“The age of Camille Is Gone!”: Youth Culture in Qiong Yao Films of the 1970s

Abstract

This paper examines the Qiong Yao films directed by Lee Hsing in the 1970s from the perspective of youth culture. Quintessentially youthful romance by genre, the majority of Qiong Yao films feature young men and young women in their early 20s as protagonists. The films focus on representing the attitudes, conducts and lifestyles of young men and young women. The paper argues that the Qiong Yao films directed by Lee Hsing in the 1970s demonstrate more signs of youth autonomy when comparing to those of the previous decade. Why the 1970s? What were the factors that contributed to the shift of perspective? What is the significance of representing an autonomous youth culture to Qiong Yao films? The paper seeks answers to these questions by closely referring to The Young Ones (Caiyun fei, 1973).