Changing the Notion of Masculinity in China (on Materials from Contemporary Chinese Cinema)

In recent years, interest in gender studies has been increasing steadily; the study of the concepts of “femininity” and “masculinity” is becoming more and more relevant in the light of globalization and the revision of the responsibilities, opportunities and behavior norms of a “real woman” and a “real man.” The purpose of this study is to outline the transformation of the male image in 21st century Chinese film industry. To determine the main patterns in the modern Chinese men behavior, there will be used such methods as: analysis of visual content; classification; thematic, sentiment and content analysis, as well as historical-genetic analysis to describe the cultural and historical context of the phenomenon. The selection of cinematic works will consist of 4 popular films. The results of the study showed that Chinese masculinity cannot be reviewed based only on European theoretical concepts; in order to deeply understand its specifics, it is necessary to use the Wen-Wu dichotomy （问-武 wen-wu）. In the films studied, it is noticeable that the male characters’ behavior norms and values are strongly associated with Confucianism and junzi’s personal traits. The films also reflect the importance of family for a man, the desire to earn a decent amount of money to provide a comfortable living for his wife, children and elderly parents. Key words: masculinity, gender studies, Chinese cinema, “soft” masculinity, Wen-Wu concept.