Chinese Lesbian Cinema - by Liang Shi (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book is the first extensive study of lesbian cinema in mainland China. It also provides an account of the history of Chinese homosexuality, especially its female same-sex erotic tradition, from antiquity to the present day.

Book Synopsis

This book is the first extensive study of lesbian cinema in mainland China. It also provides an account of the history of Chinese homosexuality, especially its female same-sex erotic tradition, from antiquity to the present day.

Review Quotes

The term 'groundbreaking' is not strong enough to adequately characterize the insightful contents of Chinese Lesbian Cinema. Utilizing a variety of critical approaches, Liang Shi identifies and explores an important subgenre of underground films that have to date been virtually ignored by media scholars. This book offers incisive analyses of little-seen lesbian-themed films from mainland China, informed by interview responses from their (perhaps unexpectedly) heterosexual, non-activist makers who have little hope of ever reaping profits from their creations. The end result is a must-read text that effectively challenges typical conceptions of lesbian filmmaking as it is characterized in contemporary global discourse.

About the Author

Liang Shi is associate professor of Chinese language and literature at Miami University.