A Study Of "Nostalgic Youth" Movies In Mainland China Of 21st Century

In recent years,changes in China s movie consumption market lead to the increase of youth movies mainly targeting at the young generation."Youth nostalgia" comes out as a new them of movies.This type of movies is with clear and unique themes.Though most of them get low movie ratings,they still are box office hits and become new hot trends of movie consumption market.After years they then are on the development of categorization and commercialization.In this regard,this thesis will make an in-depth analysis of the narrative techniques of this type of movies and social,cultural reasons for the phenomenon of youth nostalgia,in order to illustrate why youth nostalgic theme is so popular among audiences.Youth nostalgia involves three groups:creators of movies,nostalgic roles in movies and audiences of movies.In reality,there is certain overlap among them;namely,some characteristics of generations after 80s and 90s are both embodied in them;creators or inspirations of creators are from these groups;nostalgic roles reflect themselves;they are also viewers of movies.All these highlight one thing-advocators or supporters of youth nostalgia share distinct common features.Subjects of "youth nostalgia" concluded common memories represented by passed things and scenes and common moods denoted in them sufferings and happiness.Moreover,these movies have formed different reminiscent modes based on these nostalgic subjects,such as movies recalling heroic roles,sympathizing frustrated roles and movies advocating grateful attitudes towards life.These diverse models greatly cover experiences of twenty and thirty-something.Therefore,because of well-designed narrative backgrounds,feeling expressions and carefully selected roles,these nostalgic subjects are both typical of the times and inclusive in the coverage.The relationship between audiences and roles in the movies can answer why there are nostalgic moods.Usually,youth nostalgic movies will deliberately create sharp contradictions between the current "self"and the passed "others" with distinct character features.The invented "others" are full of ideals but have failed,opposite to mundane concepts;the real "self" takes the reality:'popular' worldly values are acceptable but not adorable to them.The confrontations between the young generation and vulgar values are the source of their sufferings.However,there is certain continuity between the past and the present.Past ideas are premature but with precious courage and aspiration;current mature attitudes smooth and remove regrets and scars left in their youth.Youth nostalgic movies help young audiences explore causes of pains and comfort their hurt hearts,helping them out of frustrated and confused psychological states.Youth nostalgic movies depict the young generation's painful pursuit of a spiritual habitat,which is a common problem of those living in the era of rapid economic and social development.Such movies mix past youth,vitality and current mature,self together,giving them desired consolation.Thus,this thesis argues that this is just the underlying reason for the flourishing of youth nostalgic movies.