The Transformation of Chinese Women’s Identity in Hollywood Films—The Role of Zhang Ziyi as an Example

Abstract

This article examines and compares Zhang Ziyi’s star identity and image in China and the West by using several films in which she acted that enjoyed fame on the international stage, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha, as case studies. The evolution of her Asian female identity in American cinema is further analyzed by combing through her career development in Hollywood. At the same time, it is useful to describe her as a symbol of the Asian consumer market by examining how her cosmopolitan identity, described as a “modern woman”, is represented in advertisements or magazines for brands she represents. This paper seeks to reveal the development of Chinese female identity as revealed by the character of Zhang in Hollywood films. It finds that Zhang has shaped the Western perception of Chinese female immigrants with her outstanding performance through comparing her perceptions in the West and China. Moreover, her remarkable influence and identity symbol promote the localization of overseas brands in Asian markets.