Cross-Cultural Appropriation: Seven Wolves and its American Sources (Levels of Imitation in Popular Chinese Cinema)

Abstract

This article explores the pervasive impact of Western films and other Chinese films and literature upon the Chinese motion picture industry. Specifically, it examines the film Seven Wolves, directed by Chu Yen-P`ing and its relationships to three U.S. films: Flashdance, The Goodbye Girl, and Streets of Fire. the impact on Taiwan and Hong Kong society and culture made through Western influence has been quite pervasive. There is almost no aspect of modern Chinese life which has not been in some way touched by the West. The West has had an enormous impact upon the Chinese, both for good and for bad. The degree of this influence has been so great that it is oftentimes no longer noticed, for the once-Western has been accepted as Chinese in the popular consciousness. In all fairness, there are many more possible reasons why Chinese filmmakers imitate Western films. These range from artistic to practical reasons. It can be to demonstrate skill and knowledge of the Western filmic tradition. Possibly, they are transforming the Western stories into a form which the Chinese audience can better enjoy. Borrowings in the Chinese motion picture industry are in no way limited to U.S. or Western films. Chinese films also borrow quite heavily from other Chinese films and literature..