I watched
the movie “To The Fore 破風” two weeks ago with
my wife. It is uncommon for us to watch a Chinese movie on big screen, but I
heard some good reviews for this movie, so we decided to give it a go. The
movie depicts three young cyclists making inroads to become professionals, and
their inner struggles, and how they eventually overcome the obstacles in their
life to become a better person.
the movie “To The Fore 破風” two weeks ago with
my wife. It is uncommon for us to watch a Chinese movie on big screen, but I
heard some good reviews for this movie, so we decided to give it a go. The
movie depicts three young cyclists making inroads to become professionals, and
their inner struggles, and how they eventually overcome the obstacles in their
life to become a better person.
Main Cast
Eddie Peng 彭于晏 as Wang Qiu Ming 王仇铭
Shawn Dou 窦骁 as Qiu Tian 邱田
Choi Siwon 崔始源 (Korean star) as Song Zhi Yuan 郑知元
My
expectation for this Chinese-Korean idols movie is not high, as my initial
intention is to focus on the cycling competition and the beautiful sceneries
settings, where the movie was filmed. I confessed that at times, the show can
be a little bit slow and idolistic for me. But overall it was a very good
movie, heart-warming and down to earth. I was particularly enthralled by the 3
meaningful stories/scenes in the show which trigger my writing here. But before
you understand the stories, you need to know background of cycling team.
expectation for this Chinese-Korean idols movie is not high, as my initial
intention is to focus on the cycling competition and the beautiful sceneries
settings, where the movie was filmed. I confessed that at times, the show can
be a little bit slow and idolistic for me. But overall it was a very good
movie, heart-warming and down to earth. I was particularly enthralled by the 3
meaningful stories/scenes in the show which trigger my writing here. But before
you understand the stories, you need to know background of cycling team.
Cycling Team
In cycling,
team members have different specializations. Sprinter, lead-out, climbling
specialists, time trial lists etc. In this movie, we focus on sprinters and
lead-outs.
team members have different specializations. Sprinter, lead-out, climbling
specialists, time trial lists etc. In this movie, we focus on sprinters and
lead-outs.
Sprinters – someone who can finish a race very
explosively by accelerating quickly to a high speed, often using the slipstream
of another cyclist or group of cyclists tactically to conserve energy.
explosively by accelerating quickly to a high speed, often using the slipstream
of another cyclist or group of cyclists tactically to conserve energy.
Lead-out – a support role who normally has enormous
stamina and he will lead for most of the race so that the sprinter and his other
teammates can conserve energy due to the lesser air resistance by following
behind. Closer to the finishing line, the lead out will be exhausted and he
will sidestep to allow the sprinter to dash towards the finishing line. Often,
the lead-out will also form a lead out train to reduce chances of other riders
in competition attacking.
stamina and he will lead for most of the race so that the sprinter and his other
teammates can conserve energy due to the lesser air resistance by following
behind. Closer to the finishing line, the lead out will be exhausted and he
will sidestep to allow the sprinter to dash towards the finishing line. Often,
the lead-out will also form a lead out train to reduce chances of other riders
in competition attacking.
Scene 1 – About Dreams
Eddie
Peng explained to his girlfriend Wang Luodan in the show that he wanted to be
the world champion and said this.
Peng explained to his girlfriend Wang Luodan in the show that he wanted to be
the world champion and said this.
“If you do not chase
for your dreams it will only drift further away from you. But if you put in
efforts to chase it, it can only get nearer!”
for your dreams it will only drift further away from you. But if you put in
efforts to chase it, it can only get nearer!”
I
think this is extremely true not only in dreams, but many things in our life.
think this is extremely true not only in dreams, but many things in our life.
