Many people compare "Ip Man" with Jet Li's "Huo Yuanjia", both of which are a generation of orthodox masters in the big era, who defeated Japanese warriors in the ring and fought for the Chinese. The ending is like Bruce Lee's "Jingwumen", saying that after eight years of war of resistance, China defeated the invader Japan. The competition in the arena is the epitome of the confrontation on the battlefield. The victory of Chinese Kung Fu projected the victory of China, which taught the audience how blood boiled, and almost didn't raise their hands and cheer with the crowd in the play.
"Ip Man", which was released in China in the New Year's Eve in 2009, although it was made in Hong Kong, has been thought of in many places to suit the tastes of mainland Chinese audiences. The "national hero" was cleverly chosen, and it catered to the patriotic fervor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, allowing the slogan of "Down with Little Japan" to spread among film critics. From "Jingwumen" to "Huo Yuanjia", the tragedy of the protagonist is because no matter how strong Chinese martial arts are, they can't resist guns and guns. Martial arts can only be transformed from killing techniques to sports competitions. What Huo Yuanjia founded was not actually called "Jingwumen", but "Jingwu Sports Association". It is necessary to popularize martial arts, let go of the sects, and let the public keep fit. body, protect the country.
In "Ip Man", martial arts tend to be more physical, but there is no such thing as "drawing a doll and drawing intestines" like "winning the competition". Ip Man paid homage to the scene of Chen Zhen kicking the gym at the Japanese Army Headquarters with a one-to-ten match; however, the former was set up as a competition field, where China and Japan faced off, only winning and losing without hurting lives, while the latter It is an ordinary dojo, and Chen Zhen seeks revenge instead of martial arts. The decisive battle between Ip Man and Sanpu was also a battle in the arena. The outcome was divided, and Ip Man did not use the deadly Wing Chun standard in the end. Unlike other action films, it is also very different from Donnie Yen's previous work. Ye Wen never killed anyone. Killing by martial arts seems to be common in the martial arts world, but it is a crime in modern society. From Huo Yuanjia and Chen Zhen to Ip Man, China (martial arts) is at the turning point of the times. From revenge to keeping hands, the modernization process is completed by Ip Man.
Chinese martial arts do not kill people, but they must convince people with virtue. This is the core "wu virtue" of Chinese martial arts. It is Huang Feihong's teaching of disciples and traitors, and it is also Ye Wen's belief. He firmly refused to be a Japanese martial arts instructor, not only because of his national position, but more importantly because "the Chinese emphasize martial arts, which is "benevolence"" and "the Japanese use force to oppress others". - Isn't this the belief of China's "peaceful rise"?
The politics is correct, and Ye Man has also won, why is he always frowning and grimacing after defeating his opponent? When the Chinese people cheered around him and struggled to breathe a sigh of relief under the enemy's occupation, why did they still have sad eyes? Several flashbacks were inserted into the scene, reflecting that his mind was still the country of the Japanese military flag, the hoofs were passing, the casualties were tragic, and the compatriots were still suffering... What if he won three or several Japanese? Always outnumbered by guns. "Bang!" The giant fell. This is a pot of cold water, pouring it on the heads of the audience who shouted "Down with Little Japan" in their hearts---- In fact, Ip Man doesn't think that he has won, he still feels that he is useless, and Wing Chun is useless if there are many benefits and harms!
So, excited Chinese compatriots, what is really useful and meaningful?
Ye Wen is virtuous, but he is unable to convince people with virtue. After defeating Jinshanzhao twice, the other party did not repent; when he defeated the Japanese, he only got a shot and plot; the compatriots were excited, not because they promoted martial arts, but vented their national filth.
And the one who taught Ye Wen the most disappointment was Jinshan Zou, who bullied other Chinese people during the national crisis. Among the Chinese characters in the play, Ye Wen is the first in martial arts, and Jinshan is the second. He should work together to fight the enemy, but Jinshan only cares about himself, and is old-fashioned that others owe him. As a result, the only big melee in the whole film is "Chinese fight against Chinese", which I am very touched by the direct teaching.
That's a question of human quality! Ye Wen was repeatedly challenged by people, because every faction wanted to defeat him so that he could make a name for himself. Jinshan finds ridicule that Wing Chun is a "women's boxing technique", and insists on which martial art is stronger, "North School" or "South School", and is corrected by Ye Wen. It's not a matter of sect or gender, but a matter of personal quality. question! Why is Ye Wen strong? The director not only describes his strong martial arts, but also his moral cultivation is the best among the characters.
And these moral accomplishments were gradually abandoned when China's economy took off after 30 years of reform and opening up. The people are proud of the rising national strength, but how much of the GDP behind it comes from the country's self-exploitation, and the Chinese oppress the Chinese. It was not the Japanese who poisoned Huo Yuanjia, but Sanlu milk powder that poisoned Chinese babies; it was not the Japanese bombardment of buildings in China, but the bean curd project that killed children in Sichuan. Japan's General Sanpo was beaten back, but countless unrepentant Jin Shanzhao came out.
When morality is lost, the triumph of nationalism is not really something to celebrate. From the description of the traitor Li Zhao, it can be seen that this character is more like a "loyal horn" than Jin Shantou---- is the traitor also a loyal horn? I don't know if the patriotic and angry youth will accept it, but Li Zhao's role shows that in the heart of the director, personal quality may be more important than national justice.
Ip Man did not subdue Jin Shanzhao, and was denounced by him. It was always a hostile relationship; he made friends with the traitor Li Zhao, which was really subversive (reflecting that Ip Man was not a model national hero). Li Zhao was originally an unflattering character, and Ye Wen did teach him a lesson, calling him a lackey, and not accepting him was also for the sake of supporting the family; but Ye Wen’s family was later protected by Li Zhao, and the ending was even closer After being rescued by Li Jun, the gunshot missed the key point. Li Zhao is not like the traitors in other movies, his face is hideous and his humanity is devoid of humanity. On the one hand, in order to survive, on the other hand, he tried his best to protect his compatriots.
Director Ye Weixin thought about writing the result as being beaten to death by the Chinese people, but he deleted it because it "does not affect the unity of the Chinese people". Now there is no account of what happened after he killed the Japanese army officer, but it is inferred from common sense that he will die, but it is not as miserable as being beaten to death by his compatriots. Do mainland audiences accept this seemingly excusable interpretation of "traitors"? If the Chinese audience today were to vote, Li Zhao and Jin Shanzhao had to execute one of them, which one would they choose?
The director did not explain clearly, but arranged for Li Zhao to finally abandon the dark and go to the bright, even if he died, he sacrificed for the nation; but what if he died under the mad kicks of the people——is he was beaten to death by the Chinese masses after abandoning the dark and going to the bright , that's a ridiculous death. But I personally think that it is more in line with China's national conditions.
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