In addition to loving films and mini-series from the Regency period, and England in general, I also really like wuxia, which are movies featuring martial arts heroes, set in a past historical period, and usually with some sort of love interest.
One of my favorites (perhaps my favorite movie, actually) is House of Flying Daggers, starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau, and directed by Zhang Yimou. As its Wikipedia entry says, it is more of a love story than most wuxia films, which is perhaps why it is my favorite.
What I love about movies like these (historical period pieces with lots of romance) is that in viewing them the period comes alive, far more than just reading a book about the time. In setting people–real people with foibles, and quirks, and strengths–in a certain period of time, with certain mores, it really makes the history seem like a reality, and not just something from the past.
That’s why I love reading historical romance–I get what it might have felt like to be a person in that time, reacting to the realities of life.
Have you ever seen a wuxia film? What other historical periods have you seen on-screen?
I saw Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and loved it. Beautifully done with gorgeous music by Tan Dun/Yo-yo Ma. I didn’t realize there were others like it; I thought most martial arts focused just on the fighting. You’ve got my interest piqued.
Beautiful trailer! I too saw Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and that was directed by Ang Lee who also directed the 1995 Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson. So it comes back to the Regency again.
Megan, I was so excited to see your post! I didn’t know that this genre had a name, but I’ve loved it since Crouching Tiger!
When I saw Crouching Tiger, I went out and found more in the Wuxia genre as well as some other Chinese Romances. It’s old fashioned romance at it’s most intense! (if that makes sense) If you enjoyed “House of Flying Daggers” and Crouching Tiger, you should also check out Jet Li’s “HERO” (also stars my favorite Chinese actor, Tony Leung -yowzah-, Zhang Ziyi and the amazing Maggie Cheung).
I have to also recommend some non-martial arts related Chinese romances:If you ever see one Chinese movie, this would be the one IMHO, “In the Mood for Love” by Wong Kar-Wai – it’s set in Hong Kong, 1962 – a beautiful love story about a man and woman whose spouses are cheating and they find common ground and eventually love with each other. (stars my fave Tony Leung) The costuming and settings are gorgeous! It’s the kind of subtle heat and chemistry between characters that just makes you squirm in a wonderful way.
One more, “The Road Home” starring Zhang Ziyi, set in a remote Chinese village where the story is told through memories of how a young man’s mother and father met and fell in love back in the day. It’s beautifully told with minimal dialogue and its everything about looks and silence…gorgeous settings and costumes as well.
If you happen to watch any of these I’d love to read what you think!
Lesley,
If you can’t find enough movies, I recommend Jeannie Lin’s books, historical romances set in China. Go to http://www.jeannielin.com/
Thanks for the recommendation, Diane! I’ll check her out. 🙂