After a few days of enjoying the movie Kung Fu Panda, I thought it is the perfect combination of two most famous Chinese elements – Panda and Kung Fu. More than just a box-office hit in China, animated Hollywood comedy “Kung Fu Panda” has led Chinese artists to find fault with their own film industry and call for more freedom on culture and creativity.
The Hollywood film, set in mysterious China, was made by a mostly non-Asian creative team. But it comes as tribute to Chinese Kung Fu and the country’s profound culture. The movie, which tells the story of a fat panda who dreams of martial arts glory, was faithful to Chinese culture and laced with good humor, but China itself may have been incapable of producing such a film, a Chinese filmmaker and opera director lamented.
Set in the legendary world of ancient China, the story of Po – an unlikely hero – enters the rigid world of Kung Fu and turns it upside down. Po ultimately becomes a hero by learning that if he believe in himself, he can do anything. As the director says, Be your own hero, which means do not look outside of yourself for the answer. Don’t expect someone else to make things right. You are empowered to achieve anything you want as long as you set your mind to it. Be the best that you can be.
The film director applauded “Kung Fu Panda” as a fresh and rich take on Chinese culture, mixing references to martial arts films with classic legends.