The Importance Of Honor In Ip Man

The second tool Wilson Yip uses to show honor through his protagonist, Ip Man, is classic film technique. Specifically, Wilson Yip utilizes two distinctive techniques in combination, mis en scene and cinematography, to emphasize Ip Man’s honor subtly. Mis en scene consists of many different elements, but the props, costumes, movements, and general set style are the most important in the analysis of honor in the Ip Man films. Cinematography is the look of the picture that fortifies the message of the mis en scene. It is the style of the shot and is imperative to the film. It is important to note that these two techniques cannot bring out honor on their own, but can only serve to highlight it. These techniques differ from characterization in …show more content…
Moreover, they help the audience relate the subject, in this case Ip Man, to what they likely already feel is an honorable film character. In many of China’s great martial arts movies, the honorable character, which idealizes loyalty and universal love, has a distinctive image. He is usually monk-like with a reputable look that shows he respects his body. He also has a coolness and control about him that is brought out through his attitude and mostly defensive martial arts style. This is an image that can be seen in many martial arts films, for example, in Fist of Legend and Once upon a time in China. In Fist of Legend, Chen Zhen (played by Jet Li) has a very similar look to Ip Man. He is well groomed and humbly dressed with calm emotions and has an aura that can definitely be described as monastic. He also is very particular in his fighting style, mainly using defense. The same is true with Wong Fei Hung in Once upon a time in China. He embodies humbleness by wearing classical Chinese robes and he moves with a tranquility and meticulousness that is very monk-like. This image of an honorable archetype is evident in many of China’s martial arts films. Wilson Yip knew that if he were to build Ip Man’s character in an image similar to those of Chen Zhen or Wong Fei Hung, the audience will have no choice but to subconsciously relate Ip …show more content…
For example, in the scene toward the end of the movie where Ip Man has to challenge the western boxer and gain respect for Hong Kong. In this scene, the first mis en scene element that jumps out is the costumes. On one side of the frame, there is the boxer in his shorts covered by the union jack on his shoulders and with muscles bulging out. He has a cockiness and swagger about him that is brought out through his puffed up hair and walk. His cockiness is more exaggerated than many of Ip Man’s past opponents. He is also much taller than Ip Man and much more physically intimidating. On the other side, there is Ip Man in his orthodox Chinese clothing looking as humble as ever. His hair is pushed down and he looks much smaller, but also much more calculated. In this case, Ip Man’s look doesn’t relate as much to the honorable archetype, as much as the boxer’s relates to the opposite an honorable archetype’s opposite. The boxer looks arrogant and conceited with his protruding muscles and powerful aura. He certainly is no monk and with his level of anger, he is more comparable to a barbarian or wild animal. The two fighters’ respective fighting styles serve to strengthen this contrast. Ip Man stays with his classic, scrupulous and well-defined Wing Chun, whereas the boxer’s style is characterized by aggression and has little calculation in it. With every punch the boxer throws, the anger is obvious on his face, whereas Ip Man keeps a

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