This time the focus is on an Asian film. The film "IPMAN" tells of the story of a martial-arts grandmaster from Foshan in China who popularised the martial art of "Wingchun" and who was also the teacher of the legendary Bruce Lee. It is a story filled with human-characteristics - both good and bad and without the fanfare or modern special-effects that most pugilistic movies are now made of. Born into a wealthy inheritance, he did not have to work nor contend with others but there are always people who sought him out for a quick challenge just as there are competitors emerging everywhere now where business is stable and secure or where the industry is generating revenue. It is only when the Japanese war or WWII started, that IPMAN has to strive for a living after his property was confiscated. It shows that no matter how gifted a person is or the wealth of his circumstances, there can always be something that can override all that and cast him down. However through it all, he still managed to maintain his integrity, his fearless front for the unknown and his love for his country (How many of us may keep our logic and reasoning when faced with calamity ?) . With his charisma, the townsfolk respected and rose for a short time against the unruly Japanese soldiers. This film is similar in many respects to Jet Li's "Fearless" but the story is more eventful, and I feel is more rooted and down-to-earth . Afterall, the kungfu of "Wingchun" (whose originator happen to be a female) is one of the leading martial artforms even here in Sydney /OZ and it also happen to be the clan that hosts most of the lion dances which you can see during CNY. According to news articles in us.imdb.de, there is even a prospect of a sequel to this movie which may even have Bruce Lee as a major character in the movie.
Posted by pui-chee
at 4:57 PM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 4 January 2009 5:07 PM EADT