For many around the world, there’s one name at the top of the action totem pole: Jackie Chan, and today marks his 70th birthday.
If you only know him as a goofy martial arts comedian from the Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon series, then consider this a wake up call. Because when Jackie did things His way on his home turf, he churned out some of the best action movies you’ll ever see.
Many would point to Drunken Master II as Jackie’s magnum opus. Fair enough, that is an all-timer, but for an example of his best modern day martial arts action, mixed in with some crime drama and his signature comedy, one of his absolute best outings is 1985’s Police Story.
In the 1970s, Jackie Chan soared to fame internationally once he was finally able to break out of the shadow of Bruce Lee. When Chan...
If you only know him as a goofy martial arts comedian from the Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon series, then consider this a wake up call. Because when Jackie did things His way on his home turf, he churned out some of the best action movies you’ll ever see.
Many would point to Drunken Master II as Jackie’s magnum opus. Fair enough, that is an all-timer, but for an example of his best modern day martial arts action, mixed in with some crime drama and his signature comedy, one of his absolute best outings is 1985’s Police Story.
In the 1970s, Jackie Chan soared to fame internationally once he was finally able to break out of the shadow of Bruce Lee. When Chan...
- 4/7/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Rom-coms often follow straightforward narrative structures, and one classic pattern involves the introduction of a prince or princess, charming or not, who disrupts the peace of a regimented or constrained life. This storytelling form inevitably strikes a chord with us, the majority of audiences, to varying degrees. Let's face it, whether casually scrolling through Insta or Tinder, getting dressed for yoga class or a night out, everyone seeks an unexpected twist in their lives, in 1977 as well as today. Furthermore, such pivotal moments often lead to a Cornelian choice, between reason and chance, wisdom and whimsy. This is precisely where Tuan Wan-lu finds herself.
Follow our tribute to Taiwanese by clicking on the image below
Everything started when Wan-lu, a young and carefree student crashed into journalist Meng-chiao. Love at first sight, end of the story. But that was without reckoning on Ku Yu-lan, her childhood sweetheart and prospective husband seemingly approved by her family,...
Follow our tribute to Taiwanese by clicking on the image below
Everything started when Wan-lu, a young and carefree student crashed into journalist Meng-chiao. Love at first sight, end of the story. But that was without reckoning on Ku Yu-lan, her childhood sweetheart and prospective husband seemingly approved by her family,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Jean Claude
- AsianMoviePulse
“Growing Apart” (Aka “Vanished Girl”) premiered at First International Film Festival in 2022, where it won the Best Performance Award and the Audience Award for Best Film, followed by a Jury Special Mention at Beijing International Film Festival 2023 and numerous nominations. Director and co-writer Long Lingyun was inspired for his project by the true story of a friend whose life had been heavily shaped by the consequences of the infamous Chinese one-child policy.
“Growing Apart” is screening at Mint Chinese Film Festival
In an opening scene that is evocative of Chungking Express' iconic sequence with Brigitte Lin, a mysterious young woman wearing a glamorous wig, lipstick and sunglasses walks briskly through an indoor market to meet a shady character and collect a fake ID. We will soon meet the girl behind the disguise; she is He Sheng (Shang Yuxian) a university student living with her strict and unpermissive divorcee mother He...
“Growing Apart” is screening at Mint Chinese Film Festival
In an opening scene that is evocative of Chungking Express' iconic sequence with Brigitte Lin, a mysterious young woman wearing a glamorous wig, lipstick and sunglasses walks briskly through an indoor market to meet a shady character and collect a fake ID. We will soon meet the girl behind the disguise; she is He Sheng (Shang Yuxian) a university student living with her strict and unpermissive divorcee mother He...
- 1/28/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Here is another gem by Kar-Wai Wong, the master stylist from Hong Kong.
The story or, rather, stories of Chungking Express talks about love– true love, abruptly-ended love, unfinished love, doomed love, happy love, disturbed love… a whole lot of them. It delineates how a relationship is built up and how it is broken. How two persons, all of a sudden, come closer, and then, eventually, drift apart leaving a permanent mark on each other’s memory. How time, our very own individual time, is shaped through our memories– memories of love, affection, relationship.
But the real beauty of the film lies in the extremely rich visuals; the superb camera-work and the typical Wongish blend of music with the striking visuals. These alone hold together the two apparently disconnected stories. Sometimes the scene is blurred except for the main character; sometime there is intentional time lapse between shots; sometimes the...
The story or, rather, stories of Chungking Express talks about love– true love, abruptly-ended love, unfinished love, doomed love, happy love, disturbed love… a whole lot of them. It delineates how a relationship is built up and how it is broken. How two persons, all of a sudden, come closer, and then, eventually, drift apart leaving a permanent mark on each other’s memory. How time, our very own individual time, is shaped through our memories– memories of love, affection, relationship.
But the real beauty of the film lies in the extremely rich visuals; the superb camera-work and the typical Wongish blend of music with the striking visuals. These alone hold together the two apparently disconnected stories. Sometimes the scene is blurred except for the main character; sometime there is intentional time lapse between shots; sometimes the...
- 12/26/2023
- by Prem
- Talking Films
Taiwanese family drama ‘Old Fox’ won the most awards on the night.
China-set drama Stonewalling, directed by husband-and-wife team Huang Ji and Ryuji Otsuka, won best narrative feature at the 60th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan on Saturday (November 25).
Taiwanese family drama Old Fox won the most awards on the night, including best director for Hsiao Ya-chuan, best supporting actor for veteran Akio Chen, makeup and costume design, and best film score.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Mainland Chinese director Huang and Japan’s Otsuka were in attendance at Taipei’s National Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall to...
China-set drama Stonewalling, directed by husband-and-wife team Huang Ji and Ryuji Otsuka, won best narrative feature at the 60th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan on Saturday (November 25).
Taiwanese family drama Old Fox won the most awards on the night, including best director for Hsiao Ya-chuan, best supporting actor for veteran Akio Chen, makeup and costume design, and best film score.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Mainland Chinese director Huang and Japan’s Otsuka were in attendance at Taipei’s National Dr Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall to...
- 11/26/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
The husband and wife team of Otsuka Ryuji and Huang Ji, who worked with a minimalist crew and mostly non-professional actors, gave a round of thanks to Asian leading auteurs for inspiring them, and then hugged each other on stage for winning the Taipei Golden Horse Film Awards best narrative feature prize with their pregnancy drama “Stonewalling.”
The numerical winner on Saturday night was “Old Fox,” which earned the best director award for Hsiao Ya-chuan, as well as the best supporting actor, makeup and costume, and best film score prizes.
The nominations, announced in October, saw “Snow in Midsummer” collect nine nominations and Taiwan’s Oscar contender “Marry My Dead Body” head the field with eight. They were narrowly ahead of a further cluster of films with seven nominations each, including “Abang Adik,” “Old Fox,” “Trouble Girl” and “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.”
On the evening, “Marry My Dead Body...
