Kung-Fu Digitalized: Action Films Hong Kong Style and Technological Embodiment

摘要

This paper proposes to use the concept of "embodiment" to discuss a number of HK style Kung-fu films, particularly, how the contemporary special effect or digital compositing technology creates a magical presentation of bodily movement on screen. By focusing on the "running" motif in these films, this paper traces the way technologically trained human action and energy merge with state-of-art cybernetic devices for a "nuanced" interaction. It is argued that digital technology now . merges with human bodily technology ( concept of moving-in and shi) which produces a full circle of feedback loop in the projection/ reciprocation evolution of the human/ machine interface. This mutual reinforcement renders a poetic performance of beautiful human action possible, particularly it brings to the full representation of the rhythm of pause/ burst/ pause or "instants of stillness" in between movements so characteristic in Chinese Kung -fu philosophy.