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Asian cinema: Chinese films

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Philip Ng Wan-lung is a Hong Kong-born American actor, martial artist and action choreographer. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

The Hong Kong stuntman reviving classic kung fu

Philip Ng, star of new movie Stuntman, reflects on Hong Kong’s golden action film era when Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan reigned – and why it’s back.

Was remaking classics like Police Story, A Better Tomorrow a good idea?

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Profile | From songwriter in wife’s shadow to serious actor, Louis Cheung’s rise

Review | The Last Dance: Dayo Wong, Michael Hui in exquisite funeral drama

Comic actors excel in purely dramatic roles, but Michelle Wai steals the show in an engrossing film that champions female empowerment.

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Dayo Wong (left) and Michael Hui in a still from The Last Dance (category IIB; Cantonese), directed by Anselm Chan. Michelle Wai co-stars. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Review | Weekend in Taipei: Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei in dull action quickie

Sung Kang is tame as a tycoon fighting Evans’ drug cop to get at his estranged wife and her son, in a film that has action but lacks panache.

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Artist Huang Yongyu showed his ‘relaxed’ side in new docu-film by Yonfan

Hong Kong director and photographer Yonfan is finally getting the recognition he deserves, with mainland censors deeming his Crossing Years docu about the late artist fit for the public.

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Why Circle of Iron, based on a Bruce Lee idea, turned out badly

Based on a script Lee abandoned, the 1978 film ended up a bizarre mix of poor martial arts and mysticism. An expert dissects what went wrong.

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David Carradine (left) and Jeff Cooper in a still from Circle of Iron. The 1978 movie was based on a script Bruce Lee abandoned before his death, but ended up a bizarre mix of inadequate kung fu scenes and faux Eastern mysticism.

Profile | Wealthy rising China star Esther Yu known for bold fashion sense forges own path

Despite family background steeped in corporate success, daughter of mining magnate chooses acting as way forward.

Why Jackie Chan hated making Hong Kong-US movie The Protector

Chan was so unhappy with his role as a cold-blooded killer in the James Glickenhaus-directed film he asked for a new version for Hong Kong.

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Review | Cesium Fallout: Andy Lau leads Hong Kong radiation disaster drama

Implausible? Yes. A flimsy set-up? Also true – but this mega-budget film starring Andy Lau, Bai Yu and Karen Mok is immersive and engaging.

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Andy Lau in a still from Cesium Fallout. Photo: Edko Films.

Review | In Possession Street, zombies terrorise old Hong Kong shopping mall

Starring Philip Keung, Yeung Wai-lun and Candy Wong of girl group Collar, Possession Street is a grim and claustrophobic experience.

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Philip Keung in a still from Possession Street. Photo: Mei Ah Entertainment.

‘Gormless’ to ‘adequate’ to ‘terrific’, Aaron Kwok’s early film career

Aaron Kwok’s early films garnered mixed reviews, from a terrible outing in Legend of the Liquid Sword to a great one in After This Our Exile.

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Profile | From child star to activist, Hong Kong actress Josephine Siao’s career

Josephine Siao began her acting career aged 6 and made over 100 films before becoming deaf. She is an activist against child sexual abuse.

Review | Inexternal, martial arts fantasy without a watchable fight scene

Martial arts clichés, clumsy storytelling and terrible fight scenes all add up to a fantasy that is less than fantastic.

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Macy Ma (left) and Angus Yeung in a still from Inexternal. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

All 10 Once Upon a Time in China movies and rip-offs rated

Tsui Hark’s film series that originally starred Jet Li as martial arts legend Wong Fei-hung spawned several knock-offs, such as Kickboxer.

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Jet Li as Cantonese martial arts legend Wong Fei-hung in a still from Once Upon a Time in China 2 (1992), directed by Tsui Hark. Photo: Golden Harvest

Review | Jackie Chan falls flat in CGI family action flop Panda Plan

Jackie Chan stars as himself as he jets off to adopt a panda cub and has to fight off kidnappers in this terrible family film.

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10 of the best movies at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2024

This year’s programme includes a drama ripped from Hong Kong headlines, a social satire in a near-future Japan and a modern romantic drama.

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11 films that best show the acting chops of Hong Kong’s Anita Mui

Anita Mui’s remarkable versatility made her characters captivating to watch in films that co-starred names like Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat.

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Tony Leung Ka-fai, Chow Yun-fat and Anita Mui in a still from A Better Tomorrow III. Photo: Fortune Star Media Limited

Letters | Moo Deng deserves better than lifetime of pain and captivity

Readers discuss the treatment of social media star Moo Deng, the importance of involving children in community decision-making and a proposal for a uniquely Hong Kong theme park.

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Profile | Hong Kong singer and actor Jacky Cheung’s rise to God of Songs

Known as one of the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ of Cantopop, Jacky Cheung has enjoyed a stellar career as an actor and singer since 1984.

Review | Go for Broke: Nick Cheung, Ethan Ruan in nonsensical thriller

Nick Cheung plays an ex-soldier who takes on a drug cartel after his family die, in a ridiculous thriller whose action scenes can’t save it.

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Nick Cheung as former soldier Zhang Yao in a still from Go for Broke.

Review | High Forces: Andy Lau takes on aircraft hijackers in stupid thriller

Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau’s reputation takes another nosedive in High Forces, a ridiculous Chinese production from director Oxide Pang.

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Andy Lau in a still from the Chinese aeroplane thriller High Forces (category IIB; Mandarin), directed by Oxide Pang. Zhang Zifeng and Qu Chuxiao co-star.

How Leslie Cheung shone in Farewell My Concubine and Temptress Moon

Cheung’s turns opposite Gong Li as a gay opera singer and a gigolo in 20th century China were two of his best, but both fell foul of censors.

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All Shall Be Well leads Hong Kong contenders at Golden Horse Awards

Dead Talents Society leads nominations for Taipei-based awards with 11 nods; Sylvia Chang and 3 Hong Kong stars vie for best actress prize.

Why Brandon Lee’s only Hong Kong film, Legacy of Rage, is underrated

The Crow was Lee’s best movie but he was great in dubbed crime film, despite refusing to do kung fu for fear of comparisons with his dad.

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Brandon Lee in a still from Legacy of Rage. Photo: D & B Films Co.

Profile | How actress Shu Qi went from soft-porn to mainstream cinema, and now filmmaking

‘A hard-working actress’ who ‘can do anything she wants to do’, a director once said of Shu Qi – a remark borne out by her subsequent career.

Shu Qi on the red carpet at the 34th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2015. A director once described her as “a hardworking actress” who “can do anything she wants to do”, an observation proven by her career since. Photo: SCMP

Review | Bound in Heaven: Ni Ni shines in doomed romance drama

Ni Ni excels as Xia You, whose partner (Liao Fan) physically abuses her, and who falls in love with the terminally ill Xu Zitai (Zhou You).

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Review | Stuntman, passionate homage to Hong Kong action filmmaking

Veteran action choreographer Tung Wai plays washed-up action director Lee Sam, who returns for one last film collaboration.

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Asian cinema: Chinese films
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Asian cinema: Chinese films. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
Philip Ng Wan-lung is a Hong Kong-born American actor, martial artist and action choreographer. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

The Hong Kong stuntman reviving classic kung fu

Philip Ng, star of new movie Stuntman, reflects on Hong Kong’s golden action film era when Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan reigned – and why it’s back.

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