Reflection on Chinese Popular Culture: Kung-Fu and Chinese Film Industry

Reflection about Chinese Popular Culture: Kung-Fu and Chinese Film Industry
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Reflection about Chinese Popular Culture: Kung-Fu and Chinese Film Industry
Media, especially from the western world, have always impacted how societies perceive the female gender through gender binarism and made it clear that males and females have unique anatomical features that differentiate them. However, from the readings of the article by Hiramoto and Ling Teo (2014), it is interesting to note that the depiction of females takes a different position in regards to kung-fu films. The kung-fu actresses (nuxias 女侠), are portrayed in Chinese martial art films as empowered women capable of taking charge of their lives and boldly take on challenges whenever presented. The male kung-fu actors (wuxia 武侠) in the films, however, show masculinity by presenting traits such as cerebral masculinity instead of physical traits as shown in the western cultures.
Martial arts films originated in Mainland China’s Shanghai’s film industry following the release of 1928 film, “Burning of the Red Lotus Monastery.” The country experienced incessant violence, colonial expansion, imperialism, and civil war from 1935 to 1950 (Kin-Yan, 2011). During this time, millions were displaced and abject poverty became commonplace in Mainland China. My thought is that this is the period that women were hardened to protect their lives as depicted among the nuxias. While this is a stark contrast from the western media, the authors have, however...