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Film Archive to present another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Five action-packed and uniquely styled works from different eras, which have undergone digitalisation, will be screened to represent and celebrate the evolving tradition of Hong Kong's action cinema, from martial arts and staggering kung fu feats to unforgettable gangster bromance.

     Details of the screenings are as follows:
 
"The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part One: Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle" (1949) November 3
"The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part Two: Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair" (1949) December 15
"The Way of the Dragon" (1972) January 26, 2018
"The Prodigal Son" (1981) February 2, 2018
"A Better Tomorrow" (1986) March 7, 2018

     As the inaugural chapter of the Wong Fei-hung saga, "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part One: Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle" features an impetuous Master Wong (Kwan Tak-hing) that differs from the character's humble heroic image in later sequels. The action choreography showcases the authentic Hung Fist, and a Lingnan folk song excerpt is a precious historic relic.

     "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part Two: Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair" tells of Wong's showdown with Grey Hair Fu after solving the cliffhanger in Part One. While his hot-headed student Leung Foon keeps making trouble, Wong expels any challengers who come to his martial arts hall.

     "The Way of the Dragon" is the only film that Bruce Lee completed as writer, director and star, expanding on the themes and concerns of his earlier kung fu flicks, such as the codes of martial arts. The film features Lee going to Italy to help restaurant owner Nora Miao fight against local gangs. The story culminates in a showdown staged at the Coliseum - its iconic, symbolic appearance adds a mythic dimension that has only grown more pronounced over the years.

     "The Prodigal Son" is a masterpiece of Sammo Hung's early career and is also the last kung fu film he directed at the Golden Harvest studio. Through two young martial arts fanatics, one good and one bad, Hung reflects his own growing pains. The film demonstrates Hung's mature skill as a director, while the plot is well structured with a combination of Chinese opera and martial arts. In the movie, two masters teach Leung Jan the movements of wing chun, alternating between strength and grace, solemnity and comedy.

     John Woo's masterpiece "A Better Tomorrow" is widely recognised as a pioneer in the heroic bloodshed genre and a true essential in Hong Kong cinema. The script defies the cliché of the fallen hero rising up once more by telling the tragic story of Mark Lee (Chow Yun-fat) and Sung Tse-ho (Ti Lung), two gangsters who are beaten down by their own people and live the rest of their lives merely trying to survive another day.

     "The Way of the Dragon" is in Mandarin and English and the others are in Cantonese. All have Chinese and English subtitles.

     Tickets priced at $45 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2739 2139 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/HKFA/en_US/web/hkfa/programmesandexhibitions/100msb/index.html.
 
Ends/Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00
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The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Picture shows a film still of "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part One: Wong Fei-hung's Whip that Smacks the Candle" (1949).
The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Picture shows a film still of "The Story of Wong Fei-hung, Part Two: Wong Fei-hung Burns the Tyrant's Lair" (1949).
The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Picture shows a film still of "The Way of the Dragon" (1972).
The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Picture shows a film still of "The Prodigal Son" (1981).
The Hong Kong Film Archive of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will commence another mini-showcase of "100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies" at North District Town Hall in November. Picture shows a film still of "A Better Tomorrow" (1986).