National allegory of masculinity, identity, and homosexuality.
This book is a great read for those interested in exploring the themes of masculinity, identity, and homosexuality in the context of post-colonial Hong Kong. It also delves into the film's relation to American road movies and the history of tango. Tambling's analysis of Happy Together's narrative and images in the light of Borges and Manuel Puig makes for an interesting read on film and literary criticism. It's a thought-provoking book that raises important questions on emotions, masculinity, gender relationships, and sexuality.
ISBN: 9789622095892
Authors:
Jeremy Tambling
Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
Date of Publication: 2003-06-11
Format: Paperback
Related Topics:
Art and Photography,
Film Studies,
LGBTQ+ Studies,
Gender,
LGBTQ+,
Race,
Social Issues
Goodreads rating: 3.04
(rated by 24 readers)
Description
Wong Kar-wai’s controversial film, Happy Together, was released in Hong Kong just before the handover of power in 1997. The film shows two Chinese gay men in Buenos Aires and reflects on Hong Kong’s past and future by probing masculinity, aggression, identity, and homosexuality. It also gives a reading of Latin America, perhaps as an allegory of Hong Kong as another post-colonial society. Examining one single, memorable, and beautiful film, but placing it in the context of other films by Wong Kar-wai and other Hong Kong directors, this book illustrates the depth, as well as the spectacle and action, that characterizes Hong Kong cinema. Tambling investigates the possibility of seeing Happy Together in terms of ‘national allegory’, as Fredric Jameson suggests Third World texts should be seen. Alternatively, he emphasizes the fragmentary nature of the film by discussing both its images and its narrative in the light of Borges and Manuel Puig. He also looks at the film’s relation to the American road movie and to the history of the tango. He poses questions how emotions are presented in the film (is this a ‘nostalgia film’?); whether the masculinity in it should be seen negatively or as signs of a new hopefulness about Hong Kong’s future; and whether the film indicates new ways of thinking of gender relationships or sexuality.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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National allegory of masculinity, identity, and homosexuality.
This book is a great read for those interested in exploring the themes of masculinity, identity, and homosexuality in the context of post-colonial Hong Kong. It also delves into the film's relation to American road movies and the history of tango. Tambling's analysis of Happy Together's narrative and images in the light of Borges and Manuel Puig makes for an interesting read on film and literary criticism. It's a thought-provoking book that raises important questions on emotions, masculinity, gender relationships, and sexuality.
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