LOL! (Good one Crudeau)
Ok. For the record, here's my take on the comment regarding "feminism" in
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
According to the
American Heritage Dictionary:
fem·i·nist
A person whose beliefs and behavior are based on feminism.
fem·i·nism
1. The movement to win social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
2. The movement organized around this belief.
I am well aware of the fact that a few critics are describing a "feminist bent" in this film. I do not believe however, that just because a woman is strong and successful or good at what she does, be it cooking, martial arts, raising children, or accounting that feminism is in action. We as human beings are all human beings. We just happen to label and classify eachother because it's our inherent nature to do so, whether it's the color of a person's skin, weight, hair color, height or where they were born.
What bothers me is that it is only pointed out
because they are women. No one would be saying a thing if the same film had all male leads (obviously).
I don't see this film as feministic. Why? Because the female characters are not publicly demonstrating or imposing their beliefs or strengths onto others for the sake of female equality.
They don't actively recruit other females or publicly protest for equality because they are women. In fact, they go to great lengths to remain subservient and honor the ancient traditions of their culture in their roles as females. Their training has been done in secret because it wouldn't be readily accepted in that culture. They (the characters) are people who just happen to be women.
G.I. Jane and
Buffy the Vampire Slayer are more feministic in my opinion.
As far as the tree scene. I feel the viewer has to give in to the mythological aspects of the study of having mastered the specific form of martial arts referred to in this film.
And why isn't there an antonym for "feminist"?
To quote the words of someone we all know..."This is my opinion... I could be wrong!"
