Classic Movie Matinees with Iconic Action Duos

Description

Action films have become Hong Kong’s most famous cinematic export. Fusing elements from Hollywood action flicks, Chinese storytelling and a unique brand of aesthetic traditions and filmmaking techniques, Hong Kong action films are culturally distinctive, yet appealing to audiences all around the world.

Screening 18 films from the 1950s to the 1980s, this morning matinee programme is both a homage to the stars who helped put Hong Kong on the map as a film center, and a testimony of the versatility of the genre.

Kwan Tak-hing and Sek Kin headlined Hong Kong’s early kung fu films in the 1950s with their traditional and authentic martial arts moves; actors Kenneth Tsang Kong and Suet Nei launched a new style of Cantonese wuxia films in the 1960s, a decade that saw the duo fighting their way from period films to modern movies; featured prominently in Chang Cheh’s cinematic world of chivalry and honour are Ti Lung and John Chiang during the 1970s; the genre segued into Hong Kong action comedies in the 1980s with brothers-in-arms Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao as flag-bearers.

Some of the screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks hosted by film critics Hui Kin-cheung, Tsang Siu-wang and David Chan respectively.

Please note that “The Anonymous Heroes”, “Duel of Fists”, “The Blood Brothers” and “The Savage Five” are in Mandarin, while the other films are in Cantonese. “A Mysterious Weapon”, “Knockabout”, “The
Prodigal Son”, “The Millionaire’s Express”, “Eastern Condors” and “Dragons Forever” are shown
with Chinese and English subtitles while the other films are without subtitles.