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Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star

Albert Reed

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Published in Warrior Women: Gender Race And The Transnational Chinese Action Star

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In "Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star," author Beretta E. Smith-Shomade explores how Chinese action stars have embodied and challenged stereotypes of gender and race on the global stage.

From Bruce Lee to Jackie Chan

Bruce Lee, one of the most iconic Chinese action stars of all time, broke through racial barriers in Hollywood with his films such as "Fist of Fury" and "Enter the Dragon." Lee's films showcased his martial arts prowess and challenged the prevailing stereotypes of Asians as weak and passive.

Warrior Women: Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star

by Lisa Funnell

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2834 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	296 pages

Following in Lee's footsteps, Jackie Chan became another global action star with his films such as "Police Story" and "Rush Hour." Chan's films often featured a humorous blend of action and comedy, and he became known for his signature acrobatic stunts.

The Rise of Female Chinese Action Stars

In recent years, female Chinese action stars have also gained prominence on the global stage. Actresses such as Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, and Li Bingbing have starred in action films that have broken box office records and challenged traditional gender norms.

Yeoh, in particular, has become a symbol of female empowerment with her roles in films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Crazy Rich Asians." She has been praised for her athleticism and her ability to portray strong and independent female characters.

Transnational Appeal

One of the key aspects of the Chinese action star phenomenon is its transnational appeal. Chinese action films have been successful in both China and the West, and they have helped to break down cultural barriers.

This transnational appeal is due in part to the fact that Chinese action stars often represent a hybrid of Eastern and Western values. They are able to embody both the traditional values of Chinese culture and the more modern values of the West.

In "Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star," Beretta E. Smith-Shomade provides a fascinating exploration of how Chinese action stars have challenged stereotypes of gender and race on the global stage.

Through her analysis of the films and careers of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and other Chinese action stars, Smith-Shomade shows how these stars have both reinforced and subverted existing cultural norms.

Ultimately, "Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star" is a valuable contribution to the study of popular culture and its role in shaping our understanding of gender and race.

About the Book

"Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star" is a book by Beretta E. Smith-Shomade. The book explores how Chinese action stars have embodied and challenged stereotypes of gender and race on the global stage.

The book is divided into four chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the Chinese action star phenomenon.

Chapter 1: The Birth of the Chinese Action Star
Chapter 2: The Global Appeal of the Chinese Action Star
Chapter 3: The Female Chinese Action Star
Chapter 4: The Transnational Chinese Action Star

"Gender, Race, and the Transnational Chinese Action Star" is a must-read for anyone interested in popular culture, gender studies, or Asian studies.

Author Bio

Beretta E. Smith-Shomade is an associate professor of English at the University of California, Riverside. She is the author of several books, including "Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture" and "Black Women's Film and Television: Gender, Genre, and the Black Aesthetic."