IP MAN 2

Hong Kong, China, 2010, 108 minutes, Colour.
Donnie Yen, Xioning Huang, Sammo Kam- Bo Hung, Kent Cheng, Darren Shahlavi, Ka-nin Ngo.
Directed by Wilson Yip.

Audiences were introduced to Ip Man, the Grand Master, in the first of the trilogy of films portraying him. The first film was acclaimed as was the performance by Donnie Yen and direction by Wilson Yip.

The action of this sequel takes place in postwar Hong Kong where Ip Man has settled. He tries to set up his own school but is frustrated first by being ignored, helping some of the young men, their becoming loyal, his training them. However, there is rivalry from other schools in the city and criticisms of himself and his status. This leads to a number of sequences of martial arts training as well as martial arts fights and fights in the streets.

Ip Man responds to the challenge of the other schools, especially an extended sequence where he eventually shows his superiority over the ageing and large director of the rival school who is involved with some schemes by the British.

There are further complications because of the British presence in Hong Kong, some of the British despising the Asian martial arts and bringing in their own boxer to confront the various leaders – with some initial dire consequences but, Ip Man rising to the occasion.

And, in the background, is his family, his young children. This film was well received and lead them to Ip Man 3.

1. The popularity of the original film? The sequel?

2. Audience knowledge of Ip Man, his early life, martial arts, teaching, character, family?

3. The move to Hong Kong, the post-war period? Administration of Hong Kong, the presence of the British, colonial attitudes? The population? Rich and poor? Crime?

4. Donnie Yen as Ip Man, his presence, dignity? His ability at martial arts, Wing Chun? His training and tradition? His wanting to set up the martial arts school? The location, the roof? The lady with her washing, her encouragement? His patience in waiting? His personal life, his wife, his son? The need for finance? The continual struggles?

5. The young men coming, Leung, brashness, the challenge? The other young men coming, vain, interested, admiring their master, becoming students, the disciples?

6. Leung and his bond with Ip Man, in the town, supportive? The other men and their learning, practice?

7. Speculations about how many could attack? The visuals of the martial arts and the fights, the oncoming attacks?

8. The locals, the other schools, Ip Man being summoned, the discussions, payments? The master, his age, size, experience? The challenge? The fight on the table, the schools, the balance, the table being split?

9. The role of the British, the official, on the take? The fat man as the go-between? Subservient to the British?

10. The setting up of the competition, Twister, his background, boxing skills, Western-style, his arrogance? In the ring, his mocking the demonstration of Chinese martial arts? The crowds in the audience, the Westerners and their support of Twister? The British officials, money changing hands?

11. The fight with the old master, his skills, his taking a beating, collapse and death?

12. The further challenge? Ip Man and his wife, her pregnancy, urging him to go, his son supporting him? His responding to the challenge? His being mocked? His time of training?

13. The buildup to the final fight, Ip Man’s dignity, black garment? The fight, his being pounded? Twister and his behaviour, the regulations, defying them? The drama of the fight, the audience, the British? Ip Man finally vanquishing? The acclaim?

14. The rest of the British office of corruption?

15. Ip Man, his achievement, becoming well-known, popularity, the encounter with the young Bruce Lee? Audience interested to know more about him?