Chinese Films - Midterm Research Paper

Matthew Dwyer

Professor Zhang

Chinese Films

3/9/16

Midterm Research Paper

        China is one of the world’s oldest ongoing civilizations, dating back 5,000 years ago with the Xia Dynasty. Though China’s culture and civilization has a history that is 5,000 years old, Imperial China did not come around until 2,000 years ago and ended in 1911. Scholars consider the Qin Dynasty the beginning of Imperial China because it was the first dynasty to unify all of China and set the ruling example for the rest of the 2,000 years of Imperial China. China’s culture has been influenced by many different sources throughout its long history. Of these sources the most influential has been Confucianism. This paper argues that Confucianism still plays a large a part of daily life in China today by showing hints of it in modern day films. 

Confucianism stems from a philosopher known as Confucius. Confucius was born around 551 BC - 479 BC and is seen as the most influential educator, thinker, and philosopher in the history of China. Confucius lived during a period of turmoil in China, the state had grown too large for the emperor to control all of its territory. Philosophers of this time were worried about the future of China and focused on teachings to eliminate social upheaval and achieve political unity. Throughout his life Confucius traveled from state to teach his philosophy to different rulers, however, none of the rulers seemed to take on his teachings and at an old age Confucius retired back to his home. Once home, Confucius gained students and followers who would later compile his teachings into The Analects of Confucius. Though the Qin Dynasty was the first to unify and usher in the age of Imperial China, which was part of the teachings of Confucius, Confucianism was outlawed and many of its followers were killed and texts were burned and destroyed. Fifty years after the fall of the Qin Dynasty (around 100 BC), Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established Confucianism as the state ideology and since then Confucianism has governed the lives of Chinese people. 

        Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is 2000 Chinese martial arts film that has seen international success on a large scale, bringing Chinese film and culture into the homes of families worldwide. Chinese culture can be observed throughout the film, especially with a focus on Chinese religion. Because Confucianism was adopted by the Chinese government, its influences can be seen throughout China, including mainstream culture such as the movie. In the film Yu Shu-Lien and Li Mu-Bai are shown to have feeling for each other, however, both characters hid their feelings from the other. These characters hide their feelings because Yu’s fiancé died while saving Li, if Yu was to pursue a relationship with Li it would violate the Confucian principles of loyalty (zhōng) and societal ethics. Forgiveness is also a large part of Confucianism, it could fall under the virtue of rén (humaneness, goodness to others) this can be seen in the film when Shu forgives Jen and wishes her a happy life after she indirectly caused Li’s death.