Stephen Teo is a distinguished scholar in Asian cinema, with a particular focus on Hong Kong film. His work delves into genre theory, film history, and auteur studies within the framework of cultural studies. He also investigates national cinemas and the literary and visual dimensions of film theory, offering profound insights into the dynamics of filmmaking in Asia. His analyses are crucial for understanding the diversity and complexity of cinematic storytelling in the region.
This is the fully-researched account of the historical and contemporary development of the traditional martial arts genre in the Chinese cinema known as wuxia. The book unveils rich layers of the wuxia tradition as it developed in early Shanghai cinema in the late 1920s, and from the 1950s onwards, in the Hong Kong and Taiwan film industries.
Exploring the intersection of philosophy and cinema, this work delves into the unique philosophical underpinnings of Chinese martial arts films. It posits that understanding these films requires a philosophical lens, revealing how themes of morality, identity, and conflict shape the genre. By analyzing various films, the book highlights the deeper meanings and cultural significance embedded in the action and choreography, offering readers insights into both the artistry and the philosophical questions that arise within these narratives.
The book explores the resurgence of the western genre in Asia, contrasting its decline in America. It challenges the notion of the western as solely an American cultural product by examining Asian adaptations and their unique aesthetics, styles, and political themes. Through analysis of various Asian westerns and those produced in Australia, Europe, and Hollywood, it highlights the incorporation of Asian philosophical and mythical concepts, showcasing the genre's evolution and global significance.