After a 10-month period during which evidence was prepared, the
case of Huo Yuanjia's family vs.
Fearless opened in court
yesterday. The Huo family held a press conference in Tianjin
Wednesday to announce that they have abandoned trying to seek
financial compensation but demanded an apology from the film
companies.
According to Shanghai Youth Daily, Huo Zizheng, the
great-grandson of Huo Yuanjia and family attorney Yang Zhongkai
told the press Wednesday that they demand an apology from the film
production and distribution companies, including China Film Group
Corporation's Beijing Film Studio and EDKO Film Ltd.
In January, world famous kung fu star Jet Li's new
movie Fearless (Huo Yuanjia) was released around
Chinese cinemas. It is a biographical film based on a true
historical story. In lore, Huo Yuanjia is a national hero from the
Tianjin countryside where he founded the martial arts school Jing
Wu Men School and fought against several foreign fighters in the
declining Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). He died on September 14, 1910
at age of 42, just after defeating 10 Japanese judokas.
There is an additional plot in the Jet Li movie that all the
Huo's family members were killed in a revenge action. Huo Zizheng
once asked, "Who are we now if the film really tells the truth?"
The Huo family considered this film to have twisted history and
hurt their feelings. They soon filed a lawsuit, charging the film
companies infringing upon Huo family's image, and claiming damages
and an apology, as well as termination of the film's
screenings.
But Yang Zhongkai said yesterday, "After thinking twice, Huo
family has decided to give up seeking financial compensation. In
this case, the infringers would better to apologize for their
actions, not just to pay some money and go free. We are happy to
know that this lawsuit has drawn much attention from society and
film industry."
Yang said that the State Administration of Radio, Film and
Television has released a new regulation in April which asks film
and TV companies to provide film, literature and script copies to
authorities if their productions relate to true historical figures,
and must seek opinions from central or provincial government.
A new TV series on Huo Yuanjia began shooting weeks ago, and the
director and crew have gone to Huo's family to discuss details.
"All those having happened indicated that we have achieved the
goals after we filed the lawsuit?-- to respect the history,
respect the famous hero, and enhance our legal system."
Huo Zizheng said, "I think this case has significant impact. I
don't want money because I didn't suffer from any financial loss. I
don't want to make money from my forefather's name. I just want the
defendants to admit the mistake, and help to restore the reputation
and cure the bad social influence caused by the film."
Huo Zizheng said the result of the case is not so important. "We
have prepared a huge amount of evidence to present at the court. I
believe the law will grant us a fair verdict," he added. The film
companies have not responded although a publicist did refer the
case to their attorney.?
(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui, December 15, 2006)
