Vietnam Wing Chun Kuen Phai (Vinh Xuan Quyen Phai) - Fundamental Bases - Film 1 - by Astashev Igor

All the Vietnam Wing Chun (Vinh Xuan Quyen Phai) base techniques and the different variants of its applications are shown in this film, along with how to apply the base exercises, different foreshortenings and speed of execution.

After watching the film, you will understand the importance of preparation in the base exercises, understand the meaning of strong feet for correct movements, the interrelation with training of the correct punches and defenses and the influence of speed and timeliness on the success in a fight.

You will see things, that haven't been seen before. You will understand that Wing Chun doesn't need any modernization and, as it became fashionable, added sections from other martial arts.

The film is a good visual material for instructors in the Vietnamese branch of Wing Chun and those who study it.

DVD Contents:

This is a "silent" movie, made to look like an old 1920's movie, in grainy black and white (see movie page). It has a techno beat that plays through the whole DVD.

* The initial position - front and side views.
* Practice techniques shown - a variety.
* Palm-fist - front and side views, and then the practice techniques.
* The turns, left to right and right to left - shifting [Footwork].
* Walk on a straight line [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The triangle (from inside to outside) [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The triangle (from outside to inside) [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The small triangle [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The crossing the feet with a turn [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The square [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The circle [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The large square [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The small square [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The turn on a line [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The turn around by the foot [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* A fencing step [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* Turning in a lunge [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The cranes step [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The cranes walk [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The walk into a wide position [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* A lunge aside, a hand along a leg [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* A lunge aside, a hand underneath [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* The white crane flits across the river [Footwork]. Then the practice techniques.
* Three punches. Then the practice techniques.
* The tortile punch into a breast. Then the practice techniques.
* The punch from the side. Then the practice techniques.
* The punch from below to upwards. Then the practice techniques.
* The direct punch into the stomach. Then the practice techniques.
* The tortile punch into the stomach. Then the practice techniques.
* The direct punch. Then the practice techniques.
* The circular black with the attack. Then the practice techniques.
* The strap of palm and dig of fingers. Then the practice techniques.
* The parry by the wrist. Then the practice techniques.
* The parry by the fingers upwards. Then the practice techniques.
* The parry by the palm inside. Then the practice techniques.
* The lining by the palm. Then the practice techniques.
* The punch by the palm. Then the practice techniques.
* The push down by the palm. Then the practice techniques.
* The short stop, four punches. Then the practice techniques.
* The parry by the fingers to the thigh. Then the practice techniques.
* The parry by a wing. Then the practice techniques.
* Turn aside by the wing outside. Then the practice techniques.
* Four defenses - 4 attacks. Then the practice techniques.
* The sticky hands (the base circles). Then the practice techniques.
* The pushes. Then the practice techniques.
* Finally an ad for the book.

EWC Review:

I was really looking forward to seeing this DVD. I always like to see the non-Yip Man lineages and to date nothing has been published on the Vietnam lineage of Wing Chun. Well, the wait is over.

Like I mentioned above, the DVD is an .mpeg file so you'll have to watch it on your PC. There is no sound, except for a techno track that, while good, gets old after the first few minutes, so you might want to kill the volume or play your own music while watching. The film itself was done up as an old 1920's silent movie - a neat effect. As a whole, the editing and filming are well done.

The format is simple. The instructors demonstrate a hand or foot movement and then show the applications. You will see that some techniques are ones you know, but just named differently. For example "the strap of palm and dig of fingers" would be our Jut Sao, Bil Gee;, and the "push down by the palm" is our Gum Sao.

As for what I saw, I enjoyed it. Some of it is very similar to Yip Man's Wing Chun, and some is different. They have a lot more footwork and punches, and it is very refreshing to see Wing Chun used in a slightly different way. Their Chi Sao is also very different and interesting. You definitely want to check that out.

So I recommend this DVD if you want to see what other lineages of Wing Chun are all about. It's one of the best for that. It can't really be used as a learning tool per se (although if you have a bit of natural talent you could copy what they do, no problem), but with the book that goes with it (English version still in the making), it could be invaluable for learning this lineage of Wing Chun.

Language:		English
Length:		approx 115 min
Format:		.mpg file on the DVD
DVD Type:		DVD-R
DVD Region:		N/A