Peter Ho-Sun Chan © DR
Wu Xia, A Swashbuckler Chinese Film
Wu Xia is not just the title of the film directed by Peter Ho-Sun Chan, it’s a traditional Chinese cinematic genre that combines martial arts and acrobatics, action and tradition. The first Midnight Screening of the Festival rediscovers this genre in a realistic version.
With his wuxia, Peter Ho-Sun Chan wanted to make a film as close to reality as possible. No bloodbaths, no ten metre jumps, instead he places all the emphasis on coherence. Inspiration for the film came to him while watching a documentary: “I saw a surprising shot: a man got shot with a bullet with a revolver and we saw the bullet enter his skin, pierce his veins and lodge itself into his heart, killing him. Would that work with a punch, a blade or a sabre that strikes a body?”
This is exactly what he has tried to apply to Wu Xia. The film tells the story of Liu, a humble paper maker under the Qing dynasty. He leads a peaceful life with his wife and their two children until the day Xu, a detective who is a martial arts fanatic, bursts into their village. Liu’s past is uncovered: he used to be one of the leaders of a dangerous clan of 72 demons.
In order to develop the realistic dimension in his film, Peter Ho-Sun Chan surrounded himself with professionals: “We consulted acupuncturists, doctors of Chinese Medicine, experts in applied mechanics and in special effects. Their expertise helped make Wu Xia a micro-universe which is both rational and logical”. Tradition hasn’t however been discarded. In the roles of Liu and Xu are Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro, two icons of wuxia
T.K.
Wu Xia will be screened at 00:45 in the Grand Théâtre Lumière
