Taiwanese „Demigod: The Legend Begins” is an unique opportunity to experience a hybrid genre, which eccentrically combines traditional puppetry, CGI extravaganza and martial duels of wuxia. Plot-wise, the film is rather generic (which doesn't mean dull) story of honor, heroism and revenge, but it is worth digging into its background to investigate a cultural phenomenon behind it.
Demigod: The Legend Begins is screening at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival
Budaixi, a glove puppetry, is a form of Taiwanese folk art, which was first brought to Fujian province by Han migrants around 200 years back. A theatre troupe traditionally comprised puppeteers and musicians, who accompanied the performance with classical instruments. The puppeteer and his disciples (usually sons, as the art's secrets were most commonly passed between family members) operated on a small stage. Performances often occurred during festivals and on temple premises as a celebration of a deity's birthday or a thanksgiving opportunity (and so they are up to date). From the mid of XX century budaixi, because of the use of Taiwanese language and immersion in local festivals, beliefs and traditions, has become a significant symbol of local identity. Inevitably, as with many forms of traditional craftsmanship, recently it struggles for survival despite the loyal group of avid fans. Thus, it is interesting to follow the strategies to introduce it to modern-day audiences. Marrying the form with a convention of tv show seems especially intriguing, and this is where „Demigod: The Legend Begins” originates from.
Movie is a production of Pili International Multimedia, a business venture established by the Huang family. It started as a puppet theatre troupe, founded by Huang Hai-tai and his brothers. Huang Chun-hsiung, Huang Hai-tai's son, introduced the beloved folk art into the world of TV. With time Pili rose to fame as a large Taiwanese producer of budaixi dramas and connected merchandise.
„Demigod: The Legend Begins” sounds like the title of the origin story–and rightly so. It tells about the beginnings of Su Huan-jen, aka Lightly Frangrant White Lotus, a warrior with great powers. He is one of the iconic characters of “Pili” drama series, which debuted in Taiwanese TV in 1984, had his cameo in more recent “Thunderbolt Fantasy”, and can boast with an impressive 6 meters tall stainless steel statue of him in Huwei.
„Demigod: The Legend Begins” is not the first standalone movie connected to the series. There's also 200's “Legend of the sacred stone” (“Sheng shi chuan shuo”) also written and directed by Chris Huang.
The movie has whatever we can expect from wuxia. The wisdom of an old master, a wicked treason and attempts to overturn the bad fate in a good old fight. Su Huan-jen, on his way to get his superpowers, and under his master's guidance, finds himself in the middle of family misunderstandings and clan clashes. Of course, in this fantasy world the universe future is at stake. The situation changes quickly, masks fall, there are beasts and magic, assassin's attacks, mysterious sicknesses and books of secrets. The happenings are somehow predictable, and the characters seem a bit wooden (pun intended), but it is not the essence of the experience. The crazy amalgam of puppetry, special effects and martial arts is. At first, watching requires a bit of patience to get used to Budaixi drama strategy – puppets' faces (and lips), as in the theatre tradition, remain motionless, while dolls' bodies are animated. Whatever we miss in the emotional depth of facial expression, the makers try to compensate in body language. And the attention put to the variety and range of movement is amazing. If someone has a soft spot for hair: Su Huan-jen hairdo seems to have a life of its own, wheatear subtly blowing in the wind or insanely swirling in fight. And yes, fights itself have dynamics and spark, though choreography may be a little disappointing.
The character designs are meticulously prepared, with stylish costumes, jewelry, weapons and additional attributes. The puppets are bigger than those used in traditional theater. The movie, free from limitations of a stage, takes us to various locations like castle interiors, a library, an inn, a forest or mysterious and gloomy mountain surroundings. CGI mixes with practical effects to a satisfying result. And to deal properly with beasts (aka actors donning their suits) Japanese tokusatsu expert Kakusei Fujiwara was hired.
If you associate puppets with children–be warned, this is not a movie to watch with little ones as the director do not shy away from bloodbath. And the splattering blood is treated with the same attention to detail as body movements. Characters chop, pierce, stab and the red splashes all over the screen.
To sum up quickly – „Demigod: The Legend Begins”, despite generic plot and lack of depth of characters, is a fantastic opportunity to experience new territories of animation and get more familiar with not-so-widely known aspects of Taiwanese art.
