Hong Kong martial arts films

  Discuss and compare the generic characteristics and historical evolution of Hong Kong martial arts films and action films in terms of theme, plot, and/or style. Films screened in class in entirety: Fist of Fury (Dir. Lo Wei, starring Bruce Lee, 1972) Supercop (Dir. Stanley Tong, starring Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh, 1992) A Better Tomorrow (Dir. John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat, 1986) Infernal Affairs (Dir. Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, starring Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai, 2002) Note: DVDs of some films are on reserve in Shields Library. They are available for 2-hour loan. You can watch them in the library. Additional list (film clips shown in class): Dragon Gate Inn (Dir. King Hu, 1967) One-Armed Swordsman (Dir. Chang Cheh, 1967) Enter the Dragon (Dir. Robert Clouse, starring Bruce Lee, 1972) Drunken Master (Dir. Yuen Woo-ping, starring Jackie Chan, 1978) Once upon a Time in China (Dir. Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li, 1991) Rumble in the Bronx (Dir. Stanley Tong, starring Jackie Chan, 1995) Wing Chun (Dir. Yuen Woo-ping, starring Michelle Yeoh, 1994) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Dir. Ang Lee, starring Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, 2001) Ip Man (Dir. Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, 2008) The Killer (Dir. John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat, 1989) Hard-Boiled (Dir. John Woo, starring Chow Yun-fat, 1992) Choose and focus on three films from the above lists.