(SCFF) Film Review #40: 素还真 DEMIGOD THE LEGEND BEGINS [Screening 7 May, 2.45pm]
Singapore Chinese Film Festival 2023
Film Review #40: 素还真 DEMIGOD THE LEGEND BEGINS
*This film review may contain plot spoilers, reader discretion is advised.*
*本篇影评含雷，请斟酌阅读。
As someone who seeks to understand the wider cultural contexts of the films he watches, especially if said film is heavily rooted or based off of tradition, Demigod: The Legend Begins was a wholly unexplored territory of media for me to really sink my teeth into. I was introduced to it as a film that utilises bùdàixì, a traditional form of Chinese opera that is presented through glove puppetry. Doing some cursory research before diving into the film itself, I then understood that the movie is from Pili Group, a media company from Taiwan that specialises in a modernised style of glove puppetry; in particular, they have a long running serialised show that has been going continuously since 1985, a history that I am definitely not familiar with. I had seen some clips of their work before, but this was my first time engaging with one of them fully, which proved to be an interesting experience.
Film Still from Demigod: The Legend Begins (2022)
The story revolves around the young and talented martial artist Su Huan-Jen, as he makes his first venture into the martial arts world to find his parents, but is dragged into a conspiracy surrounding the Five Mountains. Framed as a murderer, he must find the true culprit and clear his name, but before he can, tragedy befalls Eight-Toed Qilin, his beloved master. As the true mastermind behind the murders unseals the legendary power of Five Mountains, Su Huan-Jen must discover his true destiny with the help of the mystical beast of Qilin, and save the world from overwhelming destruction.
Film Still from Demigod: The Legend Begins (2022)
The title probably should have clued this in for me, but it was only after doing some post-viewing research that I realised that this is actually a prequel/origin story to the main character of their TV show. Adding onto that, if one thinks that the synopsis hints at a movie that packs quite a bit of story, then said assumption would be correct. Right from the get go, the movie introduces wuxia, high-fantasy settings, scenarios, concepts and characters in a breakneck pace, utterly assured both in itself and its audience’s willingness to follow along this tale of magic and monsters. This is something that the film does not let up on, with the closest comparison I can make being Tsui Hark’s Zu: Warriors of the Mountain (1983), in terms of sheer pacing, high emotion by way of operatic tradition, and a story that that focuses on a man’s introduction and acceptance of his divine destiny.
Film Still from Demigod: The Legend Begins (2022)
It is definitely a lot to take in, especially to an audience that is perhaps far outside of the culture that Demigod is pulling from, but I found myself being thoroughly entertained by it despite that. A huge part of that is the sheer craftsmanship on display in regards to elevating glove puppetry into the cinematic form, with puppetry, miniature and prop work that is truly commendable. There is a visible discipline in making sure to establish the puppets’ sense of “self” in each scene, as we see them interact with everyday objects and their surroundings. This, combined with cinematography that treats the puppets as actors, not afraid to have plenty of close-up shots that allow the acting from the puppeteers to shine through mostly unmoving faces, gives the whole film its own sense of reality that I did indeed buy into. Regardless of how one might feel about the fast-paced presentation of the story itself, one cannot deny that they pulled out all the stops for it.
Film Still from Demigod: The Legend Begins (2022)
Demigod: The Legend Begins demands a lot from its viewers, but its steadfast confidence in telling its story on its own terms warrants praise and a wider outreach. Definitely check this out if you’re interested in the film not just as a curio, but as a heightened, polished and dramatic interpretation of a traditional art form.
Film Still from Demigod: The Legend Begins (2022)
About the Author: Wei Li Heng is an avid lover of uncovering and writing about obscure and underseen Asian cinema. He hopes to discover local cinematic gems and share them to a wider audience.
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This review was written as part of a series of reviews by Heng Wei Li for selected films that will be screened during Singapore Chinese Film Festival 2023.
Demigod: The Legend Begins screens on 7 May, 2.45pm at Golden Village Bugis+. Tickets are available here: https://www.gv.com.sg/SCFFDemigod
For more info on SCFF 2023, visit the official website: https://www.scff.sg/
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About the Movie:
台湾 Taiwan｜2022 | 103 mins | NC16 (暴力画面 Violence)
福建话 Hokkien
中英字幕 English & Chinese subtitles
导演 Director: 黄强华 Chris HUANG
新加坡首映 Singapore Premiere
主演 Cast:
黄文择 HUANG Wen Tze
简介 Synopsis:
少年素还真身怀绝艺，初入江湖原想见识广大世界，却因为新结识的好友“寰宇堡”少主禹欢，卷入了险恶的夺权纷争，就连疼爱他的老师八趾麒麟，都因他遭难。真相如雾，凶手却在身边？传说力量现世，一场惊天对决即将开展。
一人三化的由来，未公开的白莲秘辛。且看素还真如何力挽狂澜，阻止凶徒野心，如何仗剑而行，在江湖中走出自己的路，一个属于霹雳的传奇，即将诞生。
The young and talented martial artist Su Huan-Jen makes his first venture into the martial arts world to find his parents, but is dragged into a conspiracy surrounding the Five Mountain. Framed as a murderer, he must find the true culprit and clear his name, but before he can, tragedy befalls Eight-Toed Qilin, his beloved master.
As the true mastermind behind the murders unseals the legendary power of Five Mountains, Su Huan-Jen must discover his true destiny with the help of the mystical beast of Qilin, and save the world from overwhelming destruction.
奖项 Awards:
第59届金马奖最佳造型设计
The 59th Golden Horse Awards for Best Makeup & Costume Design
2022年台北电影奖最佳动画片、最佳造型设计、杰出技术奖、媒体推荐奖
Taipei Film Awards 2022 for Best Animation, Best Makeup & Costume Design, Outstanding Artistic Contribution, Press Award
Demigod: The Legend Begins screens on 7 May, 2.45pm at Golden Village Bugis+.
Tickets are available here:
https://www.gv.com.sg/SCFFDemigod
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