It
includes our life-time partner. One of my best friends is still single and he
has been single for many years. While I knew he wanted to find a partner, the biggest problem lies with him himself who
resign to fate that he will be alone. And worst of all, he is almost doing
nothing now to find one, while only devoting all his time on work.
includes our life-time partner. One of my best friends is still single and he
has been single for many years. While I knew he wanted to find a partner, the biggest problem lies with him himself who
resign to fate that he will be alone. And worst of all, he is almost doing
nothing now to find one, while only devoting all his time on work.
On the contrary, I
have another good friend who was married in his 40s while being single for many
years. What is admirable is he never stop looking for his next half. I remembers many years ago,
each time he sees me, he will ask if I have any girl to introduce to him. Finally
one day he was open-minded and went out with a woman he does not like at all, for a hiking gathering. It was through that hiking, he managed to know his
current wife by random chance.
have another good friend who was married in his 40s while being single for many
years. What is admirable is he never stop looking for his next half. I remembers many years ago,
each time he sees me, he will ask if I have any girl to introduce to him. Finally
one day he was open-minded and went out with a woman he does not like at all, for a hiking gathering. It was through that hiking, he managed to know his
current wife by random chance.
Many of my friends who are already married faced difficulty in conceiving.
Those who gave up never have one till now. Those who really want a kid and try many times via various methods, succeeded. I had a friend whose wife has a
unique medical condition deterring her chance of having a baby. In fact, she
tried, and was pregnant several times. Sadly, she also went through miscarriage several
times, until she was finally successful. However it was not without sacrifice as she had to inject herself with medicines throughout her
pregnancy. It was all worth it for her family as she was so happy with her only
child. Otherwise, if you really like children but can’t, adoption is another possibility
which my wife’s colleague did that as well.
Those who gave up never have one till now. Those who really want a kid and try many times via various methods, succeeded. I had a friend whose wife has a
unique medical condition deterring her chance of having a baby. In fact, she
tried, and was pregnant several times. Sadly, she also went through miscarriage several
times, until she was finally successful. However it was not without sacrifice as she had to inject herself with medicines throughout her
pregnancy. It was all worth it for her family as she was so happy with her only
child. Otherwise, if you really like children but can’t, adoption is another possibility
which my wife’s colleague did that as well.
Therefore
think again and ask yourself what is really important in your life? Devote your
time to it and make the chase nearer.
think again and ask yourself what is really important in your life? Devote your
time to it and make the chase nearer.
Tortoise and Rabbit Race
Eddie
Peng and Shawn Dou are good friends in the show. In one of the scenes, Eddie
asked Shawn about Rabbit and Tortoise race. Eddie mentioned:
Peng and Shawn Dou are good friends in the show. In one of the scenes, Eddie
asked Shawn about Rabbit and Tortoise race. Eddie mentioned:
“In the Rabbit and
Tortoise’s 1st race, Rabbit lost due to overconfidence. Why did Rabbit lost
again in the second race?”
Tortoise’s 1st race, Rabbit lost due to overconfidence. Why did Rabbit lost
again in the second race?”
Shawn does not know the answer initially. Do you….?
You
will find out as follows.
will find out as follows.
Scene 2 – About Who You Are
The
movie started with Eddie and Shawn as indispensable lead-outs
supporting Choi Siwon as the
sprinter/ finisher in a Taiwanese Category III team Radiant. Three of them later
split with all becoming sprinters in their new team. Eddie and Choi compete head
to head while Shawn started initially as lead-out in his new team.
movie started with Eddie and Shawn as indispensable lead-outs
supporting Choi Siwon as the
sprinter/ finisher in a Taiwanese Category III team Radiant. Three of them later
split with all becoming sprinters in their new team. Eddie and Choi compete head
to head while Shawn started initially as lead-out in his new team.
