Confucius (2010) - Review by Ryan Kuehlenborg

This film was released in 2010. It was initially supposed to be released in 2009. This is

important because 2009 was the 60th anniversary of CCP rule in China. When this was released, there was an increased sense of Chinese nationalism as China re-entered the World stage after centuries of being displaced among the world elite. The film is a state-sponsored film, which means that the film is specifically made to evoke nationalism and pride among the Chinese audience. An important note of casting belongs to the title role of Confucius. Chow Yun-fat, a Hong-Konger, plays Confucius. This selection could be to try to evoke a sense of Chinese Nationalism that includes those in Hong Kong and Taiwan as all part of the same family. The film underperformed as it had to compete against Avatar in theatres.

The film is faithful to both the time of Confucious and the historical person. The film

mainly focuses on the teachings of Confucious. In a sense, it is an intellectual thriller. The thrills are not in dopamine inducing action scenes but in thought-provoking debate. The film is faithful to Confucius’s teachings, his ideas of education, and that everyone should display ren - or humanity. The late Spring and Autumn period is also faithfully represented. The film shows China descending into chaos. States betraying each other and breaking the standard rules of combat. The film gives the viewer a better understanding of why Confucius made the decisions he did in his life and why he was devoted to bringing stability to China.