Summer Holiday (Romantic Comedy)
Cast: Sammi Cheng, Richie Jen
Director: Jingle Ma
Duration: 96min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Dummy Mommy, Without a Baby (Comedy)
Cast: Miriam Yeung, Edison Chen, Niki Chow, Wyman Wong
Director: Joe Ma, Mak Kai Kwong
Duration: 90min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
Prince of Tears (Drama)
Nomination:
2009 Venice Film Festival – In Competition
Film Festivals:
2009 Toronto International Film Festival
2009 Pusan International Film Festival
2009 American Film Market
Selected to represent Hong Kong in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2010 Oscars and nominated for a Golden Lion at the 66th Venice International Film Festival, this powerful, beautifully lensed historical drama chronicles the story of a family embroiled in the anti-communist campaign which swept Taiwan during the 1950’s.
Fighter pilot Sun Han Sheng (Joseph Chang) shares his home with beautiful wife Ping (Zhu Xuan) and daughters Zhou and Li. Having served in the civil war against the communists in mainland China, Sheng moves his family to Taiwan in search of a brighter future. Despite a privileged lifestyle, the political oppression sweeping the island nation shatters their dreams when the girls return from school to find their home ransacked and parents arrested, accused of being communist spies.
The allegations are quite clearly false, however as martial law is enforced, Taiwan is plunged into a brutal, politically turbulent era and the family is caught up in a series of tragic events......
Cast: Fan Chih-wei, Joseph Chang, Terri Kwan, Zhu Xuan
Director: Yonfan
Duration: 118min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Rebellion (Drama)
Notorious for unrest, the Eastern District is ruled by five different mobs led by Jimmy, Café, Jupiter, Sa Chi and Man Sing. Each enjoys equal power over the area and all is, seemingly, calm with conflicts rarely arising between them. However, Jimmy’s business has been expanding in recent years, due to his business-savvy wife, Wah (Ada Choi) and they have gradually become the most affluent of the gangs. In contrast, Man Sing is facing a downturn of his empire with business shrinking and his power waning.
While the criminals go about their underground businesses, thriving in what resembles peace, the police are quietly anticipating a chance to eliminate them. That chance soon comes when Jimmy is shot by a young gunman while having dinner with his fellow gangsters. Jimmy’s right hand man, Po (Shawn Yue), comes to his rescue.
Meanwhile, engaged in business negotiations in Thailand, Wah cancels all dealings when informed of the attack and orders Po to investigate. The balance of power starts to collapse as Jimmy’s men and the four gangs try to take over each others’ territories. Chaos is brewing in the Eastern District and bloodshed is inevitable should Jimmy die.
While Wah is making her way back from Thailand to take over as temporary gang leader, Po finds the driver of the assailant’s vehicle and starts interrogating him. As night falls, Po senses an eery calm in the district – all the police have disappeared from the streets. They are at the airport anticipating Wah’s arrival. Everything turns out to be part of a plan to eliminate the gangs. The battle between justice and darkness is about to begin.
Cast: Shawn Yue, Ada Choi, Elanne Kong
Director: Herman Yau
Duration: 96 min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
The Killer (Action, Drama)
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Danny Lee
Director: John Woo
Duration: 107min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Territory: Limited Asia
Feel 100% II (Comedy)
Cast: Eason Chen, Daniel Chan, Joey Yung, Miriam Yeung, Niki Chow
Director: Joe Ma
Duration: 98min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
Lee Rock I (Drama)
Cast: Andy Lau, Sharla Cheung
Director: Lawrence Lau
Duration: 123min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
A Place of One's Own (Drama)
Awards:
2009 Taipei International Film Festival - Best Audience Choice, Best Supporting Actress, Best Production Design
Festivals:
2009 HK International Film Festival- In Competition of FIPRESCI award
2009 Taipei International Film Festival - In Competition
2009 Chicago International Film Festival
2009 Hawaii International Film Festival- In Asian showcases & competition of NETPAC and Audience Awards
2009 Taiwan Film Festival in Hong Kong
2009 Stockholm International Film Festival- In Asian Image & competition of Star Audience Award
2009 Bratislavia International Film Festival- In Competition
2010 Taiwan Filmfest London
Scooping Best Audience Choice, Best Supporting Actress and Best Design awards at the 2009 Taipei International Film Festival, director Lou Yi-an’s engaging debut feature cleverly traverses the everyday problems of three characters as they are threatened with dispossession of their home.
Lin (Jack Kao) is a master funeral origami artist who struggles to earn a living. Whilst he constructs elaborate paper houses to be burned as offerings, his wife (Lu Yi Ching) sweeps graves and communicates with the dead. When Lin is diagnosed terminally ill, he throws his energies into making an extravagantly designed paper house to enjoy in his afterlife.
Indie rock musician Mozi’s (Mo Tzu Yi) career appears to be on the rocks and his popularity fast waning. He’s heavily in debt, is facing eviction from his apartment and the strain begins to show in his relationship with girlfriend Kasey (Lu Chia Hsin).
Meanwhile, Lin’s son’s Gang takes up employment as a real estate agent and finds himself with Mozi’s home on his books.
With elements of superstition, religious beliefs and fung shui intertwined, each character strives to make their mark in life.
Cast : Mo Tzu Yi, Jack Kao, Lu Yi Ching, Lu Chia Hsin
Director: Ian Lou
Duration: 119min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Taiwan
Poker King (Drama, Comedy)
With big name cast, high production values and flashy glamorous style, gambling pic Poker King sees Overheard stars Louis Koo and Lau Ching Wan reunite on the big screen as poker playing rivals in the ultimate showdown for championship glory.
Jack (Louis Koo) is heir to a powerful casino conglomerate, currently operating under the watchful eye of his father’s business partner Uno (Lau Ching-wan). On the death of his father, Jack returns to Macau from Canada where he has spent the last few years perfecting his online gaming skills. The Will leaves him the family business, but it soon becomes clear he has neither the skills nor the instinct to run the outfit and before long Uno steps in claiming the casino as his own.
Disillusioned and broke, Jack runs into Smiley (Stephy Tang), a young woman with seemingly unstoppable good fortune. Together they conquer Macau’s poker rooms until Jack is summoned by Uno’s arch rival Ms Fong (Josie Ho) to represent her corporation in the Asian Poker Tournament.
As Jack issues a personal challenge to fellow contestant Uno, it becomes clear that it isn’t only bragging rights at stake but also throne to the gambling empire that his father built. And in the end, there can be only one Poker King...
Cast: Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo, Stephy Tang
Director: Chan Hing-ka
Duration: 119min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Eighteen Springs (Drama)
Cast: Leon Lai, Anita Mui, Wu Qian Lian, Ga Yu
Director: Ann Hui
Duration: min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
From Beijing with Love (Comedy)
Cast: Stephen Chow, Anita Yuen
Director: Stephen Chow, Lee Lik-Chi
Duration: 84min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
All’s Well End’s Well (Comedy)
Cast: Stephen Chow, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Teresa Mo, Raymond Wong, Sandra Ng
Director: Clifton Ko
Duration: 96min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Kungfu Cyborg: Metallic Attraction (Romance, Sci-fic)
Officer De Ming (Alex Fong) is the acme of modern law enforcement. Courteous. Courageous. Committed. Almost human.
Designed to handle assignments too dangerous for traditional methods, De Ming is the first in the TN Research Bureau’s “K Series”– a revolutionary cyborg programmed with a sophisticated social conscience. Sent to a remote town for a covert training operation, De Ming is placed under the supervision of the local police captain, Xu Dachun (Hu Jun). Xu’s mission is to facilitate De Ming’s integration into the community while guarding the secret of his young protege’s true identity.
