Sixteen international academics examine the cinematic traditions of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese diaspora from the beginning of Chinese film history to the present. Seventeen essays are organized into three sections on the diachronic issues of film history, periodization, and trends; the synchronic questions of poetics, aesthetics, form, and directorial style; and the politics of filmmaking and film reception, contemporary cultural studies, and issues of identity, gender, the national, the transnational, the postcolonial, and globalization. For students and specialists in film studies and fields dealing with nationalism, globalization, multiculturalism and related areas, this academic text is also accessible to the general reader. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)