Ash's Bio and Abstract

Ashley Hsieh
Critical Studies, Cinematic Arts: B.A., 2008


Ashley Hsieh has a major in Critical Studies, Cinematic Arts and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. In Spring 2006, Hsieh had the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing, China at Peking University.

While Hsieh was in China, she developed an interest in East Asian cinema. Her study abroad experience as well as Professor Hyung-Sook Lee’s seminar on East Asian Transnational Cinema and Stars inspired her interactive thesis project on the relationship between local and transnational in Hong Kong.

Hsieh not only enjoys film analysis but also film production. She has written and directed a number of short films. Additionally, she has interned at many film and television companies including MTV Networks and Fox-Walden Marketing. She has gained experience in development, casting and creative marketing. In the future, Hsieh plans on working in entertainment industry and wants to be a film producer.




Welcome to the Hong Kong Express: the relationship between local and transnational in Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express

Project by Ashley Hsieh


Welcome to the Hong Kong Express is an interactive, experiential website that explores the relationship between the local and transnational in Hong Kong as represented in Wong Kar-Wai’s film Chungking Express.

As the viewer enters the website, they will watch a brief video on the history of Hong Kong. The video will then ask the viewer to decide whether or not the elements in Chungking Express reflect the erasure of Hong Kong local culture or if it is merely reflecting the transnational, modern culture present there.

Throughout the website, the audience will be able to navigate and explore different spaces – a bar and a hotel. Within these familiar spaces, meant to make the viewer feel more connected to the project, the viewer will look for “hot spots”. These hot spots will lead the audience to pages that critically analyze scenes and themes from the film.

At the end, after viewing the hot spots, the audience will choose whether they believe Chungking Express erases local culture or merely reflects a modern, transnational culture. The viewer will then realize that both choices play a role in shaping the history and culture of Hong Kong.



Project type:
Experiential, Interactive Research Project

Advisors:
Dr. Virginia Kuhn (Associate Director, IML)
Dr. David James (Professor, Critical Studies)