Influence of Hong Kong Movie - Essay Example

?Influence of Hong Kong movie The paper deals with Hong Kong movie and its influence on the Eastern and Western society. On the example of kung fu movie, gangster movie and comedy and comedy action movie, the changing nature of Hong Kong cinematograph has been explored further on. In accordance with modern movie critics, such as Yau (2001) and Baker (2008), Hong Kong movie industry combines Chinese historical and cultural traditions, providing contemporaries with relevant interpretations of the valuable heritage of the Eastern cinematograph. Therefore, it should be claimed that Hong Kong movie genres has combined centennial values of Chinese nation and transferred them to the contemporaries in an “easy-going” and comprehensible manner. Key words: kung fu movie, gangster movie, comedy/action comedy movie. Introduction Hong Kong cinematograph is often compared and contrasted to Hollywood cinematograph. Still, there is a need to claim that the importance of movies produced in Hong Kong is in their uniqueness. Such genres as kung fu movie, gangster movie and action comedy and comedy movie are discussed in the paper further on. The most important integrative components of Hong Kong movies are: following Chinese traditions, interpreting centennial arts of combat to the contemporaries and inspiring them with patriotism, brevity and a power of a spirit and providing modern Eastern and Western families with a perfect opportunity to spend their evening while watching movies of Hong Kong cinematograph. This is a zestful cocktail of Hong Kong cinematograph. Moreover, it should be noted that every genre has contributed a lot to the Eastern and Western audiences. Kung fu movies represent historical and cultural values of Chinese nation; gangster films teach contemporaries to the importance of being vigilant in the face of violence of the modern world and current hazards and action comedy and comedies in a pleasant and unobtrusive manner show the way an inner powerful spirit is beneficial for any individual and the important role of an optimistic worldview for contemporaries. Therefore, it is necessary to develop Hong Kong movie in order to broaden international contacts, to set more common points between western and eastern cultures. It is also relevant to study in detail motifs, historical and cultural background of Hong Kong movie industry. The main idea relevant to contemporary researchers should be focused on the central importance of Chinese philosophy, spiritual heritage of the Eastern world and the way these issues are interpreted in the modern Hong Kong cinematograph. Hong Kong Action Comedy Movie Hong Kong action comedy movies are, supposedly, the most important products of Hong Kong cinematograph. There are three basic components in these films that are so much attracting to the audience. Firstly, these films comply with Chinese traditions; secondly, these films follow the best traditions of Hollywood action films and thirdly, these films border with transculutral imagination of the audience about “good” cinematograph. There is much deeper sense beyond action comedy genre than the audience can think. There is much more philosophical background beyond the play of handsome Ekin Cheng and Nicholas Tse. Whether digital effects are used or not, a good spirit of humor and positivism is present in action comedy movie of Hong Kong in any case (Yau, 2001). It is especially important to discuss the important role these films play for Hong Kong people and Westerners nowadays. This can be explained by overall tendencies of globalization. Different national and cultural borders are being blurred and there is a need to create such kind of a cultural product that would be appealing for representative of any nation (Ma, 1999). There were different stages in the development of comedy movie in Hong Kong. At first, politicians criticized spiritual load of the films; in 70s death of Bruce Lee (Baker, 2008) set different accents in this type of films. 80s was a period of Jackie Chan upheaval and the genre of comedy and action was greatly popularized. The style of Chan is not “the blood-curdling noise and action”; his style is free from violence, or blood. Therefore, it is more appealing for children and action comedy movies have brought Chinese combat traditions closer to family audience. Western audience readily accepts this genre as well. Nowadays, when people are tired of cruelty and violence broadcasted on TV, it is the time for “easy-going” movies with deep sense. Another important actor of comedy genre in Hong Kong cinematograph is Stephen Chow. His career was started in the beginning of 80s. The most well-known film with this actor is Final Justice. His further cooperation with Ng Man-Tat has made this actor one of the best comedian actors. The most famous film with