Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Dissertation Summary
Chapter One Introduction
1. New Chinese Film: The Inadequacy of Labels in Describing the New Film Practices in China
2. Mapping Contemporary Chinese Film
3. Discursive Parameters
Chapter Two Identifying Docurealism in Terms of History, Philosophy and Aesthetics
1. Historically: Inside and Outside China
2. Philosophically: The Redemption of Physical Reality
3. Aesthetic Principles111
Chapter Three Zhang Yuan: A Breakthrough in Presenting Reality — Escape from the Encirclement of
Melorealism
1. Zhang Yuan and New Approaches to Reality
2. Sons·Cinema-verite·Cinemadirect
3. Seventeen Years and the New Documentary Movement
Chapter Four Jia Zhangke: Distinguishing Nostalgia from the Fifth Generation's Exoticism
1. Xiaowu: The Common Man's Consciousness and the Popular Perspective
2. Platform: Loose Narration and Dedramatization
3. Unknown Pleasure: Redemption of Real Life Through Sound
Chapter Five Wang Xiaoshuai, Wang Chao, Lu Xuechang, Zhang Ming: Constructing Docurealist Aesthetics
in Film Construction
1. Shot·Deep Focus·Mise-en-scène
2. Colour· Light· Physical Reality
3. Editing·Montage·Longtake
Conclusion
Appendix Main Docurealist Film Directors and Their Works
Bibliography
Glossary