Comments on: 英雄 (Hero)

By: chang kong

chang kong — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 22:26:28 +0000

I don’t think yimou standpoint only about the mainland china or an apologia to bloody tiannamen, (yimou’s sells blood for his first camera sake), him or hero is questioning the world about the power have and the power have not (or not intend or having no counscious about the power) the ruler and the people reflection against the tragical story of Hero.
its a double or quadruple edge sword.
what could you do if you already in power?
what could you do if you being oppressed ?
what happen next if we treating each other some or the other way?
its an opened question for everyone who knows that all history of mankind was bitter with such bloody and violence power struggle, even for those whose claim as the most democratic one.
yimou stand point as sweet as revenge to the bitter enemy, a beautiful cynical one.

By: G Travan

G Travan — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 07:52:18 +0000

“but perhaps projecting modern extreme liberal values rather anachronistically onto the far distant past?”

Actually, the Qin emperor’s attempts to eradicate Confucianism had earned him universal hatred by Chinese scholars, who universally revered the Confucian tradition. Authoritarian barbarism, or “Asian values”, is just as modern as liberalism. The ancients, believe it or not, also respected virtue, humanity and compassion. The Qin Emperor was a deeply evil ruler, compared to the other tyrants of Chinese history.

Movies like “Hero” display an interesting influx of Hollywood film genres into China. The Communists are finding that the action megamovies of the free world serve their goals very well. The subtle and thoughtful Chinese genre of films, like “Farewell my Concubine” and “Red Sorghum”, are very problematic for an authoritarian state. This is just one example of how Western influences are used to reinforce authoritarianism, rather than subvert it.

By: Jai

Jai — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

nice review; but perhaps projecting modern extreme liberal values rather anachronistically onto the far distant past? Or holding out still for a utopian dream of a society held together without power? ;) Which is worse — political violence or religious intolerance? Modern nationalism is any better? What Taiwanese nationalists spew as ‘resistence’ is for others within the same nation, an assault and a form of xenophobia… so what is the difference? Until that is more clearly articulated, these bourgesie liberal concerns expressed here wont ultimately be effective (and I say this as a leftist…). ;)
Just some thoughts…

By: A.West

A.West — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks, this was a very insightful review. I think you accurately identified the theme, and it was sickening.
For an alternative view on this ethics of self-sacrifice, try the egoistic alternative portrayed in the novel “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand.