Xu Haofeng
Writing
Biography
Xu Haofeng was born in Beijing and began to learn Xingyiquan, one of the major “internal” styles of Chinese martial arts, in 1987. After studying fine arts for five years, he went to the Department of Film Directing in Beijing Film Academy and graduated in 1997. Unlike his peers who were eager to make waves in the newly discovered film market, Xu returned home and studied Taoism and the history of martial arts from two eighty-year-old masters for eight years. In 2006, his publication "Shiqu de wulin" (In Search of the Lost Martial Arts World) aroused nationwide attention. He continued to write novels and non-fiction about the ecology of the martial arts sphere in the Republic of China. In 2011, his first film "The Sword Identity" had its world premiere at the 68th Venice Film Festival and this marked the reincarnation of the Chinese martial arts film. One year later, his sophomore film "Judge Archer" premiered at the 7th Rome Film Festival. Xu insists in presenting unusual values in traditional Chinese culture in an age celebrating outrageous slapstick comedies and restless performing monkeys, and he investigates whether people could live in an alternative way, other than following the conventional circle of life.
Known For
No description available.
Thirteen Talks
Ip Man's peaceful life in Foshan changes after Gong Yutian seeks an heir for his family in Southern China. Ip Man then meets Gong Er who challenges him for the sake of regaining her family's honor. After the Second Sino-Japanese War, Ip Man moves to Hong Kong and struggles to provide for his family. In the mean time, Gong Er chooses the path of vengeance after her father was killed by Ma San.
The Grandmaster
Set in the Xinhai Revolution era, the story tells of Liu An Shun, a promising escort master in a reputable armed escort business owned by his teacher. He is poised to take over the business from his teacher and marry his daughter. However, his uncompromising follow-the-rules attitude leads him into a series of incidents that causes him to be disgraced. To redeem himself, he moves to Beijing to establish an escort business branch and to prove himself worthy. While there, he faces other escort masters reluctant to accept his presence in their city and befriends a female bandit.
The Great Protector
In 1931, a famous person borrowed an ancient painting to appreciate, but he refused to return it. The owner of the painting was embarrassed to ask for it, so he entrusted an elementary school martial arts teacher to contact the celebrity's bodyguard, Tie Backer, hoping to accommodate him. By means of painting, it shows the sophistication of martial arts practitioners.
Decent Things
A monk leaves his monastery and ventures out into the real world for the first time in his life, and ends up in an adventure with a kung-fu master who is guarding a special artifact.
Monk Comes Down the Mountain
Set in 1920s Tianjin, northern China, and centres on the rivalry between the son of a martial arts master and his most talented apprentice. When the old master dies, the two face off to take over his prominent martial arts academy. But rather than obey the rule of settling disputes behind closed doors, they take their fight to the street.
100 Yards
Determined to pass down his art, the Final Master of Wing Chun is caught in a power struggle with malicious local officials and ultimately must choose between personal honor and his master’s dying wish.
The Final Master
No description available.
挟刀揉手
During the Ming Dynasty one man will request a competition when his weapon is rejected. After a series of fights he is determined to prove his sword is invincible.
The Sword Identity
The widow of a famed general teams up with an impostor posing as her late husband and schemes to steal the secrets of an elderly master swordsman. Their plans are complicated by the master's grandson, who is himself torn between his filial duty and the affections of his adopted sister.
The Hidden Sword
The spear signifies political power, the arrow personal ambition. What happens when the two collide?
Judge Archer
No description available.
枪缨润物
Another wuxia tale from Xu Haofeng, this one set against the backdrop of a rebellion during the Yuan Dynasty.
The Weary Poet
"Mayi, the protagonist in this strikingly stylised debut ... works as a removals man for a company belonging to a relative. In his spare time, he drinks and plays cards with his colleagues. At a certain point he sees an opportunity to find his way into the immediate vicinity of the beautiful Hudie and his obsession won't stop when it becomes clear that she receives a lot of male visitors. His desires and ambitions put him on the path of minor white lies, with dramatic consequences." - IFFR