With a gift to exercise justice with compassion, De Ming soon wins the hearts of the town’s residents – though none more completely than that of Su Mei (Sun Li), a fellow officer who also happens to be the object of Xu’s secret affection. Nothing in De Ming’s programming has prepared him for this.
But affairs of the heart are put on hold when word arrives that one of De Ming’s cybernetic siblings, K-88, has disappeared after suffering a critical neural meltdown. Together, De Ming and Xu hunt down the malfunctioning cyborg, culminating in a spectacular clash of artificial wills. Xu is scarred in the battle and De Ming tormented by confusion regarding his role in human society.
Torn between his bond to humanity and the knowledge that he will never be a part of it, De Ming must find within himself the strength to defeat cyborg assassins descending on the town to punish him for his betrayal......
Cast: Alex Fong, Hu Jun, Sun Li
Director: Jeff Lau
Duration: 104min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ Japanese
Territory: Worldwide except China
Sophie's Revenge (Romantic Comedy)
China Box office: USD14,000,000
Marking Zhang Ziyi’s first comedic role and additional credit as producer, the amusing Sophie’s Revenge is a charming romantic comedy with all star cast and Hollywood style production values.
Comic book artist Sophie (Zhang Ziyi) is a sweet, carefree girl brimming with creativity. She and her handsome surgeon boyfriend of two years, Jeff (So Ji-sub), are the perfect couple and after his marriage proposal, Sophie’s on top of the world.
That’s until Jeff leaves her for another woman – not just any woman but beautiful movie star Joanna (Fan Bing Bing). Devastated, Sophie takes to her bed, unable to face the world after being dumped by her fiancé. However, as she reflects on her troubles, she comes up with a master plan to get the wayward doctor back in her life – and she has just two months to do so!
Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bing Bing, So Ji Sub, Peter Ho
Director: Eva Jin
Duration: 98min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Limited Asia except Japan and Korea
The Bride with White Hair (Drama, Action)
Awards:
1993 Golden Horse Film Festival- Best Original Song, Best Screenplay
1994 Fantafestival- Best Film
1994 Gerardmer Film Festival- Grand Prize
1994 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume & make Up Design
Garnering a host of awards, this dark and visually stunning fantasy is based on one of the most enduring love stories in Chinese literature and features polished performances from two of Hong Kong's much loved stars.
It’s the final years of the Ming Dynasty. In Wu Tang lives a young boy, Cho Yihang. A rebellious spirit, he shows great talent in martial arts and is respected by his sifu and Chief of the Wu Tang clan, Ziyang (Pao Fong).
Secretly leaving the fortress to play outside, he mistakenly trespasses into Mo, home to a rival cult. Set upon by a pack of wolves, he’s saved by Lien Ni-Chang, a young girl with flowing white locks who sings to the enraged animals, placating their anger.
Many years pass and the young boy is now an admired leader. Life in his kingdom however is unstable, with the Manchu’s attempting to steal control. Yihang (Leslie Cheung) is requested not only to protect his country, but also safeguard the disclipine of martial arts which is now under threat. As he ventures into enemy territory, he by chance encounters Lie (Brigitte Lin). Now a striking young woman, he’s entranced by her beauty. But with Lie raised by cult leader Chi Wu-shuang (Francis Ng), Yihang has fallen in love with an adversary …
Cast: Brigitte Lin, Leslie Cheung
Director: Ronny Yu
Duration: 87min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China & France
Hu-Du-Men (Drama)
Awards:
1996 Asia-Pacific Film Festival- Best Actress
1996 Golden Horse Film Festival- Best Actress
1997 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards- Film of Merit
Nominations:
1997 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Actress, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best New Performer, Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actess
Critically acclaimed and with solid technical credits, the 1996 Shu Kei helmed Hu Du Men is a powerful human drama which juggles characters and events with humour and precision. With flawless performances from its big name cast and the undeniable screen presence of Josephine Siao, this charming production provides an enlightening insight into Hong Kong’s artistic community as the territory approaches its handover to China.
Star of Cantonese Opera, Sum (Josephine Siao) has specialised in playing male roles throughout her illustrious career. Her existence on stage is that of celebrated idol, however off stage life is troubled. With the handover of Hong Kong looming, husband Chan (Chung King Fai) is planning to emigrate the family to Australia, a discussion Sum avoids as best she can. Meanwhile, daughter Mimi’s (Michelle Wong) friendship with tomboy Jojo is proving a cause for concern. Adding to tension is artistic director Lam (David Wu). In an effort to revitalise the troupe, he introduces new talent Yuk-Sheung (Anita Yuen), an act which opens old wounds for Sum…
Cast: Josephine Siao, Anita Yuen, Daniel Chan, Chung King Fai
Director: Shu Kei
Duration: 95min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
If U Care (Drama)
Director Adrian Kwan makes incisive observations on Hong Kong’s money-driven society with his 2002 released romantic comedy, If U Care…
Interior designer Cheung Chai Fan (Eason Chan) is an ambitious, aggressive and inconsiderate young man. Money and success are his priorities in life and he routinely steals ideas and spars with co-workers in order to further his career.
After suffering a car crash, Cheung’s rescued by firewoman and former childhood sweetheart Gillian (Gillian Chung). Packed off to hospital to treat his injuries, he finds his life transformed by the acquisition of some very strange paranormal powers…..
Cast: Eason Chan, Gillian Chung
Director: Adrian Kwan
Duration: 107min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
City of Glass (Romance, Drama)
Awards:
1998 Golden Horse Award- Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay Originally Written for the Screen
1999 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Original Film Song
Nominations:
1999 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume & Make Up Design, Best Director, Best New Performer, Best Original Film Score, Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Sound Design
Elegantly shot, Mabel Cheung’s critically acclaimed City of Glass is a tale of two romances and explores how human behavior repeats itself over the generations.
It’s New Year’s Eve, London. 1997 is round the corner and thousands of people flock to Trafalgar Square for the countdown to a new beginning. Among the partygoers is a Hong Kong couple, driving at full speed, trying to make it before midnight. As Big Ben strikes twelve and people hug and kiss, fireworks adorn a deep blue sky. At the same time, the car crashes.
The couple’s tragic death reveals a dark secret and forgotten past: they were secret lovers, first meeting at university. Raphael (Leon Lai) was a charming, restless and head-strong student leader who fell passionately for Vivian (Shu Qi), a beautiful, caring and innocent girl from the neighbouring hostel. Both believed that they could hold life in their hands and have everything their way. But they were wrong.
Picking up the pieces of their parents’ past are David (Daniel Ng) and Suzie (Nicola Cheung). Although having little in common, their grief unites them and as they find solace in each other, they too fall in love …
Cast: Leon Lai, Shu Qi, Daniel Ng, Nicola Cheung
Director: Mabel Cheung
Duration: 110min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Wheat (Drama)
Nominations:
2009 Golden Horse Awards- Best Cinematography, Best Original Film Score, Best Sound Effects
Film Festivals:
2009 Shanghai International Film Festival
2009 Toronto International Film Festival
2009 BAFTA
2009 Gent international Film Festival
2009 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival
2009 Hawaii International Film Festival
2009 Tokyo International Film Festival
2009 Taiwan Film Festival
2009 International Film Festival of India
2009 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
Bestowed with honors at the 2009 Golden Horse Awards, this engrossing and exquisitely lensed historical drama takes place during one of the most brutal periods of war in China and stars the engaging Fan Bingbing as a young wife abruptly thrust into leadership.
