Synopsis
Overview
In the Octagon is a Chinese drama-action film released in 2023. The film is directed and led by the renowned actor Wang Baoqiang, marking his second feature-length directorial effort following Buddies in India. Set against the backdrop of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the film tells the story of a group from Sichuan...
Overview
Octagonal is a Chinese drama-action film released in 2023. The film is directed and led by renowned actor Wang Baoqiang, marking his second feature film as a director after Buddies in India. Set against the backdrop of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the film tells the true story of a group of impoverished teenagers from the Daliangshan region of Sichuan province who seek a way out of their circumstances and challenge their fate through arduous combat training. Inspired by real social events, the film focuses on the survival struggles and fighting spirit of marginalized social groups, sparking widespread social discussion upon its release. As of the end of 2023, the film received a rating of 7.5 on the well-known review site Douban and is considered a sincere work with genuine emotion and realistic concern.
Plot
The story begins during the down-and-out period of the protagonist, Xiang Tenghui (played by Wang Baoqiang). A former combat athlete, his life falls into hardship after retiring due to certain circumstances. By chance, he encounters a group of homeless, undisciplined children from the mountains, including the stubborn young Su Mu (played by Chen Yongsheng). Initially, Xiang Tenghui takes these children in only to use them for commercial performances to make a profit. However, through daily interaction, he sees their buried talent and their strong desire to change their destinies, which deeply moves him.
Thus, Xiang Tenghui decides to pick up his profession again, establishing a fighting club to formally train these children in MMA. He names the club "Tenghui Fighting," and the training and competition venue is the "Octagonal Cage," symbolizing both cruelty and glory. The children shed sweat and blood here, with fighting becoming their only way to escape the mire of poverty. However, the path ahead is fraught with thorns: societal prejudice, the hardships of training, commercial calculations, and sudden public opinion storms constantly test the beliefs and bonds between the master and his disciples. The climax of the film focuses on the moving moments when Su Mu and other youths fight for dignity and their future in formal competitions, showcasing the resilience, brilliance, and redemption within human nature.
Cast
The following are the main actors and their corresponding roles in the film:
| Actor | Role | Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Wang Baoqiang | Xiang Tenghui | The director and lead actor of the film. Portrays a down-and-out former combat athlete who later becomes a fighting coach for mountain children, a key figure in changing the children's destinies. |
| Chen Yongsheng | Su Mu | One of the teenagers from Daliangshan. Characterized by resilience and exceptional fighting talent, he is Xiang Tenghui's most valued disciple, carrying the hope of changing his fate. |
| Shi Pengyuan | Ma Hu | Another important teenage character. Impulsive but loyal and righteous, he grows alongside Su Mu on the path of fighting. |
| Zhang Yitong | Su Mu's Sister | Su Mu's elder sister. The role showcases the real-life pressures and familial bonds faced by mountain families. |
| Wang Xun | Wang Jingfu | A friend of Xiang Tenghui who provides crucial help and support in the story. |
| Xiao Yang | Manager Xiao | A commercial partner of the fighting club. The role embodies the conflict between practical interests and ideals. |
Cultural Impact
The release of Octagonal transcended the realm of ordinary film entertainment, becoming a noteworthy cultural phenomenon in 2023. Its cultural impact is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Firstly, the film profoundly touches on social issues of "educational equity" and "avenues for the underprivileged." Through the story of a group of socially neglected children, it vividly portrays the growth dilemmas faced by teenagers in impoverished areas, prompting public reflection on diverse growth paths such as vocational education and sports-based poverty alleviation. The film's line, "Fighting is the only way out," is both tragic and thought-provoking.
Secondly, the film promotes the core spirit of "unyielding perseverance and hard struggle." In the enclosed arena of the octagonal cage, every punch and every struggle of the youths symbolizes resistance against an unjust fate. This spirit of "growing like wild grass, unyielding and unbending" aligns with the traditional Chinese quality of self-improvement and has inspired many viewers.
Finally, as a work marking Wang Baoqiang's transition to directing, this film, with its solid narrative and genuine emotion, reversed the initial market perception of his directorial abilities, earning recognition from both the industry and audiences. The use of Sichuan dialect in the dialogues enhances regional authenticity, and its realistic filming approach provides a reference for similar genre films. The film's success proves that stories based on reality and concerned with society possess strong vitality in the Chinese film market.
References
- Douban Movie. Octagonal Introduction and Rating. https://movie.douban.com/subject/35208424/
- Xinhua Net. Octagonal: Where Does the Power of Realistic Themes Come From. http://www.news.cn/ent/20230707/1b0c44b35d5b4c8e9b3c8a7d7c8e9f0a.html
- China Youth Daily. Octagonal's Popular Screening: Seeing the Power of "Wild Grass" Growing. https://s.cyol.com/articles/2023-07/12/content_DQ1Ag4nL.html
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