Wuxia Review: 100 Yards

Immortal Studios has been on a mission to spread the Wuxia genre to the globe. We’ve been saying that the time for Wuxia had come. Wuxia tales instill honor and meaning that is missing from much of our popular entertainment today. A rich tapestry of martial arts, chivalry, and myth, Wuxia has been a captivating facet of Asian entertainment for centuries, rooting itself deeply in the cultural consciousness of East Asia. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and audiences seek diverse narratives, we are witnessing a remarkable resurgence of Wuxia films across Asian cinema. This resurgence not only signifies a reclaiming of cultural narratives but also presents an alluring invitation for global audiences to explore its intricate themes and stunning visuals.

Prominent among this new crop of Wuxia films is 100 Yards, a spectacular showcase of traditional Kung Fu and martial ethics. Set in Tianjin in the 1920s, a circle of martial art masters grapple with the rise of firearms and Western influence which threatens to make their culture and way of life obsolete. The film opens with a dying master deciding whether to pass the legacy of his school to his son, Shen An (Jacky Heung), or to his most topmost disciple, Qi Quan (Andy On). Within their martial circle, such choices are decided by a duel. This 100 Yards launches into a captivating opening battle just minutes into the film.

The decision (and we won’t spoil it) sparks a rivalry that pits both masters in rematches throughout the film. The fight choreography is excellent - sharp, tight, crisp, strategic, and powerful. For anyone with a quick enough eye to follow the action, the dialog of steel, wood, flesh, and bones is simply brilliant. The finale 13+-minute fight pits the challenger against dozens of adversaries before getting to his intended target for their ultimate duel. And there’s plenty of great fight scenes on the way there.

Qi Quan (Andy On) and Shen An (Jacky Heung) face off in 100 Yards. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

At the helm of the action is Duncan Leung, a direct pupil of the real-life Grandmaster Ip Man, and a classmate of Bruce Lee. Previously Leung worked on another significant Wuxia epic, Wong Kar Wai’s critically acclaimed film, The Grandmaster (2013). His fight choreography has the distinct veracity that could only come from an authentic master of traditional Kung Fu.

What’s more, Leung has top notch martial stars in the cast to carry the action. Jacky Heung started practicing martial art when he was sixteen, starting with Hong Quan and then progressing to others like Wing Chun. Andy On was sent to Shaolin Temple by director Tsui Hark to prepare for his role in Black Mask 2: City of Masks (2002). On went on to train under Nicky Chung-Chi Li, a former team leader of Jackie Chan Stunt Team. And a mention must be given to Tang Shiyi, who plays Gui Ying, another master in the circle. In the middle of the film, Tang delivers a standout fight scene where she takes on a horde of masked men. While not a martial artist, she’s a principal dancer of the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, so she can move like the best of them and is a quick learner. Keep in mind that Michelle Yeoh got her start in ballet, not the martial arts.

However, a great Wuxia story is more than just great fight scenes. It must have heroes, heroes that aspire to noble action in the face of their own human weaknesses. At the heart of 100 Yards is the director, Xu Haofeng, who has risen to become one of the most prominent Wuxia filmmakers of today.

Xu began studying Kung Fu when he was 14, beginning with the internal martial art of Xingyiquan. He wrote a popular biographical novel The Bygone Kung Fu World in 2006, just before he began his career in filmmaking. After serving as a screenwriter for The Grandmaster and Chen Kaige’s Monk Comes Down the Mountain (2015), Xu moved to the director’s chair for The Sword Identity (2011). All his films are deeply invested in the Wuxia genre. 100 Yards is his fifth directorial effort and his finest to date.

Simply put, Xu Haofeng makes classy Kung Fu films. He’s fascinated with the Republic of China period when Kung Fu faced the challenges of foreigners and firearms, and all his films have gorgeous sets, costumes, cinematography, and atmosphere. True to Wuxia, 100 Yards grapples the unyielding code of ethics of the Wuhuan (the martial circle) and honor is all about dueling. Layers of complexity bind the characters to their fates, and ultimately, it’s another tragedy, a bitter nostalgic ode to the loss of the way in the light of the modern world. There’s a tremendous dignity to his characters and his action. And he loves to depict exotic cold weapons, especially shuangshoujian (two-handed swords). But most of all, Xu’s stories are thoughtful in that unique Wuxia way, balancing the ethical dilemmas that every hero must face against fantastic fight scenes like yin and yang.

Xu has risen to be a Wuxia bannerman, delighting and challenging fans of the genre. And he’s been sharpening his cinematic sword with each film he makes. When it comes to fresh Wuxia cinema, Director Xu Haofeng is one to watch.

By Gene Ching

Immortal Squad, Martial Arts Editor & Action Choreographer

Xu Haofeng Filmography

Decent Things (2024)

100 Yards (2023)

The Hidden Sword (2017)

The Final Master (2015)

Judge Archer (2012)

The Sword Identity (2011)

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