Patriotism and Propaganda in Chinese Cinema

This chapter explores the remarkable success of a Chinese war film that became the highest grossing in the country and second worldwide in 2021 amidst the evolving landscape of the film industry. It discusses the Chinese Communist Party's strategic support for patriotic blockbusters and how they have shifted from failed propaganda to popular entertainment. The conversation also highlights the challenges of dissenting narratives in China's cinema, contrasting it with the more diverse storytelling found in Hollywood.