Dying to Belong: Gangster Movies in Hollywood and Hong Kong (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781405163705)

This fascinating book begins with a new definition of the gangster film and a challenging exploration of the Hong Kong and Hollywood screen traditions.

• Illuminates the way gangster films deal with the ambiguities of modern life, correcting the notion that this genre is inconsequential sensationalism
  
• Contends that both American and Hong Kong gangster films are against-the-grain reactions to the central fable of modern democracies that promise immigrant (and other) outsiders that they can become social insiders
• Clarifies crucial and fascinating differences between American and Hong Kong approaches to enjoining the discussion of immigrant histories by placing them in counterpoint with each other
• Draws on a range of American films, ranging from Public Enemy and Scarface to Gangs of New York, Goodfellas, and The Godfather
• Explores a number of Hong Kong's 21st century gangster films, including Andrew Lau's great trilogy, Infernal Affairs, and Election and Election 2, directed by Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To
  
• Concludes with an exclusive interview with The Sopranos' creator, David Chase

Author: Martha P. Nochimson
ISBN-10: 1405163704
ISBN-13: 9781405163705
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Language: English
Published: 05/21/2007
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.38lbs
Size: 9.17h x 6.29w x 0.80d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 11/01/2007 pg. 263