Zhang Yimou, Chow Tinh Tri, Wong Kar-wai: The monuments of exhaustion in the race against the times?

In recent years, Zhang Yimou has begun to slide in his works. It begins with Kim Lang Thirteen Flowers (2011) with the participation of Hollywood star Christian Bale.

Whether it's martial arts icon Bruce Lee or cult action hero Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong cinema has captured the world's hearts, bringing local idols to the international stage, thanks to all of their efforts the power of the talented actors, and of course, the acumen of the directors when bringing the script to the screen. From legendary authors to emerging stars, Hong Kong directors have lived and died to find innovative new ways to deliver the best.

For a long time now, when it comes to Chinese-language cinema, people will mention names associated with the era such as Zhang Yimou, Tran Khai Ca, Truong Quan Chieu... They have made great achievements, not only creating a personal name, but also drawing a lot of glorious past that Chinese-language cinema, even the world, has not been able to win so far.

However, every fun ends as a rule, Tran Khai Ca's 2018 "blockbuster" Love Cat Story has received a lot of criticism for displaying colorful techniques that leave out the structure. Similar to many of Zhang Yimou's films in recent years, the audience can only feel bored.

Zhang Yimou

Zhang Yimou is a big name, a director of the 5th generation of Chinese cinema still working diligently until now. Not only Chinese people but also Vietnamese and Westerners still consider Zhang Yimou as one of the few directors representing Chinese cinema. This is not difficult to understand because Zhang Yimou has more than 40 years of making films of all genres. From dramas and comedies to epic martial arts movies, there are many great successes.

Referring to Zhang Yimou, one will immediately think of the High H.anging Red Lantern, Cuc Dau, The Hawthorn Tree Love Story, The Way Home, The Hero, The Ten Faces Maifu, Hoang Kim Giap, The Three-Shot Case, etc. Zhang Yimou's contributions to the country's cinema were so great that he was assigned the role of general director of the opening/closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

In 2002, Zhang Yimou's Hero with the participation of a series of famous Chinese stars such as Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Truong Man Ngoc, Tony Leung Trieu Vy broke box office records in China, and had admirable success in the international market.

Zhang Yimou's skillful transformation from art works to entertainment blockbusters has brought his name to a level that is hard to match.

But in recent years, Zhang Yimou began to slip in his works. It begins with Kim Lang Thirteen Flowers (2011) with the participation of Hollywood star Christian Bale.

The film surprised fans somewhat with his downhill balance between budget, quality, market requirements, and personal style. And then Great Wall (2016) pushed the fan's aggression to the extreme with heavy criticism, even ideas that wanted him to quit the directing profession.

Indeed, for those who used to be a fan of Zhang Yimou's films, the Great Wall is a mess filled with stars and color. His talent for handling the huge budget of Hollywood investors ($150 million) is undeniable with spectacular visuals, but because he is Zhang Yimou, he is a bright representative. Because of the price of Chinese cinema, that movie became a disaster.

Not because the public is too strict, a step to overthrow all dedication, but because Zhang Yimou himself has repeatedly shown his awkwardness in blockbuster movies. Meanwhile, The Road Home (1999) or The Love Story of Hawthorn (2010) still clearly show his familiar style in old works.

Chow Tinh Tri - A strong fighting horse

When Hong Kong was returned to China and became a country of two systems, Hong Kong cinema also exploded with talents, as a strong demonstration of national identity. The success of Hong Kong cinema for a long time has made China shy, while firmly affirming the position of big names like Tu Khac or Wong Kar-wai. In that context, there is a character who has brightened up thanks to the comedy series and has remained successful to this day, Chow Tinh Tri.

Originally a TVB actor, but did not have a notable role at the station. In 1994, Chow began writing and directing a number of films by himself. Among them, Dai Dia Voyage to the West: Tien Ly Ky Duyen is impressed by the love story of the afterlife Ton Ngo Khong and Tu Ha Tien Tu. By 2001, Shaolin Football Team was a great success, breaking the Hong Kong box office record that year and the film that shaped Chow's style later.

