theater history; which is thorough and compelling; allowing students to delve as deeply into this material as their interest will allow. The glossary of terms will be very helpful for newcomers; as well.Very highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A superb tool for teachers as well as aspiring actorsBy Midwest Book ReviewExpertly written by award-winning childrens playwright Kathleen McDonnell; Putting On A Show: Theater For Young People is a simple but effective guide to introducing young people to the joy of performing. An introduction and a theater terms glossary covers the basics of theater through the ages with a handful of tips; tricks; and techniques for setting up a production; but the bulk of Putting on a Show is devoted to four of the authors best-known plays for young people: Loon Boy; Ezzies Emerald; The Seven Ravens and Foundlings; with complete play text; stage directions; photographs of previous performances and more. A superb tool for teachers as well as aspiring actors; directors; and playwrights; Putting On A Show features plays that are free to the public; cheap to produce; as well as an excellent resource for summer school and extracurricular programs especially.