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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.

King of Beggars (1992)

6.9/10
Director: Gordon Chan
Starring: Stephen Chow, Man Cheung, Norman Chu, Ng Man-Tat

Stephen Chow is So, an acclaimed martial artist with a snooty attitude who can barely read. Thanks to a few shifty characters and his own laziness he... Read more

A Better Tomorrow (1986)

7.6/10
Director: John Woo
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung

This masterful thriller from John 'The Killer' Woo is once again highlighted by stunning action sequences. This is a saga of three friends who run a s... 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

Double Vision (2002)

6.4/10
Director: Chen Kuo Fu
Starring: Tony Leung (Ka Fai), David Morse, Rene Liu, Dai Li Zen

How do you explain the unexplainable? A wealthy Taiwanese businessman is discovered frozen to death at the desk of his penthouse office. A government... Read more

An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty (1984)

Director: Eddie Ling-Cheng Fong
Starring: Pat Ha, Alex Man, Monica Lam

A Taoist priestess (Pat Ha) rebels against her conservative times, indulging in a passionate affair with an itinerant swordsman. Following his depart... Read more

Seven Swords (2005)

6.2/10
Director: Tsui Hark
Starring: Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Charlie Yeung, Liwu Dai, Duncan Lai, Liu Chia-Liang, Yi Lu...

Donnie Yen heads an all-star martial arts cast in this period actioner set in 1660s China where a ban on martial arts has lead to vicious bands of bou... Read more

Once Upon a Time in China (1991)

7.4/10
Director: Tsui Hark
Starring: Jet Li, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Jacky Cheung

Asian champ Jet Li stars as Wong Fei Hung in these classic films of fists and feet. Mixing classic Kung Fu and classic history they represent exciting... Read more

20 30 40 (Twenty Thirty Forty) (2004)

Director: Sylvia Chang
Starring: Sylvia Chang, Rene Liu, Lee Sinje

Sylvia Chang wrote, directed and starred in this story of three women at different stages of their lives. She is the forty-something of the triumvira... Read more

New Dragon Gate Inn ( Dragon Inn ) (1992)

7.3/10
Director: Raymond Lee
Starring: Tony Leung (Ka Fai), Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Donnie Yen

Two Imperial swordsmen set out to rescue innocent children from the clutches of the ruling genderless eunuchs setting the stage for an all action spec... 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