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| 2009/09/21 13:14:14瀏覽1037｜回應1｜推薦1 | |
Jackie Chan Born three months overdue in the year of the Horse, Jackie Chan was predicted to be ambitious, successful, and energetic, according to the Chinese zodiac superstitions. In this case, the superstitions were amazingly accurate. Jackie Chan is famous today for his death-defying stunts, his hilarious jokes, and his unbeatable Kung Fu. In the movies, it may look easy, but it is the result of his relentless persistence and the ability to try and try again. In I Am Jackie Chan – My Life in Action, written by Jackie Chan and Jeff Yang, the life of Chan is told, from his early years at academy, his short time as a Chinese opera performer, becoming a stuntman, and finally his success as a movie star. Before becoming one of the most well known people, Chan went through a grueling childhood, a rocky career start, and trouble entering the American film industry. To begin with, Jackie Chan’s childhood was a grueling, exhausting period of his life. On April 7, 1954 Chan was brought into the world after staying in his mother for an impressive twelve months. His father was a proud man born in China’s Shandong province, the birthplace of many warriors and martial artists. Therefore, ever since Chan was four years old, his father would wake him at sunrise to work out in a makeshift gym and learn traditional Northern Kung Fu. He was also punished for any misbehavior by spanking, or by being left alone overnight in the alcove, sleeping next to garbage. He soon proved to be too mischievous to handle, and therefore, his father decided to send him to Yu Jim-Yuen’s China Drama Academy, where he would spend the next ten years of his life. At first glance, the Drama Academy seemed to be welcoming, but as he was soon to learn, it was all an act. A few days after the signature was signed for a ten year contract, Chan got a picture of how the academy really worked. As a “welcoming ceremony,” Chan was told to lie on the floor, back up, as master delivered six bone-shattering whips from his cane. The whips were the official mark of when a new member to the academy became accepted part of the family. Not surprisingly, everyone quickly learned to obey Master Yu. The typical day at the academy started at five in the morning with a warm up run on the roof. Then, after breakfast the students trained for six straight hours, including warm-ups, footwork, martial arts, acrobatics, and aerial maneuvers. After lunch came the most excruciating part of the day, flexibility practices, followed by handstands. In the evening came academic lessons, and if they were lucky, a lesson on the Chinese opera from the master. The day ended at midnight, which was bedtime, and all the students would fall asleep, knowing that they would have to live through the same torture again, day after day. After the days at the academy were over, seventeen-year-old Jackie Chan experienced a rocky career start. Starting as a stuntman for movies he risked his life for a small pay, but it was the perfect job for those with no education, and excellence in martial arts. At the job, he learned many horrible habits, such as drinking, smoking, fighting, cursing, and the worst, gambling. When he finally landed some jobs as an actor, he was met with irresponsible directors, low quality equipment, and even lower budgets. His expectations were shattered, until he met Bruce Lee, the current Martial Arts star. He was admired all over the world, and had a certain aura that made people respect and listen to him. He worked harder than anyone else had at his movies, and was what Chan thought a director should be. Bruce Lee gave Chan the motivation and the inspiration of becoming a movie star. As a result of Lee’s unfortunate death, the movie industries began frantically looking for the “next Bruce Lee.” Jackie Chan was therefore given the role that Bruce Lee played in Fists of Fury, in the remake of New Fists of Fury. But after a few tries, Chan noticed that his style was nothing like Lee’s and that he could never replace the star. Lee was often in tragic films, full of pain and anger, but Chan was mischievous and loved comedy. Chan then started to make his own films, his own way. He had a few unsuccessful tries under a deceiving director, but with the help of his agent and best friend, Willie Chan, he soon became the most successful and famous star of Asia. Snake in Eagle’s Shadow, produced under Seasonal Films, was a blockbuster hit. Consequently, the sudden fame had made Jackie Chan cocky and full of attitude; he often challenged other people, and became a selfish man. But considering his success, his old cheating director was finding all possible ways, even wrongful ways, to get him back. Therefore, his agent thought it was time for Chan to move on, to go to Hollywood to escape for the complications, and to open his market even further. But more problems laid ahead in America. Nevertheless, entering the American film industry proved to be another troubling milestone in Jackie Chan’s life. After many attempts at speaking English, Chan failed to get past ordering food. Also, American reporters put Jackie Chan through the same problem he had in Asia, the expectation that Chan was the “new Bruce Lee.” With limited English, Chan could hardly defend himself. He returned to Hong Kong, angry that America couldn’t see the star that he was. But he also learned a valuable lesson during his return home. After losing a relationship due to his arrogant attitude, Chan became grounded to earth, and quickly changed himself. After a while, Chan took another stab at Hollywood, but his second time wasn’t any better than the first try. He tried the stereotypical American hero route, becoming the tough killer in his movies. But they soon realized, as Chan did, years ago in Hong Kong, that he wasn’t suited for that kind of a character. Finally, the third try at the West was successful. Although there were still things that didn’t satisfy Chan, such as the unnecessary extra safety measures during stunts, or the limited action time, after Rumble in the Bronx, he became famous in the U.S. He also fulfilled his two Hollywood fantasies, to have a glamorous premiere with screaming fans and loads of cameras, and to have his signature, handprints, footprints, and even his famous, oversized nose-print immortalized into the cement on Hollywood Boulevard. Finally, after so many struggles, things are finally going his way. Throughout his life, Jackie Chan has been met with many obstacles, including a exhausting childhood, a rough career start, and a difficulty entering the American film industry. But he would never be where he is today if he didn’t stand up after each time he fell down. He started off as a restless boy, a daredevil teenager, and turned himself into an admired star. Today, we not only remember him for his breathtaking movies, but also for his content of character. He may have had a period in his life where he was cocky, but he soon changed and became a respectable man. Jackie Chan’s dedication, humor, and skill will be what is remembered for generations to come. |
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| ( 心情隨筆｜心靈 ) |
