The trailer for the upcoming film Gallants is yet more proof in our theory that Hong Kong films are making a comeback. A nod to times when the city’s movies kicked both figuratively and literally, it reminds you of the original recipe that lead to H.K. cinema’s international success.

The Gallants trailer is a masterpiece itself, deftly balancing a retro feel and stylized editing, with intense action and a sense of humor.

Direct lineage to an earlier era
Produced by Andy Lau’s Focus Films, the movie features veteran actors Chen Kuan-Tai, Leung Siu-Lung, and Teddy Robin.

Chen Kuan-Tai often played a hero in Shaw Brothers films of the 1970′s (alongside notable names such as Ti Lung, David Chiang and Fu Sheng.) This makes him a member of the first wave of Hong Kong cinema’s popularity, part of the same group of actors who were venerated by a generation of movie fans.

The trailer for Gallants even includes a throwback 70′s-inspired title sequence.

On the younger side of the cast, there’s Wong You Nam, J.J. Jia, and M.C. Jin sporting a neck brace! Gallants looks exhilarating, hilarious and fun! Check out the trailer below:

It’s been a long time since I’ve been impressed with a Hong Kong movie poster. In fact, most of the recent local films have had shamefully bad posters.

Can you judge a film by its poster?

Absolutely! A bad poster often indicates that the director and film company care little about the quality of their work.

If this theory is correct, then Dream Home, the new film by director Pang Ho Cheung, should be a clear standout.

The advertisement for the slasher film features an expressive painting-style with a large close-up of lead actress Josie Ho’s face, and a hand clutching a knife. There’s also blood splattered strategically!

The poster is a real attention getter, especially when it’s prominently displayed in sterile environments such as the Causeway Bay MTR station.

The film itself deals with an issue that most people in Hong Kong can relate to – the quest for real estate (in a market notorious for exorbitant property prices.)

Initially titled, ‘Victoria Bay,’ the first trailer for the film was shot in the style of a luxury development commercial – something that we in Hong Kong are barraged with every day!

Though not in the film, actor Edison Chen appears in the trailer, which I’ve read was shot by Conroy Chan.

It’s cool to see so many Alive Not Dead artists involved in the production including Andrew Lin and Phat Chan, among others.

Dream Home opens around town on May 13th!

Every decade seems to bring new challenges to the Hong Kong film industry. Over the years there’s been lots of talk of the industry dying out completely. In the most recent threat, local film companies have turned their backs on the comparatively tiny Hong Kong market and have instead set their sights on the blossoming Mainland box office.

By focusing on making films for outside audiences, recent movies have lacked the local feel of previous generations of H.K. productions.

But just over a week into the 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival, I’ve caught four movies that point in quite the opposite direction. Could it be that Hong Kong cinema is making a come back?

During the Hong Kong International Film Festival and Filmart last week, I was able to preview a diverse group of Hong Kong movies that will soon be opening in theaters. The films span multiple genres including action, comedy, and romance.

Here’s a quick rundown of what I caught and why they are notable. No spoilers!

Fire Of Conscience

I wasn’t expecting much walking into this one. It appeared to be just another police story. In fact, I even contemplated watching a different film that was showing at the same time.

I’m extremely happy I decided to stay. The opening sequence alone totally knocked me out! I haven’t had a cinematic experience like that in ages. For me, the first few minutes of this film were more innovative than any of the 3-D chicanery in movies like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.

What followed was a fast-paced action film starring Leon Lai and Richie Ren. The movie features Leon’s best acting in years, along with some mind-blowing action sequences. I recommend Fire of Conscience for long-time fans of Hong Kong cinema that have abandoned the films in recent years. Be sure to watch this one on the big screen!

Crossing Hennessy

In the quest for making universal films, one thing that’s been lacking in Hong Kong cinema lately are movies are about average Hong Kong people. (One could argue that the city itself seems increasingly out of touch with the lives of normal people…)

As theatergoers we’ve had to be satisfied with stories about warriors from ancient China or famous kung fu masters. In contrast, Crossing Hennessy is a love story about normal, working class people, which makes it exceptional. The movie exhibits archetypal Hong Kong personalities and an excellent performance by lead actress Tang Wei.

Break Up Club
Although I’m not much of a fan of movie-within-a-movie plots, Break Up Club handles the jumble elegantly, and coaxes solid performances out of leads Jaycee Chan and Fiona Sit.

Here you’ll find a host of Hong Kong relationship dilemmas and several genuinely touching moments. Strong direction by Barbara Wong and good editing keeps this from slipping into gimmick territory.

