Origion Hong Kong Genre - 6 -
Where the shift of the tale begins to metamorphose to suit an American audience is in the incorporation of the circle of friends
who assist Buffy in her nightly vigil against evil vampires and demons. In addition to the incorporation of a group, rather than a
single companion, Buffy the Vampire Slayer made it more palatable for the younger audience to accept the notions of heroism
performed during a modern age within a group setting. Likewise, the change in dialogue to include modern phrases brought the
wuxia format within the homes of younger viewers. If it had not been for its predecessor, Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the
Vampire Slayer might not have found an audience that welcomed the story line of a female action hero.
While the American television industry experienced a changing format in action shows, the Hollywood movie industry began to
follow suit. Although there were numerous wuxia pian styled movies made in the wake of Xena: Warrior Princess, such as The
Matrix, X-Men and Charlie?s Angels, for the purpose of this study, I will limit the number of movies which I outline.
The movie Tomb Raider, directed by Simon West and starring Angelina Jolie became one of the most popular movies in 2001.
Just as Buffy the Vampire Slayer metamorphosed to fit an American audience while maintaining the tenets of wuxia, the movie
Tomb Raider altered the wuxia canon to fit American viewers. Although the story of Lara Croft changed for the new audience,
the basic qualities that were found in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the genesis of the American genre, Xena: Warrior
Princess were still evident in Tomb Raider. The protagonist of the movie, Lara Croft, demonstrates the quality of gallant nobility
through the title which she inherited as a British aristocrat. Additionally, the interaction she displays with her household servants
demonstrates the teachings of Confucius regarding treating of subjects in a judicious manner.
In battling the evil forces that threaten the earth, the hero figure displays the valor necessary to complete her tasks, even when it
appears as if she is overwhelmed by insurmountable odds. In the end, Lara Croft demonstrates the act of self sacrifice, as is
outlined in the canons of wuxia when she chooses to forego saving her father in favor of saving the world. Although the movie
Tomb Raider does not introduce the student-mentor dynamics, it holds the qualities of early wuxia literature.
The standards of wuxia were eloquently displayed in the movie Bulletproof Monk that was released on April 16, 2003. Directed
by Paul Hunter and starring Chow Yun-Fat, the movie kept the traits of gallant nobility, valiant conduct, valor and self sacrifice
deeply embedded in the monk character. In addition to these wuxia traits, the relationship of mentor-student was emphasized
throughout the movie. While holding true to the philosophical concepts of wuxia, the filming of Bulletproof Monk enables the
movie to fall within the category of wuxia pian. Through the use of elaborate stunts and photography, the alchemy of Taoist
beliefs are reemphasized each time the characters were able to fly through the air or utilize superhuman abilities within their fight
scenes.
What marks a change in the story line of Bulletproof Monk is the merging of different cultures. While the hero is Tibetan, he is
faced with the dilemma of choosing a successor who is neither trained, nor is from his same ethnic background. This added
story line brings into light the social concerns surrounding the diffusion of different cultures, and the resolution that in order to
survive the merging of two cultures is at times necessary. Bulletproof Monk not only follows the canon of wuxia literature, it
carries the choreographic stunts of wuxia pian as well as introducing the new concepts of merging cultures.
The transformative movement that took place amongst the Hong Kong movie directors and writers in the early 1960?s resulted in
the preservation of their style of ancient wuxia literature in ways that they could not have conceived. Just as the players who
brought Xena: Warrior Princess to America are unable to perceive the true scope of their influence on the American culture, if
asked, the Hong Kong directors and writers may very well be unable to comprehend how their act of cultural preservation
impacted the American audience. Were it not for their revivalist movement of the wuxia mythology during the 1960?s, and the
subsequent emulation by producer, director Robert Tapert, the American audience would not have been covertly introduced to
the heroic traits contained within wuxia mythology. Through the subsequent collective unconsciousness of all parties involved,
the ancient mythological tales of wuxia literature will continue to live on not only in the Hong Kong cinema, but also within the
American television and movie industry.
