Tai Chi at the movies
Some people say that cinema is dead, but with thousands of productions each year, is it? Cinema can be a powerful medium and through films, we are exposed to many ideas. Chinese martial films in the wuxia genre have been around for a long time and itself a successor to Chinese opera. But it would be Bruce Lee who introduced Chinese martial arts to the rest of the world.
Regardless of what people might think, Asian martial arts community owes Bruce Lee a debt of gratitude. Whilst he does not represent all styles of martial arts, he opened the doors to what Asia has to offer. Unless you served in the armed forces or you're a scholar in Asian culture, you've probably not have been exposed to martial arts. The first known martial arts productions were not limited by creativity or talent, but the technology available. By the 1970s, we start to see productions like a Touch of Zen, which is a style we come to know. A Touch of Zen is Wuxia, but also in a Western sense, art house. The Shaw Brothers were the benchmark of what we expect in Kung Fu cinema. Without the VHS video format, distribution and further exposure would not have been possible. After Bruce Lee passed away, it was Jackie Chan who would be star of kung fu cinema up till the 2000s.
Despite the staples such as the core works by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and a few other notable films. The vast majority of what Hong Kong produces were rarely available outside Chinese or Asian communities. They weren't made for Western audiences in mind and it wouldn't be financially viable to market something that few would appreciate. Despite martial arts being part of Chinese culture, not everybody is well informed, never mind practicing it. The core themes that sold well for the Shaw Brothers were Shaolin, Bak Mei, the Wudang rivalry and folk heroes. What a number of people know of Chinese martial arts culture is from these productions. Since few people actually knew martial arts, if the fights were choreographed well, the audience will be back for more. Inaccuracy did not matter, although it does now when there are misunderstandings from what we see in films and historical fact. Let's put one ghost to bed, Shaolin and Wudang aren't enemies. Buddhism and Daoism complements each other and historically borrowed from each other, both spiritually and martially.
So how about Tai Chi? There haven't really been that many productions where Tai Chi has been the star or get decent exposure. But they do outnumber those of of other internal arts or other less well known styles. Do Tai Chi benefit from exposure in cinema? Yes and no. In yes, it is good let people see Tai Chi and see what it is about, beyond clichés. But no, because it rarely sends people looking for classes. Unlike Wing Chun, which has seen increase in practitioners since the Donnie Yen star's Ip Man franchise. Are there or should there be more films with Tai Chi? Yes and there already are, but these are more for the Chinese communities. Tai Chi is occasionally seen, but whether that is the interpretation you wish to see is another matter.
Here are a short list of films that are about, or have created interest in Tai Chi, Internal Arts or Wudang culture. They are my opinions, but I think you should watch them and see what you think.
The Shadow Boxer, 1974
Shaw Brothers were prolific in producing martial arts films in the 70s, with the 36 Chambers of Shaolin being their most famous. But before Gordon Lau shaved his head, there was The Tai Chi Boxer. The overall plot was nothing special and typical of the times. What does make it special was the the Tai Chi that features in this film is the style I practice. Our late Grandmaster, Cheung Tin-Hung was the martial arts adviser and features at the beginning. Not many people have seen this film and I've not seen it being sold anywhere.
Pushing Hands, 1991
This was one of Ang Le's earliest films and one many people haven't heard of. There are no big explosive fights or heavy-handed pushing hands. The film is not about fighting or actually pushing hands, but about people's relationship in life.
Tai Chi Master, 1993
Jet Li was hot property in the Chinese action scene. Whilst he was well known for playing the Wong Fei Hung. Jet Li took a break and took on Tai Chi. The film was directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, who has been a long standing name in the the Chinese film industry. The film was about the legendary founder of Tai Chi, Zhang San Feng and how he became who was. Plenty of philosophy, but some contents were from later centuries. I won't spoil your fun.
The Cult Master, 1993
Jet Li also stars in this film, which was loosly based in Louis Cha's The Heaven's Sword and Dragon Sabre. This time, Jet Li plays the lead character who is associated with Wudang. However it is Sammo Hung who plays Zhang San-Feng. As wuxia films go, it was quite watchable, but it wasn't enough to make more sequels. If you thought Netflix was harsh with their cancellations, think again.
