Internal Order: Resort to Violence by Members of Vulnerable Groups in Chinese Independent Films
Tingting WANG

Abstract
Resort to violence by members of vulnerable groups depicted in Chinese independent films in the last fifteen years is analyzed. The characters’ violent action, usually coming near end of the movies, is shown sympathetically in the films, reflecting the directors’ motivation of setting up or maintaining “internal order” in the segment of individuals they care and belong to, in contrast to the “external order” of the society that is beyond their control. The internal order the directors trying to set up depends on the period of societal development that is depicted in the film and is very current. Four independent films, Yu Dagang’s The Orphan of Anyang (2001), Li Yang’s Blind Shaft (2003), Zhang Lv’s Grain in Ear (2005) and Li Yang’s Blind Mountain (2007), are discussed as illustrative examples. Comparisons with the situation in developed countries are also given.

Full Text: PDF