Zhen Zou
History 207
Instructor: Tao Wang
12 November

Confucius
As time goes by, many things because of various reasons were eliminated in China, but so far, there is one thing still stay in Chinese culture through thousands of Chinese history – that is Confucianism. To publicity Confucianism, the director filmed the Confucius. The film begins with Confucius as an old man, thinking back. Then the film go to early 50s, Confucius were promoted from mayor to minister for law in his home state of Lu. He tries to save a slave’s life from the institution that buried alive for former master or great people who has just died. Because of various reasons and framing from the state of Qi, he becomes a wandering scholar. After many hardships and losses, he is invited back when he is an old man.
The 2008 Olympic opening ceremony began with a popular quote from Confucius among the Chinese that, “It is a great pleasure to have friends come to visit from afar.” The thousand of performers in the ceremony adorned themselves in a way that resembled the disciples of Confucius and this confirmed that Confucius is a popular individual among the Chinese. The film Confucius was, thus, created to describe the life and triumphs of this great philosopher who lived between 479 and 552 BC. Confucius happens to be arguably one of the most prominent personalities in the Chinese history from his great teachings which have continued to exert immense influence on society in contemporary China. This film is a 2010 production that describes the biographical drama of China that gives an in-depth-understanding of Chinese history. The film starts with Confucius in his old age but then flashbacks in his early 50s years when he got a promotion to Law Minister from a mayor. He is faced with ethical issues after he saves a slave boy who is due to be buried while alive with his ex-master who has presently died. This incidence is marred with complex war and politics and Confucius ends up an outcast and a wandering intellectual. In eventuality, he is making a preparation of spring and Autumn Annals and anticipates that the work in book will make a determination of his future impact.
The movie helps us to understand that China in the olden days was made of Kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Lu whose ruler was Confucius and those supreme rulers lived in palaces. The rulers had disciples such as Yan Hui who is pulling oxen, probably the most popular mode of transport as of then, in which Confucius rides. The film also opens our eyes into understanding the devolution of power into 3 noble clans that went by the name The Noble Three Families namely Mengshi, Shushi and Jishi clans. Through the film, the audience is presented with a picture that overall Chinese leaders rewarded loyalty and diligence to rules under them when Confucius is promoted to head the Ministry of Law by the Duke.
The funeral practices and rituals of the China in early years are described during the burial of Lord Ji Yiru Pingisi. The head of Ji Sunsi Clan, during an outdoor ceremony, lets out an eye-piecing scream which could have been the norm at the time while burying of Lords with masters is portrayed as an acceptable practice in Chinese history. During this burial a large group of women are being pulled along with their hands tied to ropes and will be buried together with Lord Ji Yiru Pingizi. The burial ceremony for the lords as well involved slaves. The movie makes a subtle portrayal of how Chinese has been subjected to the rule of law from the olden times. A perfect example is the Kingdom of Dukedom of Qi which was to the north of the Kingdom of Lu. Confucius claims that the civilians of Qi are so much obedient to the law as they are people who dread punishment form breaking the law. This shows that many people during the Confucius time upheld law not because of civility and honesty with dignity and integrity. Additionally, Confucius remarks suggest that even during those days, thievery and corruption thieved as a result of lack of honorable rule.
The civilization of China during his days had schools, such as the one of Confucius, and when the boys he saves sustained an injury in the arm, they call a doctor for him. The film shows the extent to which the Chinese society had been superstitious since the olden days as when Confucius saves the boy from being buried as a slave, his disciples issue warning to the effect that the disciples of Lord Ji Sunsi will get furious. This, as well, shows that Chinese believe in life after death as the slaves are meant to serve their lord even in his death. The movie then describes the existence of judicial system when the runaway burial slave is put on trial. Confucius requests a termination of the supposedly evil ritual of burying living slaves together with their dead masters and pleads with Duke to extend mercy to the boy. Confucius’ use of wise arguments eventually sets the boy free to the dismay of the court heads. Political blackmail and sabotage are portrayed in the movie when Confucius is considered a threat to Dukedom of Qi and when a minister come up with a plan to take over the Dukedom of Lu, the Duke of Qi celebrates this idea. The movie as well shows how battles were popular means of getting power between kingdoms.
Conclusively, Confucius film describes Chinese system of governance with its numerous leaders and through the film the audience gets Chinese systems of philosophy and ethics which was immensely admired and still is, in the Contemporary China. The movie thus helps the audience to understand the History of China during the 16th century.

Works Cited
Elley, Derek. Chow Yun-fat Makes A Commanding Screen Presence As “Confucius”. Variety.com, 2 Mar. 2010. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.
Han, Han. ‘Confucius’ Movie Gets 2 Points Only. ChinaSMACK, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.