260 B.C. Ancient China is mired in a long and bloody war between Qin and Zhao forces. In the Zhao-dominated village of Luyi, most men have gone to battle, and when beautiful Lady Li (Fan Bingbing) marries Lord Ju Cong (Wang Xueqi), it's with the knowledge that her new husband will join his brothers on the front line.
As conflicts rage, nearly 500,000 Zhao soldiers are killed. In the aftermath, two Qin soldiers, Xia (Huang Jue) and Zhe (Du Jiayi) risk penalty of death by abandoning their posts and end up in the village of Luyi. To save their own skin, Xia and Zhe claim that they are Zhao soldiers and that their army was triumphant in combat. Considered heroes, the women welcome the deserters into the village and the two earn further admiration as they assist in the wheat harvest. However, as the women misguidedly wait for their husbands and sons to return home, they are thrust into grave danger by the arrival of Lord Chong (Wang Zhiwen) and his ruthless army of outlaws...
Cast : Fan BingBing, Huang Jue, Du Jiayi
Director: He Ping
Duration: 102min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
Flash Point (Action)
Awards:
2007 Golden Horse Award - Best Action Choreography
2008 Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Action Choreography
2008 World Stunt Awards - Taurus Award (Best Action in a Foreign Language Film)
Nominations:
2008 Hong Kong Film Awards – Best Sound Design
2007 Golden Horse Award - Best Sound Effects
Scooping awards for its striking choreography along with tech credits for sound design, this Donnie Yen actioner set the Box Office alight, taking almost US$ 2 million in its first three days of release.
Based in the Serious Crimes Unit, Detective Jun Ma (Donnie Yen) is a demanding, precise and brutal man. His lifelong nemesis is a Vietnamese gang of three brothers whose presence in the criminal world is steadily growing. In order to infiltrate the violent mob, Jun plants mole Wilson (Louis Koo), who as personal bodyguard to the brothers, has gained complete trust.
But over the years Wilson becomes unhappy with Ma’s impulsive, unruly style and during a heated battle between police and mob, his undercover position is exposed. Now a major witness to the mob’s crimes, can Wilson be kept from harm to give evidence in the trial of the decade?
Cast: Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Collin Chou
Director: Wilson Yip
Duration: 83 min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ English
Territory: Worldwide ex. China and N. America
The Floating Landscape (Romance)
Awards:
23rd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Cinematography (Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai)
9th Annual Golden Bauhinia Awards- Best Cinematography (Arthur Wong Ngok-Tai)
Nominations:
23rd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Actress (Karena Lam), Best Art Direction, Best Costume and Make-Up Design (William Cheung Suk-Ping), Best New Director (Carol Lai Miu-Suet)
Scooping two awards for cinematography, The Floating Landscape is an artistic and sensitive drama centering on a young woman, who after the untimely death of her lover, tries to pick up the threads of her own life in the hope that she will finally come to terms with his departure.
After the death of her talented artist lover Sam (Ekin Cheng), Maan (Karena Lam) travels to Qingdao, birthplace of Sam and inspiration for his final work. In an effort to find out why the area held such significance in his life, Maan rents a room and spends her days wandering aimlessly in search of the landscape featured in his drawing. Making the acquaintance of postman Lit (Liu Ye), the young man offers to assist in her pursuit. Little by little, they grow close but as Mann struggles with past memories, can she find the courage to grasp life once more?
Cast: Karena Lam, Ekin Cheng
Director: Lai Miu-suet
Duration: 97min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Asia and Middle East
4. Fight Back to School (Comedy)
Box office:
Hong Kong’s top grossing movie of 1992- USD5,700,000
Taking over US$5 million at the Box Office, this top grossing film of 1992 is a hilarious, fast paced comedy and a showcase for the inimitable Stephen Chow whose performance demonstrates just why this renowned King of Comedy is so popular in Hong Kong.
Sing (Stephen Chow) finds himself about to be kicked out the police force for his indignant, sometimes dangerous behaviour. When Commissioner Wong (Barry Wong) loses his gun, the young officer is given one last chance to remain in employment by locating the missing weapon. Clues to its whereabouts lead to a school where Sing goes undercover as new student. The mission is made complicated however when he’s partnered with aging, incompetent detective Tat (Ng Man Tat) who has also been installed as school janitor.
Zeroing in on a gang of teenage triads, Sing navigates the halls in search of the pistol. But when evidence points to more than a case of a missing firearm, Sing and Tat must spring into action…..
Cast: Stephen Chow, Ng Man Tat, Sharla Cheung
Director: Gordon Chan
Duration: 101min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English only
Territory: Worldwide
Fight Back to School (Drama, Comedy)
Box office:
Hong Kong’s top grossing movie of 1992- USD5,700,000
Taking over US$5 million at the Box Office, this top grossing film of 1992 is a hilarious, fast paced comedy and a showcase for the inimitable Stephen Chow whose performance demonstrates just why this renowned King of Comedy is so popular in Hong Kong.
Sing (Stephen Chow) finds himself about to be kicked out the police force for his indignant, sometimes dangerous behaviour. When Commissioner Wong (Barry Wong) loses his gun, the young officer is given one last chance to remain in employment by locating the missing weapon. Clues to its whereabouts lead to a school where Sing goes undercover as new student. The mission is made complicated however when he’s partnered with aging, incompetent detective Tat (Ng Man Tat) who has also been installed as school janitor.
Zeroing in on a gang of teenage triads, Sing navigates the halls in search of the pistol. But when evidence points to more than a case of a missing firearm, Sing and Tat must spring into action…..
Cast: Stephen Chow, Ng Man Tat, Sharla Cheung
Director: Gordon Chan
Duration: 101min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English only
Territory: Worldwide
Hooked on You (Drama)
Transcending the years from the British handover of Hong Kong in 1997 to the 10th anniversary of mainland rule, the witty Hooked on You is an endearing romantic comedy brought to the screen by the talented duo of Johnnie To and Law Wing Cheong.
It’s the summer of 1997 and in an effort to pay off her father’s gambling debts, Miu (Miriam Yeung) takes employment as a fishmonger at Fortune Market. With aspirations for a more upwardly mobile career and financial stability, she sets herself a 3 year plan. Before turning 30, she aims not only to have cleared her father’s debt and abandoned her job at the wet market, but also found a man worthy of her love.
No sooner than she starts work as a hawker, she finds herself in a spat with rival vendor Mr Fish (Eason Chan). As they each battle for customers, their feud intensifies. But when it emerges a local supermarket chain threatens their business, their disdain for each other takes an abrupt U turn …..
Cast: Miriam Yeung, Eason Chan
Director: Law Wing Cheong
Duration: 93min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
It Had To Be You (Romance)
Karena Lam and Ekin Cheng once again step into romantic lead roles, this time as sparring lovers in the urban screwball comedy, It Had To Be You.
Restaurant supervisor Jill (Karena Lam) is dating handsome doctor Chi On (Wu Bing), but knows in his eyes, she’s just the ‘other girl’. She lives in hope of being ‘the one’, but this declaration of love is hardly forthcoming.
Her frustration at the situation is unfortunately directed at co-worker Jack (Ekin Cheng), who appears to be an arrogant womaniser, but in fact shares the same romantic plight. As back up boyfriend to his air stewardess gal, he too encounters the same hardships. Both in the same boat, they do nothing but vent anger - but in fact, the two might just have been made for each other!
