"IP Man, a legend is born" , lead actor : Dennis To Yu-Hang 杜宇航. World champion martial arts and HK actor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poKFr4Scg7Y
NoteBene: Ip Man's real son Ip Chun plays Leung Bik, in pharamacy scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jod2TyUOnXs 葉準 V.S. 杜宇航, pharamacy scene
writer:Shuen-git Chow
I watched this movie with the real life actor who did a demo just before the screening. It totally gives a lot of sizzle to the film because we see how speed, accuracy, and subtleties are involved in the real life martial arts training. Also the actor has a very fine featured face, longeline. He is a very pleasant looking master of kung fu.
At the screening, there were some high school kids, v tall high school kids! This was part of their cine club outing from school, where over one year, they watch 14 films from around the world in their original languages, such a great idea. Bravo for the teacher! The teacher presented their school club program which is the only one in france; the next film they will see will be Finnish. The high school is Paul Claudel in the 7ème arrondissement. After the screening, the whole class scrambled on stage willy-nilly to have their pictures taken with the star in ad hoc small groups.
Of course, I also got mine taken before the kids while there was a chance. The star and the president of the film festival Madame Deana Gao, a few steps higher than the floor. The star extended his hand to pull me up!! So friendly and easy going. So, exceptionally I will post this cool pic here. The rare time I asked to take pic w a movie star - due to shyness. But I am a big fan of kung fu so, there you go.
You can watch this movie on youtube, if you are impatient and must see it immediately, but a large wide screen is better for this fine action film, slightly in the style of the 80s. There has been many versions of the Ip Man story made. This is the first film I watched and in a festival framework with real life champion and star doing live demo.
I often buy dvds of films - sometimes duplicates by error even - i think i would watch and they often stay for years before i come to it. This is the kind of movie goer I am.
Lovely actions and beautiful girls, with rich merchants setting and chinese courtyard house in southern Lingnan style. Just looking at the setting is a pleasure for me, and the costumes of course, and most importantly the acting and story logic.
There is one outstanding scene of the movie, from acting, to dialogue delivery - the way the actor speaks is a such a wonderful well paced - old style Cantonese way without rush, without attack, but smart alecky all the same, v common, like those smart old folks often uses to corner a younger person with words, which is totally correct to the character he played - This is the famous scene of the pharmacy, the old man doing a "parrying" session with Ip Man.
The character is played by the real son of Ip Man, at the time he was 86 already. Smooth in speech and action, with just the right amount of humour. Imagine, this old man doing kicks and arm locks, all the time saying becareful dont break my teabowls, dont mess up my medicine cabinet.... Outstanding scene.
The rest, is simple and straight forward enough, how the story goes with traitors, spies, evil cloaked female fighter, love interests, dainty love triangles, guy meets girl and how to get her name, in a very genteel way - they take a walk down a pretty tree lined garden path, and talk softly to each other, without getting her name! Taking time to slowly bantering... this is also a good scene.
Many good scenes, watch the movie yourself.
After screening
At the end of the screening, there was also a demo of where the fist is held just slightly above the waist, so the arm movements starts from the behind shoulder plates for power, because this type of fighting is best for short range, close up combat. You dont have the length like in boxing. So, you work your back shoulders, Mr.To, world champion in martial arts, showed and explained, wow such beautiful in the quick punches. Beautiful.
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94 year old Ip Chun
writer:Shuen-git Chow