Love In A Puff
Director Pang Ho Cheung’s latest film uses pick-up sidewalk smoking sessions as a springboard for different kinds of storytelling. The film has some great gags and is laced with Hong Kong-style humor. Starring Shawn Yue and Miriam Yeung, Love In A Puff features carefully crafted jokes and a few interesting twists.

Film fans have a new reason to cross the harbor. Less than two weeks ago, the UA cinema chain opened an IMAX theater in the brand new iSquare shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Previously, those seeking the thrills of the massive IMAX screen had to trek all the way out to Megabox in Kowloon Bay. The new cinema is far more conveniently located, with two exits that spill directly into iSquare from the main Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station.

What else does iSquare offer?

Aside from the UA cinema, there’s not much yet to browse because so few shops are open.

The current occupancy seems only around twenty-five percent. They have a few new restaurants and shops, but most of the tenants are simply new branches of familiar chains.

Roaming the mall I spotted yet another new burger joint (enough already!) – Kraze Burger, in addition to a new frozen yogurt shop, Best Berry.

The mall has a peculiar layout, with a network of long-haul, multi-story escalators that run along the Nathan Road side of the building.

Since the glass is clear, the view is good, but perhaps it takes you away from the shops, and prevents you from browsing. This is in contrast to traditional shopping centers, where the escalators run along the central interior of the shopping mall, enabling you a view of shops on either side in-between floors.

One interesting technique is iSquare’s ample use of digital projectors. As you ride along the escalators, or pass through certain hallways, projectors beam designs and motion graphics against the wall.

Though this is currently used for beautification purposes, it wouldn’t take much to begin creating advertising opportunities and selling them to the mall’s tenants. Shoppers riding the long escalators are a captive audience after all.

iSquare – the new face of TST?

The iSquare shopping mall stands in contrast to most of the surrounding buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui. Rising up many stories above its neighbors, its mammoth size and modern design are perhaps a precursor to what may soon be commonplace in the neighborhood.

As the height limits of the area have expired with the closing of the old airport, a new vertical building boom has been slowly taking place. One only need to look further to West Kowloon to see what is possible. (Perhaps in a reversal, buildings in Central may be dwarfed by their Kowloon counterparts.)

UA iSquare IMAX movie theater

With its 3D special effects, Avatar is a great first film to christen the iSquare IMAX cinema. In addition to the IMAX, there are several other screens at the multiplex.

Tickets for the IMAX screening of Avatar aren’t cheap at a whopping $170 HKD per seat! The least expensive option is early morning on a Tuesday, which still goes for $120 HKD. Perhaps the reason for the extra high price is that filmgoers must wear 3D glasses for the Avatar screening (which you can keep after the movie.) Normal IMAX films are around $120 HKD. Despite the high price, the iSquare IMAX theater is nearly sold out (except early mornings) for over a week in advance!

Kowloon shopping options to overtake Hong Kong Island?

iSquare is just one of a group of new shopping malls in Tsim Sha Tsui. The neighborhood is experiencing a spurt of new shopping destinations including iSquare, 1881, K11, and a complex under construction at the intersection of Granville and Nathan Roads.

1881

K11

Hong Kong Island snobs will be surprised when they finally take a trip over. Canton Road alone is giving Central a run for the title of best luxury shopping in Hong Kong. More on this topic in an upcoming post!

Happy Holidays!

i Square shopping mall
63 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
(Exit H from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station)

UA i Square IMAX
7/F, 63 Nathan Road
i Square shopping mall
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

It’s difficult to overstate the importance of Tsui Hark’s Film Workshop to Hong Kong cinema in the mid 80′s thru 90′s. The company epitomized the magic and versatility of Hong Kong filmmaking. A list of their productions reads like a list of the best Hong Kong movies of all time.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Film Workshop, (a company formed by director Tsui Hark and his wife, the producer Nansun Shi,) the Hong Kong International Film Festival is curating a special exhibition at the Agnes B. gallery in Wanchai.

What’s inside?

Located up a set of stairs on Wing Fung Street, next to Pacific Place Three, the show consists of posters and props from Film Workshop’s movies. Glancing at the posters, you begin to understand just how many important works were born from the company.

Absolute classics including Shanghai Blues (a personal favorite!) Peking Opera Blues, A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Once Upon A Time in China, The Killer, Iron Monkey, Swordsman and Green Snake all bore the Film Workshop touch.

