Film Language Tag: wire-fu

The cinematic technique where wires and pulleys allow actors to appear as if they are flying, running up walls and doing other “kung-fu” type moves that defy gravity. The technique originated on the Chinese stage and was later adapted for use in Hong Kong action films. Wire-fu was introduced to international audiences in Warner Brothers’ The Matrix (1999). Kroon, R. W. A/V a to z: An encyclopedic dictionary of media, entertainment and other Audiovisual terms. McFarland, 2014.