The first Hong Kong Movie that came to my attention was The Ip Man. I was intrigued by the combination of a martial artist, a superhero, and a Hong Kong film. I had to watch it several times to understand its complex meaning, and I came away impressed by the movie’s swashbuckling, athleticism. I was intrigued by the film’s use of kung fu, which was a staple of the theatrical tradition. I grew up with this sort of fright and thought the movie reflected my interest in martial arts.
The most famous Hong Kong film is Rouge (1987) by Stanley Kwon. The story revolves around a man who meets a beautiful woman, who committed suicide 50 years ago with her lover. The man then brings the ghost of this woman back to life, but his girlfriend doesn’t like it. Together, they find a way for her ghost to find her lover in Hong Kong, avoiding opium dens and brothels.
The films of Hong Kong are marketed all over the world, and are often more popular than their American counterparts. While the film industry has been largely relegated to China, Hong Kong films regularly outgross global hits. Popular genres include gangster, sex, ghost, and gambler movies. Many Hong Kong movies are produced and distributed throughout Asia, incorporating every possible plot variation, set to non-stop synthesizers.
The last studio film that has come out of Hong Kong is Shadow of China (1990). Mitsuo Yanagimachi’s international thriller Shadow of China is a rare exception. This film is one of the last greats of Hong Kong cinema. In addition to realistic crime films, Hong Kong offers a glimpse of the neon signs and back streets of the city, which suggests a world with sky-high real estate prices. While these movies are not entirely satirical, they do portray the complex nature of the city.
Another key characteristic of Hong Kong movies is that they often mix genres. While Hollywood actors tend to be more refined and polished, Hong Kong movie characters are much more dynamic. For example, an exorcism may be interrupted by a romantic musical interlude. In short, Hong Kong movies are much more fun to watch than Hollywood movies. You can even enjoy a Hong Kong Movie on your phone. And if you’re planning to see one, why not make it a virtual trip to Hong Kong?
Another Hong Kong Movie that isn’t as well-known is The Assassin’s Wife, the Shaw Brothers’ drama. This film was a huge international hit for the Shaw Brothers and is considered one of the most influential Kung Fu cult classics. It was directed by veteran Shaw Brothers director Chang Cheh from a script written by prolific writer Ni Kuang. The film is based on a loose narrative of stories about the Poison Clan, and Chang Cheh recruited six young Taiwanese stuntmen and actors.
Another classic Hong Kong Movie is The Boxer From Shantung. This gangster story is a rags-to-riches tale that follows the rise and fall of a young martial artist. The story follows Ma Yongzhen, a poor working class man from Shantung, who arrives in Shanghai with his friend Xiao Jiangbei, and lives in an overcrowded hostel. He meets wealthy crimelord Tan Si, who is a drug dealer, and uses his fighting skills to climb the gang’s ladder.