Poster for Shanghai Blues, 1984

Props, including specially hand-crafted weapons from the movie Seven Swords were also on display.

Interspersed are drawings, or studies of scenes that were to be shot for different films. A video containing interviews and clips from Tsui Hark’s movies is also on rotation. A bank of CD players allows visitors to hear film soundtracks, many of which contain hugely recognizable hits.

For a company as prolific as Film Workshop, the exhibition isn’t very in-depth. Compared to massive exhibitions staged in previous years, such as the collection of artifacts from the director King Hu, the Film Workshop exhibit is a little light, with an emphasis on his most recent work. Perhaps this is because it’s a struggle to locate and get the rights to artifacts.

Movie fans will still find the show a treat, especially the experience of standing in a room surrounded by posters from so many legendary films.

A Tribute to Romantic Visions
25th Anniversary of Film Workshop
agnes b. librairie galerie
1/F 18 Wing Fung Street
Wanchai, Hong Kong

Now until June 27th, 2009
Opening hours: 11:30am – 8pm (closed on Sundays)
Call 2869-5505 for more information

The past week has been a blur of films, receptions, after-parties and late night snacks. Hong Kong has been the epicenter of the Asian film industry, hosting four major movie events simultaneously.

In addition to the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and the Asian Film Awards (which was held on Monday night,) the four day Filmart and HAF film financing forum have just finished up.

During this period there have been several notable film launches. Wednesday night was the premiere of Hong Kong director Dante Lam’s new film, The Sniper. Starring Richie Jen, Huang Xiaoming and Edison Chen, the picture was originally scheduled to be released last year.

How did it turn out?

The additional post production time, and some extra editing, served the release well. The Sniper is an action movie involving a team of sharpshooters working for the Hong Kong police force. The plot centers around a former member of the team whose talent is only out matched by his apparent craziness.

The leading cast members, minus Edison Chen at the premiere.

The film features a lean plot that stays on track and remains sharp throughout. From what I’ve heard, a lengthy subplot involving Edison’s character ‘O.J.’ and his father was removed from the film. The result is a faster pace and arguably a stronger film.

The performances are executed well by Richie Jen, Huang Xiaoming and Edison Chen. Though there is a certain amount of bravado given the subject matter, there are also small, sophisticated touches involving the main character’s relationships. The film stays engaging throughout.

Coming soon to theaters in Hong Kong.

Sunday night the convention center was abuzz with two star-studded premieres marking the start of the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival. The cast of both opening films, Shinjuku Incident and Night and Fog were on hand to celebrate the occasion.

Movie stars and celebrities in attendance included Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Fan Bingbing, Takenaka Naoto, Simon Yam, Xu Jinglei, Zhang Jingchu, Derek Yee, Ann Hui, Karen Mok and many others. Check out the photos!

The thirty-third Hong Kong International Film Festival kicks off at the end of the month. It stretches from March 22nd until April 13th, with a huge variety of films. The festival broke a new record last week when it sold 19,559 tickets in a single day!

The HKIFF includes movies from every country imaginable, plus boasts important world premieres. One highly anticipated film, Shinjuku Incident, was chosen to open the festival. What makes Shinjuku Incident such a draw?

It features a big name cast headlined by Jackie Chan and Daniel Wu. I’m excited to see it for several reasons. First, I’m happy that it takes place in a contemporary setting and is not yet another period piece epic, which I’ve grown tired of (because most of them are mediocre). Second, I’ve heard that Jackie Chan plays a bad guy, which is a departure from the clownish character he’s often been trapped playing the past ten years.

The film’s other lead, Daniel Wu, has continued to grow as an actor in his last few films and I’m anxious to see where this movie takes him.

Daniel Wu at the recent Alive Not Dead skateboarding event

As far as the other Hong Kong offerings go, I’m interested in checking out Dante Lam’s Sniper starring Richie Jen and Edison Chen. I’m also planning on catching Ashes of Time Redux, the new cut of Wong Kar Wai’s martial arts film that I’ve previously only seen on VHS! It was shot in 1992 when Hong Kong actually had movie stars… and includes Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau, and Tony Leung Ka-fai!

In the Hong Kong Panorama section of the festival I’m going to watch a few local films I missed over the year. Sparrow, the recent film by Johnnie To’s Milkyway Film Group, and Herman Yau’s True Women For Sale are the titles I’m planning on seeing.

