Bruce Lee > Influence of Wuxia Pian
Jan 28, 2023
Films of Bruce Lee
Wu Xia Pian (Mandarin: Martial Arts Films) vs Kung Fu Films
Wu = martial, Xia = hero, Pian = films
Wu Xia films are usually associated with sword films, which are mostly associated with the Mandarin language, the official language of China. Kung Fu, a Cantonese term, films are associated with Hong Kong films. Cantonese is what the residence of Hong Kong speak. Crouching Tiger remains the most popular Wuxia film of all time. Even though it came out after Bruce Lee lived, it is part of a very old cinematic tradition.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon mixes the distinctions between Wu Xia and kung fu. There are sword fights and there are kung fu fights in the film. Hero also combines elements of the two.
Kung Fu Cinema
Thus, the creation of the genre of Kung Fu films is a Hong Hong phenomenon. Bruce Lee, raised in Hong Kong, helped to establish Kung Fu films. Bruce Lee portrays a Chen Zhen in Fist of Fury (Chinese Connection) and Lee, a Shaolin monk in Enter the Dragon. Both represent kung fu. Wuxia films often emphasize Wu Tang, soft style martial arts connected to Tai Chi, which is associated with Taoism and China.
Shaolin and Southern styles of Kung Fu are associated with Buddhism, a foreign religion (from India). Hong Kongers who speak Cantonese do not feel part of the Mandarin Chinese of Wuxia genre. Regionalism plays an important part of the Kung Fu genre.
Had Bruce Lee lived, perhaps he would have created some some wuxia pian classics.
The World of Giang Hu: Of River and Lakes
Four ounces of strength can defeat one thousand pounds.
–Tai Chi Quote
Before Bruce Lee and his Kung Fu films, heroes possessed magical powers as they defeated their enemies. Bruce made his fist of fury, his own physical prowess, the only magic that can beat the enemies. After Bruce Lee, a combination of magical and personal fighting styles started to appear.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) explores the Giang Hu world, the mystical world of “rivers and lakes” found in Wuxia (Swordsmen)novels. Heroes and villains possess shen gong, magical powers such as flying, hearing insects, and seeing into the future.
Confucianism and Social Rule
While the world is often thought to be corrupt, heroes of this genre live outside of the rules both social and physical, creating their own meaning and own sense of chivalry going against the Confucianism of loyalty to family and state. However, loyalty between friends is often maintained.
In Blood Brothers, (1973) Big Brother Ma asks his two friends how they plan to survive in the chaotic world. Thus, begins the film and their quest for power. In Giang Hu, the heroes make their own order against the disorder of the world. This include magical power that don’t function in our world.
Crouching Tiger is a return to the Wu Xia Pian, martial spirit films, of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Chen Pei Pei was one of the stars of that period. She is the first female Kung Fu action star in Hong Kong who returns in Crouching Tiger as Jade Fox.
References
See History of HK Martial Arts Films for a better explication www.brightlightsfilm.com
The World of Giang Hu: Of River and Lakes www.wuxiasociety.org