Cast: Karena Lam, Ekin Cheng, Eric Tsang
Director: Andrew Lo, Maurice Li
Category: PG-13
Duration: 94min, Theatrical
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Perhaps Love (Romance, Drama)
Awards:
* Hong Kong's Official Entry for Best Foreign Language Film at 78th Academy
* 2006 Golden Bauhinia Awards- Best Actress (Zhou Xun)
* 3rd Queens International Film Festival- Voted the Best Foreign Language Film
* 2006 Asia-Pacific Film Festival- Best Art Director, Best Music
* 2006 Changchun Film Festival- Golden Deer: Best Director (Peter Chan)
* 2006 Golden Horse Film Festival- Best Actress(Zhou Xun), Best Cinematography, Best Director (Peter Chan)
* 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Actress (Zhou Xun), best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume & Make Up Design, Best Original Film Score, Best Original Film Song
* 2006 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards- Best Actress (Zhou Xun)
* 2006 Shanghai Film Critics Awards- Best Director (Peter Chan)
Told through a series of flashbacks and boasting a striking pan Asian cast, Peter Chan’s ambitious, artistic musical centres on a love triangle between a movie star, her on screen partner and off screen director companion. Shot by master cinematographer Chris Doyle and choreographed by Bollywood’s Farah Khan, Perhaps Love is a lavish offering which represented Hong Kong in Best Foreign Language Film category at the 78th Annual Academy Awards.
Heartthrob Lin Jian-dong (Takeshi Kaneshiro) arrives in Shanghai to work on a musical feature film by distinguished director Nie Wen (Jacky Cheung). Lin’s co-star is old flame Sun Na (Zhou Xun). Now a prominent actress and in a relationship with her director partner, Sun refuses to acknowledge her shared past.
With Lin’s arrival, Nie and Sun’s relationship is about to be tested. As Sun plays a young woman with amnesia and Lin her boyfriend entrusted to reverse her memory loss, art begins to mirror reality and distant memories start to overwhelm……
Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhou Xun, Jacky Cheung
Director: Peter Chan
Duration: 108min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/ English
Territory: Worldwide
In The Mood For Love
Awards:
2000 Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor, Technical Grand Prize
2000 Asia-Pacific Film Festival - Best Cinematography, Best Editing
2000 Golden Horse Film Festival - Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Make-Up
2000 European Film Awards - Screen International Award
2001 César Awards, France - Best Foreign Film
2001 British Independent Film Awards - Best Foreign Independent Film: Foreign Language
2001 German Film Awards - Best Foreign Film
2001 Golden Bauhinia Awards - Best Cinematography
2001 Hong Kong Film Awards - Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Art Direction, Best Costume & Make Up Design, Best Film Editing
2001 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards - Best Director, Film of Merit
2001 New York Film Critics Circle Awards - Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film
2001 Uruguayan Film Critics Association – Best Film
2001 Valdivia International Film Festival – Best Film
2002 Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards - Best Foreign Film - Silver Condor
2002 Chlotrudis Awards - Best Cinematography, Best Movie
2002 Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain – Best Foreign Film
2002 Fotogramas de Plata - Best Foreign Film
2002 Montréal Festival of New Cinema - Feature Film Award
2002 National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA - Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Language Film
Written, produced and directed by the inimitable Wong Kar-wei, this evocative, visually stunning movie, lensed by Chris Doyle, picked up award after award and established Wong as one of the world’s truly gifted storytellers.
1962, Hong Kong. Chow (Tony Leung), chief editor of a local daily newspaper moves into a new apartment with his wife. He soon meets beautiful neighbour Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and their relationship consists of passing pleasantries and mundane mahjong games with neighbours. As their spouses work long hours, Chow and Li spend much time alone and as their friendship grows, they each discover their partner is having an affair. Hurt and angry, Chow and Li find comfort in each other, realising that their desire for revenge has turned into genuine passion…
Cast: Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung
Director: Wong Kar Wai
Duration: 94min, Theatrical
Category: PG - 13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese & English
Territory: Worldwide
Frugal Game (Comedy)
Reminding us that honesty and hard work has it rewards, director Derek’s Chiu’s comedy Frugal Game strikes a chord in today’s economic woes.
Single father Wai (Eric Tsang) is unemployed and desperately seeking a job, any job, to bring in some much needed cash. Father of two, his children are unaware of his predicament, although are continually instructed to save on almost everything.
Whilst searching for employment, Wai meets Diana (Do Do Cheng), a woman desperate to star in the reality television series, Frugal Game. With no husband or children, she asks Wai to help create the perfect ‘fake’ family, hence allowing her to compete in the programme. With finances running low and in sheer desperation, Wai has no choice but to agree and soon finds himself and his children monitored 24 hours a day, competing against an equally money hungry family for a cash prize!
Cast: Eason Chan, Miriam Yeung, Do Do Cheng, Eric Tsang
Director: Derek Chiu
Category: PG-13
Duration: 102min, Theatrical
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
On His Majesty's Secret Service (Action Comedy)
Written and directed by the prolific Wong Jin, On His Majesty’s Secret Service stars one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic of leading men, Louis Koo, who demonstrates once again a solid comedic performance.
For generations, the Secret Service have been assigned to protect the Emperor (Liu Yiwei) and twelve agents are delegated to the task. All of them are highly skilled in martial arts, with exception of Dog (Louis Koo). Considered the weakest of the bunch, he prefers dabbling in scientific experiments rather than the more physical discipline of kung fu.
Life for the royals is not without its struggles and Head Eunoch, Unicorn (Fan Sui Wong) has plans to overthrow the Emperor, claiming power for himself. When Dog discovers the proposed devious plot, the stage is set for a deadly duel between good and evil.....
Cast: Louis Koo, Barbie Hsu, Sandra Ng
Director: Wong Jin
Category: PG-13
Duration: 98min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English / Japanese / German & English
Territory: Worldwide ex Malaysia & China
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Accident (Drama)
A self-styled “accident choreographer,” Brain (Louis Koo) is a professional hit man who murders his victims by trapping them in well crafted “accidents” that look like unfortunate mishaps, but are in fact perfectly staged acts of crime. His choice of career continually plagues him with guilt, made worse by the avalanche of memories of his recently lost wife.
After a mission accidentally goes wrong and takes the life of one of his men, Brain is convinced that his colleague’s death has been choreographed: someone is out there plotting to eliminate him and his team. As a result, he becomes increasingly paranoid, walking the thin line between reality and delusion.
When accosted by insurance agent Fong (Richie Jen), who just happened to be at the scene of his colleague’s “accident”, Brain becomes obsessed that this man is behind a conspiracy to take him out. To regain his sanity and save his own life, Brain must remove Fong before he makes his next move...
Cast: Louis Koo, Richie Jen
Director: Soi Cheang
Category: PG-13
Duration: 81min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Brunei only
Master Wong vs Master Wong (Comedy)
Enjoy high flying action in the 1993 released sequel to the martial arts comedy, One Upon a Time a Hero in China.
Kung Fu master Wong (Alan Tam) and his students are invited to Guangzhou to raise funds for charity. Tired of the attention his status brings, Wong makes a pact with apprentice Wing (Eric Tsang) to trade places. With Wing impersonating the Sifu and Wong now his apparent pupil, the pair set off.
Meanwhile, young martial arts student Shang (Do Do Cheng) travels to the city to meet her idol. Little does she know that on encountering the young pupil, she has in fact already met her hero. But with the master travelling incognito to avoid a flood of crazed admirers, he’s not about to give away his true identity.
