Advanced-Level Vocabulary List for "Ne Zha 2" Discussion
General Film Terms
Mise-en-scène – The arrangement of visuals in a scene (lighting, props, costumes) to convey meaning.
Diegesis – The fictional "world" of the story, including events and sounds the characters experience.
Auteur theory – The idea that a director’s personal vision shapes a film’s artistic identity.
Nonlinear narrative – A storytelling structure that breaks chronological order.
Juxtaposition – Placing contrasting elements side by side to highlight differences.
Metanarrative – A broader cultural or philosophical story that frames smaller narratives.
Diegetic sound – Sounds that exist within the film’s world (e.g., characters’ voices).
Subversion – Deliberately breaking audience expectations or traditional tropes.
Themes & Ideas
Existentialism – A philosophy focusing on individual freedom, choice, and self-definition.
Hegemony – Dominance of one ideology or power structure over others.
Dystopian – Imagining a flawed or oppressive society, often as a critique of reality.
Epistemology – The study of knowledge and how we understand truth.
Nihilism – The belief that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose.
Paradox – A contradiction that reveals deeper truth (e.g., "rebelling against fate").
Ontological – Relating to the nature of existence or reality.
Ethos – The guiding beliefs or values of a character or culture.
Cultural & Plot Terms
Cultural hegemony – The dominance of one culture’s values over others.
Intertextuality – How a text references or reworks other stories or myths.
Postmodernism – Artistic skepticism of grand narratives and emphasis on fragmented meaning.
Mythopoeia – The creation of new myths or myth-like stories.
Anagnorisis – A character’s critical moment of self-realization.
Cosmogony – A narrative explaining the origin of the universe or a culture.
Semiotics – The study of symbols and their meanings in communication.
Hybridity – Blending cultural elements to create new identities or narratives.
Analytical & Discussion Terms
Deconstruction – Analyzing a text to expose hidden contradictions or assumptions.
Dialectics – Debating opposing ideas to reach deeper understanding.
Teleology – The study of purpose or design in events or narratives.
Hermeneutics – The theory and methodology of interpretation.
Moral relativism – The idea that morality is shaped by cultural context, not absolutes.
Phenomenology – Examining subjective human experience in art.
Mimetic – Art that imitates or reflects reality.
Sublime – A quality of awe-inspiring greatness, often mixing beauty and terror.
Film Industry
Intellectual Property (IP) – Ownership of creative ideas (e.g., characters, stories).
Vertical Integration – A studio controlling production, distribution, and exhibition (e.g., owning theaters).
Monetization Strategies – Ways to turn content into profit (streaming rights, merchandise, etc.).
Crowdfunding – Raising money for a film from public donations (e.g., Kickstarter).
Tax Incentives – Government discounts to attract film productions to a region.
Globalization of Cinema – How films cross cultural and national boundaries (e.g., Ne Zha 2’s international appeal).
Day-and-Date Release – Launching a film in theaters and on streaming platforms simultaneously.
Subsidies – Financial support from governments or institutions for film projects.
