Hollywood Film as A Metaphor of Neo-colonialism in 21st Century China –- A Study of The Hunger Games Series

2024 | Dissertation

by WANG Jingbo Joanna

Introduction

This dissertation examines the films of The Hunger Games series and evaluates their influence within the broader sphere of popular culture, particularly in the context of 21st-century China. The study focuses on the themes of neo-colonialism and neo-imperialism, offering an in-depth analysis of the representation of colonial discourse in both films and contemporary Chinese society. Additionally, it investigates Hollywood cinema as an industry and its effects on post-socialist Chinese society amid the processes of global circulation.

If interested, you may read Joanna’s Dissertation here.

Experience at MALCS

The one-year time spent in MALCS could be said to be a reframing period for me. It appeared in my world as the light of hope during the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic and turned into a goal to fight for. My talent and passion in the art field have been ignited from my first class in MALCS. The comprehensive classes in the first semester have laid a solid foundation for me in film study and provided me with basic research skills. With the discovery of my interest in film studies and colonial discourse, I embarked on my research on Hollywood Films for my Capstone project. The two most valuable gifts I have received from MALCS are Courage and Confidence. I have learned to enjoy taking challenges, see difficulties as priorities as well as chances of growing. Life in MALCS has equipped my mind to be competent enough to work in the financial industry.


Image credits:
(1) Image from The Hunger Games