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Much akin to the Western in Hollywood or the Samurai film in Japanese cinema,
the wu xia film inhabits its own martial arts world or jiang hu (literally rivers
and lakes, perhaps an allusion to the lifeblood that courses through the veins
of humankind) where its protagonists are bound by a code of conduct and chivalry
which tends to conflict with their individual feelings - that appeals to viewers
with a nostalgia for a different time. There is of course an equally treacherous
flipside of villainous megalomania. Let's see - in a nutshell (without daring
so much as to over generalize) the hero/anti-hero is customarily an innocent
youth inflicted with a tragedy of kinds - familial death necessitating a vendetta
against a powerful villain. Hero may suffer from grave mortal injuries in need
of healing. Hero embarks upon a quest, attaining self discovery, mastering virtues
along with invincible martial art abilities by way of a reclusive master/mentor,
stumbling upon a mystical manual in a deep, dark cavern and/or finding a peerless
weapon. Some may have greatness thrust upon them - earning Jiang Hu respect
and street cred, rising to lead a preeminent sect, restoring peace or vanquishing
foreign invaders in historically referenced tales. Classics like "Heaven
Sword And Dragon Sabre", "The
Condor Heroes" or "Brave
Archer" series, "The
Sentimental Swordsman", "Clans
Of Intrigue", 'The
Water Margin", "Killer
Clans", "The
Jade Tiger", Heroes
Shed No Tears", "The
Magic Blade", "Death
Duel", etc. come to mind - all of which have been remade countless times
with actors du mode, on large and small screens. |
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