Cinema Hong Kong

Cinema Hong Kong

Hong Kong is the film capital of Asian martial-arts and triad-theme movies. Unlike the shoot-'em-ups of Hollywood, the camera work in these flicks emphasizes the ricochet choreography of physical combat. You'll see some of the cheesiest, funniest, most artistically and athletically amazing movies ever made if you pop into a local movie theater.

Hong Kong films and actors haven't gone unnoticed in the West. Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films show obvious influences from Hong Kong cinema as does Ang Lee's critically acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Chow Yun-Fat have all found success in Hollywood, and Maggie Cheung won the best actress award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival for her work in the film Clean, directed by Olivier Assayas.

The Classics

Jackie Chan has been called a "physical genius" and "the world's greatest action star." After years of international fame and accolades, this stuntman extraordinaire finally broke into the American market with Rumble in the Bronx in the mid-1990s. Two years later, Chan solidified his fame in the West with his first exclusively U.S. production, Rush Hour. In Hong Kong he's the man who's guaranteed to draw the crowds every time his latest movie is released. When he's on the silver screen, Hong Kongers know they can kick back and forget about their troubles for a while.

Of course Chan isn't Hong Kong's only martial-arts golden son. Recent heroes include John Woo, director of such bullet-ridden cult classics as A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard-Boiled. He was also responsible for launching Chow Yun-Fat's movie career. Chow Yun-Fat, who was born on the small island of Lamma and moved to Hong Kong in 1965, is the ultratough, muscular martial artist who worked with Woo on the action-move classic A Better Tomorrow. Both men are also known for the slick Hollywood flick The Replacement Killers, which Woo produced and Yun-Fat starred in. But Yun-Fat's name is now most associated with his graceful fighting prowess in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

But it was Bruce Lee who broke the ground and still shines as the star to live up to in life and on the screen. Martial artists still talk about Lee and his muscular physique and style. Just after moving to America in the 1960s, Lee was challenged to a fight by Cantonese experts in Oakland's Chinatown because he was teaching Chinese "secrets" to non-Chinese individuals (considered treason among some in the martial-arts community). Lee won the challenge, and students around the world still study such techniques. In part they can thank Lee for their schooling.

Also check out the work of Wong Kar-wai, known as a director of more thoughtful, critically acclaimed, artistic films. His best works include In the Mood For Love, Chungking Express, Happy Together, and Fallen Angels. Other recommendable films include the Once Upon a Time in China trilogy, which stars Jet Li; The Bride with White Hair, with Leslie Cheung and Brigitte Lin; the Swordsman films; Chinese Ghost Story; Fist of Legend, with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

Ang Lee won an Oscar in 2005 for the brilliant, yet controversial Brokeback Mountain. His earlier films include The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman. Even though it takes place on the Mainland, you shouldn't miss the 1988 classic The Last Emperor for its insight into China. The Joy Luck Club is also a useful insight into Chinese culture, albeit Chinese-American culture.

A Night at the Movies

If a Jackie Chan or Chow Yun-Fat film is out, nearly every cinema in town will be showing it. Other movies are mostly B-grade, centering on the cops-and-robbers and slapstick genres; locals love these because they star popular (and very attractive) Hong Kong actors. Most local films have English subtitles, but check listings. For show times and theaters, pick up HK Magazine and the South China Morning Post. Tickets are HK$60—HK$70, depending on screening times; some cinemas have half-price tickets on Tuesday and for shows before noon. Refreshment kiosks sell two varieties of popcorn—the traditional salty type or a chocolate-flavored variety. Among the usual candy offerings and hot dogs, you'll also find Chinese beef jerky and dried squid. (Hey, you're in Hong Kong.) Theaters are notoriously frigid. Bring a sweater, jacket, or, like the locals, a shawl.