The radical age of Chinese cinema
Chinese Whispers27 Kesä 2022

The radical age of Chinese cinema

You probably wouldn’t expect to see the Cultural Revolution in Chinese films, or the Great Leap Forward, or the Tiananmen Square protests. But for a certain generation and a certain corner of the Chinese film industry, these were actually common themes to deal with. Their films weren’t always welcome to the censors, but they weren’t always banned, either.
I recently wrote a column for The Spectator on Chinese cinema, and the golden age it experienced just after the end of the Cultural Revolution. You’d be surprised at the amazing political – and social – subversiveness of directors like Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou. This episode is all about that golden age and what has come after, where, depressingly, it’s now films like Wolf Warrior 2 that dominate the box office.
Joining me is Chris Berry, Professor of Film Studies at Kings College London who specialises in Chinese cinema. We talk about how their trauma of living through the Cultural Revolution drove the so-called 'Fifth Generation' directors; the bold portrayal of queer characters which got them into trouble with the censors; and how commercialisation has changed the landscape for Chinese directors who are now dictated by the box office. Pictured here is Leslie Cheung in Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine, where Cheung portrays a queer Beijing opera singer.

Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.


For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.


Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(122)

New podcast: Quite right! with Michael Gove & Madeline Grant

New podcast: Quite right! with Michael Gove & Madeline Grant

Michael Gove and Madeline Grant launch Quite right!, The Spectator’s new podcast promising sanity and common sense in an increasingly unhinged world. This week, they talk about Labour’s deputy drama, ...

10 Syys 202518min

A compilation of Chinese Whispers: understanding China

A compilation of Chinese Whispers: understanding China

As Chinese Whispers comes to an end, here is a compilation of some of the best discussions Cindy Yu has had across the podcast to understand modern China and President Xi. On this episode you can hear...

5 Touko 20251h 37min

What does it take to be 'an old friend of the Chinese people'?

What does it take to be 'an old friend of the Chinese people'?

** Chinese Whispers is coming to an end. Later this year, Cindy Yu will be joining The Times and The Sunday Times to write a regular column on China. To stay abreast of her latest work, subscribe to h...

7 Huhti 202537min

From Chimerica to Cold War II: how US-China relations soured

From Chimerica to Cold War II: how US-China relations soured

** Chinese Whispers is coming to an end. Later this year, Cindy Yu will be joining The Times and The Sunday Times to write a regular column on China. To stay abreast of her latest work, subscribe to h...

24 Maalis 202536min

Rana Mitter on the legacy of Sun Yat-sen

Rana Mitter on the legacy of Sun Yat-sen

Walking around Taipei a couple of years ago, I spotted a familiar sight – a bronze statue of a moustachioed man, cane in his right hand, left leg striding forward. The man is Sun Yat-sen, considered m...

10 Maalis 202543min

What China's planned mega-dam means for Asia

What China's planned mega-dam means for Asia

Just before the end of 2024, Chinese state media Xinhua slipped out an announcement – the long discussed mega-dam in Medog County, Tibet, has been greenlit. When built, it will generate three times mo...

24 Helmi 202528min

Have America's chips controls backfired?

Have America's chips controls backfired?

Beginning in the first Trump presidency and expanded under Joe Biden, the US has taken a strategy of technologically containing China through restricting its access to cutting edge semiconductors. As ...

10 Helmi 202557min

What is China's 'United Front' agenda?

What is China's 'United Front' agenda?

** Chinese Whispers is nominated in the Political Podcast Awards 2025. Vote for it to win the People's Choice category here **When Chinese spy scandals break, like the latest involving Prince Andrew a...

27 Tammi 202533min

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
tervo-halme
rss-podme-livebox
aihe
rss-ulkopoditiikkaa
viisupodi
rss-pinnalla
the-ulkopolitist
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-asiastudio
radio-antro
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
otetaan-yhdet
rss-mina-ukkola
rss-polikulaari-pitka-kiekko-ja-muut-ts-podcastit