Kong Zi (2010)

The life story of the highly-influential Chinese philosopher, Confucius.

Director:

Mei Hu

Writers:

Khan Chan, Qitao Jiang

Stars:

Yun-Fat Chow, Xun Zhou, Jianbin Chen

4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yun-Fat Chow	...	Confucius
Xun Zhou	...	Nanzi
Jianbin Chen	...	Ji Sunsi
Quan Ren	...	Yan Hui
Yi Lu	...	Ji Sunfei
Lu Yao	...	The Ruler of Lu
Kai Li	...	Wife of Confucius
Ban Wang	...	Shu Sunwu
Huanshan Xu	...	Laozi, the Sage of Daoism
Jingwu Ma	...	The Ruler of Qi
Yanjun Bi	...	The Ruler of Wei
Huichun Wang	...	Li Chu
Wenbo Li	...	Zilu
Ma Qiang	...	Ran Qiu
Jinming Kan	...	Zigong

Storyline

The life story of the highly-influential Chinese philosopher, Confucius.

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Plot Keywords:

confucius | ancient china | chinese history | philosopher | chinese | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

28 January 2010 (China)

Also Known As:

Confuzius

Filming Locations:

Hebei, China

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beijing Dadi Century Limited,Dadi Entertainment,China Film Group Corporation (CFGC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Estrenos Críticos: (Piloto) Bestezuelas, Piratas del Caribe 4... (2011)

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Soundtracks

You Lan Cao
Music by Ou Ge
Lyrics by Foreland Cultural Salon
Performed by Faye Wong

User Reviews

Messy and Long-drawn but Still Engaging

The most controversial and dramatic thing about this movie happened off-screen in mid-January. Many Internet users and related groups called for a boycott of the film when it was reported that China had ordered 2D versions of "Avatar" to be pulled out so that more people would watch "Confucius". However, due to low attendance for "Confucius", and the high demand for "Avatar", the Chinese government reversed their decision and allowed "Avatar" to remain on some 2-D screens in China. The movie was to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and Confucius' 2,560th birthday.

Yes, this is after Mao Zedong's Red Guards condemned the ancient scholar and destroyed his family cemetery and temple in his hometown of Qufu. Ironically, one of Confucius sayings is that "an oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger".

The first half of the movie traces the rise and popularity of Confucius (played by Chow Yun Fat) in the state of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period where he is known for his fair and just ideas about running the affairs of the state. He is promoted from town mayor to minister. However, his ideas and practices break with tradition and anger the ruling families. An example is when he saves a burial slave from being entombed alive. He incurs the wrath of the rulers of the surrounding kingdoms by tricking them into giving back seized territory without any violence.

The second half, circa 497 BC, shows Confucius and his disciples in exile, wandering about for years and getting chased away by the locals.

As you can see from the paragraphs above, the first half of this two-hour film is more eventful and interesting than the second. There is a gripping war sequence about the storming of a fort that recalls the action in "Red Cliff." And that's about it for the action fans.

Chow rises to the occasion as the calm and collected Kong Qiu, the revered teacher whose philosophy and views helped to revolutionize some states in China. When political jealousy and fears about his influence send him into exile, the scenes get repetitious and languid. This is punctuated with a subplot about Nan Zi (Zhou Xun), consort to the Wei king who respects the wisdom of Confucius. However, her magnetic appearances are brief and almost cameo-like, leaving most of the second half as prolonged and protracted scenes of Kon Qiu's wanderings and sufferings.

Technically, this US$23-million production looks rich and even stunning at times. Cinematographer Peter Pau (of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame) captures the period and locations in all their glory and helps to put us in the right mood and atmosphere of the times.

"Confucius" is not a lost cause. It just looks long-drawn messy, like too many cooks having a hand at the broth. - LIM CHANG MOH (limchangmoh.blogspot.com)