[2011.04.06] THE LOST BLADESMAN SATIRIZES THE PRESENT WITH THE PAST

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The epic film THE LOST BLADESMAN (GUAN WON CHEUNG) that will be released on April 28 in the Mainland had one major scene in which Cao Cao tearfully buried Guan Yunchang. It appeared in the beginning and the end of the film, so obviously it was important to the directors. One of the directors Felix Chong Man Keung said that Cao Cao regretted that he was unable to convince "enemy" Guan Yunchang to join him. Cao Cao said about Guan Yunchang, "He originally was a wolf, but was born with the heart of a sheep." Thus he and the other director Alan Mak Siu Fai wanted to display how Cao Cao felt about Guan Yunchang through this major scene.

According to history, Guan Yunchang was carelessly defeated in Jing Province and finally captured. He was executed with his son Guan Xing. Sun Quan sent Guan Yu's head to Cao Cao to gain favor. Cao Cao held a national burial for him. On one hand one hero appreciated another, on the other Cao Cao wanted to incite Liu Bei's hatred for Sun Quan and start a new round of battles. Playing Cao Cao in the film, Jiang Wen ordered carpenters to make a fragrant wooden body for Guan Yunchang to match with the head that Sun Quan presented. Then he led everyone in mourning and buried Guan Yu with a national burial ceremony. Cao Cao even personally paid his respect to Guan Yunchang. Through this national burial scene Cao Cao's sly scheme was thoroughly on display. Mak and Chong said, "Actually it is like good rivals and enemies in our society today, one day they may become good partners. In politics and in business no one is an enemy forever."

The director handled another famous scene of crossing five passes and slaying six generals appropriately, even Jiang Wen after watching it praised the directors' abilities as it was a very suitably shocking scene. Chong Man Keung said, "In the process of crossing five passes and slaying six generals, Guan Yunchang thought about which was more important between Liu Bei and the nation. Mak Siu Fai and I also hope to use a modern angle to treat this historical costume drama, to satirize the present with the past and to warn the people today. This is also the film's point that is the most representative of the times."