Chinese Horror Films Analysis

Since the birth of films, it has been nearly a hundred years. As one of the majorcommercial genre, Horror films which constantly trigger fear mood of audiencebecome an important film genre. In particular, after2000, the development of horror isso prosperous. Although the history of Chinese horror films is very long, but for somereasons, the development is sluggish. Until recent years, due to the reflection ofcommercial value, the development of Chinese horror films ran into the fast period.This paper is attempted to analyze the basic characteristics and creating pattern ofChinese horror films. Futher more, it analysis of the cultural value of Chinese horrorfilms,in order to give some reference for future Chinese horror films.Chapter One Chinese horror movie overviewDefine the concepts is very important for studying Chinese horror films. In thispaper, a broader concept was used, which is dominated by inducing terror feelingsmovie can be called a horror film. Horror films have a clear development path.Chinese horror films can track back to1913,which is “Zhuangzi Open The Coffin”shot by Zhang Shichuan. From this, the era of Republican Chinese horror films hasbeen kick off. In this time,“Phantom Lover” which shot by Maxu Weibang, was thehighest artistic achievement.1949-1970, the development of Chinese horror movie isreally slow.1970-2000, Chinese horror films ran into a rapid development period. After2000, Chinese horror films has shown a trend of diversified development.Chapter Two The study of Chinese horror films subgenreBy the influence of Chinese traditional spirits culture, Chinese horror filmsalways about ghosts. Thus, the clarity of classification of Chinese horror filmssubgenre is more difficult. Using western horror movie research methods as reference,I intend to divide Chinese horror films into three subgenres. First,Human society fear of “otherness”-"Monsters", which included ghosts, Chinese zombies, witchcrafts, beasts. Second, empathy and identity under the fear of “others"–“Serial killer”. Third, Thriller suspense–“Psychological fear”.Chapter Three The analysis of Chinese horror film aesthetic characteristicsLast century, with huge commercial success on the Horror art, the academicsmade the huge successes in the horror aesthetic. Horror became an important categoryin the history of western aesthetics. Chinese horror movies are influenced by Chinesetraditional culture, the aesthetic characteristics are very different from western horrorfilms. Chinese horror films pay a lot of attentions on horror atmosphere build, horroremotional atmosphere rendering, and use negative space in the films. This usageconforms to the aesthetic way of Chinese implicative, veiled expression and groundthinking. Based on the national common cultural imagination, the usage of horrorelements are symbolized and imagery. After2000, Chinese horror movies graduallyshow the aesthetics of modernism trends.Chapter Four Chinese traditional culture and Chinese ethnic and culturalanxiety in horror filmsChina has a long history, for thousands of years, Chinese people has formed theunique traditional culture of China. Chinese horror movies as an important form ofpopular culture, also is the cultural carrier of properties, it is bearing the weight of theChinese nation’s "feelings, relationships, memory, affection, status, social, emotional,mental enjoyment". Films as the carrier of cultures, not only has the function oftransmission, but also has the function of construction of cultural properties. Throughtheir unique art form, Chinese horror movie also reflects the various historical periodsof anxiety and fear of the Chinese, this anxiety also affect the Chinese tradition. So,from one point of view, the concept of traditional Chinese shaping the spiritual core ofChinese horror movies, horror movies but also affecting Chinese traditional values byreflecting the reality of anxiety of Chinese social history. Therefor the concept ofChinese tradition and secular sense of horror movies that performance here.At present, with the increase of coproduction in the mainland, Hong Kong andTaiwan, many veteran team of Hong Kong horror movie have enter the mainland film industry. In the meantime they did a lot of contribution to the prosperity of themainland film market. However, we can’t pursuit commercial interests of horrormovies blindly. The artistic features and humanistic care also should be attached greatideal. Rooting soil of Chinese culture deeply is a important way to develop Chinesehorror films.