The numerical winner on Saturday night was “Old Fox,” which earned the best director award for Hsiao Ya-chuan, as well as the best supporting actor, makeup and costume, and best film score prizes.
The nominations, announced in October, saw “Snow in Midsummer” collect nine nominations and Taiwan’s Oscar contender “Marry My Dead Body” head the field with eight. They were narrowly ahead of a further cluster of films with seven nominations each, including “Abang Adik,” “Old Fox,” “Trouble Girl” and “The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.”
On the evening, “Marry My Dead Body...
- 11/25/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
China-set drama Stonewalling, co-directed by husband-and-wife team Ryuji Otsuka and Huang Ji, won best narrative feature at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards, which is celebrating its 60th edition this year.
The film, which premiered in Venice and won best film at Hong Kong film festival’s Young Cinema Competition, follows a young woman in mainland China grappling with issues around career, relationships, health and fertility. It also won best editing, which was shared by Otsuka and Taiwan’s Liao Ching-sung, with the latter winning his first Golden Horse award after 12 nominations stretching back four decades.
The awards were evenly spread among the nominated films. Taiwan’s Wu Kang-ren won best leading actor for his role as a deaf-mute in Malaysian drama Abang Adik. Best actress went to 12-year-old Audrey Lin for her role in Trouble Girl, making her the youngest ever best actress winner at the Golden Horse awards.
Best...
The film, which premiered in Venice and won best film at Hong Kong film festival’s Young Cinema Competition, follows a young woman in mainland China grappling with issues around career, relationships, health and fertility. It also won best editing, which was shared by Otsuka and Taiwan’s Liao Ching-sung, with the latter winning his first Golden Horse award after 12 nominations stretching back four decades.
The awards were evenly spread among the nominated films. Taiwan’s Wu Kang-ren won best leading actor for his role as a deaf-mute in Malaysian drama Abang Adik. Best actress went to 12-year-old Audrey Lin for her role in Trouble Girl, making her the youngest ever best actress winner at the Golden Horse awards.
Best...
- 11/25/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Snow In Midsummer, directed by Malaysia’s Chong Keat-aun, leads the race for this year’s Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan with nine nominations, including best narrative feature, best director and best supporting actress (Wan Fang).
The film, which is a collaboration between Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore, also has nods for best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best makeup & costume design, best original film score, best original film song and best sound effects.
Taiwanese features Marry My Dead Body and Eye Of The Storm were not far behind, with eight nominations apiece. Marry My Dead Body, which is also Taiwan’s submission for Best International Feature at the upcoming Oscars, was nominated for best narrative feature, best director, two best leading actors nods (Hsu Kuang-han and Austin Lin), best adapted screenplay, best action choreography, best original film song and best editing.
Eye Of The Storm has nods for best narrative feature,...
The film, which is a collaboration between Malaysia, Taiwan and Singapore, also has nods for best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best makeup & costume design, best original film score, best original film song and best sound effects.
Taiwanese features Marry My Dead Body and Eye Of The Storm were not far behind, with eight nominations apiece. Marry My Dead Body, which is also Taiwan’s submission for Best International Feature at the upcoming Oscars, was nominated for best narrative feature, best director, two best leading actors nods (Hsu Kuang-han and Austin Lin), best adapted screenplay, best action choreography, best original film song and best editing.
Eye Of The Storm has nods for best narrative feature,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Mainland China, July 2021: Another day another online movie made its way to the massively popular video streaming platforms there to catch the roving eyes of the viewers looking for a quick fix. Produced by Henan Guanglan Culture and starring a bunch of unknown actors, at least outside of China anyway, Tencent Video's “Longmen Town Inn” or “Dragon Gate Town Inn” in Chinese, is one such production like many countless more.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Set in a nameless desert, the simple plot concerns Wu Long Jian Xian (Chu Xiao Long), a peerless swordsman who has to fight off challengers from other cults eager to take him down in order to claim the top position in Jianghu. Ultimately this leads to a standoff at Broken Soul Cliff in which he is the sole survivor and thereupon he also decides to live in seclusion.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Set in a nameless desert, the simple plot concerns Wu Long Jian Xian (Chu Xiao Long), a peerless swordsman who has to fight off challengers from other cults eager to take him down in order to claim the top position in Jianghu. Ultimately this leads to a standoff at Broken Soul Cliff in which he is the sole survivor and thereupon he also decides to live in seclusion.
- 7/16/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Australian Adaptation
The BBC has acquired the Australian version of hit gameshow “The Traitors” for broadcast and streaming this summer.
“The Traitors Australia,” which sees contestants compete for a prize of Aus $250,000 in a luxury hotel in the Southern Highlands, is set to drop on BBC Three and iPlayer on July 9. It is hosted by Rodger Corser.
“’The Traitors’ is an addictively fiendish format and I am so pleased that viewers can get their summer fix of treachery and suspicion as we head Down Under for the Australian version of the show on BBC Three and iPlayer,” said Nasfim Haque, head of content for BBC Three.
The Australian version follows the U.K. and U.S. adaptations of the Dutch series, which have both been a hit for the broadcaster. All3Media International reps global rights to “The Traitors.”
Documentary
Sky News is set to release the second in its three-part series “Women at War.
The BBC has acquired the Australian version of hit gameshow “The Traitors” for broadcast and streaming this summer.
“The Traitors Australia,” which sees contestants compete for a prize of Aus $250,000 in a luxury hotel in the Southern Highlands, is set to drop on BBC Three and iPlayer on July 9. It is hosted by Rodger Corser.
“’The Traitors’ is an addictively fiendish format and I am so pleased that viewers can get their summer fix of treachery and suspicion as we head Down Under for the Australian version of the show on BBC Three and iPlayer,” said Nasfim Haque, head of content for BBC Three.
The Australian version follows the U.K. and U.S. adaptations of the Dutch series, which have both been a hit for the broadcaster. All3Media International reps global rights to “The Traitors.”
Documentary
Sky News is set to release the second in its three-part series “Women at War.
- 6/23/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
(Welcome to Best Action Scene Ever, a column dedicated to breaking down the best, most effective action sequences throughout the genre. In this edition, we circle back to Jackie Chan's stunt-acular action classic, "Police Story.")
Before Jackie Chan ever crossed the shores of the American mainstream during his Hollywood heyday in the 1990s, the actor/director/stuntman extraordinaire had been hard at work in Hong Kong cinema, churning out hit after hit for decades in his native country. One of his most memorable successes came only a scant handful of years before he finally crossed over into global appeal: 1985's "Police Story," directed by and starring Chan as Chan Ka-Kui, followed the rogue cop on his relentless quest to take down a drug lord, babysit a key witness played by Maggie Cheung, and subsequently clear his own name after being framed by his powerful enemies
The movie — which, quite honestly,...
