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Encyclopedia of Chinese Film

A comprehensive reference to Chinese cinema and its history

Yingjin Zhang author Zhiwei Xiao author Yingjin Zhang editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:17th Dec '98

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Encyclopedia of Chinese Film cover

This reference work offers a detailed exploration of Chinese cinema, including entries on directors, genres, and film synopses, making the Encyclopedia of Chinese Film an essential resource.

This comprehensive volume serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of Chinese cinema. The Encyclopedia of Chinese Film is organized alphabetically, providing easy access to entries on directors, genres, themes, as well as notable actors and actresses from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. With a total of 300 film synopses included, this encyclopedia not only highlights key films but also offers a substantial historical overview that enriches the reader's understanding of the evolution of Chinese film over the years.

The Encyclopedia of Chinese Film stands out as one of the first comprehensive references in this field. It meticulously details the cultural and historical context surrounding the entries, ensuring that readers grasp the significance of each topic. The alphabetical entries are thoughtfully preceded by a detailed historical section that explores the major studios and examines the influence of Chinese cinema both domestically and internationally in recent years.

This encyclopedia caters to a diverse audience, including film studies scholars, students of Chinese culture, specialists in Chinese film, and curious viewers eager to learn more about this vibrant cinematic landscape. Additional features such as comprehensive cross-references, suggestions for further reading, a list of relevant websites, a chronology of films, and three detailed indexes enhance its usability. A glossary of pinyin romanizations, Chinese characters, and their English equivalents further aids specialists in navigating between languages.

'This work offers comprehensive coverage at a time when Chinese cinema has won international acclaim. The essays alone offer great assistance, but when coupled with the cross-referenced entries and the handsome photographs, the work's value crystallizes. A thorough bibliography, multiple indexes and an annotated list of select websites further enhance this volume. Highly recommended for all academic libraries; there is no comparable reference.' - Library Journal

'There have been scholarly studies of certain aspects of Chinese cinema in English before, but this Encyclopedia is unique in its scope. The volume is a splendid contribution to the study of one of the most important film traditions outside Hollywood. All students of the Chinese cinema will want a copy.' - Times Literary Supplement

'...represents a real step forward for the documentation of Chinese cinema.' - Sight and Sound

'Film librarians will welcome Routledge's Encyclopedia of Chinese Film. There is little else in the reference literature that covers Chinese film as comprehensively, especially in a single volume ... a well-balanced mix of articles. Editors Yingjin Zhang and Zhiwei Xiao deserve credit for a useful, thorough treatment of an important and interesting topic. Academic libraries and large public libraries will find this a valuable addition to their film reference collections.' - Against the Grain

'This one-volume encyclopedia is a well-stocked supermarket for the student of Chinese film and a handy reference work for any scholar working with films from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.' - JOSA 31 [1999]

ISBN: 9780415151689

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 1247g

500 pages