|
This month ushers in the year of the pig, and if fortune tellers are to be believed, this is a ‘golden pig’ year, which comes around only once every 60 yrs!
As a casual observer of Chinese New Year, I have a fairly limited grasp of the history, tradition, and culture behind this age old celebration. But then again I only have a hazy grasp of Easter, and an event like Shrove Tuesday is a total mystery. Nevertheless, I like to think of myself as a fair-weather fan of Chinese cinema and what better time to re-kindle this interest than in the year of the golden pig!
In my youth I was enthralled – as the majority of male adolescents are – by Bruce Lee films. Chinese cinema before Bruce Lee was less accessible and therefore, virtually unheard of to Western viewers, the result being production of Chinese films for the Chinese. Bruce Lee’s breakthrough into the Western cinematic goldmine was unquestionably a result of explosive and highly original fight scenes; however, the longevity of his films is a result of the unique culture they succeed in encapsulating.
Fortunately, directors such as Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou have been perspicacious enough to realise that ‘knockin’ ‘em all dead’ wont cut it unless you are an all American hero like Rocky Balboa, which has lead to the continuation of Bruce Lee’s doctrine and the creation of some of the beautiful and mystical wuxia martial arts films that have made a resurgence in recent years.
With Valentines Day now behind us why not recapture some romance by having a look at this selection of beautiful Chinese films.
With Valentines Day now behind us why not recapture some romance by having a look at this selection of beautiful Chinese films.
1. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
2. Hero
3. The House of Flying Daggers
 Compare DVD rental services
Back to DVD rental guide
|
.gif)
.gif)
.gif)
