Unveiling the Impact of Female Characters in Asian Chinese Women's Cinema: A Study of Character Identification, Transportation, and Media Appreciation

Abstract

In recent years, research has scrutinized the underlying psychological processes through which different film genres impact moviegoers. This current study, however, focuses on examining the influence of distinct female characters found in Asian Chinese women's cinema. These female characters can be categorized as Independent Women, Consumer Women, and Traditional Women. Drawing insights from the feedback gathered from a sample of 150 viewers who watched three women-centric films, this study has uncovered the extent to which these diverse female characters prompt different levels of Character Identification and Transportation in the audience, both of which are pivotal elements in engaging viewers. Furthermore, the study has explored the direct connection between audience appreciation and these three female character types. While the study found that there was not a statistically significant difference in Character Identification variability among Consumer Women, it did uncover that Independent Women and Traditional Women characters in Chinese women's cinema tend to generate higher levels of Character Identification. Additionally, there were no noticeable distinctions in terms of Transportation across the various female characters. Interestingly, Independent Women and Traditional Women characters did not receive as much Media Appreciation compared to the Consumer Women character. Ultimately, Chinese women's films predominantly resonate with feminists or individuals who hold a particular interest in the contributions of women to the film industry, despite having a relatively limited audience.