La légende de la montagne

China is not short of magical / fantasy / fantasy stories. Ancient myths, Fengshenbang, Shanhaijing, Journey to the West, and Liao Zhai Zhiyi are endless, yet this long over 3hr full cut of this film reveals the beauty of Chinese heritage in new clothes and perspectives, very much reflecting the innocence of the late 70's. Here the literature and mythology of ancient Chinese culture is distilled into the beauty of a film that has spoekn to my soul for a long time. I used to return to this film once in a while since its release, to take a notice of my own changing perspectives upon the unchanging piece of film art.

This film's story I find mainly revolving around a man who's bound by the material quality of life, yet slowly and gradually coming face to face with the unseen, the world he has merely studied, not fully experienced. It is a serene look at the nature of mind, the unresolved traumas, and the ways forward.

It also demonstrates the location almost as a character or a symbol of magic, wonder or child-like innocence. It awakens in me time and again the sensations I've experienced the most in my childhood with regards to the depth of perception.

This is what I consider the most essential King Hu film for me personally.