This year the festival is putting on a twelve-movie tribute to Film Workshop, the company founded by Tsui Hark and his wife Nansun Shi. Fans of Hong Kong cinema revere their films from the 80′s and 90′s which include legendary titles such as Shanghai Blues, A Better Tomorrow, A Chinese Ghost Story, Swordsman, Once Upon A Time In China, Green Snake and other classics. I’m psyched to be able to see them on the big screen!

Although some films sell out fast, there are hundreds of screenings to choose from. I’ve found that it’s often the movies that you take chances on, that turn out the best! (You can read previous coverage of the festival and see some major celebrities here, here and here.) Booking tickets for the film festival just started, and you should be able to find something to watch.

You need to begin by reading the synopsis of the films (usually only partially accurate!) and find out the details of the screenings. You can do this online at the HKIFF site, but I prefer to pick up a printed program guide so that I can work my way through the films slowly, circling potentially interesting movies. (I haven’t done this yet, so chances are I’ll discover even more promising films!)

You can find the free festival program guide at City Hall in Central (next to the old Star Ferry Pier,) the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Arts Center in Wanchai and many other government and arts-related buildings throughout the city. They are usually stacked up in some sort of bin.

All venues are not created equal!

One tip I have for you is that some cinemas are better than others. Better venues include the Cultural Center, City Hall, the Science Museum, the Convention Center and the Grand Cinema at Elements (though the wait in line is somewhat annoying.)

Bad venues are o.k. if you must see a particular film, but things like picture / sound quality are not ideal. Unless they’ve had overhauls recently, the Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Arts Centre in Wanchai, and Times Square are not great venues.

Take a quick look at the website. The festival is divided into over 25(!) different programs. If you don’t want to buy online, you can also purchase tickets at URBTIX outlets which are usually located in government buildings and government-backed arts venues.

The URBTIX box office in City Hall, Central

I strongly recommend that you pick up a printed program guide – it’s packed with additional information and is fun to browse!

How many kicks and punches did I witness in the last week? Probably more than most people see in a lifetime! Donnie Yen’s Ip Man, and Tony Jaa’s Ong Bak 2 share certain qualities, but weak action isn’t one of them!

O.K., I’m not going to really have the two films battle each other because it would be like comparing apples to oranges. (Ip Man is a Hong Kong film, and Ong Bak 2 is from Thailand.) Here are a few quick similarities: the movies are built around martial arts action; the films star actors with real-life martial arts skills; both are looking beyond their home turf for box office success; and the two are interested in hatching sequels.

Ip Man

Ip Man is about a real-life martial arts master born into a wealthy family. As he spends his time practicing Wing Chun kung fu and lounging with his wife and son, the martial arts schools of Foshan compete with one another for students. When their routine is shattered, Ip Man is called upon to act. Later, during Japanese occupation, Ip Man must weigh the safety of his family over self-preservation, honor, vengeance and national pride.

Though based on a real person, the film fictionalizes most of Ip Man’s life, which makes for an exciting movie, but not something close to the truth. In this sense, Ip Man is becoming a hero-protagonist, similar to how the real-life martial artist, Wong Fei Hung was also added as a film staple. (There are over 100 Hong Kong films that were created using Wong Fei Hung as a central character.)

Though the marketing of the film never says “based on a true story,” it does show actual photos of the real Ip Man, and creates a bridge to modern times by talking about the kung fu master as a mentor to Bruce Lee.

Something about this format didn’t feel quite right with me. Because it takes place so close to modern times, and deals with historical and nationalistic issues, it came across as revisionist to an extent.

In order to guarantee the film a wide release, certain elements may have been added to placate different markets. If possible, they should have created different versions for territories beyond Hong Kong, which would have made the film potentially less melodramatic.

Though I enjoyed Ip Man and found it entertaining throughout, the final scene bothered me. As usual, it was just the last few minutes that I found myself thinking “that wouldn’t happen!” The movie’s acting, storytelling and plot give the film merits well beyond action. With a broad appeal, the box office has been strong, and a sequel is now in the works.

Tony Jaa’s Ong Bak 2

One of the treats of living in Hong Kong is the greater access to films from other Asian countries. Hong Kong is a secondary market for Japanese, Korean, Thai, Taiwanese and Mainland films.

The types of movies that can make the jump successfully are often genres that have cross-cultural appeal, such as action, horror, and slapstick comedies. These make use of non-lingual, visual imagery to reach audiences.

The original Ong Bak was a Thai film released in 2003. Through creative fight choreography, the first Ong Bak did especially well overseas, and catapulted front man Tony Jaa to international stardom.

