The press conference of the 14th BJIFF “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends”, hosted by China Film Foundation, and organized by the Special Fund for Film and Urban Development, China Film Foundation, and Zhuming Sports and Entertainment Co., Ltd., was held on April 20 at Langyuan Station. Leaders, industry experts, partners and authoritative media outlets, including Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the China Film Foundation, Yan Xiaoming, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the China Film Foundation, Jiang Tao, Vice Chairman of the China Film Foundation, Xiong Jungong, Executive President of the China Educational Channels Television (CECTV), Jia Leilei, 10th National Education Inspector, Education Inspection Committee of the State Council and former Vice President of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, Li Zhizhou, former Team Leader of the National Wushu Team and coach of the Beijing Wushu Team (master of Wu Jing), Chi Dawei, Chairman of Zhuming Sports and Entertainment Co., Ltd., were present to witness the founding of the brand new kung fu cultural program. Renowned moderator Li Mi hosted the press conference.

The press conference presented the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” to the public for the first time, and joined forces to discuss how to inherit and pass on Chinese Wushu culture, and ways to develop Chinese kung fu films.

▌Inheritance of kung fu culture via public welfare activities

Since the China Film Foundation initiated the program, Chairman Zhang Pimin addressed the press conference, and explained the aim of the “AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” program, “We shouldn’t rest content with current results of the film market. In particular, kung fu filmmakers should work hard when faced with lack and short supply of talents. When it comes to kung fu films, we should draw on excellent Chinese Wushu culture, carry forward the aesthetics of Chinese kung fu, adhere to integrity and innovation, and prioritize the demonstration of Chinese elements, expression of Chinese values and continuance of Wushu inheritance in filmmaking. For the sake of aforesaid purposes, the Special Fund for Film and Urban Development, China Film Foundation, launched the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” based on investigation and inspection of many cities known as “land of Wushu” so as to connect talent exchanges in the field of Wushu and cinema, call for and advocate the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films” in both fields, train kung fu filmmaking talents in the era, and revive the glory of Chinese kung fu films.

　　Zhang Pimin, Chairman of the China Film Foundation

Xiong Jungong, Executive President of the China Educational Channels Television (CECTV) that covers the most satellite TV stations and multimedia channels overseas, confirmed that the CECTV will join hands with the China Film Foundation in promoting the international development of the “AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” program. In the meantime, he spoke highly of brands’ promotion of Chinese Wushu culture abroad, and the obligation and responsibility for disseminating Chinese culture. The guests present realized the great significance of the comeback of Chinese kung fu films on global stage.

　　Xiong Jungong, Executive President of the CECTV

Chi Dawei, co-initiator of the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” and Chairman of Zhuming Sports and Entertainment Co., Ltd., a co-initiator of the program, introduced how to carry out the program, “With a focus on the kung fu culture, the program will facilitate its inheritance via public welfare activities and promote its development through innovation. Free training will be provided for action stars, kung fu film directors and screenwriters. The program will call for potential talents in the kung fu filmmaking community, and hire stars in kung fu, martial arts and action films, as well as top directors, screenwriters and producers of action films to offer them training and guidance on kung fu films. The program intends to help those little known kung fu professionals and filmmakers realize their filmmaking dreams, and bring more excellent young talents to the kung fu film industry. Furthermore, the program will promote local culture by empowering cultural tourism with films, and advancing other sectors. For cities where the program is rolled out, their brands, cultural assets, social attention and influence will be increased, and their economy and culture will be further developed.

　　Chi Dawei, program co-initiator and Chairman of Zhuming Sports and Entertainment Co., Ltd.

At the press conference, the first batch of mentors for the “AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” program, including Li Zhizhou, former Team Leader of the National Wushu Team and coach of the Beijing Wushu Team (master of Wu Jing), Cheung Tan, renowned screenwriter from Hong Kong, China, Jia Leilei, 10th National Education Inspector, Education Inspection Committee of the State Council and former Vice President of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, were announced. Jiang Tao, Vice Chairman of the China Film Foundation presented to them the certificate of appointment.

Despite absence, Cheung Tan expressed his excitement via a video, “Kung fu film is the ace pass for Chinese cinema to go global. The genre has a large audience base and huge influence around the world. Apart from being entertaining and visually sensational, kung fu films showcase Chinese civilization and romance, dignity and responsibility of Chinese people.”

　　姜涛、李志洲

　　

　　Jiang Tao and Li Zhizhou

Jia Leilei, 10th National Education Inspector, Education Inspection Committee of the State Council and former Vice President of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, got emotional and expressed that Chinese kung fu films enrich the global cinema when receiving the certificate of appointment.

