Contemporary Art Cinema Culture in China

Xiang Fan holds a PhD in Media Communications and Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths, University of London. She was previously a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Chinese Independent Film Archive at Newcastle University, UK. Her research interests include Chinese independent and art cinema, film festivals and exhibition culture in the digital age, and women’s cinema.

• Introduction 1. Home space and piracy: The emergence of grassroots cinephile culture2.Towards an ‘alternative’ public cinematic space? Mapping power dynamics of art cinema venues3.‘Independent’ exhibition: Mediating between underground and publicity4. Networked internet critics: From amateur to entrepreneur5. Fan translation: Volunteering in the marginConclusionBibliography Index

Xiang Fan’s exemplary ethnography lifts the lid on China’s cinephile culture, caught between the market economy and one-party state, to reveal the venue operators, amateur critics, and fansubbers whose dedication and determination makes it survive – and often even thrive.