|
Reader comments on Hero
Subject: Re: Hero's Historical Footing - THE PUNCH LINE!
Date: Nov 24, 2004
But, could we construe its message as taking potency if worked in reverse?
By this, could it not be proposed that in sparing the Emperorâs life and the resultant betrayal and instant death of Nameless, may well find itself dovetailing with the national consciousness of the Chinese people as they remember the savage consequence of NOT using force against force? As a non-Chinese, this isnât for me to say, but the details of both Sima Qianâs history and the events of 1989 are going to be known by the majority of Heroâs audience.
So then, amid the whirling of it colours and its resonance with the long tradition of martial arts film, perhaps we could ask, Îdoes Hero advance the consequence of social subordinance in a firm enough mannerâ?
Or was that not the filmâs intention?
Previous: Hero's Historical Footing | Next: Communist Justification?
Respond to this message |
Return to original article: Hero
|
Response to this comment:
Hero's Historical Footing
Film is discourse. It surrounds a view or outlook: presenting, asserting, distorting, undermining, consolidating and hopefully connecting (entertaining) us with it. "Hero' is no different in this regard and it is right that it be critiqued on any political themes / levels that we may be presented through it. When we donât get Îover analytical,â we become anesthetised to messages that divide and begin to exert the power of one group over the interests of all others. This isnât to say that everyone will want to break apart the films they see to discover the inner lines of power and assertion. But nor is it a bad idea for those disposed to such desire.
Is ÎHeroâ one of these films? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Simply, because there seems to be a slightly inappropriate allocation of 'political blame' with some of these comments, which I think have failed to consider the wider 'historical root' that lay at the heart of this film. For it is this root that extends beyond both Zhang Yimou and the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda arm's desire to legitimate its record on Human Rights and political suppression.
The phrase 'All Under Heaven' is not a creation of this movie, Zhang Yimou or the Communist Party: it was born out of the unifying agenda of the "First Emperor", Qin Shi Huangdi (reign:221bc ö 206bc)
How do we know this? Well, the great Chinese historian, Sima Qian, recorded it in his important work, Shiji. This work is still, to this day, held in great esteem by the Chinese people. He writes,
All under heaven are of one mind, single in will.
Weights and measures have a single standard, words are written in a uniform way·.
So are we to assume this emperor to have been a benevolent ruler? Sima Qian also notes that:
But the First Emperor was greedy and short-sighted, confident in his own wisdom, never trusting his meritorious officials, never getting to know his people. He cast aside the kingly Way and relied on private procedures, outlawing books and writings, making the laws and penalties much harsher, putting deceit and force foremost and humanity and righteousness last, leading the whole world in violence and cruelty.
So, what are the implications of the historical foundation for the much maligned, ãall under heavenâ?
Well, it is hard to ignore that the failure of Nameless to kill the Emperor would serve as an easy analogy for compliance with the status quo that the CCP has co-opted in its approval of Hero.
|
Comment index:
Hero from Emily, Aug 25, 2004
truth from What's American, Sep 7, 2004
thanks from barb, Aug 28, 2004
Awesome from Dan Omlor, Sep 13, 2004
» Re: Hero's Historical Footing - THE PUNCH LINE! « from Adam, Nov 24, 2004
Re: But from skeptikos, Dec 26, 2004
hero from tso t'an, Feb 21, 2005
ask from mujahid, Mar 31, 2006
Re: ask from Bubba Hotep, Apr 11, 2006
??? from Kessel, Nov 4, 2007
Bravo from tsering, May 29, 2010
Hero from Emily, Aug 25, 2004
truth from What's American, Sep 7, 2004
thanks from barb, Aug 28, 2004
Awesome from Dan Omlor, Sep 13, 2004
» Re: Hero's Historical Footing - THE PUNCH LINE! « from Adam, Nov 24, 2004
Re: But from skeptikos, Dec 26, 2004
hero from tso t'an, Feb 21, 2005
ask from mujahid, Mar 31, 2006
Re: ask from Bubba Hotep, Apr 11, 2006
??? from Kessel, Nov 4, 2007
Bravo from tsering, May 29, 2010
|
|
|