Cast: Alan Tam, Do Do Cheng, Eric Tsang
Director: Lee Lik Chi
Duration: 85min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Breaking News (Drama)
Brimming with slick camera work and striking choreography, the 2004 released Breaking News is considered one of Johnnie To’s most action packed crimers, delivering raw, intense and stylish entertainment.
When a television news crew broadcasts live the embarrassing police defeat in the arrest of five bank robbers, the credibility of the force is in tatters. Vowing to capture the criminals at all cost, officers are quickly mobilised to patrol every possible exit route and border crossing.
Meanwhile, on a separate investigation, Detective Cheung (Nick Cheung) and his team accidentally come across the perpetrators hideout, and when the gang, led by Yuen (Richie Jen) returns, the officers find themselves in the centre of action.
In an attempt to regain respect from the public, Inspector Rebecca Chen (Kelly Chen) decides to turn the resulting stakeout into a breaking news show, enlisting the assistance of her camera equipped officers. However, holed up Yuen and his gang are no fools and before long they turn the tables on Chen by getting their version of events out to the general public by means of the internet. As live footage from both sources is fed to the community, it seems the population of Hong Kong is eager to devour the latest action in real time.
Cast: Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung
Director: Johnnie To
Duration: 91min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English / English only
Territory: Limited Asia
The Stormriders (Action Drama)
1998 HK Box Office:
Hong Kong's top grossing movie of 1998 (BO over HKD 42,000,000)
Awards:
1999 Hong Kong Film Awards - Best Costume & make-up design / Best Film Editing/ Best Original Film Score/ Best Sound Design
1999 HK Film Critics Society Awards - Film of Merit
Nominations:
1999 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best Action Choreography/ Best Actor/ Best Art Direction/ Best Original Film Song /Best Picture/ Best Supporting Actress /Best Cinematography
Boasting some of the best special effects of its decade, this big-budgeted fantasy feature is truly a martial arts extravaganza.
Mighty warrior Lord Conquer (Sonny Chiba), leader of the Conquer clan, wants to take over the world. And to do so, he must defeat fellow warrior Sword Saint (Anthony Wong).
Prophet Mud Buddha (Lai Yiu-Cheung) informs Lord Conquer that his future power depends on two children, Wind (Ekin Cheng) and Cloud (Aaron Kwok), and promises to reveal more in ten years time. Conquer locates the two youngsters and in order to raise them as his own, murders their parents.
Ten years on and the young men are now highly skilled martial artists and lieutenants in the Conquer clan. Sending soldiers to find Mud Buddha, the prophet reveals that Wind and Cloud will either join or destroy their warrior father.
Realising that his sons could lead to his demise, Conquer avoids potential conflict by marrying his daughter Charity (Kristy Yeung) to Wind. Meanwhile, the time has come for his duel with Saint Sword. Now turning against his sons, the battle for supremacy begins – and it’s a battle where only one can emerge victor!
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Sonny Chiba, Kristy Yeung
Director: Andrew Lau
Duration: 129 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
July Rhapsody (Drama)
Starring Jacky Cheung and the late Anita Mui, director Ann Hui’s multi-award winning drama perfectly captures the struggles of a mid life crisis, infidelity and fragile family dynamics.
High school literature teacher Lam Yiu Kwok (Jacky Cheung) is questioning his achievements in life. For this introverted, bookish man he appears to have the perfect job, but compared to his high flying yuppie friends, his potential for success may well have been wasted. Having worked for many years, he still lives a modest lifestyle with his wife Man Ching (Anita Mui) and their teenage sons.
However, financial stagnancy is not his only problem. Sheng (Tou Chung Hua), the couple’s high school teacher and Ching’s old flame, once again enters their lives. Now terminally ill, the elderly Sheng is alone and without family, and Ching announces her need to care for her ex-lover.
Adding to troubles is student Choi-nam (Karena Lam), who appears to have developed a serious crush on Lam. The attraction is mutual and in light of Ching’s relationship with Sheng, forbidden fruit suddenly becomes tempting. Threatened and adrift in life, will Lam succumb to the charms of a young schoolgirl, letting history once again repeat itself?
Cast: Jacky Cheung, Anita Mui, Karena Lam
Director: Ann Hui
Duration: 103min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Asia and Middle East
Overheard (Drama)
One of the most anticipated films of the year, the adrenaline-rushing Overheard has been wowing audiences around the region and in its first day of release took over US$1.5 million at the local box office. With a stellar cast and produced by the team behind the phenomenal Infernal Affairs, this financial thriller is a cautionary tale of greed in contemporary society.
Lam Yat-Cheung (Daniel Wu) is a bright young cop with a Masters degree in electronics. With outstanding expertise, he joins the Criminal Intelligence Bureau’s Technology Department, pursuing his childhood dream of working in law enforcement.
Lam is in a steady relationship and hopes to tie the knot with his girlfriend soon. She comes from a wealthy background and her father has plans for Lam to join the family business.
Upset at this prospect, the young cop decides to cash in and earn his independence for good. Whilst on a surveillance operation with Inspectors Leung (Lau Ching Wan) and Yeung (Louis Koo), conversations on insider trading are intercepted. Initially torn between money and justice, Lam and Yeung are quickly drawn in to the opportunity to make fast buck - but their moment of greed leads to grave consequences.....
Cast: Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu
Director: Felix Chong, Alan Mak
Category: PG-13
Duration: 98min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin/English
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
Turning Point (Drama)
The legendary Shaw Brothers have teamed with TVB and director Herman Yau to produce Turning Point, a prequel film to popular TVB television series Emergency Unit with Michael Tse reprising his role of an undercover cop turned to a gangster called Laughing. The film also stars best actors Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang and Francis Ng.
This is a story of Laughing Gor (Michael Tse)…
Laughing was a gangster working for triad boss Chou (Anthony Wong) before he joined the police force. Chou persuaded Laughing to join the police force as an undercover for the triad to spy on police activities. While in the police academy, Laughing performed very well and was recruited to be an undercover agent to spy on illegal activities. Laughing now maintains the life as a double undercover agent, having crucial information from both sides. But an incident disturbs the balance of his two identities. With both the triad and police force suspicious of his loyalty, Laughing is at the verge of death. Who can save him?
Cast: Michael Tse, Anthony Wong, Francis Ng, Eric Tsang
Director: Herman Yau
Category: PG-13
Duration: 88min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
A Chinese Odyssey (Part 1 - Pandora's Box) (Comedy)
Loosely based on the Chinese classic tale, A Journey to the West, the first instalment of an ambitious two part epic has become a cult classic and stars the award-winning Stephen Chow as a god-like being who has been banished to human form.
After acquiring sacred Buddhist scriptures from India, Monkey King (Stephen Chow) and Longevity Monk (Law Kar-ying) ascend to Heaven. Five hundred years later, as the result of temptation, the two are re-incarnated on Earth, with the task of returning to India to obtain further religious texts.
Evil spirits Pak Jingjing (Karen Mok) and Spider are thrilled when they learn of the deities return, as by consuming Longevity’s flesh, they will be granted eternal life. So with the lure of immortality, the demons assemble at Fingers Mountain and await their precious prey.....
Cast: Stephen Chow, Karen Mok, Ng Man Tat
Director: Jeff Lau
Duration: 85min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: English only
Territory: Asia only
The Magic Kitchen (Romance)
Starring two of Asia’s hottest talents and with an eclectic supporting cast, the 2004 Lunar New Year release The Magic Kitchen is a sophisticated romantic comedy which took over US$2,500,000 at the local Box Office.
