100 Yards – A Breathtaking Martial Arts Film

100 Yards is the new martial arts film by directors Xu Haofang and Xu Jungfeng, filmmakers who have been working diligently within the Chinese system producing martial arts and Wuxia cinema that interrogates elements of its genre. Their latest is no different, exploring what it means to be a martial artist, the pressure of legacy, and what the fourth form really is. The film stars Jacky Heung (son of famed Hong Kong actor/producer Charlie Heung) and Andy On, an actor who at one point was expected to take the mantle from the likes of Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen.

The film engages in a sort of meta commentary as it pertains to the casting as Heung and On play roles that are intricately linked to themselves. Shen An (Heung), the son of the newly deceased master of the martial arts circle in 1920’s Tianjin, is determined to succeed his father and lead the martial arts circle into the new era, an era he helped define. In fact, this trajectory is not too dissimilar to that of Heung’s father who helped establish the career of significant Hong Kong stars and needle pushers in their cultural cinema. Meanwhile, Qi Quan (On), Shen’s father’s apprentice, is chosen by the master to take control of the circle after he is gone, leaving him to teach Shen and establish himself as the leader. This trajectory is also not too dissimilar from On’s own, positioning himself as a future star in Chinese cinema, aided by the surging Chinese DTV market.

What transpires out of the master’s decision is a rivalry over who shall be the rightful heir to lead the circle into the new era. As decided by the two and upheld by the elders of the circle, this conflict is to be resolved through a duel. In their fight for the head of the table, they must navigate through the politics and entrapments as the film explores France’s involvement in 1920’s Tianjin while exploring what it truly means to be a martial artist. Their fight would eventually bleed into the streets over a collection of unsimulated action sequences done without the help of speed ramping and wire work. The ensuing speed and ability on display is truly breathtaking to behold in real time as the characters slice through the air and each other with blades and fists.

Plenty has been made about how 100 Yards approaches martial arts and that is simply because films don’t do it like this anymore. The unsimulated action allows for the action to feel more immediate and realized. However, the film is very modern in its presentation and thematic undercurrent, playing to the directorial duo’s advantage as it constantly innovates with its camera work, utilizing fight geography and directorial style unlike anything in recent memory. The infusion of style and exciting camera work gives the film an enthralling dynamism to the visual presentation, something which is paired with some of the best sound design this year. Each punch, kick, slice, or stab makes itself known whether its point of contact is the air or an unfortunate combatant.

Also, the action is truly masterful and worthy of the highest possible praise, and is carried further by great performances and a strong narrative throughline. That said, the film is heavily context based on its narrative. Its metanarrative is less effective the less one knows about its stars and the connections between their characters and the industry and the film’s historical context. That fact is also where its biggest point of contention lies as some of the missing context will create some confusion. Similarly, significant elements of the film’s narrative are inferred rather than presented explicitly.

That being said, 100 Yards is simply can’t miss martial arts entertainment and a high watermark for the genre moving forward. Xu Haofeng and Xu Jungfeng’s film is not only engaging but features some of the best action audiences will witness this year. It is truly a must see for fans of the genre or even those interested in the history behind it. It is a unique work that will hopefully lead to more in the future, especially if it is going to be at this level.

still courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

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Brad Simon

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