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Hong Kong Cinema

Hong Kong had a prolific pre-1970s film industry, but it was the supremely talented and determined Bruce Lee who brought Hong Kong film to the international stage. This tiny island nation has been integral to the introduction of the martial arts genre to the rest of the world. One look at Uma Thurman's yellow jumpsuit in the Kill Bills is enough to show us this influence is still alive and very much kicking. After Lee's death in 1973 the industry lost some of its momentum and stuck to the tried and true chop socky formula, but by the 1980s a new talent was emerging in the form of John Woo, inventor of so-called 'balletic gunplay'. This style of shooting shoot-outs captured the imaginations of many young American film makers and emerges in films as diverse as 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'The Matrix'. The martial arts genre was reinvigorated by talents such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li who wanted to introduce more story into the action, and in recent years film maker Wong Kar Wai has challenged what it means to be an HK film, steering clear of Kung Fu and concentrating on more personal, quirky stories. Undoubtedly there is more to see from this exciting port of call... Right: There can be no more an iconic figure in the martial arts world, than the master himself, the late, great Bruce Lee.

Infernal Affairs (2002)

8.1/10
Director: Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Alan Mak Siu Fai
Starring: Andy Lau, Anthony Wong, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Eric Tsang

Two cops on opposite sides of the law face off in "Infernal Affairs", a gripping psychological thriller from Hong Kong. Detective Yan (Tony Leung) is... Read more

Infernal Affairs 2 (2003)

7.4/10
Director: Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Alan Mak Siu Fai
Starring: Eric Tsang, Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Edison Chen, Carina Lau, Shawn Yue, Hu Jun

A sequel/prequel worthy of its namesake. Set ten years before the blockbuster original Joe Cheung is a young Andy Lau, a hitman who has just 'hit' the... Read more

Infernal Affairs 3 (2003)

7/10
Director: Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Alan Mak Siu Fai
Starring: Andy Lau, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai), Leon Lai, Kelly Chen, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang,...

Following on directly from the first film, Ming (Andy Lau) has been relegated to mudane office work as he awaits an official investigation. Meanwhile... Read more

Initial D (2005)

6.4/10
Director: Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Alan Mak Siu Fai
Starring: Jordan Chan, Edison Chen, Jay Chou, Anne Suzuki, Chapman To, Anthony Wong, Shawn...

Taiwanese pop idol Jay Chou stars as Takumi, petrol pump attendant by day and tofu delivery boy by night. As it happens his delivery route is on the... Read more

Inner Senses (2002)

Director: Chi-Leung Law
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Kar Yan Lam, Valerie Chow, Waise Lee Chi-Hung, Tsui Siu Keung

Hong Kong superstar Leslie Cheung made his final appearance before his tragic suicide in this thriller chiller. He plays a psychiatrist who falls for... Read more

Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan (1972)

7.3/10
Director: Chu Yuan
Starring: Lily Ho, Yueh Hua, Betty Pei Ti, Tung Lin

The most notorious erotic film in the history of Hong Kong cinema, this film shocked Chinese audiences and even today exerts a raw power. Lily Ho, in... Read more

Invincible Shaolin (1978)

7.1/10
Director: Chang Cheh
Starring: Lung Wei Wang, Kuo Chui, Wei Pei, Lo Meng

A non-stop action Kung Fu classic of betrayal and violent retribution, this film delivers outrageous Shaw Brothers' martial arts mayhem at it's best.... Read more

Invisible Target (2007)

6.8/10
Director: Benny Chan
Starring: Nicholas Tse, Jaycee Chan, Shawn Yue, Jacky Wu, Lisa Lu, Andy On

Gen-X Hong Kong actioner with three cops who make it their personal mission to bring down a ruthless criminal gang, each for their own very different... Read more

Ip Man (2008)

8/10
Director: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Fan Siu-Wong, Ka Tung Lam

The life of Wing Chun legend (and mentor to Bruce Lee) Ip Man provides a career-defining role for martial arts leading man Donnie Yen, who not only br... Read more

Ip Man 2 (2010)

7.6/10
Director: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Simon Yam, Xiaoming Huang, Lynn Hung

Picking up from the hugely successful "Ip Man", this sequel sees Donnie Yen return in the titular role as he immigrates to Hong Kong in 1949. After pr... Read more