Owner of a private restaurant, Yau (Sammi Cheng) cooks everything literally by the book, or in her case, an encyclopedia of recipes she inherited from her mother. Her successful career however cannot compensate for an empty love life. Haunted by a family curse, she appears to be destined to fail in every relationship, yet her bar hopping misadventures appear to have won her admiration from at least one man, her kitchen assistant Hall (Jerry Yan).
Whilst in Japan to take part in a television ‘cook off’, Yau by chance bumps into old flame Chuen (Andy Lau). He’s happily dating and even planning to get engaged – and his girlfriend turns out none other than Yau’s old friend!
Tormented by memories of her ex, Yau’s life seems to be spiralling out of control – but just as the chaos and heartache seem to be all too much, there emerges a chance to unlock the curse on her heart.....
Cast: Sammi Cheng, Andy Lau, Jerry Yan
Director: Lee Chi Ngan
Duration: 105min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Limited territories in Asia, Europe & Middle East
Flirting Scholar(Comedy)
Released in 1993, director Lee Lik-Chi’s charming period offering stars Hong Kong’s very own king of comedy Stephen Chow together with darling of Chinese cinema, Gong Li.
Tong Pak Fu (Stephen Chow) is a famed scholar, living the privileged life that his social standing allows. Despite having eight wives, he is desperately unhappy as the women appear to be more interested in gambling than paying attention to their husband.
Life however appears to change for the better when Tong unexpectedly meets the beautiful Chou Heung (Gong Li), a maid working for the powerful Wah family. Just one smile and he is besotted.
In an attempt to get to know Chou, Tong dons a disguise and secures employment as houseboy in the Wah mansion. As their friendship develops, he eventually wins Chou’s heart, but in order to secure her hand in marriage, he is set the ultimate of challenges.....
Cast: Stephen Chow, Gong Li
Director: Lee Lik Chi
Duration: 102min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English only
Territory: Asia except Japan
Ashes of Time Redux (Drama)
Film Festivals:
2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Shanghai International Film Festival
2008 Toronto Film Festival
2008 Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival
2008 New York Film Festival
2008 Munich Asia Filmfest
2008 Thessaloniki International Film Festival
2009 Hong Kong International Film Festival
Wong Kar-wai has restored, rescored, expanded and re-edited his legendary 1994 exercise in swordplay pyrotechnics and melancholy temps perdu. He’s also digitally colorized the film, rendering master cinematographer Christopher Doyle’s images even more insanely gorgeous. It is inspired by Louis Cha's novel The Eagle-Shooting Heroes.
It centers on a man named Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung). Since the woman he loved rejected him, he has lived in the western desert, hiring skilled swordsmen to carry out contract killings. His wounded heart has made him pitiless and cynical, but his encounters with friends, clients and future enemies make him conscious of this solitude...
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu Wai
Director: Wong Kar Wai
Category: PG-13
Duration: 90 min, Edited
Language: Cantonese mixed with Mandarin and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English
Territory: Worldwide ex N. America
Hutong Days (Family Drama)
Film Festival:
2008 American Film Market
2008 Tokyo International Film Festival
2008 Beijing Screenings
2008 Singapore National Museum- Youth in Chinese Films After 49
Director Zhanjun An’s contemporary drama about the emerging Chinese middle class offers a glimpse into the giddy pace of life in a metropolis on the move.
Interior designer Zhao (Xin Baiqing) and his wife Juanzi (Yan Danchen) are saving hard to swap their obsolete but charming hutong for a high rise apartment. Just as Juanzi leaves the family home for a month of corporate training, Zhao suddenly finds himself unemployed. Struggling to keep money coming in and take care of his seven year old son, he finds unlikely salvation in the form of a cake delivery job that allows him to find his real talent and rekindle love for his wife.
Cast: Xin Baiqing, Yan Danchen
Director: An Zhanjun
Duration: 100 min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English
Territory: Worldwide
Lost and Found (Romance)
Awarded winner of Film of Merit in Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards and the Best Lyrics in Hong Kong Film Awards 1997, "Lost and Found” is a sentimental romance about love and loss with an A-list cast.
Chai Lam (Kelly Chen) is a young lady struggling against leukemia. She meets Tak (Michael Wong), a sailor from John O'Groats in Scotland, who then coincidentally comes to her assistance twice. As a result, Chai Lam considers him as her guardian angel, with whom she finds the sense of warmth and security.
While Tak sails around the world, Chi Lam losses contact with him. Therefore, she hires Chung (Takeshi Kaneshiro), who runs a “lost and found” company to look for Tak. With little information on hand, the chance of finding Tak is obscure. But as a strong believer in hope, Chung never gives up on helping his clients to search for their lost items. Chai Lam is touched by his optimism and passion, and gradually fall for him. Unfortunately, her incurable disease is getting worse, she decides to keep her affection in secret, leaving Chung for the desolated John O'Groats.
Eventually, Chai Lam reunites with Tak in this Scottish village. Sadly, she realizes that Tak is no longer her dream man, as someone else has already taken away her heart.
Cast: Kelly Chen, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Michael Wong
Director: Lee Chi-ngai
Category: PG-13
Duration: 99min, Theatrical
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Middle East and Asia except Japan
The Soong Sisters (Drama)
Winner of both Golden Horse Award and Hong Kong Film Award, the Soong Sisters stars two world-renowned Hong Kong actresses, Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung. It is based on a true story of the sisters who played an influential role in modern Chinese history.
Overseas educated Charlie Soong has three sons and three daughters, the sons serve China's Democratic Government and the daughters assume leading political roles in China. Ai-ling (Michelle Yeoh), the eldest daughter, marries a multi-millionaire and political financier, Kung Hsiang. Second daughter, Qing-ling (Maggie Cheung), disobeys her father’s wish and marries the revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat Sen joining his fight for democracy. The youngest, Mei-ling (Vivian Wu) marries Sun's subordinate, the future generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek.
While China is still on her way to unity, Sun dies of illness in his exiled home of Japan. As a result, Chiang Kai Shek seizes power under the Nationalist Party and temporarily unites with the Communists to vanquish the Japanese invaders. However, a Communist civil war breaks out and threatens to challenge Chiang’s leadership. As a martyr and the wife of a deceased national hero, Qing-ling disagrees with Chiang's stand. Qing-ling and her sister Mei-ling begin to fall apart.
Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Vivian Wu, Wen Jiang
Director: Mabel Cheung
Category: PG-13
Duration: 128min, Edited
Language: Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Middle East and Asia except Japan
Para Para Sakura (Musical/Comedy)
Unlucky-in-love Philip (Aaron Kwok) teaches dance at a studio in Shanghai. To boost business, he organizes a demonstration of the Japanese Para Para dance in a public square where he first meets half-Japanese Yuriko (Cecilia Cheung), a beauty who seems a natural dancing partner. And what’s more, when they dance Philip see colour. A sight usually restricted to his dreams since he became colourbind in childhood. Yuriko turns up at the studio and hires him as her guide in the city for three weeks before she returns to Japan.
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Cecilia Cheung
Director: Jingle Ma
Category: PG-13
Duration: 97min, Theatrical
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin (mixed with Japanese)
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Middle East and Asia except PRC and Japan
Who's The Woman, Who's The Man (Romantic Comedy)
Nominations:
1997 Hong Kong Film Award- Best Art Direction, Best Costume & Make Up Design, Best New Performer, Best Original Film Song, Best Supporting Actress
With a sequel to his highly popular Who’s The Woman, Who’s The Man, director Peter Chan picks up immediately where he left off with this charming, gender bending romantic comedy.
