In the 1980s, a revived and reworked kung fu movie subculture built a growing cult following in the West. As Jackie Chan and other stars became household names, Hong Kong cinema came to be seen as a serious force in world cinema. And while much of the city’s cinematic legacy is rooted in action, many of its other genres are equally impressive. From zany thrillers to swooning romances, these films showcase the energy and talent fueling one of Asia’s most vibrant film hubs.
A riotous satire of the property market, this goofy Cantonese-language comedy takes place almost entirely over the course of one chaotic night in a luxurious apartment block. The slapstick may be over-the-top but it also captures a sense of the madness of modern life in the global financial crisis, with its endless arguments and competing priorities. The climactic warehouse fight, staged partly on flopping ladders, is among the most enduring and exhilarating kung fu fight scenes in history.
Hong Kong’s real-life king of comedy Ma Li-nam gives a deadpan performance as an underemployed opera performer struggling to care for his ailing wife and send their children to school in this family melodrama. Ma’s inimitable style and effortless charm make it easy to understand why he was so beloved by the public during his decades-long career.
An impressionistic riff on the classic wuxia novel, this New Wave classic demonstrates how even a supposedly straightforward action story can benefit from a sly script and expressive visuals. The film is most famous for its casual nihilism and youthful openness to sex, but it’s also an intriguing study of the way youth can be so disillusioned by a world that seems to offer nothing more than pain and loss.
The eponymous hero of this modern martial arts classic is a Hong Kong police officer who takes on a powerful group of drug dealers and crime lords. Its rousing fight scenes are not only spectacular but also feature the most fluid choreography of any kung fu film. But what really makes this a standout is the cast: Jet Li turned from a Mainland wushu champion to an international action star with this film and remains arguably its greatest exponent. And while his stunts are undoubtedly amazing, he is aided by superb direction from Tsui Hark and a script that puts him in some truly perilous situations.
An excellent sequel to an already excellent Hong Kong cop thriller, this tense drama spotlights the inherent conflict between the operational and management sides of Hong Kong’s police system. Deputy Commissioner M.B. Lee (Tony Leung Ka-fai) is a Dirty Harry-like man of action, while his rival Sean Lau (Aaron Kwok) is a buttoned-up bureaucrat whose penchant for protocol and cost-cutting has made him an unpopular figure with the rank and file. While both actors deliver a strong performance, it’s greener Mainland actress Cya Liu who stands out, acquitting herself with aplomb in this demanding role.