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.
One of the classics of martial arts cinema, this is often referred to as the first real martial arts film, focusing as it does on techniques and style... Read more
Jackie Chan takes a break from kung fu and flexes his dramatic muscle as a Chinese immigrant living illegally in Tokyo. In search of his girlfriend, t... Read more
Three of Hong Kong's biggest female stars, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui, play the leads in this strange tale of competing super heroines... Read more
This electrifying mix of action and comedy focuses on 21 year old Tyler (pop star Nicholas Tse), whose interest in going to South America is piqued wh... Read more
Sequel to "The Storm Riders" sees Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok reprise their iconic roles as eponymous heroes Wind and Cloud, this time taking on Simon Y... Read more
1906, City of Victoria (British Colony of Hong Kong). In five hours, in the distance of thirteen blocks, the one man who holds a nation's fate must su... Read more
A beautiful, historical film based upon the complex lives of four brothers. Read more
Michelle Yeoh, in her second feature film, teams up with martial arts icon Cynthia Rothrock making her debut in this oestragen-fuelled buddy flick. T... Read more
Tony Leung plays world-weary detective Hei, who, following the brutal murder of his father-in-law, enlists the help of his former partner-turned-priva... Read more
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