New Chinese-Language Documentaries

Documentary film-making is one of the most vibrant areas of media activity in China, with many independent film-makers producing documentaries on a range of sensitive socio-political matters, often bringing a strongly ethical approach. This book outlines the development of documentary film-making in mainland China and Taiwan, contrasts independent documentaries with official state productions, considers the production and distribution of independent documentary film-makers, and discusses the range and content of the documentaries. The book demonstrates the success of Chinese independent documentary film-making, often winning award-winning titles and appearing at international film festivals.

Kuei-fen Chiu is Distinguished Professor of Taiwan Literature and Transnational Cultural Studies at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan Yingjin Zhang is Professor of Comparative Literature and Film Studies at the University of California, San Diego, USA and Visiting Chair Professor of Humanities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

1. Introduction: New Chinese-Language Documentaries Part 1: History and Politics 2. The History of Documentary Filmmaking in Mainland China 3. The Vision and Voice of New Taiwan Documentary Part 2: Theory and Ethics 4. Independent Documentary and Social Theories of Space and Locality 5. Subject to Movement: Wu Wenguang and the Ethics of Self Part 3: Subject and Gender 6. New Subjectivities in Women's Documentary Films 7. The Other as Interlocutor: 'Voices of the People' in Taiwan's Documentaries Part 4: Place and Migration 8. Empowering Place: Jia Zhangke's Post-Nostalgic Assemblage of Shanghai 9. Migration Documentaries and the Vision of Cosmopolitanism Part 5: Exhibition and Circulation 10. YIDFF and Taiwan Documentary in the International Arena 11. The Circulation of Mainland Chinese Independent Documentary