Hoho,guys.do you know how the Chinese comment on this film?-------Very very badly.Why? Because the play is not accord with Chinese culture.
The Emperor YinZheng(QinShiHuang,the king in the film) is a tyrant in history.In his state,more than half of population is army.Qin Army once buried more than 400,000 captives alive,and decedents are all from Zhao Army.
Wuming(Jet Lee) is a man come from Zhao,so in China it’s cannot abide that Wuming ignore the death of landsman and give up assassinating Yinzheng.No matter How high-sounding Yingzheng sais,he must take charge for Zhao’s perdition.
yep, it gets a bad rap from the Chinese for the reasons you have stated.
But it’s big here because the gwai lo of the western paradise are for the most part wholly ignorant of that tid bit of history.
by the way mammers, i see in your banner ads you still are selling it. you get the distribution rights all straightened out? Not that it’s a pressing concern, just idle curiosity.
I noticed that Hero was still advertised in the banners of the forums here, but if you go to the movie page at martialartsmart.com , you will see it has been removed.
Regarding the historical validity of Hero – I think most (at least I would hope) Americans don’t take the movie as a historical piece, though I would also agree that most of us here are probably ignorant of the finer points of China’s history. I took Chinese history and philosophy classes in college and even then, I don’t consider myself to be that knowledgable.
Here are some links for at least a cursory introduction to Qin Shi Huang Di (259 to 210 B.C) for those who are interested:
The last link is the one that lists alot of this emperor’s “shortcomings” as a ruler … at any rate, I can see why the general public in China might not care for this portrayal of a historical figure, but if you keep in mind that this is a entertainment/martial arts movie, and not a PBS documentary, it will keep things in perspective and hopefully, you will still enjoy the movie for what it is: a nice dose of wire-work wuxia with historical overtones.
If you consider the Once Upon A Time in China series, Westerners are portrayed (perhaps rightfully so) as devils who were there to cheat and corrupt the Orient. As I said, there are some good arguments to support this and no doubt it was a prevalent sentiment with many Chinese citizens at the time. But as an American, I can very much enjoy these movies for the amazing action and choreagraphy of the martial arts. Maybe that makes me a shallow movie watcher, but I can’t deny that I loved all of those movies (well, Once Upon a Time in America was a little hokey, but still has its moments).
Actually,It’s difficult to appraise QinShiHuangDi.
One side,he united hole China,made the criterion of metrology,cash,and character;the other side,he made millions people homeless,killed too many work force,and destroyed environment.
So,I never say the image-building of QinShiHuangDi is unsuccessful,but Wuming is.Because a man can’t let the murderer who kills his landsman pass.
It’s interesting to get your Chinese perspective. I thought the movie was beautifully shot and the action was amazing, but I was bothered and distracted by what I took to be a propagandist message of passivism. The evils of the dictator that ultimately brings peace should be ignored and forgiven. I can’t agree with that message.
You bring up a good point. And I think how historical/political figures are viewed depends on your own personal beliefs and convictions. Not to get too far off topic, but look at the current U.S. administration – the country is fairly polarized in the view of the war in Iraq. Many feel that Bush is making our country safer by actively fighting terrorism, and just as many feel that he is a butcher and destroying the reputation of our country. I’m not trying to argue one opinion over the other, but just trying to show how people can have radically opposing views regarding the political actions of leaders.
Chinese Guy,
It seems you mostly have an issue with the portrayal of Wuming, that he should have sought vengence for his people at any cost. I guess the message of the movie was that one person’s suffering meant nothing when compared to the “greater good” of the country, but you’re right – realistically, had Wuming been willing to forgive the murder of his clan, he probably wouldn’t have even gone to see the emperor at all, and his switch at the end, much like Broken Sword’s, did seem a bit predictable, and perhaps ludicrous.
So,I never say the image-building of QinShiHuangDi is unsuccessful,but Wuming is.Because a man can’t let the murderer who kills his landsman pass.