Political "Ming" metaphor

Wellington 2022-03-22 09:02:57

1. The whole film is completely a political "bright" metaphor, because the director didn't want to hide many things at all, and even said it directly through the lines. The most superficial, the color of the karate belt represents class, which has been explained by the mouth of the heroine.

2. The color of the belt is determined by the teacher, but not by the ability.

3. Teachers represent those in power/upper class. From the obvious machismo (implicit discrimination against homosexuality) and sexism, it can be seen that teachers represent the American political environment at the end of the last century (or until the affirmative movement of the past few years), including the film The era background setting is also this period. (can be seen from the computer)

4. It is more obvious that the heroine Anna represents the female power of that period. Her ability is the highest among the students, but she is not given a black belt by the teacher. Affected by her status, she does not want to break the class order, but retains her strength during training, but She was considered weak; even after the counter-kill, she was considered by the teacher to be seduced by her. It is obvious that women are treated unfairly.

5. Finally, the heroine takes over the teacher's place and takes over the gym, which corresponds to the rise of female power. Including the director's feminism that ultimately women will be in power.

6. On the surface, the teacher helps the male protagonist, but at night is doing things that hurt the male protagonist. The male protagonist should represent the oppressed masses/class at the bottom.

7. The meaning of the gun is also very interesting. The teacher is afraid of the gun, because the teacher must know that the gun is stronger than him. At night, the targets who attacked have to ask if they have guns. That's why there is Rule 11. Those who use guns are the weak. Teachers need to control their subordinates, so it is the weak who are going to brainwash them with guns.

8. The last teacher was killed by a gun is also echoed. So what exactly is a gun? The individual understands it as the awakened consciousness of resistance, or the consciousness of defending one's own rights and interests. As a yellow belt, the male protagonist shoots the male protagonist, which means the overthrow of the ruler by the bottom.

9. The blue ribbon who finally committed suicide may represent appeasement in a political environment.

10. The inexplicable bird exposure and strange male massage methods, I think, are satirizing the teacher who pursues masculinity, homophobia, and chauvinism, but promotes such methods. . .

11. The teacher's discrimination against homosexuality is actually implied in the lines, specifically what men do, what women do, and what men and women do together.

12. There are actually many small details in the film to be added.

13. In general, the director has the idea of ​​a political metaphor, but it is too obvious to write on his face: "I am in a political metaphor!"

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Extended Reading

The Art of Self-Defense quotes

  • Casey: I wanna be what intimidates me.

  • Sensei: [regarding the belt Casey gave him] Not only does it represent my black belt in karate but it also helps keep my pants up.