Movie Review: Once Upon a Time in China III by Hark Tsui

YOUR NAME
SUBJECT AND SECTION
PROFESSOR’S NAME
DATE OF SUBMISSION
Written, produced, and directed by Hark Tsui, Once Upon A Time in China III is a Hong Kong action movie released in 1993 and was starred by Jet Li. It is the third part of Once Upon A Time in China series. During this time, people of Hong Kong are trapped in a situation linked with the new era, giving rise to multiple questions in regards to their sense of identity. Chinese people had experienced a change in their cultural perspectives as well as the realignment of their political system due to increased contact with Western influencers, and the introduction of new new technologies (Liu, 2014).
Martial arts film fans and students taking up Chinese Language as their majors would particularly be interested in this classic series. Tsui Hark’s Once Upon a Time in China III is a film depicting Chinese nationalism which is expressed from the director's background down to the script of the individual actors involved in the movie. This series’ third movie wherein Jet Li portrayed the main protagonist, Wong Fei Hung, the nation of China is depicted as a damsel in distress who is constantly in danger provoked by foreign and fatal forces. The way the characters defend China as illustrated through their actions and ideologies reveals the idea of Chineseness that shows the same flexibility and malleability as the old philosophies that sprang up in China. Hence, Chineseness is represented both as a valuable and powerful tool - with the necessity to be preserved and at the same time, has the capacity to withstand the accelerating modernity of times (Liu, 2014).
This paper aims to analyze the Chineseness presented in the movie as illustrated by China itself being in distress, the threat brought by foreign Westerners, and how protagonists will handle these dangers. This paper will also detail how these threats are portrayed by these foreigners and to show its implication for the people living in the Qing dynasty period as well as the modern Chinese viewers. Moreover, the actions and the characteristics of the main protagonist, Wong Fei Hung, will be analyzed and interpreted to elaborate more on the Chineseness of the film, as being portrayed philosophically. The background of the director, Tsui Hark, as a Chinese-Vietnamese also plays an integral role since most of his films exhibit patriotism and pride. Lastly, the impact of nationalism as illustrated in Chinese movies will be discussed and its effects on the Chinese viewers along with the international crowd in Asia and in the West (Williams, 2000).
The time period illustrated in the film is during the late Qing Dynasty when people from various foreign places swarming China is notable. In the film, a Lion Dance competition was held to strengthen the country’s spirit and nationalism. Around this time, Wong Fei Hung and his company are busy settling personal disputes among rival Martial Arts academies, unaware of their upcoming role as their nation’s hero. The competition among martial arts schools is a significant representation in this film as it depicts how different branches in Chinese society strives to promote it’s Chineseness through its traditions and culture. The film also conveyed how the Westerners harassed and exploited China in the scene of Tomanovsky trying to kill Li Hongzhang (Liu, 2014).
The threat to China’s Chineseness is demonstrated by presenting Western ideas and innovations such as the camera as well as other ideologies and customs from Europe. This was depicted when Aunt 13’s hand was kissed by Tomanovsky. For the Westerners, this is a sign of a greeting, however, it comes as a shock to Wong Fei Hung as it is not considered natural to Chinese traditions, rituals, and manners regarding women and strangers. Additionally, new inventions such as the power source utilizing steam serve as an eye-opener to the Chinese along with its various uses. The viewers would tend to empathize with Wong Fei Hung’s perspective as he witnessed all these upcoming dangers, seeing the distress of his own nation (Williams, 2000).
...