Before Jackie Chan ever crossed the shores of the American mainstream during his Hollywood heyday in the 1990s, the actor/director/stuntman extraordinaire had been hard at work in Hong Kong cinema, churning out hit after hit for decades in his native country. One of his most memorable successes came only a scant handful of years before he finally crossed over into global appeal: 1985's "Police Story," directed by and starring Chan as Chan Ka-Kui, followed the rogue cop on his relentless quest to take down a drug lord, babysit a key witness played by Maggie Cheung, and subsequently clear his own name after being framed by his powerful enemies
The movie — which, quite honestly,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The same year which would see the release of Tsui Hark's much celebrated wuxia outing “Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” coincided with Chang Pang-yee's “The Night Orchid” arriving in cinemas. Even though the former is more known among cinephiles, both movies share a similar approach to their stories, a blend of martial arts and sword fighting, spiced with humour and fantasy. Also known as “Demon Fighter” or “Faster Blade Poisonous Darts”, the latter is an adaptation of Gu Long's novel of the same title, and typical for the kind of genre features the Taiwanese movie industry had been known for at the time. While Chang Peng-yi does not divert from the formula too much, perhaps “The Night Orchid” is worthwhile due to its visuals, which often border on being surreal or even going into horror territory.
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
The Night Orchid is screening at Old School Kung Fu Fest...
- 4/16/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF47) will honour Soi Cheang as this year’s Filmmaker-in-Focus.
One of Hong Kong’s most stylish and formidable directors, Cheang joins an illustrious and growing list of recent Hkiff Filmmakers-in-Focus, including Sandra Ng, Stanley Kwan, Michael Hui, Sammo Hung and Brigitte Lin.
Returning to its traditional dates after last year’s postponement, HKIFF47 will take place from 30 March to 10 April. At the centre of this year’s cinephile extravaganza is the showcase of Cheang’s 12 seminal works, the publication of a commemorative book and, in collaboration with long-term festival partner Moleskine, the release of a limited edition notebook. Cheang will also attend a Face-to-Face session to share his insights and vision with the public.
In making the announcement, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Executive Director Albert Lee paid tribute to Cheang and said the festival was proud to recognise his indelible contribution to Hong Kong cinema.
One of Hong Kong’s most stylish and formidable directors, Cheang joins an illustrious and growing list of recent Hkiff Filmmakers-in-Focus, including Sandra Ng, Stanley Kwan, Michael Hui, Sammo Hung and Brigitte Lin.
Returning to its traditional dates after last year’s postponement, HKIFF47 will take place from 30 March to 10 April. At the centre of this year’s cinephile extravaganza is the showcase of Cheang’s 12 seminal works, the publication of a commemorative book and, in collaboration with long-term festival partner Moleskine, the release of a limited edition notebook. Cheang will also attend a Face-to-Face session to share his insights and vision with the public.
In making the announcement, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Executive Director Albert Lee paid tribute to Cheang and said the festival was proud to recognise his indelible contribution to Hong Kong cinema.
- 2/3/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
By the end of the first film, while carrying on his apprenticeship as an eunuch in the Palace, the quick-witted and cunning undercover agent for the Heaven and Earth Society, Wai Siu Bo (Stephen Chow) soon earned the trust of the Emperor, after foiling a couple of schemes by rivals who tried to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Furthermore, the forever lusty Princess Jian Ning (Chingmy Yau) is more than keen to share her chamber with Wai, the “Duke of Deer Cauldron” the highest position which he finally achieved apart from fame and fortunes.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Essentially a straight follow-up to the first film, the plot thickens and continues with the Empress Dowager impersonator Lung Er (Sharla Cheung Man) returning to the Dragon Sect headquarters after blowing her over and expecting severe punishment. Her dying Master made her the new leader instead...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Essentially a straight follow-up to the first film, the plot thickens and continues with the Empress Dowager impersonator Lung Er (Sharla Cheung Man) returning to the Dragon Sect headquarters after blowing her over and expecting severe punishment. Her dying Master made her the new leader instead...
- 1/4/2023
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
"At the high point of our intimacy, we were just 0.01 cm from each other. I knew nothing about her. Six hours later, she fell in love with another man."
These lines spoken by Cop 223/He Qiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro) mark the end of the first vignette in Wong Kar-Wai's intensely lovelorn, melancholic "Chungking Express." Two people who will never interact ever again bump into one another, but this seemingly-serendipitous encounter means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. There's a sense of longing in He Qiwu's words, who is still nursing the cruel sting of heartbreak after the woman he loves unceremoniously dumps him over a phone call. Wong explores these turbulent emotions via vivid, dreamlike sequences in "Chungking Express," a film about the agonies and ecstasies of love in an urban landscape.
The impromptu vibe that permeates "Chungking Express" can be attributed to the fact that Wong made the film in three months.
These lines spoken by Cop 223/He Qiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro) mark the end of the first vignette in Wong Kar-Wai's intensely lovelorn, melancholic "Chungking Express." Two people who will never interact ever again bump into one another, but this seemingly-serendipitous encounter means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. There's a sense of longing in He Qiwu's words, who is still nursing the cruel sting of heartbreak after the woman he loves unceremoniously dumps him over a phone call. Wong explores these turbulent emotions via vivid, dreamlike sequences in "Chungking Express," a film about the agonies and ecstasies of love in an urban landscape.
The impromptu vibe that permeates "Chungking Express" can be attributed to the fact that Wong made the film in three months.
- 12/25/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
By the early to mid 1980s, Jackie Chan had been a megastar in Asia for a few years, since the roaring success of Drunken Master. With The Young Master, Dragon Lord and Project A he had established himself as a director. What eluded him was global success. His first American film, Battle Creek Brawl hadn’t allowed him much control, and was a flop. The Cannonball Run did business, but he was hardly the star, and The Protector miscast him in a harder edged film, attempting to make him a cop in the Dirty Harry mould. Back home, he reshot much of The Protector, adding a new subplot and expanding the action for the Hong Kong cut, but he still wanted to make a contemporary cop movie that was also a true Jackie Chan film.
The Films Police Story (1985)
Dir: Jackie Chan
If his career so far had found Jackie...
The Films Police Story (1985)
Dir: Jackie Chan
If his career so far had found Jackie...
- 9/20/2022
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Considering that it took up to five directors to finish filming the first “Swordsman” after King Hu left the project, it was indeed a miracle that it turned out to be a success and a trend setter for the many new wave wuxia movies to follow. This visually arresting sequel, again produced by Tsui Hark but now directed by Ching Siu Tung, it’s a different beast all together. However, the theme of swordsmen retiring from the jianghu (martial world) and live a peaceful life is still the main focus. The film went on to win William Cheung Suk Ping and Yu Ka On the Best Costume and Makeup Design award at the 12th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1993.
on Amazon
After roaming the jianghu for about a year, our swordsman hero Ling Hu Chung (played by Jet Li this time), and Yue Ling Shan, “Kiddo” (Michelle Reis...
on Amazon
After roaming the jianghu for about a year, our swordsman hero Ling Hu Chung (played by Jet Li this time), and Yue Ling Shan, “Kiddo” (Michelle Reis...
