Institute History
Description
Hong Kong cinema is known for its mania1alts features which, at their best display the pyrotechnics and nonstop sizzling choreography which have endeared them to fans worldwide. Leading this filmmaking wave have been producer Tsui Hark's Film Workshop Productions, including such outstanding action dramas as John Woo's Better Tomorrow series, and The Killer, Chinese Ghost Story and the Once upon a Time in China epics.
Tsui Hark's latest is Dragon Inn, which headlines two female opponents, Maggie Cheung and Brigitte Lin, fighting over Tony Leung, including a wonderful sequence in which one of them, fully clothed, assaults the other, totally naked. Set during the Ming dynasty, this historical drama depicts the period when China was ruled by an elite group of eunuchs. The action takes place in an inn, whose proprietor, Jade King, is willing to sell anything to the highest bidder, ranging from those who have sought refuge in her establishment. to her specially spiced meat buns.
The story is not very complex, but the narrative flow, interspersed with outrageously fantastic fight scenes, keeps us interested and satisfies our desire for an energetic, involving (often humorous) catharsis. That's exactly what is lacking in American action films.
Sunday Jan 24 10:00 pm
Egyptian Theatre
Sunday Jan 31 4:00 pm
Prospector Square Theatre
$6.00