Lensed with western eyes in mind

Rating: 6/10 (6 October 2002)

Back in 2000, I gave a rousing take on CTHD long before the Hollywood Marketing machinery made it into a western cultural phenomenon. I was lying then....Being of Chinese descent, I just could not bring myself to come down too hard on a landmark movie so many people associate as a beacon of Chinese/ Asia cinema. But with the passage of time and the buzz all but fizzled, I see fit to bring up my alternate take on this whole "CTHD" phenomenon. Crouching Tiger Hidden Tiger, despite its many accolades by Western critics and audiences alike, alienated many discerning Asian audiences(including myself).
Granted, it was a technically and aesthetically accomplished film. But it lacked a distinct Asian feel that is hard to put to words. Films by Zhang Yimou(To Live) or even Ang Lee's past efforts(Eat Drink Man Woman) had that elusive, thematic quality, but not CTHD.
Many in Asia thus felt that CTHD(whether intentional or otherwise) "relented" too much in its attempts to meet a western checklist of what constituted a good Asian film (exotic location, death defying choreography, sweeping epic plot with hidden underlying themes etc).
At this point, do let me clarify that I am not a backlash critic. I don't exactly hate CTHD. I am just disappointed that it was so blantantly pandering to western tastes, when it could have retained its Asian sensibilities and still achieved greatness on the international front(much like Zhang Yi Mou or Miyazaki Films).
Either way, CTHD notwtihstanding, I do not think Asian films will truly arrive on the international stage as long as films like CTHD still get the disproportionate western response in lieu of its equally, if not more important Asian acceptance.