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Zhou, Siling

English

2011

MA

Ang Lee's faithful representations of a variety of societies from different periods greatly renew western audiences' impression oftraditional Asian filmmakers. In his film-making, Lee extends his reach beyond his Chinese heritage while at the same time applying key Confucian values in his works, even those focused on western cultural setting, In doing so, Lee breaks the boundary between East and West, and simultaneously achieves the status of international director. This paper aims to connect Lee's art works and his personal and cultural background. The analysis focuses on the influence of Confucian traditions on Lee's filmmaking through studies of Lee's biography and four of his signature films, while at the same time recognizing the ways in which his craft reaches beyond his Chinese heritage. The paper surveys Lee's filmography and traces various factors relevant to Confucian traditions that have framed Lee's cinema world and explores the profound cultural imports implanted in his films.