2 days ago I went to Orchard to watch the movie Ip Man (pronounced /eep. mun/) with Cam Anh, Mai, and Nico. The movie was a semi biography about Ip Man, the celebrated grandmaster of Chinese martial arts and the first grandmaster to teach the art of Wing Chun. Among his greatest disciples was Bruce Lee, who later influenced the whole industry of martial art film and martial art style itself. Starring Donnie Yen, who I basically didn't know about before this film.
The film zoomed in the part of Ip Man life during Japanese occupation of China. Different from many other martial art film, what "Ip Man" celebrates are actually the man's personality, his principles of life, his charisma in calmness and simple dignity. Among others, Donnie Yen was especially excellent in conveying the man's spirit. Being a highly accomplished martial artist himself, he embodied Ip Man's dazzling martial art performances in a beautiful and natural Zen like approach.
Beyond that, I have to admit my perception towards the Chinese has changed. I have grown more empathy with them, not just because I see the reflection of my own country's historical tragedy in their suffering under the Japanese rule, but because the film has subtly conveyed a humane message that spreads beyond both racial and national hatred and prejudice. Unlike most of Chinese films about this horrible period under Japanese occupation, the film was able to show a love for one's country alongside with a respectable empathy towards the enemy, as well as the so called "traitors". With a limited amount of time, the film didn't include much character development, which is undeniable its greatest weakness. However, with all other excellent aspects, "Ip Man" is a must watch movie which thrills and moves and probably will stay pretty long in your mind.
The film zoomed in the part of Ip Man life during Japanese occupation of China. Different from many other martial art film, what "Ip Man" celebrates are actually the man's personality, his principles of life, his charisma in calmness and simple dignity. Among others, Donnie Yen was especially excellent in conveying the man's spirit. Being a highly accomplished martial artist himself, he embodied Ip Man's dazzling martial art performances in a beautiful and natural Zen like approach.
Beyond that, I have to admit my perception towards the Chinese has changed. I have grown more empathy with them, not just because I see the reflection of my own country's historical tragedy in their suffering under the Japanese rule, but because the film has subtly conveyed a humane message that spreads beyond both racial and national hatred and prejudice. Unlike most of Chinese films about this horrible period under Japanese occupation, the film was able to show a love for one's country alongside with a respectable empathy towards the enemy, as well as the so called "traitors". With a limited amount of time, the film didn't include much character development, which is undeniable its greatest weakness. However, with all other excellent aspects, "Ip Man" is a must watch movie which thrills and moves and probably will stay pretty long in your mind.
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