This study explores the representation of female characters in Chinese sports films from a feminist perspective, focusing on gender discourse and social implications. Using content and discourse analysis, it examines a curated sample of films spanning from 1934 to 2023, selected based on cultural influence and genre representativeness. The analysis addresses the natural, social, and narrative attributes of female characters, tracing their evolution across distinct socio-historical periods. Incorporating Chinese feminist frameworks, the study reveals a shift from stereotypical portrayals to more diverse and multidimensional representations. However, traditional gender norms and consumerist aesthetics remain influential, particularly in visual elements such as costume and framing. By shedding light on these dynamics, the study offers contextualized insights and recommendations for advancing gender equality in the future development of Chinese sports cinema.
Wang et al. (Wed,) studied this question.