Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- Directed by Ang Lee
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the 2000 film directed by Ang Lee and produced by Sony Pictures Classics. It is based on a book by the same name. The movie is renowned among international audiences. The Mandarin-language film is a wuxia martial arts picture. This genre-- while largely unnamed for American audiences-- has been influencing film and television since its inception. It depicts the stories of martial artists (fictional and not) who lived in China during the Qing Dynasty. English subtitles are available for those (myself included) who are not fluent in Mandarin.
The film won 40 awards at Cannes and 10 Academy Awards. This was the most awards for a non-English film up until the release of Roma in 2018. The story itself follows several characters as they wrestle with their destinies, duties, and their connection to martial arts. Shiu Len (Michelle Yeoh) is a female warrior and is friends with a martial arts master by the name of Bo Mai (Chow Yun Fat). The two of them are strongly drawn to one another but are forced not to reveal their feelings due to their loyalties to a mutual benefactor. Their friendship and their love is tested as they find themselves suddenly in the midst of an investigation involving the Green Destiny sword, which Bo Mai had gifted to Sir Te-- the mutual benefactor whose trust they both do not dare betray. The Green Destiny is stolen by a thief in the night and she is assisted with the help of another woman martial artist named Fox (Cheng Pei-pei). Fox is notorious for her crimes against the the Qing administration-- whose resentment for those who have refused her further advancement and opportunity in martial arts due to her sex have festered into wickedness.
Shiu Len and Bo Mai's investigation leads them to Jen (Zhang Ziyi)-- an acquaintance of Shiu Len who is betrothed to a man whom she does not love. Her connection to Shiu Len is deeply profound and serves as a means to explore the roles and expectations of the feminine in ancient China. As the plot unfolds, her story becomes intricately woven to the destinies of all involved. Much of the story covers her development as she undergoes a journey that takes her across China and away from the captivity she faces in a loveless engagement. The themes of duty, marriage, love, and death are ones that weave themselves in the tapestry in the film. The result is a story that is not too uncommon from a web: so intricately woven and complex...with connections that can be drawn only by those willing to stop and appreciate them. Bo Mai pursues Fox, longing to avenge the death of his master. Shiu Len joins him, concerned that he may be in for more than he bargained. The movie itself-- while including fantastical elements-- still manages to incorporate the very real and pertinent themes.
Personally, I appreciate this film because its themes-- though set in ancient China-- are still prevalent to this day both in China and outside of it. Who we are and the paths we choose are questions that each of us-- regardless of where we come from-- are ultimately ones that we all experience. These characters and their loyalties often are brought into question. As I was doing research on this film, I found it interesting to learn that this film was not considered too spectacular by audiences in the Mandarin film scene. What makes this film amazing to me though, is the consideration of important topics such as women's roles, but from a Chinese context. This film puts into question a lot of concepts that we have about China and how it is supposedly so different from American and Western life. What we find is a world that although different in culture still wrestles with themes that are all too human and relatable.
Our world is shifting. Chinese films-- Mandarin and otherwise-- have the clout and magnetism to not only influence the film industry but also to spark conversations about topical concerns. We must have an understanding of the topics of inclusion in other cultures and backgrounds too. For us to find our collective humanity, we need to have our stories available to access. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and its spin-offs are great ways to begin exploring questions of inclusion outside of a Western lens.
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