Chn 152 “Intro to Chinese Popular Culture: Songstresses & Swordsmen; Stars & Fans” Fall 2013 Prof. Alison Groppe GTFs: Shu Yang, Hsin-Chin Hsieh & Sara Menton
Final Paper Assignment
***Due Thursday, 12/12/13 by 4 PM*** … location/mode of submission TBD
The assignment is to write an essay that responds to the following topic and focuses on 1 of the films that was screened in Chn 152 Fall 2013. In other words, your essay should pose and develop an original argument, based on the topic, which is illustrated and supported through a detailed and close analysis of scenes from 1 of the films screened this quarter. You are also required to refer to at least 1 of the readings from the 152 Fall 2013 syllabus (remember to cite your sources; see Short Paper Assignment Sheet for more information and recall that bibliographic information is provided on the course syllabus, available from “Course Information” on Blackboard).
The topics are written so as to facilitate further thought on the subject; you do not need to cover every aspect suggested by the topic. Your essay should be at least 5 pages and no more than 7 pages; make sure your essay is double-spaced, uses Times New Roman 12 point font and that the margins do not exceed 1.25 inches. Your essay should also include a title or otherwise inform us to which topic your essay is responding.
Fundamentally, the nature of the assignment is to come up with your own original argument based on 1 of the topics described below that you support with a close, detailed analysis of an aspect of 1 film. Avoid plot summary and generalization; be sure to tightly focus the scope of your discussion.
FYI: Students wishing to write on 2 films or to write on a topic different from these listed here need to consult with & receive permission from a GTF or Prof. Groppe in person— keep in mind that permission may not be granted. Students who would like to write on the same film that they wrote about for their short paper must submit their first paper along with their final paper so that we can be sure that the 2 assignments represent 2 separate papers.
Topic:
Fandom and identity: What does it mean to be a fan? What can being a fan do for a person? How do people use or incorporate into their daily lives texts, stars or star images from popular culture that mean the most to them or of which they are big fans? Several of the films we have seen this quarter feature characters who are passionate fans of certain stars, movies, types of movies, or certain icons that can be associated with popular culture (think of Li Qiao and Li Xiaojun in Comrades: Almost a Love Story, for example, the characters in Electric Shadows, and 881 [week 10], and the real women profiled in Super, Girls!). Arguably, these characters’ and people’s lives or identities are transformed in some way (or in multiple ways) by their being a fan of the star, movie, or phenomenon (etc) in question. Choose 1 of the movies suggested and analyze how 1 or 2 characters’ being a fan or fandom—as seen in a selection of scenes—transforms their identity or shapes their self-formation. In what particular ways is their being a fan
relevant to their self-identification, to how they see themselves? Following the ideas of John Storey (week 3), how does their fandom or being a fan interact with memories and/or desire to help shape the “roots” and “routes” of their identities?
“Electric Shadows” Press Kit:
Study Qs for film:
All the main characters (Mao Da/Xiaobing, Ling Ling, and Ling Ling’s mother, Jiang Xuehua) love film and certain film stars (and/or genres, heroes, etc); indeed, a literal translation of the film’s Chinese titles is “a childhood dreaming of movies.” Judging from the film’s story as a whole and what we see happening in particular scenes, what might be the basis for their fandom? How do these films (etc) function in their lives? Concentrate on one or two characters and speculate as to the particular meanings or significances that he or she is deriving from cinema. Try to identify as many possible meanings as you can before determining which of these might be the most important or worth discussing or exploring in detail.
Electric Shadows suggests that, after being neglected and banned during the early part of communist rule, Zhou Xuan is currently popular again. Based on what you see in the film, why do you suppose this is? Why—and in what specific ways—might Zhou Xuan be significant for later audiences?
As a whole the film Electric Shadows pays tribute to the art and power of cinema in general (as well as to that of specific films in China’s film history). Based on what you see on the screen as well as from what the characters say and the film’s story as a whole, what particular aspects of cinema seem most important to the director?
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