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An Inquiry into Gender and Queer Issues in Chinese-Language Sci-Fi Film: A Case Study of The Soul

  • Jingjing Cai

    Jingjing Cai is an Assistant Professor of Chinese at Centre College. Her research interests include Sinophone literature and culture, gender studies, film studies, and language pedagogy. Her scholarship, which includes journal articles, critical essays, and book and film reviews, has been featured in a variety of academic and popular publications, including Asian Women, Chinese Literature Today, Inquiry and Criticism, and the Journal of Technology and Chinese Language Teaching.

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Published/Copyright: November 13, 2024
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Abstract

This paper explores the complex portrayal of gender and identity in Cheng Wai-ho’s 2021 science fiction mystery, The Soul. Set in a near-future grappling with RNA-based memory transfer and gender reassignment, the film intertwines technological advancements with social issues like tongqi, marriage trafficking, and transgender representation. Utilizing theories by Prosser, Stryker, and Salamon, the analysis examines how the film depicts transgender characters Wang Shicong and Prosecutor Liang, focusing on their experiences within a system of power dynamics and the exploitation of vulnerable groups. By contrasting the mainland and uncut Netflix versions, the paper delves into the boundaries of Chinese censorship regarding LGBTQ+ themes. This study argues that while The Soul challenges heteronormativity and reveals the complexities of intersectional identities, it also offers opportunities for further critique of its limitations in representation. The film’s contribution to Chinese cinema lies in advancing conversations on gender and sexuality while highlighting the need for social reform.


Corresponding author: Jingjing Cai, German, Chinese, and Japanese Program, Centre College, 515 O’Hara Dr. 40422 Danville, KY, USA, E-mail:

About the author

Jingjing Cai

Jingjing Cai is an Assistant Professor of Chinese at Centre College. Her research interests include Sinophone literature and culture, gender studies, film studies, and language pedagogy. Her scholarship, which includes journal articles, critical essays, and book and film reviews, has been featured in a variety of academic and popular publications, including Asian Women, Chinese Literature Today, Inquiry and Criticism, and the Journal of Technology and Chinese Language Teaching.

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Received: 2024-02-27
Accepted: 2024-10-18
Published Online: 2024-11-13
Published in Print: 2024-12-17

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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