Iron and Silk

Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing Interpretation
Review: It's a shame that this movie didn't adhere more closely to Iron and Silk, the book by Mark Salzman on which it was based. Instead, the filmmakers seemed to feel they had to simplify the relationships and adhere to the "boy meets girl" script that Hollywood is so fond of. The results are disappointing and don't begin to do justice to Salzman's writing.

The story revolves around the two years Salzman spent as an English teacher in China. There he studied with a variety of teachers, the most memorable being his martial arts instructor Qingfu Pan. Although the filming is simple and some of the interactions a bit stilted, Salzman's childlike openness to new experiences and real skill as a martial artist come through.

Where I had problems was when the romantic relationship was introduced. The woman that Salzman supposedly falls in love with appeared only at the end of the book, and was appealing precisely because she touched his life so briefly and was so inaccessible. In the movie, however, the relationship is treated as a central part of Salzman's time in China. This simply wasn't true and used time that could have been better spent portraying the other fascinating people and places Salzman encountered. I would have loved, for example, to see Salzman's calligraphy teacher, the barrel-chested, bald-headed man who taught him the art of "pushing hands," or the artist who painted a landscape scene for him. It seems however, that the filmmakers had no faith in the viewing public's interest in Chinese culture or lifestyles.

This is a sweet movie, but it fails to live up to the remarkable potential of Salzman's book. My advice is to skip the movie and get the book.

Rating:
Summary: The Many Sides of China
Review: Here is a story that will charm and captivate you. A young American, who has been fascinated by and studied Chinese martial arts and the Chinese language, goes to China to teach English and discover what the country and its people have to teach him. Like all foreigners, he encounters roadblocks - the officials who invent regulations, the unwanted attention whenever he goes anywhere in public, the demands on his time and attempts to control his behavior - but Salzman does little more than mention these annoyances. His real story has to do with how the Chinese respond to his curiosity and desire to learn while he is in their country.

One by one teachers appear and agree to take him under their wings. There is a Chinese literature teacher, a calligraphy master, and most important of all a series of wushu (martial arts) instructors, each with a different view of and approach to his discipline. In addition, you will be treated to Salzman's amusing and occasionally deeply touching moments of interaction with people of all kinds. There are the fishermen who try to persuade him to live with them on their boats, his extraordinarily shy medical students, the scholar who translates English books into Chinese, and the young 11-year old boy who has run away from home. From each encounter Salzman comes away with a gem of insight, a hilarious story to tell or a puzzling problem to ponder. By the time to book comes to a close you too will have come to appreciate and marvel at the diversity and depth of the Chinese people.

Rating:
Summary: Salzman kicks Pennycook's butt in wushu and writing!
Review: For academic types who haven't yet overdosed on Foucault or Pennycook, this book is well worth a read. Salzman shows his love for China and Chinese culture despite all its warts. If you've shied away from this book because some misinformed postcolonialist told you it was neocolonial, read the book and judge for yourself. I think you will find it charming, for its vivid description, its unconcealed enthusiasm, its honesty (e.g. Salzman admits to having little interest in going to China despite majoring in Chinese studies at Yale), its self-deprecating humor, and above all its lack of cynicism. It's an autobiographical narrative, not a critical (re: neo-Marxist) treatise and should be taken as such. The author is aware of how much his own misunderstanding and discomfort may be the result of cultural difference and he is quick to see the essence of good intentions in most of the Chinese he encounters. So, again, read with an open mind and don't allow yourself to be dissuaded by those in critical applied linguistics who couldn't match this artistic effort themselves but feel free to leap to unfair conclusions about the author's intent.

Rating:
Summary: An exquisite book
Review: I read this in one sitting and afterwards found myself sitting, staring into space and absorbing what I'd just read. I am very sorry to see that it is out of print; it would make a terrific addition to any Artist's library.

Saltzman's depictions of life in China for the gaijiin martial artist, his open and honest description of his time there, his training, the earnestness with which he approached that training are great. The first time martial artist will recognize his own rising passion for the Art, the long-time artist will perhaps rediscover the same.

The movie is alright, but the book.. Superb.

Rating:
Summary: Taste the bittersweet to know the sweetness of live.
Review: This movie is based on the book written by Mark Salzman about his two years in China, where he went to teach English. The author stars in the leading role and shows us the intricate web of east meets west in a country that shuns western tradition. Salzman was lucky enough to be taught kung fu, known in China as whushu, by teacher Pan a world-renowned instructor in the field of martial arts who now resides in Canada.

This is a wonderful look into the life of the Chinese in the early 1980's, the feeling of revolution, the communist party, and how it affects the people. Spiritual pollution is in the forefront of those minds not yet ready for western ways to take root.

This was a most enjoyable movie with some precise and memorable kung fu scenes, even a bit of love. Another book that I read recently by this author was LYING AWAKE. Kelsana 1/13/02

Rating:
Summary: A Foreigner in China
Review: I loved the book. It gives a true feeling of a foreigner experiencing that China that foreigners don't see, not the tourist sights like the great wall and the forbidden city, but the everyday people, teachers and bureaucrats and wushu masters and fishermen. Salzman has a quick touch at deftly sketching all the people that he meets, and he meets a lot of people! The book is funny and poignant and informative. My only complaint is that it's too short! Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An intimate look at an incredible lifestyle.
Review: In our contemporary American lifestyle many people are left to ask, "Are my actions worthwhile?" or "Am I amounting to anything?"

In "Iron and Silk" Teacher Pan, a kung fu master, shows the audience the true meaning of a life's work. Teacher Pan does not have e-mail, DVD players, or the wonderful Sony Play Station II. However, Teacher Pan does have determination, grit, and honor.

As a new student of Kung Fu, known as wushu in China, I am beginning to realize the validity of the message portrayed in "Iron and Silk." The message that Kung Fu is not just a martial art but a way of life. As Teacher Pan says, "Do every move as if it were your last." How often do we spend days, if not weeks, wasting our time with activities we truly do not care about? Probably far too many.

One of my favorite parts of the movie deals with Teacher Pan trying to learn English. When Teacher Pan struts his speaking abilities to Mark, Mark replies that he did "O.K." Immediately Teacher Pan replies in an angry tone, "I do not want O.K. I want perfection!"

O.K. (This is the correct usage of the word!) I've said my peace. Think about your time and activities and ask yourself the question, "Do I want to do everything O.K. or perfect?" If you answered perfect start your commitment by watching "Iron and Silk."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for cross-culture study
Review: This is a nice book about the Chinese people who lived under Communist rule during the early 1980's. It was written by an American, who thru befriending the locals, had weaved up their stories of joys and sorrows. Topics discussed by the author included martial arts, Chinese fine arts, sociological behaviors, political climates, economical policies, and many, many others. Even thru Chinese society had evolved greatly since this book was written, and some of the informations presented in this book are no longer relevent, but the stories themselves nonethelessly had not lost their timeless charm.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I'd say this is the Harry Potter of travel books... which is a surprising analogy because i didnt enjoy the Harry Potter series and I loved this book.
It's easy to understand, gives you lots of helpful information about China, and the characters are very enjoyable.
I'll not give anything away about the book, because you can find that out from everyone else.

Rating:
Summary: This Wonderful Autobiographical Account...
Review: ...is must reading for those with an interest in Chinese martial arts and culture. You can read "Lost In Place", which is actuallt Salzman's second autobiographical book, either before or after this, they go well together to provide a portrait of his academic and martial growth. PERFECT for young people who are interested in martial arts as a lifelong pursuit.