- 12/21/2021
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
A project by producer Tsui Hark and director King Hu and a story taken from the wuxia novel “Xiao Ao Jiang Hu” which roughly translates as “Smiling Proudly in the Martial World” written by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). Anyhow, be it creative differences or sickness, Hu left the production and it was the ensemble of Ching Siu Tung, Raymond Lee, Tsui Hark himself and Ann Hui (uncredited) working together as acting directors to finish the job. However, as seen in the opening credits, Hu was the only one listed as the original director nonetheless.
on Amazon
Although “Swordsman” has a plot which involves masses of characters, basically it’s about a happy-go-lucky young swordsman Ling Hu Chung (Sam Hu) from the Wah Mountain Clan who gets caught up in the pursuit of retaining a Sacred Scroll, wanted by numerous clans including his own greedy Master, Yue Bu...
on Amazon
Although “Swordsman” has a plot which involves masses of characters, basically it’s about a happy-go-lucky young swordsman Ling Hu Chung (Sam Hu) from the Wah Mountain Clan who gets caught up in the pursuit of retaining a Sacred Scroll, wanted by numerous clans including his own greedy Master, Yue Bu...
- 11/18/2021
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
This year’s festival will highlight in-person programming at Film at Lincoln Center and Sva Theatre, featuring over 60 world, international, and North American premieres, with many selections also available virtually to fans of Asian cinema across the country.
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
- 7/8/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The bonds between the cinemas of East and West continue to strengthen with each passing year and the Feff Campus will again help further this vital cause by hosting (online) 10 aspiring journalists – five from Asia and five from Europe –at this year’s 23st edition of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy from 24 June to 2 July. After sorting through applications that came in from across the globe, Feff is very proud to announce that this year’s successful Campus candidates are Jason Tan Liwag (Philippines), Sakura Ip (Hong Kong), Richard Olano (Philippines), Hai Anh Vu (Vietnam), Yuxi Wang (China), Emilia Cristante (Itay), Jenni Leppihuhta (Finland), Levan Tskhovrebadze (Georgia), Chris Cassingham (United Kingdom), and Nejc Fegus (Slovenia). They will now officially join the Feff family across the course of this year’s festival, beaming in from around the world as they engage in a programme that will help them...
- 6/10/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Even though severely cut by the censorship boards (and all the original copies being destroyed) “Love Massacre” is still a rather violent film, particularly after a point, but at the same time, quite messy in terms of narrative.
Ivy, a Taiwanese girl studying in California, hangs out most of the time with Louie, an ex-boyfriend and Joy, a girl who exhibits continuous suicidal tendencies, despite the efforts of both the aforementioned. Joy seems to have a thing for Louie, but he has a thing for Ivy, a concept that has made the former girl despising the latter, despite her good will to help her. The “saviors”, after another suicide attempt, decide to call her brother from Hong, Chiu Ching in order to help with her. However, Chiu Ching gets involved romantically with Ivy, antagonizing Louie, complicating things even more, while soon, Ivy finally succeeds in her efforts to kill herself.
Ivy, a Taiwanese girl studying in California, hangs out most of the time with Louie, an ex-boyfriend and Joy, a girl who exhibits continuous suicidal tendencies, despite the efforts of both the aforementioned. Joy seems to have a thing for Louie, but he has a thing for Ivy, a concept that has made the former girl despising the latter, despite her good will to help her. The “saviors”, after another suicide attempt, decide to call her brother from Hong, Chiu Ching in order to help with her. However, Chiu Ching gets involved romantically with Ivy, antagonizing Louie, complicating things even more, while soon, Ivy finally succeeds in her efforts to kill herself.
- 5/22/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Lee Broughton returns with a critique of Hong Kong filmmaker Ronny Yu’s magical, mystical and martial arts-laden reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Relocating the Bard’s tale to ancient China results in our star-crossed lovers from warring clans being suitably redrawn: one is a super warrior while the other is a deadly assassin. Stylish cinematography, grand looking sets, stylised interludes, good fight choreography and an abundance of excellent wire work effects result in a very classy looking period action piece.
The Bride with White Hair
Region B Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1993 / Color / 2.35: 1 / 89 min. / Bak fat moh lui zyun / Street Date, 9 November 2020 / Available from Amazon UK / £22.99
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Francis Ng, Elaine Lui, Yammie Lam, Joseph Tay, Eddy Ko, Fong Pau, Leila Tong.
Cinematography: Peter Pau
Film Editor: David Wu
Production Designer: Eddie Ma
Original Music: Richard Yuen
Written by David Wu, Jason Lam Kee-To,...
The Bride with White Hair
Region B Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1993 / Color / 2.35: 1 / 89 min. / Bak fat moh lui zyun / Street Date, 9 November 2020 / Available from Amazon UK / £22.99
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Francis Ng, Elaine Lui, Yammie Lam, Joseph Tay, Eddy Ko, Fong Pau, Leila Tong.
Cinematography: Peter Pau
Film Editor: David Wu
Production Designer: Eddie Ma
Original Music: Richard Yuen
Written by David Wu, Jason Lam Kee-To,...
- 1/23/2021
- by Lee Broughton
- Trailers from Hell
Wong Kar-wai has written a sequel to his 1994 Hong Kong classic “Chungking Express,” but much of the project remains a mystery. A report from Variety states the sequel is titled “Chungking Express 2020” and that the script, written by Wong Kar-wai, was “submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April and approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23, meaning it can now move forward with plans for production.” The project is backed by the Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, which is also working with Wong on his new project “Blossoms.”
The filing for “Chungking Express 2020” includes this cryptic plot synopsis: ““In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees his life gradually changed by the intrusions of the ‘person of his dreams.’ In 2036, young Xiao Qian and May are unwilling to be held back by genetic partnering,...
The filing for “Chungking Express 2020” includes this cryptic plot synopsis: ““In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees his life gradually changed by the intrusions of the ‘person of his dreams.’ In 2036, young Xiao Qian and May are unwilling to be held back by genetic partnering,...
- 9/25/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Chinese authorities have registered and approved a new project written by Hong Kong-based auteur Wong Kar-wai, listed as “Chungking Express 2020.”
According to an official filing on the National Film Bureau’s website, the script was submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April, and was approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This means it can now move forward with plans for production.
The project was listed by Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, a firm that is also involved in the TV serial “Blossoms,” which credits Wong as creator and producer. The company has previously been involved in just two films: Pema Tseden’s arthouse stunner “Jinpa,” and, incongruously, “Atm,” a slapstick-y 2019 remake of a Thai rom-com.
The filing offers a short, but slightly cryptic, plot summary: “In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees...
According to an official filing on the National Film Bureau’s website, the script was submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April, and was approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This means it can now move forward with plans for production.
The project was listed by Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, a firm that is also involved in the TV serial “Blossoms,” which credits Wong as creator and producer. The company has previously been involved in just two films: Pema Tseden’s arthouse stunner “Jinpa,” and, incongruously, “Atm,” a slapstick-y 2019 remake of a Thai rom-com.
