Transnational East Asian Cinema Since 1997  Event

The ‘Transnational East Asian Cinema Since 1997’ project was established by PhD students Richard Donne, Daniel Hickin and Aramchan Lee, with the support of Professor Tim Bergfelder. The project explores the relationship between cinematic representations and transnational cultural exchange, centred on one of the most active areas of cinematic activity over the past decade - East Asian cinema. It encompasses a broad range of topics that reflect upon how academia, filmmakers and the film industry have responded to the effects of globalisation, and the ways in which representations are read through the differing transnational contexts that exist between Asia and the West. Hosted by the Department of Film at the University of Southampton, the project was sponsored by the influential film journal Screen as part of their 50th year anniversary celebrations, in conjunction with Goldsmiths, University of London and the University of Hong Kong. The project incorporates two distinct, yet connected events: firstly a symposium of keynote addresses from leading academics and notable authors from within the field of East Asian cinema; secondly a seminar series of papers that invited contributions from postgraduate students. Both events incorporated a live videoconference link with the University of Hong Kong.

A one-day symposium and international videoconference,
Nuffield Theatre, University of Southampton, Saturday 6 December 2008

The symposium focuses on developments since 1997, when certain cultural events in Asia impacted upon local film industries and transformed their relationship to the West. Two key events from this period include the return of Hong Kong to China and the Asian financial crisis that effected Japan and South Korea amongst others. The impact of these events spread beyond national boundaries and was a modern turning point in the socio-economic and cultural history of the region. The period also saw a resurgence in Asian cinema, with production increasing amongst most countries (despite the opposite seen in Hong Kong), and success at the local box office. In the West, while certain films have gained success at the international box office, those which found cult or arthouse success have been remade by Hollywood. Meanwhile, Asian and Western actors and directors are being influenced by one another, while others are able to move freely between Asia and the West. These cultural exchanges of cinematic texts, stars, directors, influences and techniques are typical of the contemporary cultural relationship between the two regions. Beyond cinema, our event will create a significant dialogue whose relevance relates to important issues surrounding globalisation and intercultural communication between East and West, as well as the status and function of Film Studies in different cultural contexts.

Speakers:

• Dr. Esther Cheung, University of Hong Kong
• Dr. Gina Marchetti, University of Hong Kong
• Prof. Chris Berry, Goldsmiths College, London
• Dr. Julian Stringer, University of Nottingham
• Dr. Mark Morris, University of Cambridge
• Dr. Isolde Standish, SOAS, University of London
• Dr. Rayna Denison, University of East Anglia

 

A two-session seminar series and international videoconference
Avenue Campus, University of Southampton, Friday 13 & Friday 20 March 2009

The symposium acted as the forerunner to the second event, in which the theme of ‘Transnational East Asian Cinema Since 1997’ was explored within a series of seminar papers that would build upon and develop the themes and arguments of our keynote addresses. The seminar sessions provided students with the opportunity to give papers, exchange ideas and enter into a frank and honest discussion about themes relating to our overall topic. In creating an open dialogue between scholars, academics and students both here in the UK and in Hong Kong, the Transnational East Asian Cinema project succeeded in developing a number of important connections and relationships that will prove beneficial for years to come.

Speakers:

• Xavier Tam, Lin Yiping, Ma Ran and Derek Lam (University of Hong Kong)
• Daniel O’Brien, Sherry Xu, Daniel Hickin, Aramchan Lee, Richard Donne (University of Southampton)
• Sue-Anne Yeo, Hong-Real Lee, (Goldsmiths, University of London)
• Wing-Fai Leung (University of Bristol)

For more information, please see:

• Screen 50th Anniversary

Transnational East Asian Cinema since 1997 is sponsored by Screen as one of its 50th Anniversary events, and supported by the Department of Comparative Literature and the Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Cultures at the University of Hong Kong. The events are hosted by the Department of Film Studies at the University of Southampton, in association with Goldsmiths University of London and the University of Hong Kong.