CHOP SOCKY: CINEMA HONG KONG-2003-This
is an excellent documentary despite it's terrible title about the
history of martial arts in the Hong Kong cinema. Besides interviews
with Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung, John Woo, Dr. Ng Ho, Pei Pei
Chang, Run Run Shaw, David Chiang and others it also talks about the
real legendary hero Wong Fei Hung, the first martial art film star
(showing scenes from his films which I'd like to see more of), ”The
Burning of Red Lotus Monastery” (sometimes called the first martial
arts film), the Peking Opera House, The Shaw brothers, directors King
Woo & Chang Chen and the technique for filming fight scenes
called “editing in the camera” and the influence of Japanese
epics like the Zatochi series. Of course Bruce Lee is spotlighted for bring realism to the films and beginning “the Kung-Fu craze”.
Many films are highlighted but some
are skipped over. They should have done a whole series.
Director Ian Taylor made two companion
documentaries: THE BEAUTIES OF THE SHAW STUDIO and WU XIA.
Thaanks for reading!
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