Talented music producer Sam (Leslie Cheung) sets up home with singer Wing (Anita Yuen), who just happens to have gained fame as a male pop idol. Whilst the androgynous Wing keeps her gender secret, life seems to be perfect for the young couple. That’s until she lets slip her undying love for her partner, with the result that the public now assumes Sam to be gay. Meanwhile, neighbour and faded pop star Fong (Anita Mui) befriends the couple and as she becomes involved in their lives, she finds herself attracted to the charismatic singer…
Cast: Leslie Cheung, Anita Yuen, Anita Mui
Director: Peter Chan
Duration: 109min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide
Truth Or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat (Comedy)
Nominations:
2003 Golden Horse Award- Best Supporting Actress
2004 Hong Kong Film Awards- Best New Artist, Best New Director, Best Supporting Actress
Both a commercial and critical success, director Barbara Wong’s refreshing, award-winning comedy follows the fortunes of six close friends as they share their first apartment. With a stellar cast of big-name pop stars together with veteran Hong Kong talent, Truth or Dare serves up a fascinating insight into Hong Kong life.
At a housewarming party to celebrate their newfound freedom, six flatmates (Karena Lam, Candy Lo, Roy Chow, Lawrence Chou, Patrick Tang, and Sammy Leung) make a drunken deal with the elderly flat owner. However, what starts out as joke turns into a more serious affair, as they each confront the realities of adulthood and find their way in the world...
Cast: Karena Lam, Candy Lo, Roy Chow, Lawrence Chou, Patrick Tang, Sammy Leung
Director: Barbara Wong Chun Chun
Duration: 101min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English, English
Territory: Asia and Middle East
I Corrupt All Cops (Drama, Comedy)
With an all start cast, precise script and meticulous art direction this Wong Jing helmed drama set in colonial Hong Kong is a tale of greed, intimidation and violence.
1960’s – a dark age when corruption and bribery were order of the day. Head of this empire of graft is Lak (Tong Leung Ka Fai), Chief Constable of Police, Hong Kong Island.
Whenever felons failed to be apprehended, Lak orders subordinate Unicorn (Anthony Wong) to arrest an innocent man, charging him with the crime. As illegitimate arrests build, Lak becomes increasingly belligerent and corruption is soon out of control. To end the spiralling state of affairs, the government establishes an independent commission to investigate and Yim (Bowie Lam) must lead the team assigned to bring down the corrupt officers….
Cast: Tony Leung Ka Fai, Anthony Wong, Eason Chan, Alex Fong
Director: Wong Jing
Category: PG-13
Duration: 109min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English
Territory: Worldwide except China
All’s Well, End’s Well 2009 (Comedy)
Box Office:
Currently HK’s Top Grossing Movies of 2009
Sixteen years on from the original release, this Vincent Kok helmed comedy is the fourth instalment of an incredibly successful film series and features Louis Koo as a sleazy womaniser hired to woo a hot tempered young woman.
Poor Yu Bo (Ronald Cheng) has no choice but to refuse when his long-time girlfriend asks him to tie the knot. A rule in his traditional-thinking family stipulates that the eldest daughter must first find a husband before a younger sibling can marry. Unfortunately for Bo, elder sister Yu Chu (Sandra Ng) is a neurotic, ill tempered magazine publisher unable to lure anyone into marriage. With Bo’s chances of getting hitched looking desperately bleak, he hatches a devious plan and hires notorious ladies man Dick Cho (Louis Koo) to seduce his little sister ….
Cast: Sandra Ng, Louis Koo, Ronald Cheng
Director: Vincent Kok
Category: PG-13
Duration: 100min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English/English
Territory: Worldwide except China
Killing Me Tenderly ( Romantic Comedy)
Helmed by Lee Lik-chee, this fresh, charming and humorous production is a remake of Hollywood’s The Bodyguard, and delicately blends first rate performances and passionate on screen chemistry between two of Hong Kong’s leading stars.
Up-and-coming Cantopop sensation Cindy (Sammi Cheng) starts receiving threatening messages. In order to protect her, manager “Foster Mother” (Wyman Wong) hires cop George (Leon Lai) to act as bodyguard. The entertainment business is an alien world for this former rural policeman and in order to hide his true identity, he must blend in as yet another assistant in the singer’s all-gay entourage.
As he is quickly immersed in the world of show business, George and Cindy fall for each other, however just as their romance seems to be hotting up, Cindy’s crazed fan steps up the threatening behaviour…
Cast: Sammi Cheng, Leon Lai, Sandra Ng, Wyman Wong
Director: Lee Lik-chee
Category: PG-13
Duration:102 min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
God of Gamblers (Drama)
This ultra-classic flick of the late eighties centres on a gambling maestro and launched Chow Yun Fat into the limelight, kick starting a genre of highly successful Hong Kong produced gambling movies…
Due to his innate ability to beat all odds, legendary gambler Ko Chun (Chow Yun Fat) is known as the God of Gamblers. Ko accepts a challenge from Singapore’s ace gamester, however before the big match he’s involved in a suspicious accident.
Suffering from amnesia after his fall, Ko is taken in by Knife (Andy Lau) and his girlfriend. Whilst recovering in the couple’s home, Ko’s woes are exacerbated by the accidental death of his girlfriend. Things could not be looking worse, however with care and attention from Knife and his girlfriend, Ko slowly regains his memory - just in time for the dramatic showdown with his Singaporean opponent.
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau, Charles Heung
Director: Wong Jing
Duration: 125min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Asia except Japan
Leave Me Alone (Action Comedy)
Festivals:
Official Screening at Tokyo International Film Market 2004
In the second hit movie from the Pang brothers, Ekin Cheng tackles the challenges of playing two roles: a gay fashion designer with a flourishing career and his tough-talking straight brother with a trail of bad debt.
Man and Kit (Ekin Cheng) are identical twins who as children used to pass themselves off as each other for fun. On their parents divorce, Man remained in Hong Kong with his mother whilst Kit moved to Thailand to live with his father.
Now adults, Man gets an unexpected visit from his wayward brother. After borrowing Man’s car without permission, Kit is involved in a serious road accident, ending up in a coma. Whilst he lies in a hospital bed, loan sharks turn up the heat on his outstanding debts and Man has no choice but to once again assume his brother’s identity to fend off the henchmen…
Cast: Ekin Cheng, Charlene Choi
Director: Danny Pang
Category: PG-13
Duration: 98min, Theatrical
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
A Better Tomorrow (Action)
1986 Box office: US4,500,000 (HK's top grossing movie of 1986)
Awards:
1986 Golden Horse Award- Best Actor & Best Director
1987 HK Film Award- Best Actor & Best Picture
Nominations:
1986 Golden Horse Award- Best Actor, Best Film & best Supporting Actor
1987 HK Film Award - Best Actor, Best Director & Best Screenplay
If any film can claim to have had a profound influence on the Hong Kong movie industry, then A Better Tomorrow certainly can. This multi-award winning tour-de-force from John Woo became nothing less than a phenomenon – single handedly changing Hong Kong cinema forever and propelling Chow Yun Fat from dramatic actor to certifiable icon.
Ho (Ti Lung) works for a triad organisation whose principle operation is the printing and distribution of counterfeit bank notes. A highly respected member of the gang, he handles the most important transactions. Close friend Mark (Chow Yun- Fat) is his partner in crime and he too lives the highlife off illegal earnings.
