Talks

Xueting Ni is available as a public speaker or panelist at Chinese culture events. She has a set of talks and shows which can be easily dovetailed to fit in with your audience and events, or new content can be delivered. Please contact us with your requirements

So The Chinese Do Do Sci-Fi!
Five years ago, I gave a talk called “The Chinese Don’t Do Sci-Fi?!”. Two Hugos, one blockbuster and several anthologies later, the world is at least aware that kehuan (Chinese Sci-fi), exists. This talk, written for EasterCon 2022 in London, and delivered again at NovaCon 2022 in Buxton, aims to show the breadth and depth of the genre beyond Three Body and Wandering Earth.

Introductions to Chinese Films
Working with various public venues to deliver a 10 to 20 minute cultural introductions to new UK releases as well as classics and recently released works (including the London Premier of Big Fish & Begonia, and A Touch of Sin. Collaborators include Curzon Goldsmiths, Queen Mary’s, University of London and Genesis Cinema.

Five Fabulous Female Goddesses
Even though China’s pantheon is mammoth, there does tend to be more male deities than female, it’s an imbalance I’ve tried to redress in my new book “From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao: An Essential Guide to Chinese Deities”. For Chinese goddesses are fabulous indeed, they come in many types – deities of the elements, the trades, protectors, creators. Most of the Nü Shen, Chinese for female deity, are very powerful. They also have amazing stories, and are some of China’s oldest supernatural beings.

Contemporary Chinese Cinema
Like its turbulent history, Chinese cinema has undergone many upheavals throughout the twentieth century, from an art form that was virtually non-existent at the beginning of the century, to a tradition that developed its own aesthetic, studio systems and language. It was employed by the state to further war efforts and revolution, after which it became a medium of response and rebellion. Privatization of the industry towards the end of the century eventually led to a new interdependence between the state and filmmakers that propelled Chinese cinema into the twenty-first century, with an explosion of genres, production and distribution methods.

The Chinese Don’t Do Sci-Fi?!
China and Chinese aesthetics have been borrowed by the West as a sci-fi setting and McGuffin for years. Native Chinese science fiction however, has remained relatively unregarded until very recently. Yet it has existed for over a century. In this talk Xueting will take you on a time-travelling journey through the history of Chinese sci-fi and speculative fiction from the turn of the twentieth century through to the present. Discover the influences of China’s unique history and culture on key themes and voices, from its first dawning, to contemporary works, whether translated into English or still only published in Chinese.

Shaw Sisters: The Fighting Women of Hong Kong Cinema
Famed for their martial arts movies, the Shaw Brothers Studios reinvented the way the studio system worked in the Far East, but not without the help of an amazing cast, often putting women on an equal, or stronger footing than their male counterparts…

From Sandmonks To Spirit Bombs
The classic Chinese text “Journey To The West”, and its influence on storytelling, up to modern comics and movies.

Peking Into Punk
The story of musical revolution and counter-culture in China. Includes documentary screening.

Disgusting China
The oddities of cuisine in the Far East, from strange-looking fruit to fast moving snacks. Includes audience participation and tasting.

The Way Of Tea
A brief history and introduction to the number one commodity of China, and its various forms. Includes audience participation and tasting.

Animated China
From the stop-motion works of Te Wei and classics by the Wan Brothers, to the multimillion yuan CGI and animation industry of China today. This is a history of government intervention and support, personal triumphs, and artistic endeavour. Includes screenings of several short animations from the past 70 years.