The filing offers a short, but slightly cryptic, plot summary: “In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees...
- 9/25/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
For a filmmaker who is not known for being very prolific, Wong Kar-wai has certainly made headlines as of late. Next week, his brand-new 20th-anniversary restoration of In the Mood for Love will finally debut at the New York Film Festival followed by a nationwide tour that includes other recent restorations of his work, and an eventual Criterion box set release. Meanwhile, production on his long-gestating, decades-spanning drama Blossoms is now underway with plans to make a TV version and a feature film. Now the director is returning to the universe of one of his most beloved films yet again.
Reports have surfaced from many Chinese media outlets (via Reddit) that Wong Kar-wai has scripted a sequel to his beloved 1994 romance Chungking Express. Titled Chungking Express 2020 and set in Chongqing in 2036, the China Film Administration approved the script back in April, which means it can move ahead. Here’s a...
Reports have surfaced from many Chinese media outlets (via Reddit) that Wong Kar-wai has scripted a sequel to his beloved 1994 romance Chungking Express. Titled Chungking Express 2020 and set in Chongqing in 2036, the China Film Administration approved the script back in April, which means it can move ahead. Here’s a...
- 9/24/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Mubi's series Edward Yang, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and New Taiwanese Cinema is showing September - December, 2020 in the United States.Above: The TerrorizersSince the end of World War II there have been a great many new waves in world cinema, times when a structural breakdown of a nation’s film industry creates an opening for a new generation of filmmakers to break through to artistic, if not necessarily commercial, success. Beginning with Italy right after the war and running through England, France, India, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Iran, the United States and more from the 1950s through the 1970s, these waves, in many ways dissimilar and unique, shared a conscious opposition to then-dominant filmmaking styles and production approaches, countering a perceived glossy and superficial popular cinema with what they and the critics who championed them argued was a grittier, more real approach to filmmaking.Of the three Chinese-language new waves that...
- 9/4/2020
- MUBI
Guest reviewer Lee Broughton returns with a Region B review of Tsui Hark’s mystical tale of derring-do in ancient China. Hark revived a once popular variant of the wuxia film form — the Chinese shenguai wuxia films from the late 1920s — which paired chivalric martial arts with more overtly mystical and mythological elements. The groundbreaking and stylishly executed result is said to have been John Carpenter’s chief inspiration when making Big Trouble in Little China.
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Shu Shan – Xin Shu shan jian ke / Street Date April 20, 2020 / £17.99
Starring: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Moon Lee, Judy Ongg, Sammo Hung, Norman Chu, Corey Yuen.
Cinematography: Bill Wong
Film Editor: Peter Cheung
Original Music: Sing-Yau Kwan
Written by Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Produced by Raymond Chow
Directed by Tsui Hark
Reviewed by Lee Broughton
Ancient China: civil...
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Blu-ray
Eureka Entertainment
1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 98 min. / Shu Shan – Xin Shu shan jian ke / Street Date April 20, 2020 / £17.99
Starring: Adam Cheng, Brigitte Lin, Damian Lau, Biao Yuen, Hoi Mang, Moon Lee, Judy Ongg, Sammo Hung, Norman Chu, Corey Yuen.
Cinematography: Bill Wong
Film Editor: Peter Cheung
Original Music: Sing-Yau Kwan
Written by Cheuk-Hon Szeto
Produced by Raymond Chow
Directed by Tsui Hark
Reviewed by Lee Broughton
Ancient China: civil...
- 5/12/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
The upcoming Chinese period drama “The Diary”, written, produced and directed by Jackie Chan is expected to be released in autumn 2020.
About the soundtrack:
American composer Nathan Wang and French composer Alan Tyler will curate the score for “The Diary”. The film will also contain original soundtracks. Nathan Wang has already worked several times with Jackie Chan in movies including: “Rumble in the Bronx”, “Who Am I”, “First Strike” or the upcoming “Vanguars”. Alan Tyler is a French composer who works in Los Angeles; he contributed to the music of films and TV like “Curb your Enthusiasm” and “Nurses”, and more recently on Jackie Chan’s production “Project X-Traction” (Sparkle Roll Media). Jackie Chan has chosen the composers himself and in addition to the main theme, the director/actor will sing for the movie’s soundtrack
About the movie:
“The Diary” will be a musical drama set in China and Europe during the 1930s.
About the soundtrack:
American composer Nathan Wang and French composer Alan Tyler will curate the score for “The Diary”. The film will also contain original soundtracks. Nathan Wang has already worked several times with Jackie Chan in movies including: “Rumble in the Bronx”, “Who Am I”, “First Strike” or the upcoming “Vanguars”. Alan Tyler is a French composer who works in Los Angeles; he contributed to the music of films and TV like “Curb your Enthusiasm” and “Nurses”, and more recently on Jackie Chan’s production “Project X-Traction” (Sparkle Roll Media). Jackie Chan has chosen the composers himself and in addition to the main theme, the director/actor will sing for the movie’s soundtrack
About the movie:
“The Diary” will be a musical drama set in China and Europe during the 1930s.
- 4/25/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
There is cult and then there is “The Bride with White Hair”. Ronny Yu took the 1957 wuxia novel “Baifa Monu Zhuan”, added some major elements from “Romeo and Juliet”, much sensualism, and a Siamese Twin as the major villain and ended up with a film that is epic as it is cult.
The story takes place during the Ming Dynasty, where the leader clan among the eight major ones is the Wu Tang. Cho Yi Hang is the top swordsman of the clan, but also a rebellious young man, who frequently goes against the orders of the court to help the poor and the week against the rich and powerful, in a series of actions that brings him in trouble with the emperor, particularly since the leader of another clan is always keen to bring him to justice, despite the fact that his daughter seems to have feelings for him.
The story takes place during the Ming Dynasty, where the leader clan among the eight major ones is the Wu Tang. Cho Yi Hang is the top swordsman of the clan, but also a rebellious young man, who frequently goes against the orders of the court to help the poor and the week against the rich and powerful, in a series of actions that brings him in trouble with the emperor, particularly since the leader of another clan is always keen to bring him to justice, despite the fact that his daughter seems to have feelings for him.
- 4/6/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues (1986) screens February 13th at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium(470 E Lockwood Ave). The film starts at 7pm. A Facebook invite for the screening can be found Here
Described by the Village Voice as a movie that “out-Spielbergs Spielberg” and cited by Quentin Tarantino as one of the greatest films ever made, Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues remains criminally underseen in the West. Set in 1920s Beijing and focusing on a trio of women prone to falling into adventure—chief among whom is General’s daughter Tsao Wan, played by Brigitte Lin of Chungking Express in one of her many cross-dressing roles.
In Cantonese with English subtitles.
Admission is:
$7 for the general public
$6 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$5 for Webster University staff and faculty
Free for Webster students with proper I.D.
The post Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues...
