Loving mother vs. controlling mother: visual attitude and reading positions in the short film Bao

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article explores the applicability of the system of attitude and reading positions to filmic discourse analysis. The case study focuses on the short film Bao. Analysis demonstrates how visual attitude, together with focalisation and music, is used to direct the viewer to align with the mother character. Such a naturalised reading is then embraced, challenged, or rejected by actual viewers whose reviews of Bao on IMDb and Douban are investigated. While compliant reading accepts the intended message of maternal love, tactical reading tends to question the film’s use of the eating metaphor and the depiction of Chinese characters with small eyes, and resistant reading interprets the film as revealing problems of Chinese parenting such as controlling mothers and irresponsible fathers. Factors contributing to the tactical and resistant readings are explored in relation to contemporary discussions and concerns in the receiving community. The study calls for attention to the discrepancy between the naturalised reading as is intended by the discourse producer and the actual readings that are influenced by the socio-cultural context.