Response for 9-16

1. Write a brief response to A Hero Never Dies.

I liked the film, especially the use of lighting. The low key light with occasional use of color like red and blue made the film dynamic and interesting.

The story line was a little strange, but made for ample opportunities for action sequences.

2. What are some of the broad characteristics of the jianghu? What genres are associated with this concept?

A jianghu is an action film driven through ideas of righteousness, loyalty, and bonding.
Gangster, hired-killers, and detective genres are associated with jianghu.

3. What are some of the key elements of the so-called “infrastructure of violence” associated with both traditional Westerns as well as “urban Westerns”?

The “infrastructure of violence” are the tools used by characters to commit their violence. A few examples being: transportation (horse, train; cars, boats), communication (letter, telegram; cell phone), and most importantly weapons (guns).

4. Explain in your own words the concept of “mythical violence” and what function it serves in the films of Johnnie To. You may consider looking at additional discussions of the concept later in the book (consult the index).

“Mythical violence” in film is an archetypal form of violent acts and a stylization of the act. In other words, the violence on screen represents real violence and struggle and is stylized by film language to get its point across.

5. What are some of the key characteristics of “Kowloon Noir” and what is meant by the term “Destiny-machine.”?

“Kowloon Noir” is characterized by a shift in alliances, cross-alliances, misalliances, and coincidences that take place in the present. The “Destiny-machine” is the impersonal and sinister force of fate acting on the protagonists in the film. In many cases, everyone dies in the end.

6. Summarize in your own words Teo’s argument about the relationship between genre conventions and To’s “auteur function.” Why does Steve Neale argue that it is inappropriate to equate genre with auteurism?

Genre is a term, describing a type of film, established by the populous. Similar films based on subject matter and film language fall into particular genres, like comedy or sci-fi. An auteur is a director who has a particular method of telling a story unique to him and usually deals in a set subject matter or “genre”. Auteurism, in Neale’s mind, is of higher culture, while genre is of popular culture. A genre director must conform to a film style to make a profit, while an auteur is not seeking profit but aesthetics.