The influence of the Chinese Martial Art Films

The influence of the Chinese Martial Art Films
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The influence of the Chinese Martial Art Films
The Chinese martial arts refers to a system of single combat. In most cases, it involves hand-to-hand fighting by spiritual and physical perfection (Mainland, 2010). Martial arts, like many other things in China, is based on Chinese philosophy. Chinese martial arts dates back in the third millennium B.C. During this time; Emperor Huangdi developed the theory and practice of conducting combat (Encyclopedia.com, 2018). Chinese martial arts is not just hand-to-hand fighting. It also involves the knowledge of the weak points of the opponent to make it easy to immobilize him or her. This one is one of the most challenging in Chinese martial arts because apart from physical strength, it also entails the knowledge of medicine and philosophy. The film industry has been essential in the propagating for movies on the Chinese martial arts. These films have enabled the world to appreciate Chinese culture and philosophy. This paper will analyze how the Chinese martial art films have influenced the world.
History of the Chinese Martial Art Films
The 1920s
The Chinese film industry was formed after the turn of the century. At this time, the traditional values were under siege because of the Western culture. At the same time, interest in authentic martial arts was declining (Kei, Chu & Foerster, 2001). The Chinese martial arts films date back to this time with the advancement of the Shanghai film companies. The movies were based on ancient Chinese culture and included more of Chinese folklore. The films also featured fantastical and supernatural aspects like spirits and beasts.
1930s-1950s
In the early 1930s, the Kuomintang government banned martial arts films. The government claimed that the genre promoted feudalism and superstition. The ban continued until the 1980s.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai film companies decided to relocate to Hong Kong, which was a British colony at the time (Aranburu, 2017). In Hong Kong, the censorship on the martial art movie did not apply. The companies soon introduced Mandarin-language martial art films to the Hong Kong audiences.
The 1960s
Post World War II, the concept of globalization began. With this, the Chinese martial art styles, especially Wing Chun began gaining popularity all over the world (Wu & Chan, 2007). In the 1970s, the American filmmakers embraced Chinese martial arts passionately. Jung Fu became a household name, thanks to Lee Jun-fan (professionally known as Bruce Lee). Bruce Lee thrilled audiences across the world which popularized the Chinese martial art films worldwide. Bruce Lee made teenagers and young people sign up for Kung Fu classes to learn about the Chinese martial arts (Chung, 2007). Soon, Kung Fu became a significant acting style for a majority of the Hollywood blockbusters starring white actors.
The 1970s to date
Bruce Lee died suddenly in 1973 and in the same year Hong Kong was in a recession due to the stock market crash. During this time, audiences in Hong Kong shifted to favoring comedies and satires. Hence, Kung Fu comedy became a popular genre leading to the rise of actors like Jackie Chan. In recent times, the reality of the Kung FU genre has been blurred due to the use of computer-generated imagery, a technology which allows actors without martial arts training to perform in the films.
Sub-genres
Ї Judo
These films show characters throwing or taking down an opponent to the ground and immobilizing them with a pin or making them submit with a joint lock. Hand, feet, and weapons may be used in Judo, but only in pre-arranged forms.
Ї Karate
In Karate films, the characters are unharmed and employ kicking, striking and defensive blocking with both arms and legs. Striking surfaces include the hands, heel, knee, and elbow. The characters break pine boards which are several inches thick using their bare hands.
Ї Kung Fu
Kung Fu films are Hong Kong cinema set in the contemporary period. The films feature realistic martial arts and lack the fantasy elements found in Wuxia. The films have less swordplay, and the fighting takes place through unarmed combat. These films reached their heights in the 1970s and coincided with the economic boom in Hong Kong. They replaced Wuxia which had dominated the 1950s and 1960s. One of the notable films is Bruce Lee’s The Big Boss in 1971. Kung Fu films have remained the most common genre of Chinese martial art films.
Notable films and characters
Some of the notable characters in Chinese art films include Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michele Yeoh, and Tony Jaa. Bruce Lee remains the greatest icon in the genre, and he is a key figure in the modern popular media. Without his contributions, perhaps martial arts film type may never have entered and influenced mainstream America.
Impact of the films
* Gender
Some of the Chinese martial arts films have women starring in leading roles. They have a tradition of women worriers fighting side-by-side and even sometimes in front of males. The action films, particularly those with women in the leading roles challenge patriarchal assumptions regarding the role of women and men in society (Castillo, 2002). Generally, patriarchal systems assume that men should take leading roles while women should remain at home doing house chores and other unproductive activities. Patriarchal societies do not allow women to take part in important affairs of the community because of the assumption that women are inferior to their male counterparts. Hence, the presence of women in the leading roles fighting alongside their male counterparts has been a huge step in challenging the gender stereotypes that oppress women. The movies indicated that women were capable of doing what the men could do. The women did not need to depend on men since they could pursue their goals.
* Politics
According to Hoad (2012), the Kung Fu movies were influential for the African American community in the 1970s. During this time in American history, the blacks were affirming their identity in the mainstream media after a long time of oppression. Hence, seeing non-white actors like Bruce Lee as action heroes in Hollywood movies was an inspiration. Bruce Lee painted a picture where oppression from drug lords and Japanese imperialists were defeated with hyper-kinetic ultraviolence. The kind of self-righteousness fascinated the African American viewers who were coming from the civil rights tussles and were prone to much prejudice. Bruce Lee gave them hope that it was possible to fight the prejudice that the whites had subjected them. Just as Bruce Lee could fight evils in the society, the blacks too were empowered to believe that they could overcome their circumstances. The movies made them appreciate that it was possible for a non-white individual to fight for justice and succeed.
The black community was so inspired by the films such that they even emp...