Our friend, Mark De Sousa, asked us about the relationship between Chinese Opera and Kung fu movie fight choreography. Hong Kong kung fu choreography is evident to chop socky aficionados in modern Hollywood films with acrobatics, leaps and the lone superhero dispatching a multitude of attackers. What is not readily apparent is the influence of Chinese Opera.

Part One

Red Boats and Shaolin

In 18th century China brightly painted red junks would travel the southern rivers. These were the famed Red Boats, carrying Chinese opera troupes. The Manchus established the Ching Dynasty after overthrowing the Ming Court. Fearful of Ming loyalists hiding in temples, they razed the Southern Shaolin Monastery. Legend says that five monks escaped the destruction. Once only taught in secret, it was these Five Elders who broke the Buddhist vow of secrecy, openly teaching Shaolin kung fu hoping to overthrow the Ching and restore the Ming. Chan (zen) was part of the training. Schools emerged. Leader of the surviving monks, Buddhist abbot Chi Sim, hid in the southern Cantonese Red Boats. It was here that theatrical military combat was influenced by authentic Shaolin kung fu.

Chinese Opera School and Jackie Chan

Chinese operas have martial themes based on legendary tales of generals, warriors and historical battles. Colorful, exciting duels and battles were enacted on stage by the “wu sheng” (martial hero) opera performers, who trained not only in singing and acting, but in stylized fighting. Though staged combat, the physical training resembled traditional martial arts training. It demanded agility, strength and endurance, though the training would not include true fighting power. In his autobiography, Jackie Chan recounts his young, often painful, days at opera school.  Young boys would begin grueling training at an early age to master the armed and unarmed fighting skills. Other well known students included Sammo Hung (the film Painted Faces is based upon Chan and Hung’s opera experience) and Hong Kong’s famous fight choreographer, Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). These are the artists who brought their skills to the film industry.

Part 2 will cover Hong Kong & Hollywood fight choreography.

Lawrence Tan & Toni Josephson

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