Jet Li
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China.org.cn, December 2, 2010
Fearless: The Closing of Martial Arts Films
Jet Li brought Fearless with him back to China during the spring festival of 2006. Fearless is a story about Chinese martial arts guru Huo Yuanjia (1869-1910), who founded the Jing Wu Men (Chin Woo) martial arts school in Shanghai. Huo practiced and taught "mi zong quan," also known as "my jhong," a Shaolin style kung fu. To the Chinese, Huo is a national hero because he competed and won many judo and kung fu competitions. His victories were particularly important because they occurred at a time when China was under the heavy influence of foreign powers. As Jet Li told the media, Fearless expressed his ultimate interpretation for the philosophy of wushu or martial arts. Therefore this would be his last martial arts film.
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Jet Li: King of the Kung-Fu Stars |
Preparations for the movie started in 2003. It was also incidentally the time that Jet discovered that 280,000 people in China commit suicide every year. He hoped the movie could encourage those who have lost faith in life to be strong again. By elaborating on Huo Yuan Jia's unremitting spirit, Jet wanted to encourage the younger generation to bravely face all the adversity and setbacks, and cherish life.
Jet Li touched all the audiences with his penetrating performance in the movie Fearless. Although nearly poisoned to his last gasp, Huo Yuan Jia resolutely decided to complete the Kong Fu contest with a Japanese martial arts master. When poisoned-tortured Huo could put the Japanese Kong Fu master into a deathtrap, Huo made a fake movement to spare his life. Moved by Huo's noble mind, the Japanese Kong Fu master bowed down and admitted his defeat. But Huo passed away.
Anti-violence: the essence of wushu
Undoubtedly, Jet Li's quitting of martial arts films is a great pity for his fans. People feel curious about such a decision. Jet Li explained the reason with his understanding of wushu. He believes that wushu is not practiced for revenge, but rather is a sheer way to avoid dangers. Actually in his previous films Danny the Dog and Hero, Jet has already tried to convey such a belief.
"Violence is not the way for solving problems, and we need a peaceful world," said Jet. "The breakdown of the character 'Wu'(武), which carries the meaning of martial arts, means the stoppage of violence, which best reflects the broad and tolerant anti-war sentiments of Eastern people."
Profile of Jet Li:
Birth: April 26, 1963 in Beijing, China
Spouse: Nina Chi Li
Children: 2 daughters from a previous marriage, 2 daughters from his current marriage
Name: Li Lian Jie (Mandarin), Li Lin Kit (Cantonese)
Height: 170 cm / 5'7"
Weight: 66 kg / 145.5 lbs
Filmography:
2006: Fearless
2005: Danny the Dog (2005)
2005: Unleashed (2005)
2003: Cradle 2 The Grave (2003)
2002: Hero (2002)
2001: The One (2001)
2001: Kiss Of The Dragon (2001)
2000: Romeo Must Die (2000)
1998: Hitman (1998)
1998: Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
1997: Once Upon A Time In China And America (1997)
1996: Black Mask (1996)
1996: Dr. Wai in "Scripture With No Words"
1995: The Bodyguard from Beijing/The Enforcer
1995: High Risk (1995)
1994: The New Legend Of Shaolin (1994)
1994: Fist of Legend (1994
1994: Bodyguard from Beijing
1993: The Tai Chi Master
1993: The Last Hero in China
1993: The Kung Fu Cult Master
1993: The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk II
1993: The Legend of Fong Sai-Yuk
1992: Once Upon a Time in China 3
1992: Swordsman II
1989: The Master
1991: Once Upon a Time in China 2
1990: Once Upon a Time in China
1989: Dragons of the Orient
1988: Dragon Fight
1986: Shaolin Temple 3: North and South Shaolin
1986: Born to Defence
1984: Shaolin Temple 2: Kids from Shaolin
1982: Shaolin Temple
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