Qi: It is the vital energy so much a part of traditional Chinese medicinal and martial culture, a form of energy that many claim is without doubt integral to the very existence of life itself. Qi is a tangible yet seemingly invisible spark of mana that unites heaven, man, and earth. It can be wielded by a martial artist to inflict exponential trauma on an enemy or harnessed into a pulsating charge of warmth to heal a loved one. While many cite China’s unbroken line of research spanning thousands of years as proof, there are still many in the West who scoff at what they believe is little more than a hokey belief system fueled by cheap street magic which, in turn, is fed to droves of gullible spectators. The common sentiment is that without scientific evidence there is no real evidence of its existence at all.
Into this climate Cinema Libre Studio has released the timely documentary entitled The Master. The film stars Kung Fu/Qi Gong Grandmaster Zhou Ting Jue and his granddaughter Jun Zhou and is directed by Dastan Khalili. The production was crafted over several years and filmed in multiple locations including Los Angeles , Shanghai, and China’s legendary Wu Dang Mountains (武当山).
A cold, damp paper towel heats up, producing steam under the focused energy of Zhou Ting Jue. Photo courtesy of Master / Cinema Libre Studio.
Finding the Way
The impetus for the The Master came from the director’s long-term tutelage as a student of Grandmaster Zhou Ting Jue. “For years I expressed interest in making a biographical documentary about my master. However, he was reluctant to tell his story on film. Eventually I realized that the best way to gain his blessing and participation in the film would be to prove myself a good student to him. After 8 years of dedicated study, he finally agreed, and here we are,” noted Khalili at a recent screening of the film in Pasadena.
As is the case in most documentaries, the final story told on celluloid was found not during principal photography but in the editing room amongst the plethora of footage recorded for the piece. As Khalili notes, “I was looking for the story of the film and found its essence in the journey of both Grandmaster and granddaughter as they explored the origins of his time in China as well as the development of his Qi Gong and Kung Fu.”
The film begins with Zhou in his current life as an esteemed Qi Gong healer and Kung Fu Master residing in the Los Angeles area. The viewer is casually introduced to both the elder and younger Zhou as they light incense at an altar and discuss how the former came to pursue the martial and healing paths associated with his practice. Thus begins the trajectory of the film’s narrative, as scenes spanning several continents and time periods tell a singular and carefully crafted story of one man’s dedication to an art form that can best be described as bittersweet and inspiring.
Grandmaster Zhou demonstrating his hard Qi Gong against twin straight swords. Photo courtesy of Master / Cinema Libre Studio.
In the Service of Others
Throughout the film, a theme of helping others plays an integral part. As Zhou himself recounts, as a child he was ill and on death’s doorstep when he was healed by a Qi Gong master. Along with several luminaries of the Internal Arts community vouching for the incredible ability of the Grandmaster, patients who have benefitted greatly from his Qi Gong healing treatments are interviewed. Most notably, a former park ranger who lost the use of his legs to frostbite gives an acutely distressing tale of being written off by the Western medicine community. Wheelchair bound, he was told by conventional doctors that they would need to amputate his legs and leave him with not much more comfort than a steady stream of narcotics. Against their advice, he declined the procedure and began treatments under Grandmaster Zhou’s Qi Gong therapy. He now serves as a testament to Zhou’s care, having overcome his affliction whilst regaining the ability to walk.
While a fair amount of the film focuses on those who benefitted from Zhou’s healing ability, time is also spent with those who studied Kung Fu under his tutelage. During their travels, Zhou and his granddaughter revisit a labor camp in Shanghai where he served time during a tumultuous period in his life. It is here that a deeper insight into his steadfast commitment to Kung Fu is highlighted. During his mandated time as a factory worker, he made sure to use the time wisely and spent the years excelling at his Kung Fu practice as well as imparting his knowledge as a teacher to his fellow workers. It is these same students who heartily greet him during his recent visit some forty years later, giving praise to the lessons learned under his guidance.
Grand Master Zhou Ting Jue and other esteemed masters practicing Kung Fu atop Wudang Mountain.
Photo courtesy of Master / Cinema Libre Studio.
Stand Like A Mountain
One of the most memorable sections of the film showcases the mist-blanketed peaks of the Wudang Mountains. Grandmaster Zhou and his granddaughter travel to the seclusion of the legendary mountain temple popularized in films and martial lore. Amongst the mythical landscape of trees colored in spatterings of deep green ink, the graceful movements of his sword cut in whispering fashion through the dense fog surrounding him. Musings of Taoist monks and colleagues are highlighted, as they attest to their profound respect of Zhou and his dedication to his craft. The moments captured at this sacred monastery are transfixing, yet as evocative as a vivid dream.
Master | Official 2018 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Mysticism vs. Skepticism
Awe-inspiring demonstrations of Grandmaster Zhou’s mastery of qi are peppered throughout the movie. These range from the fairly commonly seen feat of bending iron bars across one’s throat to more esoteric performances highlighting his mastery of the energy arts. One memorable demonstration highlights his ability to emit energy from his palms to a piece of aluminum foil encased in a cold, damp paper towel. Steam rises from the towel as it rapidly heats up ostensibly from Zhou’s own concentrated energy.
Given that the film’s director is also a devout student of Zhou Ting Jue, one could easily surmise that this film would only serve to promote one-sided claims to the existence of the Grandmaster’s remarkable abilities. In a stroke of brilliant diplomacy and mindfulness, Mr. Khalili has elected to do exactly the opposite. As a counterpoint to the aforementioned demonstrations, an interview is held with sceptic Colin Wright. Wright, who is an atheist, behavioral ecologist and writer, is quick to point out several rational explanations to Zhou’s demonstrations, claiming that he believes it to be little more than stage magic trickery.
While these seemingly contradictory segments of the film will no doubt polarize audiences, they provide an element of introspection and thoughtfulness which elevate the film to a higher level than a mere promotional piece.
Zhou Ting Jue and his granddaughter Jun Zhou embark on their journey, beginning in Shanghai. Photo courtesy of Master / Cinema Libre Studio.
Evidence From Within
In the age of social media we are afforded both simultaneous information and disinformation. Real and fake news are the order of the day and so we come full circle to what has always been the benchmark of proof: personal experience. While The Master gives many answers to the past of its enigmatic star, it poses just as many questions. Is qi real? Can it heal? Is there a place for the ancient and treasured arts of China in the modern world? These questions extend beyond the film’s running time, staying in the minds of viewers as they leave the theater and return to the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Perhaps the one truth to be found amongst all the questions is that belief is reality. Belief is evidence. Belief is enough. For what some may find lacking in their relentless pursuit of happiness and fulfillment could very well be found in a single unifying force which tethers us together not by wifi signal or ethernet cable but by a harmonious dialogue we all have with the very energy connecting us all.
