COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 110: HONG KONG CINEMA

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE 110

HONG KONG CINEMA

FINAL EXAM/PAPER

Winter 2020

The final paper assignment consists of two questions.  Altogether the paper should be about 6-7 pages in length, double-spaced, and coherently written.  The preferred font is Times New Roman 12.  Please italicize all film titles and book titles, indicate page numbers, maintain proper space and margins, and proofread your paper.

Films screened or discussed in class since midterm

An Autumn’s Tale (Dir. Mabel Cheung, starring Chow Yun-fat, 1987)

Rouge (Dir. Stanley Kwan, 1987)

Full Moon in New York (Dir. Stanley Kwan, 1989)

Her Fatal Ways (Dir. Alfred Cheung, 1990)

Farewell China (Dir. Clara Law, 1990)

Comrades, Almost a Lover Story (Dir. Peter Chan, 1997)

Durian Durian (Dir. Fruit Chan, 2001)

A Simple Life (Dir. Ann Hui, 2012)

Flirting Scholar (Dir. Stephen Chow, 1993)

Shaolin Soccer (Dir. Stephen Chow, 2001)

Kungfu Hustle (Dir. Stephen Chow, 2005)

The Mermaid (Dir. Stephen Chow, 2016)

Films of Wong Kar-wai:

Chungking Express (Dir. Wong Kar‑wai, 1994)

Happy Together (Dir. Wong Kar-wai, 1997)

In the Mood for Love (Dir. Wong Kar-wai, 2000)

Other relevant films with the approval of the instructor

1. Dream, Journey, Identity (minimum 5 full pages)

Hong Kong cinema is more than martial arts and action.  The second part of the course examines dramas of love, fantasy, journey, and self-discovery in Hong Kong cinema.  Characters in these films seem to harbor a big dream: a “Hong Kong dream,” a “California dream,” or a “New York dream.”  With the passage of time, they attempt to create new identities for themselves: be a different person, go to a new place, enter a relationship, or feel nostalgia for the past.  Discuss the ways in which these characters change, pursue dreams, cherish old relationships, or search for new identities.  Please feel free to consult relevant discussions in Planet Hong Kong by Professor David Bordwell and in the anthology A Companion to Hong Kong Cinema.

In your analysis, you should refer to at least three films by different directors.  Please also briefly comment on the stylistic characteristics of each of the directors.

At the end of this part of the paper, please indicate the source, manner, place, and time of viewing the films that you have selected for analysis and discussion.

2. Looking back at the entire course, what films do you prefer? What are the films that you don’t like as much? Explain why. (1-2 pages for this question)

Once again, like the midterm, both what you write and how you write are important.  Avoid simple generalization.  You need to refer to specific elements in the films.   Coherence, organization, and elegance are important criteria for good writing.

The paper is due Wednesday, March 18, 6 pm.  No late paper will be accepted without a legitimate excuse.  Please submit your paper directly to our Canvas course site.