Becoming indie: making of indie cinema in mainland China (2010-2019)

Thesis

Using Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as its main theoretical inspiration and key methodology, this thesis explores the landscape of indie cinema as a unique industry and aesthetic practice in mainland China from 2010 to 2019. Inspired by Bruno Latour’s use of the analogy of a messy construction site where social enterprises emerge through a hive of activity – actions, movements, trials, negotiations, orders, and failures – this study conceptualises the term “indie cinema” within a specific Chinese context by traveling through the sites of production, distribution, and exhibition via which the term “indie cinema” comes into being. It focuses in particular on the busy human and non-human actants who proactively engage in activating China’s indie film scene as a growing network. These actants include both human actants, such as industry professionals, filmmakers, and online communities of film critics, and also non-human actants, such as state regulations, shooting equipment, and online platforms.

The conceptualisation of Chinese indie cinema does not only provide a valuable lens through which to understand the evolution of the scene as a unique film practice – constantly evolving as a result of the interactions, negotiations and influences of various actants – but it also contributes to the application of Actor-Network Theory in film studies by examining the role of non-human actants such as lighting, cameras, and objects in shaping the aesthetics of Chinese indie films. These latter actants help to construct negative affects, which allow the films under investigation to evade censorship and challenge state-propagated narratives. More broadly, throughout the thesis, I demonstrate how the Chinese indie cinema landscape provides a compromised and fragile, but nevertheless open network for film practitioners and audiences to navigate the increasingly restrictive ideological control of the state, and the uncertain political climate in China.

Authors: Wu, X

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-8n2poyenb
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: affect; Chinese indie film; actor-network-theory
• Subjects: Film aesthetics, Film industry, Contemporary Chinese Studies