Chinese "kung Fu Image" In Hollywood Movies

Cultural exchanges between China and the United States in the21st century hadput an end to one-way cultural influence. When it continuously influences uponAsian culture, western culture is also influenced by Asian culture in all aspects. Inrecent years, this influence has been conspicuous in Hollywood movies. Chinesecultural symbols have widely appeared in Hollywood movies, especially the Chinese"kung fu image" which brings about another craze of Chinese culture. As the bestcarrier of disquisition on the conflict and integration of Chinese and Americancultures, Chinese "kung fu image" in Hollywood is significant and valuable to thestudy on China cultural identity in the western world. Furthermore, it can also reflectsubtle changes of Chinese image in American cultural context.Chinese "kung fu image" germinated in China mainland in the early20thcentury, developed in Hong Kong from the1930s to1960s, spread overseas from the1970s to the1990s, and had a foothold in Hollywood in the21st century. Chinese"kung fu image" in Hollywood primarily includes evils,"modern heros"as well asancient chivalrous men. In view of masculinity construction, it witnessed anevolution from the subordination, the antagonising to the collusion, showed theobvious tendency of asceticism, and remained unique oriental masculinities such asagility, diligence, tenacity and restraint. For the creation of Chinese "kung fu image"in Hollywood, there are at least two reasons. Firstly, Chinese "kung fu image" inHollywood is the imaginary social, the continuation and the breakthrough of"stereotype", the hybrid and metaphor of American ideology and utopia. Secondly,Chinese "kung fu image" in Hollywood is the product of the globalized film market.Its emergence is related to market expansion of Hollywood and fits the strategicrequirements for the internationalization of Hong Kong film. That Chinese "kung fuimage" can be heavily favored by Hollywood enjoys certain discourse power inHollywood and become one of the most popular Chinese images, is closelyassociated with its significance and value contained. Because of its unique aestheticsvalue, Chinese "kung fu image" injects fresh blood into action movies of Hollywood.Martial art dance performances of "kung fu image" on the stage are visual wonders,the combination of magnificence and elegance, and the unity of rhyme and tempo.They present "the beauty in actions" which is rare in traditional western action movies. That “Kung fu image” makes violence "poetic" and "humorous" can notonly eliminate bloodiness and cruelty, but also endow the action movies with thebeauty formed in the unique style. Chinese "kung fu image" in Hollywood, whichcarries Chinese and American culture value, is the typical individualistic hero withChinese traditional cultural characteristic, and was the fusion of Chinese andAmerican cultural spirits. Chinese "kung fu image" in Hollywood, as the favoriteChinese culture symbol, has not only extended the signifier sphere of Americanheroism, but also deepens the connotations of American heroism because of theChinese chivalrous spirit included. For the scope of Chinese culture,"kung fuimage" has also made its undeniable contributions. It has enlarged the spread scopeof Chinese culture, heightened effects of such cultural transmission. Moreover, it hasplayed an important role in promoting conversation and identification betweendifferent cultures.