Martial Arts, Sinophone Cinema, & K-Pop
My Freshman year in high school, a friend of mine bet me $5 to chug two bottles of 5 Hour Energy. Being the responsible, intelligent Freshman I was, I took up this challenge without hesitation. Two small bottles of god-knows-what for five bucks? What a steal! A crowd quickly formed as I proceeded to make one of the stupidest decisions in my life. It tasted disgusting. For the rest of the day, I couldn’t sit still. I felt the energy flowing throughout my body launching me across campus while in a state of euphoria. I was amazed, entertained, and in awe at everything around me. I have only felt this strong sense of excitement twice in my life: the first when I foolishly drank two Five Hour Energies in class and the second when I watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) for the first time. The excitement evoked from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) is comparable to a pre-pubescent boy consuming 5000 Five Hour Energies. The choreographed stunts, fights, and weaponry captivated me as I was so far on the edge of my seat that I literally fell off. While American cinema manipulates lights, camera movement, and stunt doubles to create the illusion that a fight is occurring, Eastern Asian films like this one use wide, well lit, open shots to allow the audience to be engaged in every piece of the action. The audience does not feel that they are being tricked into believing in the fight but rather are fully convinced that what unfolds before their eyes is legitimate. The characters are resourceful making use of their environment and utilizing any object within a five-foot radius of them a weapon. These clever elements contribute greatly to the entertainment factor of the fight scene. Not only did Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) entertain me but it also moved me. I saw this film as an ideological clash between collectivism and individualism. Master Li and Yu-Lien were passionate lovers with strong feelings for one another. However, they were unable to express their emotions towards each other due to a strict code of honor Chinese society has established as a widowed Yu-Lien was unable to legitimize a divorce with her deceased husband. Because of this, they work purely as associates and keep their feelings to themselves refraining from starting any controversies or debate for the greater good of the society. Meanwhile, Jen is to be married to a wealthy family’s son. She is bored with her domestic life and seeks out a secret life of martial arts and crime. Jen eventually stumbles upon Lo, a bandit, and falls in love with him. She risks her life, emotional damage on her parents, and her family’s reputation to escape to Lo and continue their love affair. While they are successful in the end, there is much trouble caused by her antics. There are two very different love stories in this film: one that works and one that doesn’t. Jen and Lo’s successful relationship wreaks havoc upon the entire town and causes much chaos. On the other hand, Li and Yu Lien’s unsuccessful relationship restores the peace quelling the damage caused by Jen. Individualism can bring you personal happiness as you prioritize your own goals above everyone else's. However, it is also inconsiderate and selfish as it infringes on the well-being of others. Although Master Li never got to live happily ever after, with his lover, he died with honor and has made a name for himself. Nowadays in American society, we are taught to prioritize our own wellbeing and do what makes us happy. While this philosophy holds some validity, it must be limited. By taking it to the extreme, it creates a sense of entitlement jeopardizing the welfare of the entire society. We must remember that while it is important for us to be happy, it is also important for those around us as well. From Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), we may learn collectivist habits from Master Li and that sacrifices may be temporary but your legacy will last forever.
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- NATHAN XiA ASPA PORTFOLiO Nathan Xia