UC San Diego

Abstract: This article investigates the representation of the Chinese diaspora in the films Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Wandering Earth 2, employing a comparative approach to explore how these narratives engage with and reshape notions of diasporic identity within a transnational context. Through a detailed analysis of both films, it highlights the complex interplay among cultural memory, identity, and migration, using the sf genre as a framework to examine these dynamics. It further argues that the films challenge traditional understandings of Chineseness and homeland, presenting a more fluid and dynamic portrayal of cultural identity that responds to contemporary global movements and cultural intersections. By juxtaposing these films, the article contributes to the discourse on globalization and cultural hybridity, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of ethnic and national identities in a progressively interconnected world.