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#Thursdaypremiere w. 46

We defy the laws of physics with spectacular martial arts classics in Viddla!

This week we've present a series of classic Hong Kong action movies to dive into. The Hong Kong cinema, whose heyday lasted between the 1970s and 1990s, is characterized by a fascination for spectacularly choreographed martial arts scenes that often seem to defy the laws of physics and require great physical skill from the actors. Inspiration was taken from the Chinese Opera, where dance is mixed with advanced acrobatics and stylized fighting between the heroes of the story. With internationally acclaimed stars such as Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Jackie Chan, the films quickly spread to the West and became very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.  

In the film series Once Upon a Time in China, Jet Li plays the historical folk hero Wong Fei-Hung, a man who lived between 1847 and 1925 and was a practicing physician as well as martial arts expert. The films are considered must-see classics in the genre.

When two small time criminal brothers are cheated out of their stolen goods by a superior fighter, they are impressed by him and ask to be his students in the movie Knockabout. But soon they discover that their teacher has a dark secret.

In Lady Kung Fu, a group of friends try to run a martial arts school but are constantly harassed by another school and must fight back to protect themselves and their students. Jackie Chan does one of his very early roles as a fighter in the rival school.

A bank official is forced to fight for his life after hearing his boss conspire to murder the city's mayor in Warriors two.

Published: 12/11/2019   Last updated: 12/11/2019