From Crouching Tiger's poetic duels to the high-octane action of South Korean thrillers, wire work remains a cornerstone of Asian cinematic magic. In 2025, this demanding craft continues evolving, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
CGTN host Leonie Zeumer recently stepped into this world during a training session at Hengdian World Studios. 'My first attempt looked more like a tangled marionette than a martial artist,' she admitted after an initial failed backflip. Under the guidance of veteran stunt coordinator Zhang Wei, whose credits include The Eight Immortals (2023) and Shanghai Shadows (2024), Zeumer systematically practiced weight distribution and core engagement techniques essential for fluid motion.
'What audiences see as effortless flight requires military precision,' explained Zhang. 'For every second of screen time, we calculate 30 minutes of rigging setup and two hours of actor preparation.'
The training comes as China's film industry reports a 17% year-on-year increase in action productions through Q3 2025, with streaming platforms commissioning 42 original martial arts series this fall alone. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea's cultural ministry announced a $8 million fund last month to preserve traditional movement arts in cinema.
For diaspora filmmakers like Singaporean director Priya K., who's shooting her wuxia-inspired series Cloud Dancers in Zhejiang Province, wire work bridges cultural narratives: 'These techniques let us visualize the impossible – that moment when human determination literally defies gravity.'
