On the Edge of the Margins: Female Independent Documentary Filmmakers in Contemporary Mainland China

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
FitzSimons, Trish
Other Supervisors
Keys, Wendy
Year published
2011
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The independent documentary film industry in contemporary mainland China has
experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades, reflecting the rapid
economic development and social transformations taking place in the People’s
Republic. Established filmmakers, mainly male, trying to activate the local film
market, and building reputations internationally, have been the main focus of studies
relating to Chinese independent documentary cinema. Women filmmakers – who
bring new dimensions to both film production and aesthetics – have been little studied
in comparison to their male counterparts. These women must make concessions ...
View more >The independent documentary film industry in contemporary mainland China has experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades, reflecting the rapid economic development and social transformations taking place in the People’s Republic. Established filmmakers, mainly male, trying to activate the local film market, and building reputations internationally, have been the main focus of studies relating to Chinese independent documentary cinema. Women filmmakers – who bring new dimensions to both film production and aesthetics – have been little studied in comparison to their male counterparts. These women must make concessions to the double pressures of mainstream ideology and a hidden culture of male chauvinism. This has seldom been discussed or even mentioned by researchers. This research explores the experiences and strategies of woman independent documentary filmmakers, including their response to having their work viewed through the prism of gender, in an industry that is dramatically changing, though still subject to social, political and economic constraints. This research comprises archival video-documentation and a written dissertation. The former consists of a series of six interviews with female independent documentary filmmakers that is presented on DVD; the latter provides a broader historical context and explores detailed case studies based on the transcribed interviews.
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View more >The independent documentary film industry in contemporary mainland China has experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades, reflecting the rapid economic development and social transformations taking place in the People’s Republic. Established filmmakers, mainly male, trying to activate the local film market, and building reputations internationally, have been the main focus of studies relating to Chinese independent documentary cinema. Women filmmakers – who bring new dimensions to both film production and aesthetics – have been little studied in comparison to their male counterparts. These women must make concessions to the double pressures of mainstream ideology and a hidden culture of male chauvinism. This has seldom been discussed or even mentioned by researchers. This research explores the experiences and strategies of woman independent documentary filmmakers, including their response to having their work viewed through the prism of gender, in an industry that is dramatically changing, though still subject to social, political and economic constraints. This research comprises archival video-documentation and a written dissertation. The former consists of a series of six interviews with female independent documentary filmmakers that is presented on DVD; the latter provides a broader historical context and explores detailed case studies based on the transcribed interviews.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (Professional Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Visual Arts (DVA)
School
Queensland College of Art
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Subject
Female Filmmakers in China
Independent documentary filmmakers