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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.

Exiled (2006)

7.3/10
Director: Johnnie To
Starring: Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Simon Yam, Nick Cheung, Richie Jen, Roy Cheung, Ka Tun...

A Hong Kong gangster film that feels more like a Sergio Leone western with its lush, languid pace and ironically comic touches. Wo (Nick Cheung) has... Read more

Lust For Love of a Chinese Courtesan (1984)

Director: Chu Yuan
Starring: Candice Yu On-on, Alex Man

In this remake of 'Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan' a starving lost girl (Nancy Hu) stumbles into prostitution at a ritzy brothel run by a... Read more

Dumplings (2004)

6.8/10
Director: Fruit Chan
Starring: Bai Ling, Miriam Yeung Chin, Tony Leung (Ka Fai), Pauline Lau

Originally featured as a short in the anthology '3 Extremes', director Fruit Chan has expanded the concept into this feature-length, satirical treatis... Read more

Man of Tai Chi (2013)

6.1/10
Director: Keanu Reeves
Starring: Karen Mok, Keanu Reeves, Simon Yam, Tiger Chen

Keanu Reeves makes his directorial debut in this explosive marital arts drama that reunites him with legendary Matrix Trilogy fight choreographer Yuen... Read more

Ip Man 3 (2015)

7.1/10
Director: Wilson Yip
Starring: Donnie Yen, Mike Tyson, Lynn Hung

Donnie Yen returns to the role that made him an international icon; portraying Ip Man, the real-life Wing Chun grandmaster who mentored Bruce Lee. In... Read more

Hong Kong 1941 (1984)

6.8/10
Director: Leung Po Chi
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Cecilia Yip Tung, Alex Man, Wu Ma

This poignant action drama deals with the often-forgotten Japanese occupation of the island state during WWII, as three young friends struggle to carr... Read more

A Battle of Wits (2006)

Director: Jacob Cheung Chi-Leung
Starring: Andy Lau, Sung-kee Ahn, Wang Zhiwen, Siu-hou Chin

Based on a popular 11-volume manga series entitled 'Bokko' and set during the Warring States Period in China in 370 B.C. when the country was split be... Read more

The Bride with White Hair (1992)

7.1/10
Director: Ronny Yu
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin

Hong Kong fantasy at its most amazing is on display in this tale of a woman raised in the mountains by wolves and in the service of an evil cult led b... Read more

Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982)

7.5/10
Director: Corey Yuen Kwai
Starring: Conan Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tai Bo, Hwang Jang Lee

Conan Lee plays a smug martial artist who comes to the aid of his teacher when the old man is attacked by a ninja assassin (Hiroyuki Sanada). Turns o... Read more

Vengeance (2009)

6.6/10
Director: Johnnie To
Starring: Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Testud, Lam Ka Tung, Lam Suet

French chef Costello (Johnny Hallyday) arrives in Macau to see his daughter (Sylvie Testud), whose husband and kids have been killed by mob hitmen. A... Read more