After that, Ultimate Ding Kung Fu continued to break the sales record of the Shaolin Football Team and brought Chow's name to fame in the international arena. Subsequent works such as CJ7 (this is also the last film he acted in), Journey to the West: A Tale of Extravagance (2013), My Nhan Ngu (2016) all followed the very typical formula of Chau Tinh. Tri: unique, funny and many layers of deep meaning.

My Nhan Ngu (2016) is also the most popular work of Chow Tinh Tri to date when bringing in more than 553 million dollars globally, a number that Hollywood must also admire. The story of the mermaid is told with humorous materials but still imbued with humanistic meanings and the message about the environment has conquered the audience's "sweet" heart.

Such a success, but part 2 of Love Story (2017) when Chow Tinh Tri only took on the role of producer, did not achieve the expected effect. Some people have questioned whether Chow has begun to lose his charm, as well as pushing the director position to Tu Khac in the new movie.

The two big names "two swords match" with the obvious strengths of both, but at the same time also r.eveal the shortcomings that make the film not as expected.

Of course, Love Story 2 is still a successful film in terms of revenue brand Chow Tinh Tri. But at the same time, it also shows the exhaustion of persisting in shaping his own unique style without a successor or competition.

The intervention of Tu Khac, who is also a producer and director of his own style, has contributed to bringing the status of the film down a notch. If in the past, Hong Kong cinema was diverse and Chow's films were like a perfect tripod, perhaps in the future he will have to try harder to keep the audience's expectations when Hong Kong cinema becomes more and more popular. increasingly faded. Chow is as diligent as a warhorse but also a lonely emperor.

Wong Kar-wai - Always a difficult question

Although not possessing terrible sales figures, Wong Kar-wai's films are always recognized for their exceptional quality. The cinematic language in Vuong Gia's films is clear and extremely unique. It even influenced other works like Barry Jenkins' Moonlight (which won an Oscar in 2017).

Wong Kar-wai's films are very special with romantic stories and polished images. For example, Dong Ta Tay Doc once lost badly at the box office but was later praised as a masterpiece.

Among the 10 films that Wong Kar-wai has made, there are films that have become iconic such as A Phi Chinh Truyen, Chongqing Sam Lam or Hoa Van Nien Hoa (also known as The Mood for Love). Not only Hong Kong but the whole world see Wong Kar-wai as a special talent of the cinema industry with bold personal and artistic works.

Owning a series of film awards as a director, but recently, when he switched to the production position, Vuong Gia Ve could not help but s.hock the fans. The two films released in 2016 produced by Wong Kar-wai are Dai Duong Xuanzang and That Driver are disasters. The inadequacies in reconciling the director's own characteristics and the characteristics of the producer Wong Kar-wai have made the two films far from expectations.

It can be said that Wong Kar-wai is like a big question mark for the public, another lonely king of Hong Kong cinema when his own substance is so obvious but there is no successor in the new era.

Other names...

Actually, Chinese-language cinema is not only Zhang Yimou, Vuong Gia Ve, or Chau Tinh Tri. As for Tran Khai Ca, Ngo Vu Sam, Hau Hieu Hien (Taiwan), Tu Khac Au, they are more relaxed when boldly leaving the wheel of the times, sometimes returning to an investment project. big, use their existing reputation to sell movies, but almost this era is no longer for them.

The names of the next generation like Khuong Van and Lam Sieu Hien are still working on their projects and still have not had any really influential works.

Chow Sing Chi, Zhang Yimou and other influential artists with Chinese entertainment Yang Mi21:45:11 18/03/2022Ly An, Zhang Yimou, Tu Khac, ... are the names that brought Chinese cinema to a high level in the 80s and 90s. In recent years, Chinese-language cinema has grown stronger and stronger. Many film producers and directors who are familiar with new films are "exploding" contributing...