Last Monday, March 8 was International Women’s Day. Hooray for the women of the world! This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Makes me think of the much maligned (by history) 1st Empress of China – Wu Zetian – during the later Tang dynasty from the year 665 to 705. First she was the de facto ruler of China through her husband Emperor Gaozong and then through her sons the Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong. She would have celebrated this day and age of women empowerment were she still in this present lifetime. Unfortunately, she had what we now call “bad press”. That is the situation with history books or chronicles. More often than not, historical chronicles are “colored” by the biases of the writer himself, who are but human. I once read a book and viewed a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) documentary on Empress Wu Zetian. It seems that after extensive research, they are now finding out that she was quite progressive and introduced China to new ideas from the western world. An article in the Smithsonian Magazine said about her – “Ruthless and decisive, she stabilized and consolidated the Tang dynasty.” The Tang period was considered the golden age of Chinese civilization. No doubt thanks to her being a woman ahead of her time.
If anyone is interested, you may want to watch the Chinese historical drama series “Empress of China”, produced in 2014 and starring producer and controversial actress Fan Bingbing. You can watch it online or Drama Cool or other free streaming sites. Just be patient with those annoying pop-ups though. I guess those sites have to make money. I am not sure how historically accurate it is, but the story is fascinating and Fan Bingbing is undoubtedly eye candy. The lavish costumes and sets are amazing. Watch out though. There are 74 or 75 episodes. Sorry but that is how Chinese drama series go usually. Especially historical period drama series. If after a few episodes you don’t find it worth your while, good for you. But if, like I do, find it riveting, then there go your sleepless nights.
Speaking of notable and strong women – Of late, I have been watching patiently a new Chinese historical series “The Rebel Princess”. Thankfully, it is posted on Youtube. I say thankfully because one does not have to contend with ads or sudden pop ups. The English subtitles could be better but, believe me, I have seen worse. This time, the drama is more fiction than history but, I am sure, inspired from historical facts. It stars the very pretty and internationally renowned Zhang Ziyi of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” fame. She was probably only in her 20s when she co-starred in this movie which was directed by Ang Lee ( of “Sense and Sensibility” fame) and released in 2000. On the other hand, the drama series “The Rebel Princess” was just broadcast in China last month. Zhang Ziyi does not look like she aged at all. Both in her face and in her body. She looks like she has found the fountain of youth. She does not look like she had any procedure done. Women know when you have had anything done. She is now in her early 40s. Lucky her. Great genes.
Going back to the drama series – As you may surmise from the title, “The Rebel Princess”, she was a woman to contend with. No doormat here. A free spirit but with a kind and gentle heart. At first, only short snippets were posted on you tube. But these short videos piqued my interest. I plodded on through these random snippets until –Voila! – I found the full episodes with English subtitles. All jumbled up though but I was not daunted. Finally, I found the full episodes on Dramacool – 68 episodes in all. You can be sure I will watch the series again but this time in sequence. The cinematography is fabulous. The fight scenes are exciting. The leading man, Zhou Yiwei, is perfect for the role of Lord Yuzhang, husband of Princess Yuzhang, the rebel princess. I recommend this highly especially for those who were disappointed with the ending of another one of my favorites “The Rise of Phoenixes” a Netflix Original released in 2018. I thought Chen Kun would be the only Chinese actor I would go gaga over but here comes Zhou Yiwei. Not as handsome as Chen Kun but just as charming and oozing with charisma as Chen Kun. If you are curious, watch both series – The Rise of Phoenixes and The Rebel Princess. Mahaba nga lang but you will know what I mean. Both are excellent actors but each with their own unique charm. I still have to know who directed The Rise of Phoenixes but it was a very well done series. I believe Chen Kun was also the co-producer.
In the process of immersing myself in the The Rebel Princess, I decided to finally watch again the 2000 movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. By the way, it is on Netflix should you be interested. I vaguely remembering watching it in a moviehouse in Manila at that time when it was released. Viewing it just over a week ago in the comfort of my home, I realized that I had not fully appreciated it then. No wonder it won so many international awards at that time. The martial arts fight scenes are breathtaking. They feel like a dance instead of a fight. It was directed by the world famous Chinese film directorZhang Yimou who also helmed the imagination-boggling Hero with Jet Li, House of Flying Daggers with Zhang Ziyi, Raise the Red Lantern with Gong Li, and others. Raise the Red Lantern is not a martial arts movie but a fascinating movie nonetheless. As far as I am concerned, he is a genius. What one would say in Latin – “sui generis”( a class by itself ) or “ne plus ultra” ( the perfect example of its kind. Or the ultimate). Check them all out if you are in the mood for Asian period dramas with martial arts. As for me, I love them. It feels like I am transported to a different world.
One animated Disney movie I am eagerly looking forward to is Raya and the Last Dragon. It is supposed to be in a Southeast Asian historical period setting and the lead is a woman whose sword is a kris. The Disney movie is supposed to feature an original song in Filipino. Yehey! I can’t wait for this to be released. I just hope it is not going to be a letdown like the live action Mulan was. Raya and the Last Dragon is actually available already on Disney Plus but with an add on fee of $35. By June, though it will be part of the Disney Plus regular subscription plan. So, I am debating whether I will wait for June for the “free” viewing or pay $35 now.
Being a member of the Filipino Heritage Council of Canada, I really wish we had Filipino historical period dramas in the Philippines like China, Japan and South Korea ( and other Asian countries) have as regular fare on television in their respective countries. This kind of content would help in instilling pride in our own culture and civilization. I am glad that in the Philippines, they are now celebrating the quincentennial anniversary of the victory of Lapu Lapu over the Spaniards in Mactan. For the Catholics though, this quincentennial celebration is focused on the coming of Christianity in the Philippines. Both has its merits depending on where you are coming from. Does it remind you of history being “colored” by the writer? Interesting, don’t you think?
Speaking of heritage – in a few more months it will be Filipino Heritage Month. With the slowly warming weather , we all look forward to be able to celebrate and give homage in our own way, to our Filipino heritage, and to our ancestors and homeland.