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Richard James Havis
Exiled, Mad Detective and Sparrow show the director at his eclectic best, mixing violence, humour and chaos.
Amid Bruce Lee’s rise to stardom, we look at what else made Hong Kong film headlines in 1972, from a Lee challenger to a local ‘Bond Girl’.
Sci-fi story Saviour of the Soul, fantasy tale Anna Magdalena and the provocative Isabella went outside the norm for Hong Kong romances.
This brutal horror story about a field trip to a remote island inhabited by three crazed brothers was a rare outlier for Hong Kong cinema.
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Hong Kong’s Shaw Brothers Studio made Chan their answer to Lee in the 1970s. Here are 2 films that put his martial arts prowess to good use.
Hung’s first film as director, The Iron-Fisted Monk, led to the daunting task of wrapping up the film Lee had left unfinished when he died.
A longevity expert describes how new GLP-1 drugs, ‘multi-modal’ AI and additional lifestyle habits can add years to our lives.
Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has made a number of films either filmed in or linked closely to Hong Kong. Here are four.
At a time when Stephen Chow was best known for his nonsensical comedies, The God of Cookery saw him transform as a filmmaker.
The Hong Kong director’s story of three Chinese sisters who all married influential figures covered various politically sensitive subjects.
Hui’s 1995 film Summer Snow presented a warm and gentle picture of Alzheimer’s disease, a stigmatised subject in Hong Kong at the time.
Lam’s Prison on Fire (1987) focuses on the harshness of prison life, while Prison on Fire II (1991) goes all out on the violence.
Despite her many supporting parts, Lau’s ability to put her mark on her work means she’s always great to watch. We look back at her career.
Starring Sylvia Chang, Queen of Temple Street is a gritty drama about a brothel operator, her daughter and the prostitutes who work for her.
Despite not having a martial arts background, Louis Koo has shone in several action films. We look at Drug War, The White Storm and Paradox.
Want to feel happier? It is not about circumstances, but mindset, experts say – try practising gratitude, mindfulness, being kind and more.
The youngest but least famous of the ‘Three Dragons’, Hong Kong star Yuen Biao doubled for Bruce Lee and boasted his own martial arts style.
Better known for realistic films about social issues, Hong Kong director Ann Hui also dabbled in other genres. Here we look at two stand-outs.
Wheels on Meals, starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao and filmed in Spain, was a mix of incredible fight scenes and a great plot.
Josephine Cheung’s paintings vanished from view after her death at 35. A loyal friend worked tirelessly to restore her place in art history.
Tsui Hark’s popular martial arts fantasy A Chinese Ghost Story spawned a number of sequels. We look at two of Hark’s follow-ups.
Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh charmed in Yu’s 1984 horror The Occupant, while Tsui joined Joey Wong and Sam Hui in 1985 comedy Working Class.
Lee Rock, Lawrence Lau’s two-part Hollywood-style biopic of infamous policeman Lui Lok, painted a vivid picture of 1960s Hong Kong.
We revisit three of Michael Hui’s best films as a comedy actor and co-screenwriter, aided by brothers Ricky and Sam, from the 1980s onwards.
![Black and white file photo of Nora Miao Ker-hsiu (left), film director Lo Wei (2nd left), and actor Bruce Lee Siu-lung [Bruce Li]. 3 Sep 71.](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/540x360/public/d8/images/canvas/2025/07/04/5c1f3dc7-65f6-490f-98e7-dcbae1c99d63_eed4a7eb.jpg?itok=gyUP5MF2&v=1751608486)
Lo Wei, Hong Kong’s first ‘million-dollar director’, made hits including The Big Boss and Fist of Fury but had a big ego that caused issues.
We take a look at three of John Woo’s Hollywood movies from the late 1990s and early 2000s and what they meant for the Hong Kong director.
Wai Ka-fai’s Peace Hotel, Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, and Needing You featured stars including Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat and Cecilia Yip.
Ringo Lam infused 1999’s Victim with notes of The Exorcist, and teamed up with Tsui Hark and Johnnie To for 2007’s ‘chaotic mess’ Triangle.
A happy-go-lucky hero was deemed the missing ingredient for an action comedy hit. Sam Hui was hired for Aces Go Places. 4 sequels followed.
