This seminar introduced four popular Sinophone films released around the turn of the new millennium, each from a distinct and pluralistic cultural context: Yi Yi (2000), Farewell My Concubine (1992), Chungking Express (1994), and Lust, Caution (2007). Class meetings included a lecture component that situated the film in modern Chinese cultural history and introduced context about the film’s director and reception. We then moved on to a discussion component in which participants were invited to share their insights and interpretations of the film. This seminar aimed to familiarize participants with the work of four major contemporary Chinese directors and lay the groundwork for further exploration of Sinophone cinema. It also aimed to familiarize educators with key approaches to film studies including formalist (mise-en-scène, cinematography, etc.), narrative, and cultural studies methods.
Program expectations
The class met biweekly for two-hour sessions. Before each meeting, participants were expected to watch an assigned movie. These movies were widely available for rent or free on most streaming platforms. Participants were reimbursed for any rental costs at the conclusion of the program.
Throughout the seminar, participants were required to submit two one-page response papers.
Content Warning: This seminar was intended for adult learners and contained sensitive content and potentially distressing material related to suicide, political violence, stillbirth, and sexual assault.
Dates and Time
Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 4pm-6pm PT; we discussed Edward Yang, Yi Yi (2000)
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 4pm-6pm PT; we discussed Chen Kaige, Farewell My Concubine (1992)
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 4pm-6pm PT; we discussed Wong Kar-wai, Chungking Express (1994)
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 4pm-6pm PT; we discussed Ang Lee, Lust Caution (2007)
This program took place on Zoom.
Program Leader
Elise Huerta is a cultural studies scholar and educator who specializes in modern and contemporary China. Her research explores the cultural politics of touch in modern Chinese literature, film, and visual culture. She holds a PhD in East Asian Languages & Cultures from Stanford University and a BA in Asian Languages & Cultures from the University of Michigan.
Program Benefits
- Access to online resources.
- Free WA OSPI clock hours.
- Completion stipend, including reimbursement for movie access costs.
Program Resources
Click here for the Padlet site (compiled by program leader Elise Huerta) with the links and the resources for the program.
This program was sponsored by the East Asia Resource Center at the University of Washington and funded by a Freeman Foundation grant in support of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA).