| Abstrakt: |
The article discusses key issues concerning the French-Asian connection in contemporary cinema. Due to France's colonial history in Indochina, the relationship between France and Vietnam provides a more obvious French-Asian connection than that between France and East Asian countries such as Japan and China. However, French/East Asian cultural and aesthetic intermingling is pervasive. Indeed, 2003-2004 is the 'Year of China in France,' a government sponsored initiative that accounts for the abundance of Chinese artistic and cultural events ranging from film series and dance performances to museum exhibits and book publications not only in Paris, but throughout the 'Hexagon.' Even France's combination supermarket/department store chain Monoprix features 'Asian' products such as 'Shanghai Lee-Lee incense' and a line of women's fashion, including Chinese qipao style tops and dresses for women and little girls, kimono-esque shirts as well as accessories such as purses in 'Oriental' fabrics and obi-style belts. |
