Hollywood's growing fascination with Chinese elements

• Source: Global Times
• [17:40 November 13 2009]
• Comments

Chinese elements, previously only reflected once in a blue moon in Hollywood, finally get a positive image. The blockbuster 2012, which opens November 13, is about a legendary ark in the Bible hidden in the Himalayan mountains in China; people trapped there eventually escape by the ark.

While filming in China, the Wenchuan earthquake hit on May 12,2008; director Roland Emmerich was deeply touched and he even added scenes of rescuers searching through the rubble and Chinese assistance to the  protagonists in the movie. In recent years, more and more Chinese elements are seen in Hollywood films, especially objective and positive images, and some even touch the essence of Chinese culture.

Since the 1990s, Chinese filmmakers began to venture into Hollywood, and the US also released a number of Chinese-themed films. However, at that time, China was only a symbol, like Bruce Lee's martial arts. The animation series South Park ridiculed Americans for their perceptions that Chinese people wear bamboo conical hats, and have their hair in long queues.