Final answer:
Early Chinese cinema featured women in starring roles due to Western influence, societal shifts, and a burgeoning feminist movement, all of which contributed to the evolution of women's portrayal and challenges to traditional roles in media.
Step-by-step explanation:
Women were pushed to be the stars in early Chinese films due to a combination of social and political factors. In the early 20th century, the Chinese film industry sought to emulate Western cinematic trends, which often featured women in prominent roles. Magazines like Ling long popularized Western fashions and ideologies, influencing Chinese culture and cinema. Furthermore, the discrimination and hardships women faced in traditional Chinese society, magnified by gender socialization and experiences during the Japanese occupation, led to an emergent feminist movement. Women in cinema provided a canvas to challenge traditional narratives and offer empowering stories that resonated with audiences seeking change and modernity.
Additionally, the Chinese Communist Party encouraged the portrayal of strong female characters in film as part of their gender equality efforts. The tumultuous historical backdrop, including the suffering of "comfort women" during World War II, spurred many Chinese women into activism. This activism was reflected in the film industry, where women's roles on screen began to mirror their increasing societal involvement and aspiration for a different status quo.