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Chapter 43 On Wong Fei-hung
Jia Leilei gave Wu Yuchen a general introduction to their work on "Dance of Martial Arts." Seeing that the young Wu seemed very happy, Jia Leilei chuckled to himself, realizing that martial arts had a real appeal to young people.

He then pulled out a booklet bound with A4 paper from the side and handed it to Wu Yuchen:
"Xiao Wu, take a look and see how many of these movies you've seen."

After taking the booklet, Wu Yuchen looked at it closely and saw titles such as "Shaolin Temple," "The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple," "The One-Armed Swordsman," and "Dragon Inn."

Each sheet of paper lists many movies, with the year written on the back. There is no particular order, but without exception, they are all martial arts movies. This thin booklet contains at least seven or eight hundred movies.

Wu Yuchen wasn't in a hurry, and just flipped through the pages one by one. After a while, he finished reading, made a mental assessment, and replied:

"Teacher Jia, I estimate I've looked at about 40-50% of it."

In his previous life, he did watch a lot of martial arts movies with the documentary "Dance of Martial Arts," but he didn't include all seven or eight hundred of them. Some of them he had never even heard of.

Jia Leilei was drinking water from a white enamel teacup when he heard this. He raised an eyebrow, put the lid back on the teacup, and asked, "Are you sure?"

The others sitting inside also looked at Wu Yuchen, some of them frowning slightly, thinking that this newcomer was a bit boastful.

The list of movies here includes martial arts films that were somewhat famous or influential, starting from the 20s.

For an average movie enthusiast, it's already quite an achievement to say that you've seen 10% of the films mentioned above, and there are some older films that you simply can't find anywhere to watch.

Some of the people here have been involved in film their whole lives, and before participating in the production of this documentary, they had only seen about 30% of the above. But this kid said he saw 40% or 50% of it. Isn't that just bragging?
Wu Yuchen nodded to Jia Leilei: "More or less."

Jia Leilei chuckled. He thought Xiao Wu was bragging, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he said:

"Since you've seen so many, you must have some insights into martial arts movies. So tell me what you know about Wong Fei-hung in martial arts movies, just talk about it."

Several of the older consultants couldn't help but smile when they heard this question; it seemed that young Jia was testing the young man's abilities.

With the immense popularity of Jet Li's Wong Fei-hung in recent years, who among those who love martial arts films doesn't know Wong Fei-hung?
Almost any martial arts enthusiast can say something about Wong Fei-hung in the movies.

But if all this Xiao Wu can name are the few Wong Fei-hung movies starring Jet Li and Tsui Hark, then he's basically a boastful bum.

Although they won't criticize verbally, they can tell how capable a person is. Most importantly, a tendency to boast indicates a lack of reliability. If someone really can't handle it, they can go back to Hou Keming and replace them with another person.

Upon hearing this question, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but grin. This was indeed a very good question. In his previous life, the documentary "The Dance of Martial Arts" had included a separate explanation and analysis of Huang Feihong, an important character in martial arts films.

Now that he had come to the production team of "Dance of Martial Arts," Wu Yuchen became interested and, imitating the gesture in the movie, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to those around him.
"Dear teachers, I'd like to offer my humble opinion. If there's anything I say that's incorrect, please feel free to correct me."

After finishing speaking, Wu Yuchen cleared his throat and said loudly:

"By the end of 1994, the most recent Wong Fei-hung film was probably Tsui Hark's *Once Upon a Time in China V: The Dragon City Annihilation*, starring Zhao Wenzhuo. The earliest one I know of was *Once Upon a Time in China Part 1: The Whip That Extinguishes the Candle* and *Once Upon a Time in China Part 2: The Burning of the Tyrant's Manor*, both directed by Hong Kong director Hu Peng in 1949, which are considered as one film. During this period, there were over a hundred films featuring Wong Fei-hung as the protagonist. It should be said that Wong Fei-hung is the most prominent figure in Chinese film history—no, I should say, in world film history!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Leilei perked up. It seemed that this Xiao Wu really had some knowledge; most people wouldn't know these things.

The others also became interested, their brows unfurrowing as they watched to see what other insights he might have to offer.

Wu Yuchen then continued:
"In my personal understanding, I divide the Wong Fei-hung characters in the movies into three generations."

The image of the first generation of Wong Fei-hung was that of a traditional hero.

The first generation of Wong Fei-hung portrayers were primarily director Hu Peng and actor Kwan Tak-hing. From 1949 to the 60s, they collaborated on 59 Wong Fei-hung films, effectively shaping the era's glory for the character. Kwan Tak-hing, himself a martial arts master, was also hailed as a reincarnation of Wong Fei-hung.

In this period of film, Wong Fei-hung's image was that of a traditional hero in serious dramas, upholding justice, suppressing evil and promoting good, and embodying the traditional Confucian moral values ​​of propriety, righteousness, forbearance, forgiveness, and harmony. This resonated particularly with the desire for stability and peace among the people of Hong Kong during the turbulent years of the time, thus earning him the title of a "classical" hero.

Then Wu Yuchen raised his right hand and held up two fingers:

"The second generation of Wong Fei-hung - a humorous hero."

By the mid-60s, Hong Kong Island had achieved a certain level of economic strength, and people's livelihoods were generally stable. Citizens began to demand more entertaining films. Against this backdrop, comedic kung fu films emerged, represented by directors like Yuen Ho-ping and Jackie Chan, such as *Drunken Master* I and II.

During this period, Wong Fei-hung began to disregard the feudal system and challenge tradition. He no longer simply tolerated and forgave, and he developed a greater sense of humor. Even his attire became more modern, and he often appeared with a comedic face. Therefore, I call him a comedic hero.

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he paused for a moment. Seeing that those around him were either listening intently or smiling, he knew that he had passed the test.

He smiled slightly, then turned slightly to the side and said:

"The third-generation Wong Fei-hung, who is the image we are most familiar with now, is a man of great patriotism and invincible benevolence!"
I don't need to introduce his representative image much; it's Li Lianjie.

Since the 80s, cultural exchanges between the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have been increasing. Against the backdrop of the countdown to Hong Kong's return to China, Wong Fei-hung's films have added cultural themes of resisting foreign aggression and resisting the humiliation of foreign powers to the traditional moral themes, further elevating the image of a chivalrous Chinese hero and giving it more cultural and spiritual connotations, which has brought greater influence and reflection to society.

Jet Li's portrayal of Wong Fei-hung possesses typical postmodern eclectic cultural characteristics: it combines martial arts, romance, and comedy, blending might and strength with humor and entertainment. At the same time, his masterly demeanor far surpasses that of the second generation, embodying self-improvement, inclusiveness, and a heart for the world, thus opening up a new world for Wong Fei-hung films!
Although the three generations of Wong Fei-hung have different images and transformations, they all reflect the social customs and mentality of Hong Kong at that time. Wong Fei-hung has always upheld the spirit of chivalry and embodied the public's expectations and pursuit of justice.

It's fair to say that Wong Fei-hung has become an indispensable classic hero figure in Chinese martial arts films!

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he shut his mouth, and the entire hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

(End of this chapter)