Movielogr
Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu (2003)
Directed by Ian Taylor
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Overview
Filmmaker Ian Taylor examines the impressive legacy of Hong Kong cinema—specifically, how martial arts crossed borders and become an international phenomenon—with the help of footage and interviews with the stars who made the genre what it is today. Director Lau Ka Leung (who helmed The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) joins in, sharing his thoughts on how certain cinematic technologies have improved martial arts films and expanded their appeal, on the set of Drunken Monkey (2003).
Length 47 minutes
Actors
Jackie Chan | Jet Li | John Woo | Sammo Hung Kam-Bo | Sek Kin | Liu Chia-Liang | Shannon Yao | Run Run Shaw | Terry Tong | Chor Yuen | Gordon Liu Chia-Hui | Ting Leung | Bruce Lee | Kara Hui | Dr. Ng Ho | Jim Nicholson | Chui Chung-Hok
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/07/2017 | TV | DVD | Library | 6.5 stars |
| (Average) 6.5 stars |
Viewing Notes
Prep for HK Cinema class. This is fine albeit brief and cursory. Spends most of the duration on Shaw Brothers (not a bad thing) but skips around in the order of events rather than working chronologically. This would be okay if the narrative did not make casual assumptions as to what was causing the change in cinema between these periods. It makes this statement how kung fu action was waining in the late 70s (not true) then jumps back in time to Bruce Lee identifying him as the savior of kung fu action cinema.
Despite that it has several nice interviews with many of the principal actors and directors. Love seeing Cheng Pei Pei and Kara Hui but needed more of them and women in general. Donnie Yen seems to be the big name missing but really they could’ve included others esp. any of the surviving Venoms. At least Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung are here along with Lau Kar-Leung.
Wish this was longer and featured more interviews. Still wish there was a true Shaw Documentary.
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