The Chinese action film “Wolf Warrior II” is even some Chinese are too nationalistic. Nevertheless, it should be seen in September in the German cinemas. Jose Qian from Shanghai.
The action film “Wolf Warrior II” since the movie’s release on may 27. July 4.6 billion Yuan, until mid-August (the equivalent of 575 million euros). The production did not cost 20 million euros. For comparison: another Hollywood Blockbuster, the Science-Fiction Film “Transformers, The last Knight” by Michael Bay, was able to import in China “only” 1.5 billion Yuan.
China’s state media, Xinhua, people’s daily and CCTV, praised unanimously by the heroic deeds of the protagonists: “The blockbuster met the ideological, aesthetic and artificial expectations of the audience and will be rewarded by the market.”
Now the Film is to be shown in September in the German cinemas. In the USA, he proved to be a Flop. US film critics have complained about its blatant nationalism.
Rescue action in Africa
The plot: a former elite soldier of the Ling Feng device in unrest in an unnamed African country. He uses his special skills and relations to bring Chinese business people and their families from the country, and a Chinese warship.
575 million euros for the cinema start in the 28.07.2017 recorded
For Zhu Dake, a culture critic and Professor at the Tongji University in Shanghai, it is clear that the state is happy about the success of the film: “The film supervision authorities are thrilled that such a nationalistic Film is so successful at the box office. Earlier, the authorities had to Finance such film projects themselves, and the spectators at the state’s expense to a movie invite. Now you have discovered a new way,” said Zhu in an interview with DW.
According to Chinese media reports, many schools have advised parents that the Film in the summer holidays together with the children to look at, to provide you with the “spiritual food”. In some theaters, viewers should be got up in the final scene to sing the Chinese national anthem.
“Patriotic Passion”
Wu Jing, a Director and the main actor, looks the Hype around his Film with great enthusiasm. “China’s viewers have waited too long to have a hero of the canvas. I use the gap in the market to ignite your Patriotic passion.”
Literary critic Zhou Huian can’t join in the praise. “China is represented in Chinese cinema and in television series too often, as a great power. You read on the Internet that China could conquer Japan, in the morning the imperialists of the USA in the knee can force. You leave the cinema halls, the audience of a reality hit.”
Zhou also negative influences caused by the consumption of excessive nationalist content on social behaviour. Justice, moral courage, a willingness to help in everyday life would not be encouraged by such role models. In the case of small-time criminals going to weggeguckt often.
Director and main cast Wu Jing
Social differences are wiped out
“Schizophrenic,” says Zhu. The movie on the ceiling while at the beginning of the disadvantages of vulnerable groups. At the end of the praises of the elites sung will but. As China’s society was divided on the issue. The citizens are with the government extremely dissatisfied with this, hope to still take advantage of her.
Director Wu is, however, in his Film on the unifying symbol of the national flag. As soon as the people in Distress, are in safety, is to see the red flag with five stars. In the final scene, the main character leads his compatriots under the national flag of the crisis region.
Prominent in the picture also has a Chinese passport is set with the following – fictitious – printed on the back: “To the citizens of the people’s Republic of China: Advised them abroad in danger, never give up. Always remember that a strong father country is behind them.”
Against this imprint, a lawyer from Beijing has paid, in vain criminal complaint for “forgery”. He saw the danger that the Chinese abroad could rely on in dangerous situations, in fact, on the meaningfulness of fictitious stamp in the travel document.
Movie poster: “Who is attacking China, will be punished”
“National strength, not only by the military reached”
For Professor Zhu Dake, it is only natural that China’s increased nationalism is also reflected in the cinema: “The re-emergence of nationalism is due to the fact that China humiliated for decades, and as inferior has been stigmatized. Now the want to show ascending country on all possible channels that it is strong.”
Strength is not the only measure of economic power, adds Zhu. China could buy all of it, but even with a strong military, China is not yet a strong country. “On the self-confidence and the strength of the culture it comes from. The Film exaggerates, however, the effectiveness of military measures as the solution approaches in international conflicts. You have to chalk up to him as a fault.”