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Hong Kong cinema

Hong Kong cinema
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hong Kong cinema. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Jackie Chan in a still from The Accidental Spy (2001), one of three Hong Kong films inspired by the success of Mission: Impossible that director Teddy Chen shot with international audiences in mind. Photo: Online
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Hong Kong director Teddy Chen’s 3 Mission: Impossible-style misfires

Spurred by Mission: Impossible’s success, Chen made three films full of CIA agents and explosions aimed at Western audiences. None did well.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Tony Leung Ka-fai on his craft as an actor ahead of Cannes premiere

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Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | Hong Kong actress and singer Gigi Leung’s 3 decades in the limelight

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | A Gilded Game: Oho Ou, Andy Lau lead moralistic financial drama

Lau plays an equity analyst and Ou his protégé, a fresh-faced bank hire chasing a big deal, in Herman Yau’s financial drama.

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Andy Lau as equity analyst Todd Zhang in a still from A Gilded Game (category IIA; Mandarin), directed by Herman Yau Lai-to. Oho Ou co-stars.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What cinema legend Sylvia Chang thinks about first-time directors

Whether as actress, writer or producer, Taiwanese screen veteran loves working with emerging film talent – they offer ‘something different’.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Hong Kong 1941 shows grim realities of wartime Japanese occupation

1984 Leong Po-chih film with Chow Yun-fat as one of a trio of friends stays character driven while showing Japanese atrocities, expert says.

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Hong Kong

This week in PostMag: behind-the-scenes at Cirque du Soleil and HK cinema

We venture back in time to watch New Wave filmmaker Peter Yung’s 1979 police drama in 4K, seeing Phang Nga Bay by air, sea and land, and more.

Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Yung Wai-chuen at his house on Lantau Island – his 1979 police drama The System was recently restored in 4K by M+. Photo: Alexander Mak
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | ‎The Dumpling Queen: founding of a Hong Kong food brand

Andrew Lau’s rags-to-riches biopic streamlines and rather sugarcoats the story of the Wanchai Ferry brand’s Zang Jianhe, played by Ma Li.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Vital Signs: Louis Koo, Neo Yau play ambulance paramedics in wistful drama

Polar opposites come together and have changes of heart in Cheuk Wan-chi’s film. Seeing Koo without a gun in his hand is refreshing.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

From a ‘Chinese RoboCop’ to Shu Qi sex scenes, Hong Kong exploitation films

Hong Kong cinema was late to the exploitation genre, but made up for lost time. We recall three 90s classics full of sex, violence and gore.

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Actress Shu Qi in a sceneSex and Zen II. Photo: Wong Jing’s Workshop Ltd
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung rolled with the punches to emerge on top

A punch bag in Danny Lee films, roles in comedies and TV dramas before being taken seriously as a dramatic actor, Cheung is directing now.

Actor Nick Cheung Ka-fai. Photo: Edward Wong
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Montages of a Modern Motherhood: Hedwig Tam shines in bleak drama

Hong Kong writer-director Oliver Chan, a mother herself, paints a grim picture of maternity in a patriarchal Chinese society.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Hong Kong Film Awards 2025: who will win and who should win

Twilight of the Warriors and The Last Dance are expected to scoop up most of the prizes, but are any films more deserving of the awards?

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Lust, Caution made waves for its sex scenes but overdid the caution

Although beautifully staged, this Hong Kong-US-China production starring Tony Leung and Tang Wei had a muddled story and misguided messages.

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Tang Wei (left) and Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from Lust, Caution. Photo: Edko Films
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Smashing Frank: Hedwig Tam robs the rich and powerful in slick drama

Director Trevor Choi tries to explore Hong Kong’s generational and class divide with a film that sees the poor and young steal from the rich.

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Hedwig Tam in a still from Smashing Frank (category IIB, Cantonese), directed by Trevor Choi. Locker Lam and Sham Ka-ki co-star.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Once Upon a Lie: Irene Wan chases much younger man in unconvincing romance

Irene Wan plays a lovesick divorcee catfishing a much younger man, played by Bruce Hung, in a superficial film that lacks any chemistry.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The Gordon Chan film series that reshaped Hong Kong police movies

1994’s The Final Option, starring Michael Wong, was such a hit it spawned a prequel and sequels. We recall them and how they were received.

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Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | Carman Lee, her interrupted screen career and emergence as fitness icon

Actress got her big break in a Hong Kong TV adaptation of a Louis Cha wuxia novel, shone in a variety of roles, then quit acting.

Carman Lee in a still from The Condor Heroes 95. Photo: Online
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What’s ‘extended’ in new In the Mood for Love 4K special cinema edition?

Wong Kar-wai’s 2000 masterpiece returns to Hong Kong cinemas this week for the film’s 25th anniversary with nine minutes of new footage.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What were Donnie Yen’s early movies like before Ip Man? 5 films revisited

Hong Kong martial arts actor Donnie Yen rose to super stardom with Ip Man, but some of his films as a young actor showcase his skills best.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | The Last Dance (extended version): what the deleted scenes entail

The highest grossing Hong Kong film ever returns with 12 minutes of extra scenes that add some comedy, but do they warrant a re-release?

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Dayo Wong as Dominic and Catherine Chau as Jade in a still from The Last Dance (extended version). The film (category III, Cantonese) is directed by Anselm Chan. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures
Hong Kong society

On This Day | Pop star Leslie Cheung dies in fall from Hong Kong hotel in 2003 – SCMP archive

The 46-year-old fell from the 24th floor window of the Mandarin Oriental hotel and was found lying in Connaught Road.

Hong Kong actor and singer Leslie Cheung died after a fall in 2003. Photo: Michael Tsui
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

‘Could have been 3 movies’: Chang Cheh’s The Brave Archer crams in a lot

Hong Kong filmmaker Chang Cheh wanted to do justice to Louis Cha’s The Legend of the Condor Heroes. But his trilogy is dense and confusing.

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Art

The best inspiration is found at home, this artist finds

Chow Chun-fai has chosen veteran journalist-turned-gallery owner Sharon Cheung as his muse for his latest series of paintings to be displayed at Art Basel Hong Kong.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Peg O’ My Heart: great visuals, awful story in Nick Cheung horror thriller

Andy Lau cameo can’t save Cheung’s film starring himself, Fala Chen and Terrance Lau that is heavy on style but lacks convincing backstories.

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Fala Chen and Nick Cheung in a still from Peg O’ My Heart (category: IIB, Cantonese). Directed by Nick Cheung and co-starring Terrence Lau.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What other films did A Chinese Ghost Story’s Tony Ching Siu-tung direct?

From a film starring Kelly Chen and Donnie Yen to an Indiana Jones rip-off with Jet Li, 4 of Tony Ching’s lesser-known productions.

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A still from Dr Wai in the Scripture with No Words, starring Jet Li (centre).
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Riley Ip’s 3 best Hong Kong films, with stars such as Shu Qi and Eric Tsang

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Riley Ip made films featuring stars such as Takeshi Kaneshiro and Anthony Wong. Here are the 3 best.

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Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | Fala Chen started out as a beauty queen. Now she’s a Hollywood star

From a chance pageant win to starring in international blockbusters, Fala Chen’s journey is a testament to her talent and determination.

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