The Go Master

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This page is about the 2006 film, for the novel by Yasunari Kawabata see The Master of Go.

The Go Master or "Wu Qingyuan" (original Chinese title) is a 2006 biopic by director Tian Zhuangzhuang of renowned Twentieth Century Go master Wu Qingyuan(呉清源, Pinyin: Wú Qīngyuán), better known by his adopted name of Go Seigen. The film, which premiered at the 44th New York International Film Festival, focuses on the life of this extraodinary player from his meteoric rise as a child prodigy to fame and fortune as a revolutionary strategic thinker, as well as the tumultous global conflicts between his homeland and his adopted nation. The film also features a scene involving the Atomic bomb go game.

[edit] Cast and Crew

Wu Qingyuan himself is played by Taiwanese actor Chang Chen, who previously appeared in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Three Times. Chang was nominated for the 2006 Golden Horse Award for best actor for his portrayal.

Also appearing are Sylvia Chang (Shu Wen), Xin Baiqing (Wu Yan), Itou Ayumi (Nakahara Kazuko), Emoto Akira (Segoe Kensaku), Matsuzaka Keiko (Kita Fumiko), Betty Huang (Wu Qingying), and Li Xuejian (Li Yutang).

Produced by Liu Xiaodian with executive producers Wang Jun, Own Chen, Wouter Barendrecht, and Michael J. Werner. The screenplay was written by Ah Cheng. Costume design was by the acclaimed Emi Wada, famous for such films as Kurosawa's Ran, Dreams, as well as Zhang Yimou's Hero and House of Flying Daggers.

[edit] Critical Reception

A.O. Scott, in the New York Times called The Go Master, "a stately and respectful biopic", as well as, "deliberate and contemplative rather than dramatic or psychologically probing" and "gorgeously shot".