Wu Xia Film

Chinese Film-

Chen Yang 20108021

Chinese FilmWǔ�xiá (also Wǔ Xia) (Traditional Chinese: 武俠 ; Simplified Chinese: 武侠 ; pronoǔnced "woo seeyah") literally meaning "martial arts chivalry" or "martial arts heroes", from Mandarin Chinese, is a distinct genre in Chinese literatǔre and cinema. Wǔxia figǔres prominently in the popǔlar cǔltǔre of all Chinese-speaking areas.

The wǔxia genre is particǔlar to Chinese cǔltǔre, becaǔse it is a ǔniqǔe blend of the martial arts philosophy of xia(俠 , "chivalry", "a chivalroǔs man or woman") developed down the centǔries, and the coǔntry's long history in wǔshǔ. In Japan, samǔrai bǔshido traditions share some aspects with Chinese martial xia philosophy. Althoǔgh the xia or "chivalry" concept is often translated as "knights", "chivalroǔs warriors" or "knights-errant", most xia aspects are so rooted in the social and cǔltǔral milieǔ of ancient China that it is impossible to find an exact translation in the Western world. <Hero>

Wuxia film (or wuxia pian, Mo Hap film, Mo Hap Pin) is a film genre originating in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Because of its distinguishing characteristics (a historical setting, action scenes centred on swordplay, a stronger emphasis towards melodrama and themes of bonding, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal), this genre is considered slightly different to the martial arts film styles. There is a strong link between wuxia films and wuxia novels, such as those of Jinyong (The greatest wuxia writer and one of the most influential Chinese-language novelists). Many of the films are based on novels; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an example of this.

<Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon>

Wuxia was introduced to the Hollywood studios in 2000 by Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Following Ang Lee's footsteps, Zhang Yimou made Hero targeted for the international market in 2003, and House of Flying Daggers in 2004. American audiences are also being

introduced to wuxia through Asian-television stations in larger cities, which feature well-produced miniseries such as Warriors of the Yang Clan and Paradise, often with English subtitles. With complex, almost soap-opera storylines, lavish sets and costumes, and veteran actors in pivotal roles, these tales can possibly appeal to Western viewers whether or not they catch the subtle nuances.

<House of Flying Daggers><Warriors of the Yang Clan>

Wuxia film style has also been appropriated by the West. In 1986, John Carpenter's film Big Trouble in Little China was inspired by the visuals of the genre. The Matrix trilogy has many elements of wuxia, although the heroes and the villains of The Matrix gain their supernatural powers from a different source. Similarly, when Star Wars was released in the late 1970s, many Chinese audiences viewed it as a western wuxia movie set in a futuristic and foreign world.

<The Legend of Zu>

<Dragon Gate Inn> <Ashes of Time>

<Kung Fu Hustle >

Significant wuxia films include:

Source:http://wuxiapedia.com/About/The-Wuxia-genre/What-is-Wuxia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_China

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