Lu, Zhouxiang and Qin, Zhang and Fan, Hong
(2014)
Projecting the ‘Chineseness’: Nationalism, Identity and Chinese
Martial Arts Films.
International Journal of the History of Sport, 31 (3).
pp. 320-335.
ISSN 0952-3367
Abstract
Wushu, also known as Kung Fu, is a traditional Chinese martial art. It also symbolises
the strength of the Chinese and their pride in their history. Wushu came to be associated
with Chinese nationalism after China’s various defeats at the hands of foreign
imperialist powers at the turn of the twentieth century. This relationship has been
further strengthened through martial arts films. In the first half of the twentieth century,
martial arts films helped to construct national identity among the Chinese. They also
facilitated the development of Wushu, making it a symbol of indigenous virtue and
strength. From the late 1960s, influenced by a defensive strain of nationalism, Chinese
film-makers began to adopt a new approach to the portrayal of Wushu. Martial arts
films were endowed with political and cultural significance, and evolved as a unique
representation of Chinese nationalism. Several decades later, martial arts films still
retain at their core a sense of ‘Chineseness’. From Bruce Lee’s Fist of Fury to Donnie
Yen’s IP Man, Chinese martial arts films have demonstrated not only the important
place of Wushu in Chinese nationalism, but also the influence of nationalism on
Chinese cinema.
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