Described by the Village Voice as a movie that “out-Spielbergs Spielberg” and cited by Quentin Tarantino as one of the greatest films ever made, Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues remains criminally underseen in the West. Set in 1920s Beijing and focusing on a trio of women prone to falling into adventure—chief among whom is General’s daughter Tsao Wan, played by Brigitte Lin of Chungking Express in one of her many cross-dressing roles.
In Cantonese with English subtitles.
Admission is:
$7 for the general public
$6 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$5 for Webster University staff and faculty
Free for Webster students with proper I.D.
The post Tsui Hark’s Peking Opera Blues...
- 2/11/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain” is the first Hong Kong production to combine traditional Hk actions stunts with Western special effects. At the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony, the film received five nominations.
Zu is a collective name of a mountain chain located somewhere in present-day Sichuan. Being a place of great military importance in ancient China, it was always a battleground between various warring factions. Nevertheless, it was also a place of great mystique due to numerous exotic peaks and old temples. An army deserter Dik Ming-kei (Yuen Biao) is accidentally attacked by vampires in a cave, but he is rescued by Master Ding Yan (Adam Cheng). Dik Ming-kei does not realise that he entered the underworld where good is in an eternal struggle against evil (controlled by the Blood Demon). Chung Mei (Sammo Hung) can hold the Blood Demon in captivity only for 49 days until the stars shift.
Zu is a collective name of a mountain chain located somewhere in present-day Sichuan. Being a place of great military importance in ancient China, it was always a battleground between various warring factions. Nevertheless, it was also a place of great mystique due to numerous exotic peaks and old temples. An army deserter Dik Ming-kei (Yuen Biao) is accidentally attacked by vampires in a cave, but he is rescued by Master Ding Yan (Adam Cheng). Dik Ming-kei does not realise that he entered the underworld where good is in an eternal struggle against evil (controlled by the Blood Demon). Chung Mei (Sammo Hung) can hold the Blood Demon in captivity only for 49 days until the stars shift.
- 1/12/2020
- by Oliver Ebisuno
- AsianMoviePulse
” Don’t be a cop if you want to live to 100″
Jackie Chan in Police Story (1985) plays midnights this weekend (August 2nd and 3rd) at the Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here
It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of Police Story and Police Story 2 would have really amazed the world.
In Police Story, the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star witness against the retribution of a local drug lord. All of this is a vehicle for...
Jackie Chan in Police Story (1985) plays midnights this weekend (August 2nd and 3rd) at the Tivoli as part of their Reel Late at the Tivoli Midnight series. A Facebook invite for the event can be found Here
It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of Police Story and Police Story 2 would have really amazed the world.
In Police Story, the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star witness against the retribution of a local drug lord. All of this is a vehicle for...
- 7/28/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
All the world loves Jackie Chan, whose cinematic action pictures bridge the gap between silent-era virtuosity and slick modernity. As light comedy entertainment these first two Police Story smash ‘n’ bash epics of eye-popping jeopardy are suitable as ‘family entertainment’ as well. Jackie is a marvelous hero, while Maggie Cheung is an old fashioned girl who doesn’t mind being threatened, kidnapped and occasionally having her scalp split open. You will believe that men can tumble from high roosts onto concrete, and smash through acres of glass countertops without receiving a scratch necessarily going straight to emergency surgery. Criterion has created beautiful new masters, with original soundtracks and extras to make every foolish Jackie Chan fan try some ridiculously dangerous stunt for themselves!
Police Story / Police Story 2
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 971, 972
1985 & 1988 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 100 and 122 min. / Ging chat goo si / Ging chaat goo si juk jaap /available through The Criterion...
Police Story / Police Story 2
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 971, 972
1985 & 1988 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 100 and 122 min. / Ging chat goo si / Ging chaat goo si juk jaap /available through The Criterion...
- 5/25/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Police Story (1985) screens at Webster University’s
Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood) Friday April 12th at 7:30pm and again Tuesday April 16th at 7:30. A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found Here. Police Story 2 (1988) screens there Sunday April 14th at 7:30pm and again Friday April 19th at 7:30pm.
A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found Here
It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of Police Story and Police Story 2 would have really amazed the world.
Police Story – In the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star...
Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood) Friday April 12th at 7:30pm and again Tuesday April 16th at 7:30. A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found Here. Police Story 2 (1988) screens there Sunday April 14th at 7:30pm and again Friday April 19th at 7:30pm.
A Facebook invite for these two screenings can be found Here
It is a shame that Jackie Chan’s eventual emergence as a fully -fledged Hollywood star did not happen much earlier when he was at his physical peak. Of course even now at age 65 he is pretty amazing, but the Jackie Chan of Police Story and Police Story 2 would have really amazed the world.
Police Story – In the movie that made him an international star, Jackie Chan plays policeman Ka-kui in the newly-restored Police Story. Ka-kui finds the need to go rogue to protect a star...
- 4/11/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Taiwan-based company has also added true-life romance Three Makes A Whole to its slate.
Taiwan-based MandarinVision is launching sales of The 9th Precinct, starring Taiwanese actor Roy Chiu who shot to fame in last year’s comedy drama Dear Ex.
The new fantasy thriller, which is scheduled for release this August, follows a newbie cop from a secret police department for the supernatural who has to uncover the truth about a mysterious pink purse which has a vengeful spirit attached to it. Yeh Jufeng is producing for debut director Leo Wang. Veteran actor Peng Chia Chia and rising actress...
Taiwan-based MandarinVision is launching sales of The 9th Precinct, starring Taiwanese actor Roy Chiu who shot to fame in last year’s comedy drama Dear Ex.
The new fantasy thriller, which is scheduled for release this August, follows a newbie cop from a secret police department for the supernatural who has to uncover the truth about a mysterious pink purse which has a vengeful spirit attached to it. Yeh Jufeng is producing for debut director Leo Wang. Veteran actor Peng Chia Chia and rising actress...
- 3/18/2019
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
This is an all-star cast remake of King Hu’s 1967 classic “Dragon Inn”. The story is basically the same, but with a macabre, dark twist and a love triangle thrown in.
Tsao Siu-yan is a powerful eunuch, the ruthless leader of the East Chamber, a security agency of the Ming Dynasty Emperor. The movie kicks off with him overseeing the butchering of some officers by his army. Yang is one of them being executed, meanwhile his two children are exiled and escorted to the desert border. This is actually Tsoa’s cunning plot to lure out Yang’s trusted general Chow Wai-on. However, it is Yau Mo-yan, a rebel swordswoman who rescues the children and guarding them across the desert to safety. Consequently, they take refuge in Dragon Gate Inn while waiting for Chow to join them. However, Tsao and his army are not far behind and...
