Hong Kong Martial Arts Films
GENDER, IDENTITY AND INFLUENCE: HONG KONG MARTIAL ARTS FILMS Gilbert Gerard Castillo, B.A. Thesis Prepared for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS December 2002 Approved: Donald E. Staples, Major Professor Harry Benshoff, Committee Member Harold Tanner, Committee Member Ben Levin, Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Radio, TV and Film Alan B. Albarran, Chair of the Department of Radio, TV and Film C. Neal Tate, Dean of the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies Castillo, Gilbert Gerard, Gender, Identity, and Influence: Hong Kong Martial Arts Films. Master of Arts (Radio, Television and Film), December 2002, 78 pp., references, 64 titles. This project is an examination of the Hong Kong film industry, focusing on the years leading up to the handover of Hong Kong to communist China. The influence of classical Chinese culture on gender representation in martial arts films is examined in order to formulate an understanding of how these films use gender issues to negotiate a sense of cultural identity in the face of unprecedented political change. In particular, the films of Hong Kong action stars Michelle Yeoh and Brigitte Lin are studied within a feminist and cultural studies framework for indications of identity formation through the highlighting of gender issues. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, I would like to thank the members of my committee all of whom gave me valuable suggestions and insights. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Staples who never failed to give me encouragement and always made me feel like a valuable member of our academic community.
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