Tai Chi Boxer, AKA Tai Chi II, 1996 This was the second Tai Chi project by director Yuen Woo-Ping. Wu Jing stars as the protagonist and the film has both humour and action. There wasn't anything particularly groundbreaking and very typical of films of this type in the 90's. Wu Jing is often known for his role in Wolf Warrior and other hard hitting action films. However, in the 90's he was a popular TV actor who has already been in many Shaolin productions. In many ways, he was a contemporary to Jet Li and he was also a member of the famous Beijing Wushu Team. However, unlike Jet Li, Wu Jing didn't enjoy the same level of popularity in cinema. Good roles were hard to get and there were already many others who are trying to break into Hong Kong cinema. There were already many actors have have established themselves in the action and martial arts genre. Wu Jing would eventually become a star, after starring in Wolf Warrior.
Incidentally Wu Jing also starred in a TV series on Tai Chi in 2003. Yuen Woo-Ping was also involved in this project too. There were 25 episodes in the series and a 2 hour version that has been condensed into a film. I've not watch the latter, so I'm not able to tell you if it was any good. I have watch all 25 episodes and it isn't bad. If Bagua is your thing, then there's something for you too.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2000
This film needs no introduction and one director Ang Le is probably most well known for. It was very popular at the turn of the century. Whilst it had nothing to do with Tai Chi. It did do a lot to show something about Wudang and wuxia culture. Whilst it was considered very exotic to the Western audience. To those who grew up watching Hong Kong cinema, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon wasn't anything special. However, the soundtrack still sounds good. It was from that point where soundtracks in Chinese films recieved more attention.
Shaolin Soccer, 2001
Whilst this is a comedy, I do feel it is still worth watching. None of the martials arts is real, but that isn't the point. There is some Tai Chi in it and Stephen Chow is an amazing entertainer. Stephen Chow isn't about commedy, he does have a message in his work. The bottom line is to enjoy it and not take things too seriously.
The Karate Kid, 2010
This film, in my honest opinion, was poor in many ways. The acting was uninspiring, the plot was dreadful and it hasn't got anything to do with Karate at all. However, the scenary from the Wudang Mountains is the only part of the film worth watching.
Man of Tai Chi, 2013
If you wanted a martial arts film that is set in modern times. Man of Tai Chi is the film to see. Actor Tiger Chen did a good job as did Keanu Reeves, who also directed the film. The concept is not all that original, but it was well executed. That is a fighter who was good guy, went off the rails, but found the right path again. The fight scenes were well done, but at times, quite extreme. It is film that is definitely worth watching, even though it wasn't a box office hit.
The Grandmaster, 2013
This film has very little to do with Tai Chi. It isn't about fighting, but the characters. I am a big Wong Kar Wai fan and I love how he's made it dark and so right about the period. The fight scenes are good, but is isn't what most people want. Wong Kar Wai films are never about the happy endings, but the complicated lives we lead. The martial arts culture of the time was well played out and what is good is the inclusion of Bagua, Xingyi and Baji. Neither of these arts get much of a mention, never mind screentime. Hence, I've included them. And where's the Tai Chi? There was a Tai Chi master, but there was no actual fight, but it was it implied. The romance was implied in a similar manner. In Chinese culture, some things are subtle and if you know, you know. The Grandmaster is supposed to be an arthouse production and it isn't suppose to please all.
Ip Man 4, 2019
Donnie Yen has done a very good job with Ip Man. The fourth film is also action packed and whilst none of these events involving Ip Man took place, they are quite well done. One of the fights involves a Tai Chi master. It is stylised and not realistic, but this is a film and to have Tai Chi included is a good thing.
I am by no means an expert, but I know what I like and I wrote this blog for fun. Fight scenes in martial arts films are generally done for entertainment purposes and do not reflect on reality. If you wish to learn a martial art, please do your research first.
I hope you enjoyed this blog. The idea has been in my mind for some time, but I never got around to writing something. I don't consider myself to be somebody who've watched a lot of martial arts film, but I know what I like. Please take it easy, I wrote this for fun and fun should be what it should be about. You have you opinions and I have mine. We can agree to disagree.
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