Ho’s younger sibling Kit (Leslie Cheung) adores his elder brother, however the two have become separated by their choice of profession. Whilst Ho’s a slick crook, Kit’s the opposite, a police academy hopeful with something to prove.
Despite his criminal ties, Ho decides to walk the straight and narrow, but after being double crossed on his last job is sent to prison. After serving time, he’s determined to turn over a new leaf for the sake of his brother, however it appears his arch enemy and triad boss Shing (Waise Lee) is equally determined to take him out of the picture…
Cast: Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Ti Lung
Director: John Woo
Duration: 95min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
The Way of the Dragon ( Action )
1972 HK Box Office: US700,000 (Hong Kong’s top grossing movie of 1972)
Award: 1973 Golden Horse Award- Best Editing
The top grossing movie of 1972, The Way of the Dragon is considered Bruce Lee’s finest. Writing, directing and starring in this stylish, award-winning pic, Lee’s balletic and meticulously choreographed fight scenes are shown to spectacular effect and in thirty years of cinema, remain unrivalled.
Tang Lung (Bruce Lee) arrives in Rome to assist family friend Chen Ching Hua (Nora Miao) who is being targeted by local triads. Wishing to take over her business, the mob tries to force her to sign over restaurant deeds. As intimidation turns to violence the pleasantly mannered Tang steps in, fending off the gangsters with his martial arts prowess.
Embarrassed by defeat, the mafia boss orders Tang’s assassination. When this fails, champion fighter Colt (Chuck Norris) is brought in to kill the young man - and the battle of all battles begins….
Cast: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao
Director: Bruce Lee
Duration: 100min, Edited
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Ip Man (Kung Fu Drama)
Total Box office: Over US18,000,000
In the most anticipated release of 2008, the explosive, all-action Ip Man is the long-awaited biopic of famed kung fu Grandmaster Ip Man, and brings together Hong Kong’s dynamic duo of Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen.
It’s 1930’s Foshan. Ip Man (Donnie Yen) is a Grandmaster of the Wing Chun style of kung fu. He soon shoots to fame when he defeats the country’s kung fu masters, resulting in hundreds of students eager to learn from the champion si fu.
But Ip’s prosperity does not last long - the Sino Japanese war breaks out and within a year, Foshan has fallen. The once adulated Ip is forced to work as a factory labourer. His martial arts skills are not totally abandoned, as he’s invited to participate in sparring matches to entertain the occupying forces. During one such match he’s seriously outnumbered, but on defeating his opponents, he wins the admiration of Japanese General, Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi).
The General requests Ip to instruct his soldiers in the skills of Wing Chun, however the humble si fu refuses. Enraged by his rejection, Miura challenges Ip to a match against his karate trained soldiers, where the event quickly turns into a fight for his life….
Cast: Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Simon Yam, Fan Sui-Wong
Director: Wilson Yip
Category: PG-13
Duration: 106min, Edited
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China & N. America
Heat Team (Action Comedy)
Personalities clash when pop singers turned actors Aaron Kwok and Eason Chan team up for an intense and hilarious bout of professional and romantic rivalry in the all-action comedy, Heat Team.
Y T Lee (Aaron Kwok) and K C Chan (Eason Chan) are the coolest cops on the police force. Each are considered heroes, with reputations that precede them, and are not too happy when forced to work together in tracking down master jewel thief Wang (Huang Bin-Yuan).
Tensions soon build between the romantically clueless Lee and the hard-living, womanising Wong and the situation is further aggravated by female supervisor To (Yumiko Cheng). But as the force’s most experienced agents, they must put their differences aside - which is easier said than done!
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Eason Chan, Yumiko Cheng
Director: Dante Lam
Duration: 95min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except China
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The Private Eyes (Comedy)
Featuring the inimitable Michael Hui, this hilarious 1970’s produced film proved to be a massive box office hit with its creative and talented star going on to become the industry’s top comic actor.
Joseph Wong (Michael Hui), head of Manix Private Detective Agency, is a firm believer in tact and thrift. By tact, he means you can cheat all the people all the time and corners are there to be cut. By thrift, he means an underpaid staff is happy and grateful staff. Employing Lee Kwok Kit (Samuel Hui) as assistant, the two set out to investigate a blackmail case. Staking out the local cinema, it’s just another day on the job… that’s until scores of gun toting hoods hold the audience hostage and all eyes turn to the hapless detectives…
Cast: Michael Hui, Samuel Hui
Director: Michael Hui
Duration: 94min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
An Autumn’s Tale (Romance)
Awards:
1987 Golden Horse Award- Best Actor (Chow Yun Fat)
1988 Hong Kong Film Award- Best Picture / Best Cinematography / Best Screenplay
Nominations:
1988 Hong Kong Film Award- Best Actor/ Best Actress / Best Director/ Best Original Score
Winning Best Screenplay and Best Picture categories at the 1988 Hong Kong Film Awards, Mabel Cheung’s charming romantic drama is considered one of the finest small budget films ever produced.
Beautiful but naive Jennifer (Cherie Chung) moves to New York to study acting. In the US, she is to live with distant cousin Figgy (Chow Yun Fat) and be reunited with boyfriend Vincent (Danny Chan).
Upon arrival however, things turn out not quite as planned. Vincent has found a new girlfriend and the apartment where she must live is in a state of utter chaos. With her dreams of a new life shattered, Jennifer slides into depression and despair. But with devoted cousin Figgy by her side, her future is about to take a dramatic new turn…..
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Cherie Chung, Danny Chan
Director: Mabel Cheung
Duration: 98min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: Chinese and English
Territory: Worldwide except Japan
Everlasting Regret (Drama)
Film Festivals:
2005 Tokyo Int’l Film Festival
*New Panorama, Winds of Asia
2005 Pusan Int’l Film Festival
*A Window On Asian Cinema
2005 Venice Int’l Film Festival
* In Competition
2005 Toronto Int’l Film Festival
*Special Presentation
Awards:
2006 Hong Kong Film Awards
*Nominations: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Art Direction
The story begins in 1940’s Shanghai when Qiyao was as beautiful and seductive as the city itself. Coming from a simple family, Qiyao gets a taste of the good life when she enters the Miss Shanghai beauty pageant. There, she meets photographer Mr Cheng who is immediately drawn to her unique beauty and innocence. As the political turmoil of the period plays out, her friends and lovers leave, but Qiyao is determined to stay loyal to her beloved city.
Cast: Sammi Cheng, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Daniel Wu, Hu Jun
Director: Stanley Kwan
Duration: 109 mins, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except US
Wait 'Til You're Older (Fantasy Drama)
After only its fifth week of local release, Wait ‘Til You’re Older was the second highest grossing film at the Hong Kong box office. And since then, this record-breaking fantasy has gone on to earn over twenty million Hong Kong dollars!
Twelve year old Kong is an unhappy child. He’s not been happy since his mother’s suicide three years ago, which he blames on his father (Felix Wong) and his new stepmother (Karen Mok). Having to live under the same roof as them, he finds that not only are his emotions becoming increasingly stunted, but so is his height!
One evening he decides to run away from home after yet another tiff with his stepmother. By chance, he meets a strange old man (Feng Xiaogang) who claims he has a magic potion. Will this mysterious tonic be the answer to his dreams?
Cast: Andy Lau, Karen Mok, Felix Wong
Director: Teddy Chen
Duration: 87 min, Theatrical
Category: PG-13
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin
Subtitles: English
Territory: Worldwide except China
