IntroductionDirected by Inigo Westmeier, "Dragon Girls" is a 2016 documentary film embeded in China. The film provides a fascinating portrait of the world's largest Kung Fu school, the Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School, located next to the legendary Shaolin Monastery. The institution is home to roughly 26,000 students who are all aiming martial artists.
Plot Summary"Dragon Girls" mostly concentrates on three young girls: Xin Chenxi, Chen Xi, and Huang Luolan, who have actually been sent to this school to train in Kung Fu. Each lady has a different story, presenting unique insights into their lives and their private inspirations.
Chenxi, just nine years of ages when she signed up with, is seen as a kid strained by the weight of her parents' expectations. As the film follows her journey, she experiences the harsh truth of her choice and the obstacles dealt with by children so young pushed to their physical and emotional limitations.
Chen Xi, a teen, has a complicated relationship with the school. While she initially rebels versus the school's militaristic regime, she ultimately becomes disciplined, as she understands that she might not have an alternative outside, considering her offered socio-economic scenarios.
Lastly, Huang Luolan uses an adult viewpoint. Formerly a student, now a teacher at the school, she helps to bridge the space in between the severe training methods used by the school and the raw vulnerability of its young trainees.
Themes and Impressions"Dragon Girls" provides a plain depiction of discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. The pyramid-like structure of the school mirrors that of Chinese society, where senior citizens give wisdom and teachings to their kids. The intense training sessions and stringent rules the women should withstand represent more comprehensive narratives related to performing physical labor, enduring extreme conditions, and submission of individualityfor the cumulative identity and success.
The movie remarkably encapsulates the challenges and sacrifices of these children for their households' honor and survival. However, it also highlights their resilience in the face of hardships. In spite of their struggles, these kids still discover minutes of pleasure and hope in their severe circumstances.
Style and AestheticWith magnificently made up wide-angle shots catching the sheer scale of the school and the coordinated movements of thousands of students, "Dragon Girls" has a certain aesthetic appeal. Westmeier's meticulous filming and modifying show the precision of Kung Fu motions. The director's choice of emphasizing the physicality of Kung Fu discreetly highlights a constant battle for specific identity within an institutional framework.
Conclusion"Dragon Girls" provides vibrant insights into China's story through the colors of custom, discipline, resilience, and sociopolitical truths. While the documentary presents an intensely reasonable representation of the intense experiences of students trained in Kung Fu, it likewise mirrors the socio-cultural conformities present in Chinese society. Through individual stories, the movie tackles subjects like household honor, socio-economic restrictions, solidifying through youth, and the pursuit of dreams regardless of difficulties, painting an image of post-modern China rooted in standard spheres.
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