Evolving Dynamics: Mother-Daughter Relationships Among Overseas Chinese Women in Film (1980s-2020s)

Abstract

This research focuses on the continuity and discontinuity of challenges in mother-daughter relationships among overseas Chinese women in film and television over the past four decades (1980s-2020s). Artistic works, to a certain extent, reflect the consciousness of their times and project the subconscious of the era's people. Therefore, using film as a category of artistic work as research material can help researchers more intuitively and comprehensively observe the continuity and discontinuity of challenges faced by overseas Chinese women. This paper draws on 18 key films as primary research materials and conducts a comparative analysis. It can be observed that within the realm of films depicting mother-daughter relationships, the theme of parental control has persisted to the present day, while the younger generation shows more agency. By examining films that portray the experiences of Chinese-American women in their mother-daughter relationships, this research adds depth to the understanding of how these challenges have evolved or remained constant across different eras.