It is no exaggeration to say that Hong Kong martial arts films are rooted in traditional Chinese culture.
Below, we look back at some of our most popular commentaries, shedding light on 10 common questions culture lovers may encounter.
1. What is martial arts? How did Jet Li learn martial arts and make them famous in his films?
The word “martial arts” often appears in martial arts movies, but what does it mean? It literally means “military techniques.”
Jet Li plays Sang Lun in a still from The Children of Shaolin, 1984. Before Li and Donnie Yen began appearing in Hong Kong films, they featured mostly southern Chinese kung fu and not classical martial arts. Photo: Cheung Yuen Motion Pictures
Today, however, wushu is commonly interpreted to mean the sports versions of the martial arts that were established in mainland China after the Communist Party came to power in 1949. Read the full story
2. What do we know about Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of kung fu featured in Jet Li's films?Shaolin Temple?
Andy Lau as General Hou Jie in a still from Shaolin (2011). Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures
Anyone with an interest in martial arts films has likely heard of the Shaolin Temple of Songshan, located near Beijing, the former capital of China. Luoyang In Henan Province.
According to film critic Ng Ho, writing in 1980, more than half of the martial arts and kung fu films produced in Hong Kong and Taiwan “make reference to temples and the legends surrounding them.” Read the full story
3. Played by Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the film, who was Wong Fei-hung in real life?
Jackie Chan as Wong Fei-hung in a still from Drunken Master (1978). Photo: Golden Harvest
Wong Fei-hung is the most famous of Southern China's martial arts masters and his exploits are the stuff of legend.
There have been about 100 films made about him, as well as radio plays, pulp novels, newspaper serials and television series based on his life. Read the full story
4. For that matter, who is the most iconic film actor to have played Wong Fei Hung?
The Story of Wong Fei Hung Part 1: Guan Tak Hsing (right) plays the lead role in Wong Fei Hung's Whip for the Candlelight (1949). Photo: Arihashi Eigasha
But for earlier generations, the martial artist and actor Kwan Tak-hing, who died in 1996, embodied Wong Fei Hung. Read the full story
5. Jet Li made Fong Sai-yuk famous, while Chen Kuan-tai made a memorable appearance as Hong Shi-guan. Were these heroes real people?
Chen Kuantai (centre) plays Hung Hsi-kuan in a still from The Executioner (1977). Photo: Shaw Brothers Studio
The gladiator heroes of wuxia films are generally drawn from novels, while the heroes of kung fu films are often figures from folk legend who may have actually existed. Read the full story
6. How did martial arts films refer to martial arts novels written by Louis Cha, Gu Long, and Leung Yusheng?
Louis Cha's martial arts novels are read by Chinese people around the world and were photographed in 1994. Photo: SCMP
Martial arts films didn't suddenly appear out of nowhere and have an intrinsic connection to Chinese culture.
Film exists as part of the martial arts subculture, or Jianghu, They often borrow characters and storylines from well-known martial arts novels, and often feature real or mythical heroes from the past. Read the full story
7. Which film director is best known for adapting Gu Long's novels into film?
A still from The Magic Sword (1976) shows Di Long (centre) as Fu Hong Xue and Lo Lieh (right) as Yan Nanfei. Photo: Celestial Pictures
Film director Chor Yuen has adapted 17 works by New Wave martial arts novelist Gu Long into the screen, creating a unique martial arts world full of magic, mystery, deception, trickery and romance in the process. Read the full story
8. Another big inspiration for martial arts stories is the 14th century novel “Suikoden.” Why do you think its themes and style still resonate today?
A still from the 1972 film Suikoden, directed by Chang Cheh. Photo: Shaw Brothers Studios
Classic novels from the 14th century SuikodenThe Way of Xia, attributed to Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong, was not the first book to tell the story of a heroic martial artist, but it has proven to be the most influential.
The 120-chapter tale tells the story of 108 outlaws living in the swamps of Liangshanbo in eastern China's Shandong Province as they fight for justice against the corrupt officials of the declining Song Dynasty. Read the full story
9. Chinese opera has also influenced every martial arts film director, from Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung Kam-Bo to King Fu. How?
A still from A Feast for the Emeralds (1988) in which Sammo Hung plays the master Peking opera master Yu Jimyuan. Photo: Golden Harvest
One of the great things about martial arts movies is the wide range of influences represented in them.
However, the greatest influence on martial arts portrayed on screen is undoubtedly Peking Opera, or more specifically Chinese Opera, as the choreography of martial arts films is also influenced by many regional Chinese opera forms. Read the full story
10. Want to know more about Hong Kong martial arts films?
Stay tuned for the next story in the Chinese Martial Arts 101 series, which premieres on June 17th, an interview with American martial arts actress JuJu Chang and her husband.
