Devils and More: Cinematic Representations of the Japanese during the Early Deng Era

This paper examines the post-war screen personas of Japanese individuals in Chinese cinema, who are literally referred to as ‘guizi’ (鬼子, meaning "ghostly") within the diegesis. These cinematic representations of Japanese people as the iconographic ‘other’ were reinterpreted during the early Deng era, a transformative period following the Cultural Revolution that significantly reshaped the political, cultural, and ideological landscapes. The reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping led to substantial changes in historical narratives within Chinese film, beginning with the emergence of "Scar Literature" and "Scar Films," which criticized past ideological purges and sought to reclaim cultural diversity. Following the fall of the "Gang of Four," portrayals of the Japanese, which had previously been dominated by negative stereotypes (guizi), began to evolve.

The paper identifies two distinct periods in the post-Mao era: from 1977 to 1983, marked by more nuanced representations of Japanese characters, and from 1983 to 2014, characterized by the CCP's efforts to construct a cohesive national identity through a "Greater China" narrative. Highlighting the coexistence of humanized and stereotypical depictions of the Japanese, my survey reveals the complexities of national identity shaped by liberal nationalism and cultural nationalism. It discusses the narrative patterns of "redemption" and "equalized victimization," emphasizing the shared suffering between Chinese and Japanese civilians.

Additionally, the rise of war spy films shifted focus from traditional ‘guizi’ portrayals to more intricate characterizations, including sympathetic Japanese civilians and introspective soldiers. This paper argues that these evolving representations served to foster a sense of "Sino-Japanese Friendship" while maintaining an anti-Japanese cultural discourse, illustrating the dynamic interplay between ideology, history, and film in shaping national identity during this pivotal era in Chinese history.