Image source,JASIN BOLAND
The superhero played by Liu Simu.
When it comes to the American Hollywood Marvel blockbuster, people will immediately think of “Spider-Man”, “Iron Man”, “Thor”, “Beauty Team” these big scenes full of action, fantasy and special effects.
These blockbusters often have a common feature-most of the heroes are imagined by white people, especially without Asian faces.
However, the new film launched by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): “Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings” (also translated “Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings”) allowed Asian actors to break through the “glass roof” for many years. “, launched the first Chinese superhero Shangqi (Liu Simu) on the silver screen.
The film tells the story of Shang Qi, who turned from a kung fu master to an assassin, but finally awakened, got rid of the control of his father’s evil demon, and embarked on the road of heroism.
BBC Entertainment reporter Alex Taylor said that the superhero of this new Marvel movie directed by director Destin Daniel Cretton has created a historical precedent for the first time by starring an Asian actor.
The London premiere of Marvel’s first Chinese-starring movie “Shang Qi”, the media described it as “bringing Hong Kong-made Kung Fu into Marvel”
Image source,disney
The famous Hong Kong actor Tony Leung plays Shangqi’s father.
Who is Liu Simu?
Image source,Getty Images
Liu Simu and the cast members Okafina (left), Zhang Meng’er (middle) and Chen Fala (right).
The superhero actor Liu Simu is a Chinese-Canadian actor. Liu Simu said that he felt “incomparably honored” to represent his community on the screen.
Liu Simu also told media reporters earlier this month that it is very rare for a Chinese face like him to get such a role, and it also makes him particularly proud and has a sense of mission.
Liu Simu, 32, was born in Harbin, northeast China, and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 5 years old.
He was once famous for starring in the TV series “Kim’s Convenience” (Kim’s Convenience), which depicts Canadian and Korean immigrant families, but Chinese audiences are still relatively new to him.
Liu Simu didn’t come from a professional class. He changed his career as an actor after being laid off by Deloitte Accounting. He has also done some small characters and models before.
Being able to play the role of Shangqi makes Liu Simu feel “a dream come true”, but at the same time he also feels that he is responsible for making Marvel’s superhero diversified.
Hollywood looking east?
Image source,disney
Director Dustin Creighton (left) is talking about the play.
In addition to Liu Simu, this new film also features many Asian-faced actors and newcomers, including the famous Hong Kong actor Tony Leung who plays Shangqi’s father, Bond film girl Michelle Yeoh, Hong Kong American actor Chen Fala, as well as Zhang Menger and Okafei Na.
Industry analysts believe that Asian superheroes finally appear in American blockbusters, showing that Hollywood is optimistic about Oriental box office revenue and hopes to respond to and expand the cultural shift in the Asian market.
The Hollywood movie “Crazy Rich Asians” (Hong Kong translation of “My Super Boyfriend” and Taiwan translation of “Crazy Rich Asians”), which was launched 3 years ago, has earned a good box office revenue (230 million US dollars).
Another black comedy that reflects the disparity between the rich and the poor in South Korean society, “Parasite” (also known as “Parasite”, Parasite) not only followed closely at the box office, but also won the 2020 Oscar for Best Picture Award. It is also the first in history. A non-English film that won an Oscar for Best Picture.
The transition from exotic to character stories
Image source,disney
Katie and Shangqi
Lee Isaac Chung, who was shortlisted for the 93rd Academy Awards for Best Director with “Land of Dreams”, said when talking about the changes in Asian American movies, the original Hollywood Asian movies are often more of a kind. It’s just a curious depiction and embellishment of Asians.
He also said that their goal has also been to make more Asian faces appear on the screen from the beginning, and then shifted to the story of people who are mainly narrative, transcending the so-called race and skin color and a specific type of film culture. .
Liu Simu also stated on his social media that Shangqi is not an experiment. He wrote: “We are a surprise. I am ready to make history.”
BBC reporter Taylor said that Shangqi, a superhero, has sounded the clarion call to celebrate Asian culture. Whether on the screen or outside, the struggle of Shangqi has transcended fantasy.
Language Aspects
It is believed that half of the language dialogue in this Marvel blockbuster is Chinese. Director Creighton gave full play to the talents of the actors who can speak multiple languages. As long as the situation is right, it doesn’t matter whether the dialogue is in English or Chinese.
Therefore, there is no shortage of humorous Chinese dialogue between Shangqi and his partner Katie (played by Okafina) in the film to tease their culture and identity.
Two other films released by Disney on streaming media during the COVID-19 pandemic include the live-action version of “Mulan” and “Dragon Hunter: Raya” (the mainland is called “The Legend of the Dragon”, translated by Hong Kong. “The Kingdom of the Dragon”.