The Wrestling King - ‘Jiao Wang’ in Chinese - is a Chinese TV series about Shuaijiao.
(right click on the image above and save it as a desktop image!)
I managed to find a copy on a DVD that my DVD player wouldn’t read so i don’t know much about the show but here are a couple of comments:
“Although the actors in this movie are not big names, they used their skills to communicate with the audience and create an effect that no big name actor is capable of creating. Given the current state of Chinese cinema, we need more movies like this!”
“A group of outstanding producers, a group of outstanding actors, a strong and passionate team, a classic, hard-to-forget movie”
Here is a translation of the story overview on the back of the DVD case:
“Set during the Japanese Occupation of China, The Wrestling King is the the story of Shandong Wrestling King Liu Xuedong’s life and adventures. Liu Xuedong studied wrestling from an early age and after the death of his parents moved to Jinan to live with wealthy relatives. Although his relatives tried to stop him from learning Shuaijiao, he secretly continued his studies and became an champion under the guidance of famous Jinan wrestler Ma Ningzi.
First he defeated the head of a Shanghai triad Liu Qi, then in Beijing defeated Tian Qiao’s Wrestling King Zhang Dazhuang and Tianjin’s Wrestling King Xu San. After his successes he became arrogant. Then he met the Shaanxi wrestler Wang Liang, and was defeated by his unique style of wrestling. This experience bought Liu Xuedong to his senses and he realized the error of his ways.
When the Japanese aggression against China began, Liu Xuedong was angered by the news of soldiers fighting in the Chinese 8th Army dying because they didn’t have any medicine. So together with his fellow wrestlers he opened a wrestling venue to raise money to buy medicine for the Chinese 8th Army. Upon hearing this the head of the Tian Qiao Wrestling Venue Zhao Xing came to challenge Liu Xuedong. He was defeated by Liu Xuedong easily.
The Japanese Military commander for Shandong in an effort to demoralize the people of Shandong and destroy their will to resist occupation arranged for the Japanese Army wrestler Shan Tian to challenge Liu Xuedong.
Shan Tian found he could not defeat Liu Xuedong and resorted to unfair means to break Liu’s right arm. Liu continued to wrestle and defeated Shan Tian with one arm, but afterwards the Japanese tried to forced Liu to knee at Shan Tian’s feet. Shuaijiao fighters only bow to their parents and the emperor and Liu chose to be killed by the Japanese rather than bow at Shan Tian’s feet.”
Finally a real martial arts show. One where the fairy-like flying of wushu “masters” like Jet Li is eclipsed by better actors and the bone-breaking reality of China’s original martial art - Shuaijiao
Although i hate the fakeness of today’s Kungfu flicks, I hope that The Wrestling King has an important message to Chinese society, just as Jet Li’s Huo Yuanjia (Fearless) had.
One such message being that China has this national heritage that people have forgotten about. Something great for the health and spirit of the individual, the community, and the nation.
Unfortunately, today’s people have forgotten about Shuaijiao’s proud history. That Shuaijiao - unlike Wushu - was part of the Imperial military examinations for officers to enter into service for the state, and was a favorite form of entertainment for Emperors throughout Chinese history. This history and responsibility meant that wrestlers were men of strength, honor, status, and courage in the community.
And that is exactly what China - and the world - needs more of today.
Especially China…
That hopefully that is the second message.
A disturbing trend has become painfully obvious to me: The Chinese youth’s perception of masculinity/femininity as illustrated in the pictures below
“China’s Good Men”
“Super Girl”
Perhaps The Wrestling King will contribute to altering this disturbingly widespread idolization among young men and women in China of effeminate men and masculine women.
But that aside, it is the first message that matters to me. I hope after seeing this show hoards of young people say to their parents “I want to be like Liu Xuedong…I want to be strong, courageous, and honorable… I want to be a Wrestler!” and then come and find our gym.
I’ll let you know more details as i get them!
Keep Smilin’
Michael
