This is the first biographical film based on the life of Wing Chun master Ip Man. The story begins in 1935, where Foshan martial artist Ip Man lives a life of leisure, concerned only with practising martial arts. During the war against the Japanese, his fortunes decline, and his family settles in Hong Kong after the war. Ip is a loyal family man who cherishes his wife (Lynn Xiong). When a duel is about to take place inside their home, Ip’s wife warns him, ‘Fight if you want; just don’t break anything.’ The line sums up the director’s family values and philosophy: the character of Ip Man transforms from a son from a wealthy family to a martial arts grandmaster not only because of his superior skills, but more importantly, his love for his family, his sense of justice, and his flexibility and endurance.

The scenes of the Japanese occupation, the role of the traitor Li (Lam Ka-tung), and the scene where Ip fights ten opponents in the Japanese military prison are all homages to the Bruce Lee classic, Fist of Fury (1972). They are a subtle nod to the fact that Ip Man and his disciple, Lee, had met in Hong Kong, and later both became local legends. Ip Man won Best Film and Best Action Choreography at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards.

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