I'm not Chinese but this story appeals me greatly. This is not a story about a Chinese man beating a western man. It's a story about David and Goliath. About the oppressed rising against the oppressor. It criticizes the imperialism ruling over the under-developed country through brutal force, and the bourgeoisie enslaving and exploiting the working class by the name of law and order.
Ip Man is a righteous man preaching to the world of the deaf. His virtue is an obstacle to the comfort and luxury the world offers. His generosity is ignored by the ignorant. The ignorant only learns through physical defeat. They know their life is spared only when they see the sharp blade stop in front of their eyes.
The character of Twister is not realistic. He's a boxing world champion. To be a world champion, one has to go through tremendous physical and mental struggle. I haven't met any world champions, but I don't think there are many champions who are so full of conceit and self-importance. In my opinion, one can't attain the champion title without overcoming oneself. When one overcomes oneself, one learns to respect others. That's why so many people rooted for Rocky Balboa.
But Twister is more than a character. It's a metaphor. The vice of the imperialism, capitalism, and chauvinism all integrated into one. That's why it's so powerful. Chinese martial art masters can easily defeat tens and twenties of other Chinese men. But this western bully is so different. He's a giant – the real Goliath mocking the David. He possesses powerful punch, strong muscle and agility. Money and fame feed his ego and the law and order can be bent in his favor. But we all know how the story ends.
It'd be nice if we can always come face-to-face with our opponents. Then, the righteous will eventually rule over the world. Unfortunately the world is governed by the privileged few who hide behind the system and employ puppets do their work. They neither bleed nor sweat. They rule and manipulate the mass with man-made virtue, money. And the virtuous lives in poverty since one's virtue can't be monetized.
That's why Ip Man is dear to us. He lives in poverty but his mind is lofty. He's humble but not servile. He's gentle but stands firm behind his principles. He fights without hatred or anger and accepts the victory without arrogance. IP MAN may not belong to the proletariat, but he is a true working class hero that many of us yearn for.
Ip Man is a righteous man preaching to the world of the deaf. His virtue is an obstacle to the comfort and luxury the world offers. His generosity is ignored by the ignorant. The ignorant only learns through physical defeat. They know their life is spared only when they see the sharp blade stop in front of their eyes.
The character of Twister is not realistic. He's a boxing world champion. To be a world champion, one has to go through tremendous physical and mental struggle. I haven't met any world champions, but I don't think there are many champions who are so full of conceit and self-importance. In my opinion, one can't attain the champion title without overcoming oneself. When one overcomes oneself, one learns to respect others. That's why so many people rooted for Rocky Balboa.
But Twister is more than a character. It's a metaphor. The vice of the imperialism, capitalism, and chauvinism all integrated into one. That's why it's so powerful. Chinese martial art masters can easily defeat tens and twenties of other Chinese men. But this western bully is so different. He's a giant – the real Goliath mocking the David. He possesses powerful punch, strong muscle and agility. Money and fame feed his ego and the law and order can be bent in his favor. But we all know how the story ends.
It'd be nice if we can always come face-to-face with our opponents. Then, the righteous will eventually rule over the world. Unfortunately the world is governed by the privileged few who hide behind the system and employ puppets do their work. They neither bleed nor sweat. They rule and manipulate the mass with man-made virtue, money. And the virtuous lives in poverty since one's virtue can't be monetized.
That's why Ip Man is dear to us. He lives in poverty but his mind is lofty. He's humble but not servile. He's gentle but stands firm behind his principles. He fights without hatred or anger and accepts the victory without arrogance. IP MAN may not belong to the proletariat, but he is a true working class hero that many of us yearn for.