Who says watching movies can't be educational?
Recently, having watched Ip Man 2, I came to that conclusion.
Some might question the sanity of that statement, though...Especially when it comes to films that focused on martial arts. The immortalization of a real-life martial arts master into someone who could stir the hearts of people with his fists and personal philosophy sounds very much like a typical plot in a typical gongfu show. I have to admit the action and the fight sequences were superb. Coupled with the assumption that being an expert himself, Donnie Yen probably didn't have body doubles for all the crazy fight scenes from this and the prequel. Not to mention some simple humor to spice things up, made all the more amusing by the humility and gentlemanly conduct as portraited in the movie.
What really struck me, though, was not how fast Ip Man (Or Ye Wen, for the chinest hanyu pinyin) could pummel an opponent with his fists. What impressed me was how well he and a few side characters were being portraited in the movie. A simple analysis consists of the following:
1) Ye Wen's lack of financial expertise boils down to his conduct towards others. Although one might argue that coming from a well-off family, he probably didn't know how to handle finances well (Those who watch the first instalment might remember him giving out free stuff and not really concerned about fighting and breaking the furniture in his house) mainly because of his philantrophic spirit and unwillingness to owe someone a favour or money. Yet when he did need the money or favour, he would accept it in the end, always promising to pay it back. No hypocrisy in that.
2) Ye Wen's disposition with the people he meet. Perhaps the main crux of it was to talk about the spirit in practising martial arts (as he preaches about in the movies) and he certainly showed that with BOTH actions and words.
3) Ye Wen's unyielding stance on his code of conduct. Refusal to budge under pressure to uphold his own principles brought him trouble but ultimately respect from his antagonists.
4) Ye Wen's human side. He wasn't the almighty hero who stood unwavering, but the little things he did before always managing a wonderfully diplomatic smile in times of adversity (he does unleash his power when there's cause for him to be really mad, though), such as looking down as though he were preparing himself made me realise that this man is simply just another human trying his very best to uphold his own standards set by himself.
5) The down-to-earth part of him. Instead of busking in the attention and glory he had brought to his own people after beating the snot out of the villainous British boxing champion, all he wanted ultimately was to go back to his loving wife and good son.
And in (5) is where I compare him to another person I admire: Paul Scholes of Manchester United. I remember him scoring an important goal for the team last season in the Champions' League. What did he do? Took the next flight (or bus, can't remember) and went home straight to his wife and kids.
The superstars today really can learn alot from these two examples. one perhaps a little fictional, while the other a real-life role model. Granted, they have different nationalities, but that shouldn't stop us from following what they have done. What's more, both had no desire to soak in the ambrosia of glory. All they wanted was to do what they felt was the right thing (Ye Wen standing up to the champion after he humiliated their martial arts, which was hyped up by the media and Scholes just doing his job - helping Man U to win).
And right there and then, I want to post these questions to people who don't know much about soccer or movies.
Who are you to ordain that movies are just for entertainment? wouldn't the Cannes Festival be a waste of time then?
Who are you to ordain that soccer is a silly game with 22 men chasing one small ball (If I may add, goalkeepers don't chase balls all the time)? Have you taken a closer look at the intricacies of the rules?
Have you taken a closer look at what lessons we can learn from these two things?
If you haven't start now. And while you're at it, I should too. At everything I see and hear about.
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