Wu Jing Honored at MIFFest, Says Hong Kong Action Cinema’s Influence Still Runs Through Every Wuxia Film Today
Wu Jing says the fingerprints of Hong Kong action cinema are still on every wuxia film made today, including his own. Speaking with Variety at the...
Key points
- Wu Jing says the fingerprints of Hong Kong action cinema are still on every wuxia film made today, including his own.
- Speaking with Variety at the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), where he received the festival’s Excellent Achievement in Film Award, the actor-producer reflected on Hong Kong cinema’s enduring influence while celebrating a special screening of “Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert.” Directed by legendary Hong Kong action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping and adapted from Xu Xianzhe’s martial arts comic, the film was released during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday, grossing $215 million, and drew an enthusiastic response at the MIFFest screening.
- Everything you encounter is valuable, and on a film set there are teachers everywhere you can learn from.” Wu says working across different roles has also made him a more humble actor.
- “Wuxia action can be enhanced with visual effects, but the real kung fu of filmmaking is expressing a character through your body and moving audiences with sincerity.” Having worked on productions in different countries, Wu says one observation stands out above all others: the enduring influence of Hong Kong action cinema.
What happened
Wu Jing says the fingerprints of Hong Kong action cinema are still on every wuxia film made today, including his own. Speaking with Variety at the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), where he received the festival’s Excellent Achievement in Film Award, the actor-producer reflected on Hong Kong cinema’s enduring influence while celebrating a special screening of “Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert.” Directed by legendary Hong Kong action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping and adapted from Xu Xianzhe’s martial arts comic, the film was released during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday, grossing $215 million, and drew an enthusiastic response at the MIFFest screening. Everything you encounter is valuable, and on a film set there are teachers everywhere you can learn from.” Wu says working across different roles has also made him a more humble actor. “Wuxia action can be enhanced with visual effects, but the real kung fu of filmmaking is expressing a character through your body and moving audiences with sincerity.” Having worked on productions in different countries, Wu says one observation stands out above all others: the enduring influence of Hong Kong action...
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