Li Haoyang

School of Communication Northwest Normal University

Abstract：

As a uniquely Chinese film genre, Chinese martial arts cinema has undergone a gradual process of differentiation and evolution from various artistic forms and cinematic styles. Influenced by the creative style of American Westerns, Chinese Western cinema emerged in the early 1980s. Led by the Fifth Generation directors, it showcased the rugged and majestic natural landscapes of the West alongside its bleak, fated humanistic undertones, forming a distinctive creative trend. The fusion of these two genres gave birth to the classic Chinese Western martial arts film, embodying the collision and integration of China's western regional culture with martial arts culture. However, this has shaped the portrayal of northwest regional culture in the public eye. Based on this, this discussion examines how cinematic symbols form stereotypes that hinder local development, while offering new theoretical perspectives and aesthetic frameworks for film aesthetics.

Key Words：

Chinese Western cinema; film aesthetics; Chinese Western cultural symbols