"The western, one of Hollywood's great film genres, has, surprisingly, enjoyed a revival recently in Asia and in other parts of the world, whilst at the same time declining in America. Although the western is often seen as an example of American cultural dominance, this book challenges this view. It considers the western from an Asian perspective, exploring why the rise of Asian westerns has come about, and examining how its aesthetics, styles and politics have evolved as a result. It analyses specific Asian westerns, to show how these employ Asian philosophical ideas and value systems, and includes discussion of westerns made elsewhere, including in Australia, Latin America and even in Hollywood but not made in traditional Hollywood style. The book concludes that the western is a genre which is truly global, and not one that that is purely intrinsic to America"-- |