Synopsis
"Mr. Six" is a 2015 action drama film directed by Guan Hu, starring Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Hanyu, Xu Qing, Li Yifeng, and Kris Wu. It tells the tragic story of "Sixth Master," an old Beijing hutong resident who uses the traditional rules of the underworld to confront the new generation of powerful elites in order to save his son. Feng Xiaogang won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor for his role in the film, which holds a 7.4 rating on Douban and served as the closing film at the Venice Film Festival.
Overview
"Mr. Six" is a 2015 action-drama film directed by Guan Hu, with a screenplay by Guan Hu and Dong Runnian. Feng Xiaogang stars in the lead role, supported by Zhang Hanyu, Xu Qing, Li Yifeng, Kris Wu, and Zhang Yishan. The film was released in mainland China on December 24, 2015, with a runtime of 137 minutes and a Douban rating of 7.4. It served as the closing film for the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, and Feng Xiaogang won the Best Actor award at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards for his portrayal of Sixth Master.
"Lao Pao'er" is a Beijing dialect term referring to old-time hooligans who once held sway in the hutongs (alleyways) but now spend their days idly walking their birds. The film uses this unique Beijing subculture as a starting point, exploring the profound clash between traditional jianghu (underworld) codes of honor and modern rules of money through conflicts between the old and new generations. It has been described as an elegy for old Beijing.
Plot
Sixth Master (played by Feng Xiaogang) is a law-abiding old man living in a Beijing hutong. In his youth, he was a formidable "lao pao'er" who commanded respect in the alleyways, adhering to rules and valuing loyalty. Now, he spends his days walking his bird, playing chess, and chatting with neighbors, living a quiet retired life.
This tranquility is shattered by a phone call: his son, Xiaobo (Li Yifeng), has offended a wealthy young man named Xiao Fei (Kris Wu) in a dispute and has been taken captive, with a huge ransom demanded. Sixth Master decides to handle the matter personally, using the old-school rules. He seeks help from his old friends, like Men San'er (Zhang Hanyu) and Hua Xiazi (Xu Qing).
However, Sixth Master soon realizes times have changed. The powerful new-money elite behind Xiao Fei care nothing for jianghu rules; money and power are the currency of this new era. Sixth Master insists on settling the dispute the old-fashioned way—through a pre-arranged fight—which seems utterly absurd to the other side.
As the conflict escalates, Sixth Master faces not only physical challenges (he suffers from a severe heart condition) but also a spiritual dilemma: should he cling to the principles and codes he has believed in all his life, or compromise with reality? Ultimately, Sixth Master chooses to make his final stand in his own way. On the frozen lake of a Beijing winter, a confrontation spanning two generations is about to unfold.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feng Xiaogang | Sixth Master | An old "lao pao'er" from Beijing's hutongs, values rules and loyalty |
| Zhang Hanyu | Men San'er | Sixth Master's old friend, fiercely loyal and brave |
| Xu Qing | Hua Xiazi | Sixth Master's confidante and love interest |
| Li Yifeng | Xiaobo | Sixth Master's son, who runs away after causing trouble |
| Kris Wu | Xiao Fei | A wealthy young man, representing the new generation of power |
| Zhang Yishan | — | A young neighbor and brother-like figure to Sixth Master |
Cultural Impact
After its release, "Mr. Six" sparked widespread discussion about societal change and intergenerational value conflicts. The hutong culture and jianghu codes represented by Sixth Master are rapidly disappearing amidst urbanization. Through the perspective of an old man, the film portrays the tragedy and helplessness brought by this cultural rupture.
Feng Xiaogang, a renowned director crossing over to a leading acting role, delivered a stunning performance. He masterfully portrayed Sixth Master's stubbornness, dignity, and vulnerability. From the contentment of walking his bird to the tragic grandeur of his appointment on the frozen lake, every detail was filled with authentic texture of life. The Golden Horse Award for Best Actor was the ultimate affirmation of his acting skills.
Director Guan Hu captured the vibrant atmosphere of Beijing's hutongs with poignant beauty. The elderly basking in the sun at the hutong entrance, neighbors quarreling and reconciling, the cramped yet warm courtyards—all constitute a fading memory of Beijing. The final frozen lake confrontation, with Sixth Master running across the ice in his military coat wielding a samurai sword, has become one of the most symbolic images in recent Chinese cinema.
References
- Douban Movie: https://movie.douban.com/subject/24751756/
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/老炮儿/15891954
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/老炮儿
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