Introduction
Li Xiuren/Li Xiuzhi, Baguazhang Mentors
"The method of movement is circular walking, while changing the palm´s position to attack. It involves both internal and external practice, quite elegant but fierce in real combat."
Wang Shiquan, Bajiquan Mentor
"Bajiquan can counter any move...My hand´s up here...I can attack you from every angle...I don´t have to move; I let you move..."
Chang Zhen, Acting as "Razor"
"It´s hard, doing Bajiquan. It transforms form internal to external, which needs plenty of time to digest... It certainly builds up your physique, but more important is the self-cultivation. Gradually I came to know myself better, things inside me, good and bad, that I didn´t know before. I´m a whole different person after the years of Bajiquan training."
Zhang Ziyi, Acting as "Gong Er"
"My favourite fight scene is at the station, when Gong Er fights Ma San. It brings the 2 styles, Baguazhang and Xingyiquan, together. My opponent comes from a kung fu background, so he was a big help to me during filming. With his expertise he could make me relax, as he took the lead in the fighting."
Zhang Jin, Acting as "Ma San"
Gong Er´s biggest rival, however, is Ma San, her father´s killer.The fight between the two at the railway station is about Baguazhang versus Xingyiquan.
Wong's opinion on kung fu and the film
"I´ve been asked, what is a grandmaster? A true martial artist experiences 3 stages: the first is to see him or herself; the second is to see the world; and the last is to see all beings. By passing on what he knows to all beings he can be called a grandmaster. "
- "Why are martial arts called kung fu? In Chinese, kung fu also means time. It´s a demanding field to explore and I knew it would take a long time. But I was willing to keep going, because I was so drawn into it."
- "Some say a unique skill is to push something to the limit. As for the film, we´ve done our best. But I wouldn´t say it reaches the limit. I hope it´s a start. I hope someone will keep on doing it, because it´s too fascinating to abandon."
