Cinema of Hong Kong
In this week’s Spotlight we feature films from and about Hong Kong, a major hub for Chinese-language filmmaking. Spanning the past five decades, they include work from renowned directors such as Wong Kar-wai, John Woo, Johnnie To, and Ann Lui.
Ten Years
(十年)
Five Hong Kong stories, one uncertain future.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 2015
- Director Ng Ka-Leung
- Cast Leung Kin-Ping, Catherine Chau, Ng Siu-Hin, Yau Hok-Sau, Liu Kai-Chi
- Genre Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
The Grandmaster
(一代宗師)
Once upon a time in kung fu...
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China • 2013
- Director Wong Kar-wai
- Cast Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Song Hye-kyo, Zhao Benshan, Xiao Shenyang
- Genre Action, Drama, History
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, Plex, Plex Channel
A Simple Life
(桃姐)
Companionship is imperishable.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 2011
- Director Ann Hui
- Cast Andy Lau, Deannie Yip, Fuli Wang, Paul Chun Pui, Leung Tin, Hui Siu-ying
- Genre Drama
- Available on No streaming locations found.
The Warlords
(投名狀)
In 19th century China, an injured general must amass a new army from peasants and bandits to defend the Qing dynasty.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China • 2007
- Director Raymond Yip Wai-Man
- Cast Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Xu Jinglei, Wei Zongwan, Gu Bao-Ming
- Genre Action, Drama, History
- Available on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Channel
Election
(黑社會)
Rival gang leaders come to a head during the election for a new chairman of Hong Kong’s triad society.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 2005
- Director Johnnie To
- Cast Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Louis Koo, Nick Cheung, Eddie Cheung, Lam Suet
- Genre Crime, Drama
- Available on Tubi TV, Kanopy
Kung Fu Hustle
(功夫)
Sing and his friend Bone pretend to be members of the Axe Gang in order to gain respect.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China • 2004
- Director Stephen Chow
- Cast Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Lam Tze-chung, Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, Eva Huang
- Genre Action, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube
Infernal Affairs
(無間道)
Two moles tasked with infiltration struggle to expose one another.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 2002
- Director Alan Mak, Andrew Lau
- Cast Andy Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Kelly Chen, Sammi Cheng
- Genre Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
In the Mood for Love
(花樣年華)
Longing and loneliness collide in this understated romance.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, China • 2000
- Director Wong Kar-wai
- Cast Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung, Rebecca Pan, Kelly Lai Chen, Siu Ping-Lam, Mama Hung
- Genre Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Chungking Express
(重慶森林)
Two tales of love and loss told in sequence.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1994
- Director Wong Kar-wai
- Cast Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Faye Wong, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Valerie Chow, Piggy Chan
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
From Beijing with Love
(國產凌凌漆)
A James Bond spoof featuring a bumbling spy on the hunt for a stolen dinosaur skull.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1994
- Director Stephen Chow, Lee Lik-Chi
- Cast Stephen Chow, Anita Yuen, Law Kar-Ying, Pauline Chan Bo-Lin, Joe Cheng Cho, Wong Kam-Kong
- Genre Action, Comedy
- Available on Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store
Iron Monkey
(少年黃飛鴻之鐵馬騮)
Unmask the legend.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1993
- Director Yuen Woo-ping
- Cast Yu Rongguang, Donnie Yen, Jean Wang, Angie Tsang Sze-Man, Yen Shi-Kwan, James Wong Jim
- Genre Action, Crime, Drama
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Pluto TV
The Killer
(喋血雙雄)
After accidentally blinding a woman, a Hong Kong hitman must complete one last hit to pay for her surgery.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1989
- Director John Woo
- Cast Chow Yun-Fat, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Sally Yeh, Paul Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang, Shing Fui-On
- Genre Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Available on No streaming locations found.
Enter the Dragon
A skilled martial artist is recruited to go undercover in a crime lord's tournament.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong, United States • 1973
- Director Robert Clouse
- Cast Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Sek Kin, Ahna Capri, Robert Wall
- Genre Action
- Available on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, YouTube, Spectrum On Demand
Dragon Inn
(龍門客棧)
A eunuch's murderous plans are confounded by rebels who are intent on protecting the innocent.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Taiwan, Hong Kong • 1967
- Director King Hu
- Cast Shih Chun, Pai Ying, Polly Shang-Kuan Ling-Feng, Miao Tien, Cho Kin, Hsieh Han
- Genre Action, Adventure
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube
The Kid
(細路祥)
A kid orphan strays from the values taught to him by his righteous uncle and joins a local gang.
- ✭ ✭ ✭
- Hong Kong • 1950
- Director Fung Fung
- Cast Bruce Lee, Chau-shui Yee, Lee Hoi-Chuen, Chan Lap-Ban
- Genre Drama
- Available on Fandango At Home