Tsao Siu-yan is a powerful eunuch, the ruthless leader of the East Chamber, a security agency of the Ming Dynasty Emperor. The movie kicks off with him overseeing the butchering of some officers by his army. Yang is one of them being executed, meanwhile his two children are exiled and escorted to the desert border. This is actually Tsoa’s cunning plot to lure out Yang’s trusted general Chow Wai-on. However, it is Yau Mo-yan, a rebel swordswoman who rescues the children and guarding them across the desert to safety. Consequently, they take refuge in Dragon Gate Inn while waiting for Chow to join them. However, Tsao and his army are not far behind and...
- 1/17/2019
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
In a career spanning over 150 films over more than half-a-century (not to mention numerous broken bones), Jackie Chan has kicked, punched, and sprinted his way out of every action setpiece imaginable. One of his greatest feats is the Police Story franchise, particularly the first two entries which have now been restored courtesy of Janus Films and will arrive in theaters starting next month.
Ahead of the release, they’ve released a joint trailer which showcases the beautiful restorations in which one can see every karate chop, death-defying leap, and explosion with more clarity than ever before. I had the pleasure of witnessing the first film on the big screen at Metrograph last year and it was one of the most joyous crowd experiences I had in 2018, so be sure to seek it out if they are playing near you. Since it’s coming from Janus, it also means a release...
Ahead of the release, they’ve released a joint trailer which showcases the beautiful restorations in which one can see every karate chop, death-defying leap, and explosion with more clarity than ever before. I had the pleasure of witnessing the first film on the big screen at Metrograph last year and it was one of the most joyous crowd experiences I had in 2018, so be sure to seek it out if they are playing near you. Since it’s coming from Janus, it also means a release...
- 1/3/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
*The review refers to the Japanese Cut of the film (105 minutes)
Considered by Jackie Chan himself as his best action film, “Police Story” is a true one-man show, with him writing, directing, acting as stunt coordinator and having the protagonist role, and also the movie that established him as a worldwide superstar. The first part of a series that spawned five sequels and one spinoff film (“Once A Cop” won the Best Film award at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Awards and was a huge success in East Asia.
The story revolves around Sergeant Chan Ka-Kui, who is assigned to the Royal Hong Kong Police Force after finishing his Special Ops training. His first mission, alongside former colleague “Big Mouth” and a number of undercover officers, is to arrest crime lord Chu Tao, in a shanty town. The operation is a success, but Chan and his team wreak...
Considered by Jackie Chan himself as his best action film, “Police Story” is a true one-man show, with him writing, directing, acting as stunt coordinator and having the protagonist role, and also the movie that established him as a worldwide superstar. The first part of a series that spawned five sequels and one spinoff film (“Once A Cop” won the Best Film award at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Awards and was a huge success in East Asia.
The story revolves around Sergeant Chan Ka-Kui, who is assigned to the Royal Hong Kong Police Force after finishing his Special Ops training. His first mission, alongside former colleague “Big Mouth” and a number of undercover officers, is to arrest crime lord Chu Tao, in a shanty town. The operation is a success, but Chan and his team wreak...
- 8/13/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
If you wanted a crash course in Chinese language cinema of the past 40 years, you could do a lot worse than the series playing at the Metrograph from May 18 - 27 built around the career of Sylvia Chang. An actress, writer and director of tremendous accomplishment (as well as popular singer and playwright), Chang has been a major figure since the mid-1970s, playing important roles in both the Hong Kong New Wave and New Taiwanese Cinema, working with key directors King Hu, Ann Hui, Tsui Hark, Edward Yang, Stanley Kwan, Johnnie To, Mabel Cheung, and Ang Lee. She’s played waifish ingenues and hard-nosed career women, exasperated mothers, bohemian artists, bourgeois matrons and ass-kicking cops. As a director, she’s brought special focus to women’s changing roles in domestic and family melodramas, creating sophisticated works that straddle the line between mainstream and art house. The Metrograph is playing 15 of her films,...
- 5/16/2018
- MUBI
The name Jin Yong is as synonymous with Hong Kong’s rich tradition of wuxia cinema as Stan Lee is with the American superhero movie.
The renowned period novelist (real name: Louis Cha Leung-yunga) is said to be the world’s most widely read 20th century Chinese writer, and the countless film and television adaptations of his 15 books indelibly altered the shape of Chinese popular culture.
“A friend of mine once said to me, ‘I feel lucky to be born Chinese, because it means I can read the wuxia novels of Jin Yong,’” Taiwanese screen goddess Brigitte Lin, who...
The renowned period novelist (real name: Louis Cha Leung-yunga) is said to be the world’s most widely read 20th century Chinese writer, and the countless film and television adaptations of his 15 books indelibly altered the shape of Chinese popular culture.
“A friend of mine once said to me, ‘I feel lucky to be born Chinese, because it means I can read the wuxia novels of Jin Yong,’” Taiwanese screen goddess Brigitte Lin, who...
- 5/9/2018
- by Karen Chu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The romantic dramas from Taiwan in the 1970s should be remembered as an integral chapter of the history of Chinese language cinema. They were the by-products of the unique socio-political climate at the time, says screen icon Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia.
“People thought that the films we made back then were bad. But it was an important period of time from a historical perspective,” Lin told Variety. Taiwan was under martial law and cinema censorship was tight. “Romantic dramas became the most sought-after entertainment because of that.”
Lin went on to star in Wong Kar-wai’s “Ashes of Time” and “Chungking Express,” but was away from the screen until recently. In March, Lin was the focus of a retrospective at the Hong Kong Int’l Film Festival and this month at the Festival of Far East Film in Udine, Italy.
Taiwan-born, Lin rose to stardom in 1973 when she was still a teenager with “Outside the Window,...
“People thought that the films we made back then were bad. But it was an important period of time from a historical perspective,” Lin told Variety. Taiwan was under martial law and cinema censorship was tight. “Romantic dramas became the most sought-after entertainment because of that.”
Lin went on to star in Wong Kar-wai’s “Ashes of Time” and “Chungking Express,” but was away from the screen until recently. In March, Lin was the focus of a retrospective at the Hong Kong Int’l Film Festival and this month at the Festival of Far East Film in Udine, Italy.
Taiwan-born, Lin rose to stardom in 1973 when she was still a teenager with “Outside the Window,...
- 4/30/2018
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
The milestone 20th edition of the Far East Film Festival (Feff) came to a close this weekend with record visitor numbers and a host of top Asian talent visiting the picturesque northern Italian town of Udine.
The festival opened with a bang the previous weekend with Asian film icon Brigitte Lin coming out of retirement to pick up the Feff's Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi presented Lin with the award on stage. Shi is a previous recipient of the award and other past winners include Chinese auteur Feng Xiaogang and Jackie Chan.
Around 60,000 people attended the various screenings at Feff...
The festival opened with a bang the previous weekend with Asian film icon Brigitte Lin coming out of retirement to pick up the Feff's Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi presented Lin with the award on stage. Shi is a previous recipient of the award and other past winners include Chinese auteur Feng Xiaogang and Jackie Chan.
Around 60,000 people attended the various screenings at Feff...
