I have always loved Chinese (Hong Kong to be exact) movies ever since I was a little boy. It was a feverish rage in those days. Throughout Asia, Hong Kong movies were extremely popular and movie stars appeared in advertisements everywhere.
I even dreamed of living in Hong Kong someday. From the moment I fell in love with Chinese movies and dramas, I always had an interest in the Chinese culture and media industry. Out of all the movies that I sawthere are 10 favorite that I love the most, and I would like to share them with you. Most of the movies were made during the 20th century except for ‘Wo Hu Cang Long’. And you may think some movies are not Chinese movies for the reason that they were made (produced) by western capital or a western director. But I want to take consideration of the culture and background into choosing the films.
1. The Last Emperor (1987)
◦ Director : Bernardo Bertolucci
◦ Actor and Actress : John Lone(Pu Yi), Joan Chen(Wan Jung)
This movie is one of the best historic movies that I have ever seen before. From the Ching Dynasty to People’s Republic of China, it shows many aspects of the historic incidents surrounding the last emperor, Fu Yi. In spite of a long running time (about 160 min.), I was never bored. Rather I was totally mesmerized by the movie until the ending credits were going up.
2. Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996)
◦ Director : Peter Chan
◦ Actor and Actress : Leon Lai(Xiaojun Li), Maggie Cheung(Qiao Li)
In late 90′s, ‘Comrades, Almost a Love Story’ was the reigniting boom of Hong Kong movies. The famous director, Peter Chen, poured sentimentalism and beautiful songs of Teresa Teng into the film. In particular, ‘Tian mimi(甜蜜蜜, meaning sweet)’, and ‘Yue liang dai biao wo de xin(月亮代表我的心, meaning moon represents my heart)’.
3. Jing wu men (1972)
◦ Director : Wei Lo
◦ Actor and Actress : Bruce Lee(Chen Zhen), Nora Miao(Yuan Le-erh)
Even if you were teenager in a western country, you may have heard the name Bruce Lee. He was a super hero in many countries as well as China. He was thin and not that tall but he smacked down gangs and villains. When he shouted, I felt an electric shock running through my body. He was a real Kung Fu master as well as an actor. His every motion is the message of this movie. A lot of famous action stars including Jet Li starred in the revival film.
4. Wong Fei Hung (Once Upon a Time in China, 1991)
◦ Director : Hark Tsui
◦ Actor and Actress : Jet Li(Wong Fei-hung), Rosamund Kwan(Aunt Yee)
Jet Li is a famous Hong Kong action star. After his stardom in Hollywood, he played a lot of roles from a gang member to a body guard. But I believe that this movie most well-describes Jet Li’s strength. There were five sequels after the popularity of the original film. Wong Fei Hung was a real person who fought against depressors in mid-19th century China. He only fought for justice and pursued for the people’s safety. This movie was made based on martial arts rather than special effects.
5. Wo Hu Cang Long (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, 2000)
◦ Director : Ang Lee
◦ Actor and Actress : Yun-Fat Chow(Li Mu-bai), Michelle Yeoh(Yu shu Lien), Ziyi Zhang(Jen Yu)
This is an amazing martial arts movie. Most of all, the casting was perfect. From Yun-Fat Chow to Ziyi Zhang, each character showed their individuality and attractiveness. This traditional martial arts movie is well structured and focuses on the traditional subject of ‘vengeance and forgiveness’. And the director tried to show Zen images. Especially the chasing scene in the bamboo forest was fantastic and fabulous. It was a breathtaking scene mixed with detailed images and high tech wire actions. Though the last scene was very unrealistic, I like the story and good direction.
6. A Better Tomorrow (1986)
◦ Director : John Woo
◦ Actor and Actress : Leslie Cheung(Sung Tse-kit), Yun-Fat Chow(Mark Lee)
The movie made mainstream of Hong Kong gangster movies. Two guns and toothpicks were the symbol of Asian gangster movies which were influenced by this film. John Woo made many hits for several years and he arrived in Hollywood with ‘Broken Arrow’. The difficult concept includes fidelity and loyalty which is a significant subject in the traditional gangster movies in Hong Kong.
7. Chungking Express (1994)
◦ Director : Kar Wai Wong
◦ Actor and Actress : Brigitte Lin(Ching-hsia Lin), Tony Leung chiu wai(Cop), Takeshi Kaneshiro(He Zhiwu), Faye Wong(Faye)
During my years in high school, Kar Wai Wong’s films were top priority to me. I went to a theater on the first opening day. At that time Kar Wai Wong was very famous for his stylish camera walk and dream-like images. He used visual and musical factors very well. The OST ‘California Dream’ by The Mamas and the Papas were a hit for several months.
8. Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Director : Kaige Chen
Actor and Actress : Leslie Cheung(Cheng Dieyi), Fengyi Zhang(Duan Xiaolou)
It was very dramatic. Two men appear on the stage of a Beijing opera. One man acts as Hsiang Yu, the king of Chow, and the other man acts as his lover, Lady Wu. They grew up at the same opera theater and acted as a couple. And this developed into a very complicated relationship, real love. But it couldn’t be a happy ending. When Cheng realized that the role was not real, the story is driven to a sad ending. From the early 1900s to the communist era, the couple is surrounded by historic events and small incidents. Especially when we know the truth that Leslie Cheung was a bisexual (by a press release) and killed himself, the film gives unspeakable passion and emotion.
9. Dung Fong Bat Bai (1991)
◦ Director : Siu-tung Ching
◦ Actor and Actress : Brigitte Lin(Dung Fong Bat Bai), Jet Li(sword man)
Jin Yong is a very famous writer for his popular martial arts novels. This movie is not well known to viewers in western countries. Like other Chinese martial arts movies, the movie is very unrealistic but it has its many motives and eastern philosophies.
10. A Chinese Ghost Story (1987)
◦ Director : Siu-tung Ching
◦ Actor and Actress : Leslie Cheung(Ling Choi Sin), Joey Wang(Lit Sin seen)
Frankly, I don’t find the movie that interesting or funny. But the attractiveness of the leading actress was carved into many young boys’ hearts in Asian countries. Joey Wang is a very beautiful actress and this movie is among her major works. Leslie’s purity and Joey’s beauty are the main factors for seeing this movie.
I think there are a lot of movies which can be said as representatives of Chinese movies. This list is very subjective and is entirely based on my own person opinion. I know that some people blame me for not including Jackie Chan’s ‘Police Story’ or Chien-lien Wu (or Jacqueline Ng)’s ‘A Moment of Romance’. The fact is that I have seen many Chinese films and I will continue to do so. It is important that I enjoy them.