What really makes a film feminist: a comparative analysis of westernised films and Hong Kong cinema between 1990-2000

Abstract

Feminist films cannot be reduced to women's cinema. A possible definition of women's cinema includes films about women, films addressed to women or films directed by women, one of the commonest understandings hitherto. However, in terms of filmmakers of feminist films, it is crucial to make clear that there is no limitation on the gender categories they may fall into. This research draws attention to Westernised films and Hong Kong cinema directed by filmmakers with different genders between 1990-2000, discussing gender representation in cinema in relation to different socio-cultural contexts and various gender perspectives of the directors. The redefinition of 'feminist film' is expected to challenge the stereotype that women make good feminist films and men are unlikely to be feminists. The exploration of the films' feminism would also help to challenge the gender binary, assisting people in examining their traditional concepts of gender.