“In my view, Chinese cinema brings various shades of color to the world with martial arts and kung fu films. First of all, Chinese Wushu focuses on the unity of Zen and Wushu. In other words, Wushu upholds not only kung fu but also spirit. Wu Xia, meaning martial arts in Chinese, refers to the combination of Wushu techniques and gallant spirit. The gallant spirit is very remarkable and a beautiful common legacy of the mankind. It's very important. Moreover, there were action directors back in 1924 in China. They offer strong support in the filming of Chinese films. Chinese martial arts and kung fu films took out violence and cruelty of fight scenes and turned them into choreography of Wushu. They look stunning on screen. When Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was screened in Canada, local press commented that it was a ballet film without ballet. The film enriched global cinema, and is a remarkable honor for the Chinese people. We should pay tribute to them.”

　　Hu Min and Jia Leilei

Besides, the press conference reached a climax when he announced the donation of new book A Biography of Chinese Martial Arts Film to the program. The book took more than 20 years for Jia Leilei and over 50 film scholars to compile. It archives interviews with 39 prominent Chinese martial arts filmmakers, and gives a thorough retrospective of action directors, fight choreographers and action actors/actresses in the history of Chinese martial arts films from multiple perspectives.

In order to select promising potential talents to inherit kung fu films out of tens of thousands of Wushu professionals, the Special Fund for Film and Urban Development, China Film Foundation invites director Chen Yalian at China Noble Century Pictures, action director Yan Hua (known for Wandering Earth), action director Li Heng (known for Flash Point), director Zhang Xuannan of Extremely Urgent, director Lu Jun of Devil Blade, action director Gao Xiaorui of New Dragon Gate Inn, action director Qiu Kui of The Untamed, kung fu filmmakers Du Yuhang and Liu Jian, as well as Olympic gold medalist Lin Yue to be the jury of the global audition for the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films”.

　　Jury of the global audition for the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films”

Kung fu filmmakers are obliged to contribute to the construction of film power. And inheritance is the top priority. Woo-Ping Yuen, nicknamed “Master Yuen the Eighth”, led Dion Lam and Wing-Lun Ng and other action directors to bring Chinese kung fu to the Hollywood. The “Chinese kung fu plus Western stunt” becomes the eye-catching ace combination for Hollywood action films, and a general routine in Western film industrialization, helping disseminate kung fu culture to the world. And middle-generation kung fu filmmakers, including Xie Miao, Zhao Wenzhuo, Wu Yue and Ge Xianglong passed on the kung fu spirit of the older generation of kung fu filmmakers.

Despite absence, kung fu star Zhao Wenzhuo, Xie Miao and renowned action directors, including Woo-Ping Yuen, Dion Lam, Wing-Lun Ng and Ge Xianglong recorded video messages to support the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends”, and expect better development of China’s kung fu film industry.

As General Secretary Xi Jinping stated, Chinese Wushu is a unique Chinese culture, and a Chinese cultural brand with profound cultural heritage. Wushu education is of great value to the inheritance and promotion of traditional Chinese culture, and the enhancement of national identity and unity. And the inheritance and promotion of Chinese kung fu would not be possible without kung fu films. As a unique film genre in China, kung fu films are committed to showcasing Chinese culture and national spirit, and displaying unique Oriental aesthetics and values. They are highly sought after by the international audience. Thanks to the international dissemination of kung fu films, Chinese kung fu has become a universal cultural symbol. It has been proved that the inheritance and dissemination of Chinese kung fu culture through cinema play an irreplaceable role in expanding the influence of Chinese culture, and is of great practical significance in invigorating the national spirit against the backdrop of strong clashes between the Western and Eastern cultures.

In the meantime, Chinese kung fu is faced with a series of problems. Specifically, the young generation has a vague and partial understanding of Chinese kung fu, and fails to understand the cultural connotation of Chinese kung fu correctly. Besides, Chinese kung fu filmmakers are confronted with a lack of successors.

How can we revive the glory of kung fu films and promote Chinese Wushu in the new era? That’s how the “Program on Inheritance of Chinese Kung Fu Films—AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” comes in.

A new journey in the new era. Off to a new start, the “AKL · Allstar Kungfu Legends” program will stick to the aim of “passing on Chinese Wushu culture, and contributing to the construction of film power”, undertake the mission of “promoting Chinese culture, and telling great stories about China”, and adhere to the principle of “inheritance and promotion of Chinese Wushu through Chinese kung fu films, and integration and innovation first”. A nationwide rollout of the program aims to discover, support and train a group of well-trained kung fu filmmakers who are enthusiastic about kung fu inheritance and filmmaking, who will pass on kung fu films in roles like stunts, kung fu stars, fight choreographers, screenwriters of martial arts films, and action directors. By means of kung fu short video matrix, shooting and production of TV dramas and films, and overseas distribution of kung fu films, we are determined to re-explore, organize, protect, interpret and pass on the kung fu culture through audio-visual contents and films, facilitate the prosperity of Chinese kung fu films, help accelerate the construction of film power and cultural power, and open up a magnificent chapter of the new era that celebrates the excellent traditional Chinese culture.