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All for the Winner: An Analysis of the Characterization of Male Gamblers in Hong Kong Movies with Gambling Theme

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the characterization of male gamblers in popular Hong Kong movies in the past 50 years. A total of nine Hong Kong films with gambling themes were selected for analysis. The criteria for selection of the films were as follows: the movies in which the protagonists are portrayed by well known Hong Kong actors that attracted a wide spectrum of the audience in the community. Out of such criteria, six male actors, each representing a legend at their times, were selected in the current analysis. Psychological analysis of the characters portrayed in the Hong Kong movies suggests a shift of the emphasis from the moral integrity and social responsibility to the individual pursuit of monetary gains as the dominant theme of the movie and a component of the characterization of the protagonists. Further, the particular cultural and social conditions of Hong Kong society in each decade may have significant bearings on cultural characterization of male heroes. We argue that the male characterization of gamblers in the Hong Kong movies might as well be a crystallization of public fantasies and wishes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

    Chi Chuen Chan & Keis Ohtsuka

Authors
  1. Chi Chuen Chan
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  2. Keis Ohtsuka
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Correspondence to Keis Ohtsuka.

Appendix

Appendix

Movies reviewed

Chow, R. (Producer), Hui, M. (Director). (1974). Games Gamblers Play [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Golden Harvest Company.

Heung, J. (Producer), Wong, J. (Director). (1989). God of Gamblers. [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Win’s Movie Production and I/E Company.

Heung, J. (Producer), Wong J. (Director). (1991). God of Gamblers II [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Win’s Movie Production and I/E Company.

Heung, J. (Producer), Wong J. (Director). (1994). God of Gamblers Returns [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Win’s Movie Production and I/E Company.

Lee, C. N, Wu, L. M. & Chan, K. Y. (Producers), Ng, W. (Director). (1952). Everything Goes Wrong with the Poor Couple [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Yonglian Film Company.

Ng, S. Y. (Producer), Lau, J. & Yuen, C. (Directors). (1990). All for the Winner [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Mei Ah Entertainment Company.

Wong, J. (Producer), Chang, A. (Director). (2000). My Name is Nobody [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Jing’s Production Limited.

Wong, J. (Producer), Mak, C. S. (Director). (2001). A Gambler’s Story [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Jing’s Production Limited.

Wong, J. (Producer), Wong J. (Director). (1991). God of Gamblers III: Back to Shanghai [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Win’s Movie Production and I/E Company.

Wong, J. (Producer), Wong, J. (Director). (1997). God of Gamblers 3: The Early Stage. [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Golden Harvest Co.; Bob & Partners Company.

Wong, J. (Producer), Wong, J. (Director). (1999). The Tricky Master [Motion Picture]. Hong Kong: Bob & Partners Company.

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Chan, C.C., Ohtsuka, K. All for the Winner: An Analysis of the Characterization of Male Gamblers in Hong Kong Movies with Gambling Theme. Int J Ment Health Addiction 9, 208–218 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-010-9274-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-010-9274-5

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