Ong Bak 2 takes place during a time of treachery among Thailand’s top generals. A young boy escaping from a would-be assassin lands in the lap of a gang of notorious robbers. The bandits take him in and train him to be a ferocious fighter.

In Ong Bak 2, the modern popularity of mixed martial arts is nothing new. Growing up in a bandit lair a few hundred years ago, the main character gets his own schooling in kung fu, samurai swordplay, wrestling and boxing from different experts. The rest of the story line deals with Tony Jaa’s vengeance against his parent’s killers.

The way the action is filmed in Ong Bak 2 is very different from Ip Man. Tony Jaa’s fight scenes are fast-paced runaway trains of action. The fights go on for much longer and encompass a whole legion of props and weapons.

Whereas Ip Man is a graceful martial artist, Tony Jaa’s character is involved in such ferocious fast-paced fight scenes, that there’s not much time to digest in between attacks. The plot of Ong Bak 2 is simplistic and the action so overwhelming that there’s no chance to question any of the scenarios.

The action choreography and fight scenes between the two films are very different. Ip Man’s shots are more cinematic and sophisticated in conveying power and agility. (The scenes involving a group of interlopers from the North are handled particularly well.) While Ong Bak 2 has similar scenes establishing prowess, the majority are filled with rapid shots of people getting seriously hurt!

Tony Jaa is a smart fight choreographer and he has mined decades worth of films for fight ideas. In Ong Bak 2 he even uses a drunken master routine that originated in Hong Kong movies.

The thing about watching a Tony Jaa movie is, when you see someone getting hit, you know they were actually getting smacked! There is no Hollywood chicanery, it’s the real deal. At the very least, during filming I’m sure a few people broke ribs and lost teeth. (And people wonder why Tony Jaa disappeared from the set!)

If you’re bloodthirsty, and the sound of breaking limbs is music to your ears, check out Ong Bak 2!

I have a theory that any Hong Kong movie with the word “Beast” in the title can’t be half bad.* With that in mind, I headed over to the Grand Cinema in Elements mall last Tuesday. Though I didn’t know anything about Beast Stalker besides two of the cast members, I picked up a ticket.

The Grand Cinema in Elements is a great place to catch a film. It has several theaters, a few of which are huge, and the sound systems are great. With seats that vibrate, for an action flick or horror film you can’t do much better. On Tuesdays tickets are just $40 HKD, a steal compared to cinemas in Hong Kong side, plus you get a better film-going experience.

Before the movie even started I was nearly jumping out of my seat from watching the previews!

The first was for the new Tsui Hark film, All About Women. It was weirdly contemporary and it looked great on the screen. The trailer (a brand new one,) had a bizarre story-telling element to it that made me want to check it out. I didn’t fully understand it, but it left me wanting to know more.

The second preview was hardcore! It was for the new Donnie Yen film about true-life martial arts legend and Bruce Lee mentor Ip Man. Holy cow, just thinking about it now makes me want to beat someone up! (or at least practice a few moves on the wooden dummy!)

The film seems to be along the same lines as Jet Li’s Fist of Legend. Don’t watch the trailer online, just wait and buy your ticket next week. It opens on December 19th!

It’s interesting to note that talents such as Dante Lam (Beast Stalker’s director,) Tsui Hark and Donnie Yen have all been figures in the Hong Kong film industry for two decades apiece!

Anyway, previews can sometimes be better than the movie itself, but my money is on Ip Man to totally rock. Can’t wait to see it!

Beast Stalker (no spoilers)
Getting back to Beast Stalker, it’s far grittier than I expected it to be. Nicholas Tse, who’s never been in any of my favorite films, puts in a solid lead performance. His acting is mature and he handled the role flawlessly.

Nick Cheung, who I have found sort of hollow previously, had a strong showing as well. Together the two steer the audience along a sometimes hanging-on-the-edge-of-your-seat ride.

As much as the acting and pacing were strong, it suffers from Hong Kong film’s Achilles’ heel, what I term the suspension of disbelief. Though I enjoyed the movie overall, and was entertained the whole time, there were a few unnecessary twists in the plot that made me think – “that would never happen.” It’s like building something tall, but having a shaky foundation. What comes after it can be compromised by a block that isn’t stable. Once I get that disbelief in my mind, it pulls me out of the film and I can’t enjoy the movie on the same level. That said, there were only two points that bothered me, and the second came at the very end, so for the majority of the film I was wrapped up in the story.

* The other Hong Kong movie with the word ‘beast’ in the title was the award winning Beast Cops also co-directed by Dante Lam!