Later,
due to his bad temperament, Eddie was banned for a long period of time. During
this time, Shawn is tired of playing the second-fiddle role and also wanted to
be Champion sprinter like Eddie and Choi. However Shawn has an inherent medical
condition that restricts his sprinting ability. To overcome this shortcoming,
he resorted in drugs. He continues to
win many races. On one occasion, Shawn collapse after winning a race as result
of drug overdose.
due to his bad temperament, Eddie was banned for a long period of time. During
this time, Shawn is tired of playing the second-fiddle role and also wanted to
be Champion sprinter like Eddie and Choi. However Shawn has an inherent medical
condition that restricts his sprinting ability. To overcome this shortcoming,
he resorted in drugs. He continues to
win many races. On one occasion, Shawn collapse after winning a race as result
of drug overdose.
While
the drug is not an international banned drug, he felt ashamed for his
wrongdoings and ran off from reality and competition to indulge in gambling and
alcohol. Eddie went to Korea to persuade and Shawn out of his misery and they
regain their composure to race again and win as team and more importantly as
good friends.
the drug is not an international banned drug, he felt ashamed for his
wrongdoings and ran off from reality and competition to indulge in gambling and
alcohol. Eddie went to Korea to persuade and Shawn out of his misery and they
regain their composure to race again and win as team and more importantly as
good friends.
Shawn finally enlighten on the answers why rabbit lose again
in race 2 with tortoise. This is because rabbit did not even participate in the
race! Rabbit and Tortoise are so
different. There isn’t any need at all for them to race and compete. They are
in different leagues. You need to know your strengths and who you are!
in race 2 with tortoise. This is because rabbit did not even participate in the
race! Rabbit and Tortoise are so
different. There isn’t any need at all for them to race and compete. They are
in different leagues. You need to know your strengths and who you are!
Shawn
eventually seeks his dream as a long distance cyclist and not a sprinter anymore,
since his strength is his good stamina and never his sprinting ability.
eventually seeks his dream as a long distance cyclist and not a sprinter anymore,
since his strength is his good stamina and never his sprinting ability.
Scene 3 – Winning is not all important
The
setting for the final race is in the Tengger desert in China Inner Mongolia. It
is a grudge match between Eddie and Choi. Shawn is in Eddie’s team as his
lead-out.
setting for the final race is in the Tengger desert in China Inner Mongolia. It
is a grudge match between Eddie and Choi. Shawn is in Eddie’s team as his
lead-out.
Towards
the end of the race, Eddie attacked early to start his sprint. Choi follow suit
early as well. Both sprinters were head to head and energy drained out quickly.
the end of the race, Eddie attacked early to start his sprint. Choi follow suit
early as well. Both sprinters were head to head and energy drained out quickly.
In
an unexpected twist, while it seems that either Eddie or Choi will be the
champion, Shawn who was behind all along to conserve his energy, overtakes and
sprint towards the finishing line first.
an unexpected twist, while it seems that either Eddie or Choi will be the
champion, Shawn who was behind all along to conserve his energy, overtakes and
sprint towards the finishing line first.
Choi
was in a daze. This is the strategy of Eddie and Shawn from the start to
distract Choi, so that Shawn can be the unexpected winner. Choi was beaten
convincingly by two good friends.
was in a daze. This is the strategy of Eddie and Shawn from the start to
distract Choi, so that Shawn can be the unexpected winner. Choi was beaten
convincingly by two good friends.
Winning is not all important here. Friendships and
togetherness are. Eddie and Shawn win together as a team!
togetherness are. Eddie and Shawn win together as a team!
Rolf’s Final Thoughts
“To
the Fore” is quite unconventional.
the Fore” is quite unconventional.
For
all I thought was cycling and action-packed, its main focus is not just the
sprinters or lead-outs competing. Instead, the show underlines the ups and
downs in life or career, and the mental strength needed to overcome them for
the greater eventual success.
all I thought was cycling and action-packed, its main focus is not just the
sprinters or lead-outs competing. Instead, the show underlines the ups and
downs in life or career, and the mental strength needed to overcome them for
the greater eventual success.
There is also a time to take the lead, and a time to step back
for the greater good!
for the greater good!
