Cinematic Practice of Historical Materialism: The TeXing System and the Construction of Authenticity in Chinese Screen Narratives

Zhiyao Liu; Guangpu Li

doi:10.62177/chst.v3i2.1366

Authors

Zhiyao Liu Guangzhou University
Guangpu Li China National Theatre for Children

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/chst.v3i2.1366

Keywords:

TeXing System, Chinese Screen Culture, Bio-Adaptations, Performative Authenticity, Historical Representation, Cross-Media Performance

Abstract

This article examines the TeXing system, a distinctive Chinese approach to biographical screen representation, repositioning it as an institutionalized practice of state-level historical narrative that challenges Western-centric biopic theories. Unlike the market-driven Hollywood star system, the TeXing system fosters a unique institutional authenticity through rigorous selection processes and lifelong dedication to specific historical personas. Drawing upon the framework of Marxist historical materialism, this study analyses how TeXing performers transcend traditional acting to achieve a state of “living like” the historical figures, thereby transforming individual performance into a vehicle for collective memory. The research argues that the TeXing system serves not only as an artistic methodology but also as a critical mechanism for the construction of public culture and the cultivation of historical consciousness within contemporary screen culture. By anchoring historical consensus through authoritative portrayals of national leaders, the system offers a unique Chinese paradigm for understanding the intersection of performance, power, and historical truth.

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