- 4/30/2018
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The milestone 20th edition of the Far East Film Festival (Feff) came to a close this weekend with record visitor numbers and a host of top Asian talent visiting the picaresque northern Italian town of Udine.
The festival opened with a bang the previous weekend with Asian film icon Brigitte Lin coming out of retirement to pick up the Feff's Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi presented Lin with the award on stage. Shi is a previous recipient of the award and other past winners include <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Chinese auteur </a><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Feng</a> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Xiaogang</a> and Jackie ...
The festival opened with a bang the previous weekend with Asian film icon Brigitte Lin coming out of retirement to pick up the Feff's Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award. Veteran Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi presented Lin with the award on stage. Shi is a previous recipient of the award and other past winners include <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Chinese auteur </a><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Feng</a> <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/far-east-festival-close-knit-audience-favorite-feng-xiaogang-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-999841" target="_blank">Xiaogang</a> and Jackie ...
- 4/29/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Hong Kong film icon Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia, who is rarely seen in public these days, will be on hand to open the 20th edition of the Far East Film Festival in Udine. She will also receive the festival’s lifetime award, the Golden Mulberry.
The opening film is set to be Korean thriller “Steel Rain, an actioner backed by streaming video platform Netflix. There are currently no plans to show it on the big screen again. Also on the opening night agenda is Malaysian drama “Crossroads: One Two Jaga.”
The festival program runs 20-28 April and includes films from 11 East Asian territories, 5 world premieres and a trio of restored titles. Among the classics is Johnnie To’s “Throw Down,” brought back to life by the Italo-Hong Kong company L’Immagine Ritrovata.
New for the 20th edition is the launch of the White Mulberry competitive section. It will include 21 films by first or second time directors.
The opening film is set to be Korean thriller “Steel Rain, an actioner backed by streaming video platform Netflix. There are currently no plans to show it on the big screen again. Also on the opening night agenda is Malaysian drama “Crossroads: One Two Jaga.”
The festival program runs 20-28 April and includes films from 11 East Asian territories, 5 world premieres and a trio of restored titles. Among the classics is Johnnie To’s “Throw Down,” brought back to life by the Italo-Hong Kong company L’Immagine Ritrovata.
New for the 20th edition is the launch of the White Mulberry competitive section. It will include 21 films by first or second time directors.
- 4/12/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Far East Film Festival launches its 20th edition on 20 April with Netflix’s South Korean spy thriller Steel Rain, playing for the very first time on the big screen. The world premiere of Namron’s Malaysian drama Crossroads: One Two Jaga will also screen on Opening Night at the festival in Udine, Italy. A total of 81 films from 11 Asian territories will be screened over 9 days, closing on 28 April with Indonesian war thriller Night Bus. Hong Kong screen legend Brigitte Lin is this year’s guest of honour, with the festival screening 6 of her best-loved films, including Ronny Yu’s The Bride with White Hair, Wong Kar-wai’s Chungking Express and Raymond Lee’s Dragon Inn. Among this year’s highlights include Korean thrillers...
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[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 4/11/2018
- Screen Anarchy
Brigitte Lin was an Asian superstar in a very literal sense. Born in Taiwan, Lin made her name during Hong Kong cinema's golden age, with her fame spreading right across the continent thanks to a three-decade career.
A versatile performer with an uncanny ability to adapt with the times and genre, Lin's film career encompassed everything from the Taiwanese romantic dramas of the 70s, of which she made a startling 55 in a period between 1972 and 1979, to the Hong Kong box office fair of the 80s, and finally to the pioneering gender transcending roles in the ...
A versatile performer with an uncanny ability to adapt with the times and genre, Lin's film career encompassed everything from the Taiwanese romantic dramas of the 70s, of which she made a startling 55 in a period between 1972 and 1979, to the Hong Kong box office fair of the 80s, and finally to the pioneering gender transcending roles in the ...
Brigitte Lin was an Asian superstar in a very literal sense. Born in Taiwan, Lin made her name during Hong Kong cinema's golden age, with her fame spreading right across the continent thanks to a three-decade career.
A versatile performer with an uncanny ability to adapt to the times and genre, Lin had a film career that encompassed everything from the Taiwanese romantic dramas of the '70s — of which she made a startling 55 in the period between 1972 and 1979 — to the Hong Kong box-office fare of the '80s, and finally to the pioneering gender-transcending roles in the now...
A versatile performer with an uncanny ability to adapt to the times and genre, Lin had a film career that encompassed everything from the Taiwanese romantic dramas of the '70s — of which she made a startling 55 in the period between 1972 and 1979 — to the Hong Kong box-office fare of the '80s, and finally to the pioneering gender-transcending roles in the now...
- 4/1/2018
- by Karen Chu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Dragon Chronicles: The Maidens of Heavenly Mountains” was originally released in the midst of the Hong Kong New Wave, features two huge names in Brigitte Lin and Gong Li and was adapted from the Wu Xia novel “Demi Gods and Semi Devils” by Louis Cha. With many of its contemporaries getting western releases over the years, it appears to have faded from view. Recently reissued on Blu-Ray in Korea, there is now an opportunity to revisit the movie and see where it places amongst the ranks of the Wu Xia.
A martial arts master Sui Yiu Tze who is the head of the Tin San Sect is fatally poisoned but refuses to die until his killer is revealed and he can pass on his skill to the one fated to receive it. This places the martial arts world it in turmoil as others seek to gain...
A martial arts master Sui Yiu Tze who is the head of the Tin San Sect is fatally poisoned but refuses to die until his killer is revealed and he can pass on his skill to the one fated to receive it. This places the martial arts world it in turmoil as others seek to gain...
- 3/21/2018
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Many actresses have taken on gender-bending roles in adaptations of classic Chinese literature, but none have done it with the grace, fluidity and respect of Taiwanese superstar Brigitte Lin. Whether as Invincible Asia in The Swordsman II, revolutionary Tsao Wan in Peking Opera Blues or twins Yin and Yang in Ashes of Time, Lin brought gravity, thoughtful ambiguity and a diffuse but distinct sexuality to her challenging performances, which have yet to be topped since her retirement in 1994.
Lin’s first foray into gender-bending came in her first collaboration with Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers on an opulent musical adaptation...
Lin’s first foray into gender-bending came in her first collaboration with Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers on an opulent musical adaptation...
- 3/21/2018
- by Elizabeth Kerr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 1992, mega-producer Tsui Hark and action choreographer-director Ching Siu-tung pulled an Empire Strikes Back on Hong Kong moviegoers with The Swordsman II, the dark, denser, superior sequel to the saga started in 1990. The difference was The Swordsman II’s entirely new cast: Out were Sam Hui, Cecilia Yip and Sharla Cheung, in were rising stars Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, Michelle Reis and Tsui muse Brigitte Lin, capping a string of gender non-binary performances ahead of her too-early retirement. Rivaled only by Chungking Express’ The Woman in the Blonde Wig as Lin’s most iconic role, her turn as martial arts...
- 3/21/2018
- by Elizabeth Kerr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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