Introduction

Cinemas from East Asia are among the most exciting and influential in the world. They are attracting popular and critical attention on a global scale, with films from the region circulating as art house, cult, blockbuster and extreme cinema, or as Hollywood remakes.

Scope of the Book

This book explores developments in the global popularity of East Asian cinema, from Chinese martial arts, through Japanese horror, to the burgeoning new Korean cinema, with particular emphasis on crossovers, remakes, hybrids and co-productions. It examines changing cinematic traditions in Asia alongside the Asianisation of western cinema.

Themes and Questions

It explores the dialogue not only between East and West, but between different cinemas in the Asia Pacific. What do these trends mean for global cinema? How are co-productions and crossover films changing the nature of Hollywood and East Asian cinemas?

Case Studies

The book includes in-depth studies of Park Chan-wook, Infernal Affairs, Seven Samurai, and Princess Mononoke.