Jet Li: Chinese Masculinity and Transnational Film Stardom

This is one of the first studies of Chinese stars and their transnational stardom, examining the transnational Chinese actor Jet Li, probably the best martial arts actor alive. Jet Li's career has crossed numerous cultural and geographic boundaries, from mainland China to Hong Kong, from Hollywood to France. In Jet Li: Chinese Masculinity and Transnational Film Stardom, Sabrina Qiong Yu uses Li as an example to address some intriguing but under-examined issues surrounding transnational stardom in general and transnational kung fu stardom in particular. Presenting case studies of audiences' responses to Jet Li films and his star image, this book explores the way in which Li has evolved from a Chinese wuxia hero to a transnational kung fu star in relation to the discourses of genre, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and national identity. By rejecting a text-centred approach which still prevails in film studies and instead emphasising the role of audiences in constructing star image, this book challenges some established perspectives in the study of Chinese male screen images and martial arts/action cinema.

Author: Sabrina Qiong Yu
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Published: 03/05/2015
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781474402804

About the Author

Dr Sabrina Qiong Yu is a Senior Lecturer in Chinese and Film at Newcastle University.