What is Wuxia?
Before we talk about films the concept of wuxia might be new to people. Wuxia is translated simply as martial arts. However, there are some things that are commonplace when talking about wuxia films. While not required, many wuxia novels use fantastical concepts, settings, and ideas such as magical powers. Mythical creatures have also been in wuxia films as well. Here is a select list of wuxia films. Be sure to ask our friendly staff in Wells Library Media Services for additional titles.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795363/
Directed by Ang Lee and released in 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the first wuxia inspired films released in the US and the first foreign film to make more than 100 million dollars in the US. Based off the novel which has the same name, it is considered one of the best in its genre. While set in the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) the exact time is not specified specifically for audiences as the director wanted the movie to be China of the imagination rather than reality.
Kung Fu Hustle
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373074/
Kung Fu Hustle is a wuxia inspired film that rather than being a drama set in pre-modern China is a comedy action set in early 20th century Shanghai. The concept of magical powers is one of the highlights in the movie with many of the main characters having special abilities depending on what school of kung fu they have learned from. The movie was a modest success in American box office grossing over 100 million dollars.
Big Trouble in Little China
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090728
While Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Kung Fu Hustle were made by foreign directors, Big Trouble in Little China was created by the American Director John Carpenter who created Halloween. Like Kung Fu Hustle, Big Trouble in Little China is set in Chinatown in the modern times. However, unlike the other movies Big Trouble In Little China was originally going to be a western film set in America. While the movie received positive reviews, it released to poor sales in America and is considered a commercial failure.
The Matrix
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093
The Matrix is another wuxia inspired film that is from American directors rather than a foreign film director. The movie is set in the future where humanity is stuck in a virtual reality. Since they are in a virtual reality, the main characters have superpowers and know every form of martial arts. The Matrix was a box office success and was the first movie to create the term bullet time.
Kung Fu Panda
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0441773
Released by DreamWorks studios and one of the first 3d animations inspired by wuxia. This can be seen in the plot of the story as it has the hero’s journey narrative. Like wuxia movies before it it was a commercial success as a foreign film, but unlike other wuxia films it was a success as a foreign film in China rather than the US making over 100 million yuan in China. The movie was so successful in China that it caused criticism regarding government oversight and lack of imagination in China’s media.
Samuel Vandrey is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures in Japanese and a teaching certificate for World Languages Japanese with an ENL addition. He is working with Media Services.
Leave a Reply