The original script was written in 2001 and after a long journey knocking on the door of over 100 Kung Fu masters across China, Wong Kar Wai's Martial Arts epic The Grandmaster debuted in Taiwan on January 10th. The movie, set in the 1930's, tells the story of Kung Fu masters challenging each other for the title of Grandmaster, after the previous occupant of the title retires.
[Wong Kar Wai, Director]:
"So when people ask me what kind of movie it is, I can only say it's a story about "passing the old torch on." It's a story about many people in the martial arts circle who want to surpass their own skill, experience and (essence). That's the point of this story."
One of these masters is the real life character Ip Man, known for being one of Southern China's most accomplished martial artists and the teacher of Bruce Lee. In the movie, after Ip Man, played by Tony Leung defeats a challenger from the North of China, his daughter, played by Zhang Ziyi seeks revenge, only to fall in love with the already married Ip Man. Director Wong Kar Wai required his lead actors to learn Kung Fu for three years before they started shooting.
[Tony Leung, Ip Man]:
"During the long training period, I felt a real 'spirit' and tried to understand and really experience it. This 'spirit' came from me little by little. This is because Kung Fu is not only physical but also mental. These things cannot simply be learned. It's just like how reading a few books won’t make you accomplished. By practicing over a long period, this 'spirit' came from within me."
Co-star Chang Chen even won a national Kung Fu tournament as a result of training for the movie.
[Chang Cheng, Razor]:"I had to do every order the director gave me. I think that’s what my character is like. When he told me to learn Bajiquan Kung Fu, I had to learn it well. If I didn’t try hard, I just wouldn’t learn. In some way, this is the way work. I believe Director Wong knows me well. That's why he asked me to learn. But I'm surprised that it’s become such a part of my life now."
The Grandmaster's fight scenes are choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping, who conducted the Kung Fu action in The Matrix and a host of other Chinese Kung Fu movies. Critics are already heralding Zhang Ziyi's performance in the movie as one of the best of her career. The Grandmaster will open the Berlin International Film Festival on February 7th.