Where the shift of the tale begins to metamorphose to suit an American audience is in the incorporation of the circle of friends
who assist Buffy in her nightly vigil against evil vampires and demons. In addition to the incorporation of a group, rather than a
single companion, Buffy the Vampire Slayer made it more palatable for the younger audience to accept the notions of heroism
performed during a modern age within a group setting. Likewise, the change in dialogue to include modern phrases brought the
wuxia format within the homes of younger viewers. If it had not been for its predecessor, Xena: Warrior Princess, Buffy the
Vampire Slayer might not have found an audience that welcomed the story line of a female action hero.
While the American television industry experienced a changing format in action shows, the Hollywood movie industry began to
follow suit. Although there were numerous wuxia pian styled movies made in the wake of Xena: Warrior Princess, such as The
Matrix, X-Men and Charlie?s Angels, for the purpose of this study, I will limit the number of movies which I outline.
The movie Tomb Raider, directed by Simon West and starring Angelina Jolie became one of the most popular movies in 2001.
Just as Buffy the Vampire Slayer metamorphosed to fit an American audience while maintaining the tenets of wuxia, the movie
Tomb Raider altered the wuxia canon to fit American viewers. Although the story of Lara Croft changed for the new audience,
the basic qualities that were found in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the genesis of the American genre, Xena: Warrior
Princess were still evident in Tomb Raider. The protagonist of the movie, Lara Croft, demonstrates the quality of gallant nobility
through the title which she inherited as a British aristocrat. Additionally, the interaction she displays with her household servants
demonstrates the teachings of Confucius regarding treating of subjects in a judicious manner.
In battling the evil forces that threaten the earth, the hero figure displays the valor necessary to complete her tasks, even when it
appears as if she is overwhelmed by insurmountable odds. In the end, Lara Croft demonstrates the act of self sacrifice, as is
outlined in the canons of wuxia when she chooses to forego saving her father in favor of saving the world. Although the movie
Tomb Raider does not introduce the student-mentor dynamics, it holds the qualities of early wuxia literature.
The standards of wuxia were eloquently displayed in the movie Bulletproof Monk that was released on April 16, 2003. Directed
by Paul Hunter and starring Chow Yun-Fat, the movie kept the traits of gallant nobility, valiant conduct, valor and self sacrifice
deeply embedded in the monk character. In addition to these wuxia traits, the relationship of mentor-student was emphasized
throughout the movie. While holding true to the philosophical concepts of wuxia, the filming of Bulletproof Monk enables the
movie to fall within the category of wuxia pian. Through the use of elaborate stunts and photography, the alchemy of Taoist
beliefs are reemphasized each time the characters were able to fly through the air or utilize superhuman abilities within their fight
scenes.
What marks a change in the story line of Bulletproof Monk is the merging of different cultures. While the hero is Tibetan, he is
faced with the dilemma of choosing a successor who is neither trained, nor is from his same ethnic background. This added
story line brings into light the social concerns surrounding the diffusion of different cultures, and the resolution that in order to
survive the merging of two cultures is at times necessary. Bulletproof Monk not only follows the canon of wuxia literature, it
carries the choreographic stunts of wuxia pian as well as introducing the new concepts of merging cultures.
The transformative movement that took place amongst the Hong Kong movie directors and writers in the early 1960?s resulted in
the preservation of their style of ancient wuxia literature in ways that they could not have conceived. Just as the players who
brought Xena: Warrior Princess to America are unable to perceive the true scope of their influence on the American culture, if
asked, the Hong Kong directors and writers may very well be unable to comprehend how their act of cultural preservation
impacted the American audience. Were it not for their revivalist movement of the wuxia mythology during the 1960?s, and the
subsequent emulation by producer, director Robert Tapert, the American audience would not have been covertly introduced to
the heroic traits contained within wuxia mythology. Through the subsequent collective unconsciousness of all parties involved,
the ancient mythological tales of wuxia literature will continue to live on not only in the Hong Kong cinema, but also within the
American television and movie industry.