the leading role of Chow is Shaolin Soccer. Still, the influence of comedies with the leading role played by Chow means a lot for family entertainment. For example, in his recent film Chang Jiang 7 hao (Mandarin title) Chow confessed that his main intention was to entertain children. Moreover, a social influence of this comedy can be underestimated as well. A great spirit of poor people is propagated by a character of the movie Dicky. Therefore, Hong Kong comedy genre is the most closely related to the family audience genre. In spite of the fact, that there are some motifs of black comedy in this film, CG7 is a perfect family entertainment for both Eastern and Western audiences. Moreover, the fact that the genre of action comedy is easy for the Western audience can be supported by the claim that the stereotypes that are close to American audience are being transferred by the main characters of Hong Kong action comedy genre: they are polite, amiable, full of respect to women etc (Mathews and Tai-Lok Lui, 2001). Nevertheless, it is impossible to claim that in such a way Hong Kong comedy movie producers have substituted Eastern values in the favor of Western values. Vice versa, they have broadened their native traditions and widened their cultural horizon following tendencies of the globalization processes. Nevertheless, the figure of Chan is of the greatest importance for the development of comedy genre of Hong Kong movie. Moreover, Hong Kong comedy movie has restored a great potential of kung fu movies. Moreover, there is a deep philosophical background in this easy-going movie genre: it shows to the audience possible ways of overcoming difficulties of the modern urbanized world and by means of entertainment is make a genre of comedy or action comedy the most entertaining genre for the Eastern and Western societies. On the one hand, in action comedy genre, the basic Eastern values are followed by the Western traditions thus creating a perfect international conglomerate of human dignity, pride and strength. On the other hand, there is a certain zest in this genre otherwise it would have been copied by the leading directors of Hollywood and Bollywood (Chu, 1997). Conclusion In the Chinese cinematograph, Confucian spirit is still present. The important role of Kung Fu movie is unquestionable. This genre represents a Chinese culture, evoking a spirit of patriotism and nationalism among contemporary Eastern audience. A Chinese patriotic hero created by Bruce Lee in the movie Fist of Fury is a milestone of Chinese cinematograph. This character is a starting point for the creation of patriotic brave heroes that would inspire contemporaries in the present and in the future. The role of gangster movie is in providing Chinese with philosophical background: these movie shows that reality may be cruel sometimes and it is necessary to be ready for any whims of fate. Moreover, being vigilant is an important state for contemporaries, because terroristic attacks and a nuclear weapon threat should be taken into account by the modern society. The genre of action comedy (Chan and Lee) and comedy (Chow) is an inarguable inspiration for modern youth. This genre has not only restored traditions of kung fu genre, but has also shown that being a hero means being a patriot and a strong fighter. A spiritual power can be so strong that it would be possible to fight against cruelties of the modern urban world with a smile on a face. Moreover, this genre is a perfect entertainment for families and children. Basically, the important role of Hong Kong movie plays not only for the Eastern society, but for the Westerners as well. The latter can learn from Hong Kong movie about the importance of inner power, dignity, patriotism and positive mood. Unlike Westerners’ money worshipping, the Hong Kong movie are not focused on this issue. The most powerful thing for them is in the powerful spirit and self-trust. References 1. Baker, Hugh D.R. Christopher Hutton and Kingsley Bolton. (2008). A Dictionary of Cantonese Slang: The Language of Hong Kong Movies, Street Gangs and City Life. China Review International, 15 (1), 114+. 2. Chu, Gregory H. (1997). Hong Kong: Transition Back to China. Focus Fall, 1+. 3. Douglas, Edward. (March 4, 2008). Stephen Chow & Xu Jian Play with CJ7. Available at: http://www.suite101.com/content/chowscj7-not-just-et-remake-a55938#ixzz3Hq28yATK 4. Esch, Kevin. (2008). Dying to Belong: Gangster Movies in Hollywood and Hong Kong. Film Criticism, 33 (2), 74+. 5. Ma, Eric Kit-Wai. (1999). Culture, Politics, and Television in Hong Kong. London: Routledge. 6. Mathews, Gordon, and Tai-Lok Lui, eds. (2001). Consuming Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. 7. Yau, Esther C. M., ed. (2001). At Full Speed: Hong Kong Cinema in a Borderless World. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Read More