Presentation Schedule
The Return of the Repressed: The Resurrection of Chinese Thriller in the 1980s (100307)
Session Chair: Xuelin Zhou
Wednesday, 5 November 2025 16:30
Session: Session 3
Room: Room E (4F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
Following the abandonment of decades-long isolationist policies in the late 1970s, China witnessed a return of the thriller genre in cinema. Notably, two films produced by Changchun Film Studio in 1979, The Moment and Gunshots in the Secrecy Bureau, heralded a decade characterized by a proliferation of thriller narratives, fostering a pivotal component of the dynamic and inclusive Chinese cinema of the 1980s. This presentation considers how the emergence and evolution of thriller films during this decade mirror the profound social transformations occurring in China, indicating the nation's gradual reintegration into the global community. It posits that local filmmakers, through embracing a genre of international acclaim, expanded their creative horizons and engaged with an increasingly interconnected cultural context. A detailed analysis of key thriller films from the decade reveals a discernible influence of Western elements, especially reflected in narrative structures and stylistic choices. The presentation concludes by asserting that the resurgence of the thriller genre not only revitalized Chinese cinema but also signified a broader cultural shift, illustrating China's evolving identity on the world stage.
Authors:
Xuelin Zhou, University of Auckland, New Zealand
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Xuelin Zhou is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at University of Auckland in New Zealand
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
Conference Comments & Feedback
Place a comment using your LinkedIn profileShare this Presentation
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress