The Shanghai Film Festival and Pepsi Films Shanghai are fast approaching. Here's what you need to watch before you set foot in the Middle Kingdom. As we (LawHag) are both Chinese we are therefore experts in the Chinese Cinema field by default. So you can trust this list.
#5. Shower
(Yang Zhang, 1999)
The richly humorous and touching story of a businessman, Da Ming who returns to home to Beijing where his father runs the local bathhouse, only to be caught between two cultures. At the heart of it this film is a commentary of the changing times in China where the old meets the new. An emotional roller coaster as it can make you laugh as easily as it can make you cry.
#4. Kung Fu Hustle
(Stephen Chow, 2004)
The next Pepsi Films is in Shanghai so you know we need a shout out to Shanghai! Kung Fu Hustle is about a hilarious wannabe gangster in the 1940s who aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf. This movie is a perfect blend of old school mythical Chinese kung fu set in the 20th century. Also this film will probably the funniest kung fu flick you have ever seen. Trust us on this one.
#3. Hero
(Zhang Yimou, 2002)
A series of flashback accounts shape the story of how one man defeated three assassins who sought to murder the most powerful warlord in China. If you like Jet Li and big armies then this is a must watch. Also not to mention that Western films such as Troy and 300 drew inspiration from this film.
#2. In the Mood for Love
(Wong Kar-Wai, 2000)
A man and woman move in to neighboring Hong Kong apartments and form a bond when they both suspect their spouses of extra-marital activities. Exquisitely shot meditation on love and loss starring Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. It was also nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000. A must watch!
#1. Infernal Affairs
(Andrew Law Wai-Keung, Alan Mak Siu-Fai, 2002)
A cop thriller following the parallel lives of an undercover officer who infiltrates a Triad gang and a policeman who secretly reports to a ruthless gang boss. Sound familiar? it should because the Oscar for Best Picture went to a remake of this film. You might remember it as the The Departed directed by Marin Scorsese. Infernal Affairs is a slow burning build up of psychological tension that will leave you broken and burnt out when it's finished with you and that's why this is the best Chinese film of all time.
And that concludes our list of best Chinese films of all time!
Some of you will agree, most of you will probably disagree so let us know your thoughts!
Sincerely as always,
Yours truly,
With love,
LawHag
#5. Shower
(Yang Zhang, 1999)
The richly humorous and touching story of a businessman, Da Ming who returns to home to Beijing where his father runs the local bathhouse, only to be caught between two cultures. At the heart of it this film is a commentary of the changing times in China where the old meets the new. An emotional roller coaster as it can make you laugh as easily as it can make you cry.
#4. Kung Fu Hustle
(Stephen Chow, 2004)
The next Pepsi Films is in Shanghai so you know we need a shout out to Shanghai! Kung Fu Hustle is about a hilarious wannabe gangster in the 1940s who aspires to join the notorious "Axe Gang" while residents of a housing complex exhibit extraordinary powers in defending their turf. This movie is a perfect blend of old school mythical Chinese kung fu set in the 20th century. Also this film will probably the funniest kung fu flick you have ever seen. Trust us on this one.
#3. Hero
(Zhang Yimou, 2002)
A series of flashback accounts shape the story of how one man defeated three assassins who sought to murder the most powerful warlord in China. If you like Jet Li and big armies then this is a must watch. Also not to mention that Western films such as Troy and 300 drew inspiration from this film.
#2. In the Mood for Love
(Wong Kar-Wai, 2000)
A man and woman move in to neighboring Hong Kong apartments and form a bond when they both suspect their spouses of extra-marital activities. Exquisitely shot meditation on love and loss starring Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung. It was also nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000. A must watch!
#1. Infernal Affairs
(Andrew Law Wai-Keung, Alan Mak Siu-Fai, 2002)
A cop thriller following the parallel lives of an undercover officer who infiltrates a Triad gang and a policeman who secretly reports to a ruthless gang boss. Sound familiar? it should because the Oscar for Best Picture went to a remake of this film. You might remember it as the The Departed directed by Marin Scorsese. Infernal Affairs is a slow burning build up of psychological tension that will leave you broken and burnt out when it's finished with you and that's why this is the best Chinese film of all time.
And that concludes our list of best Chinese films of all time!
Some of you will agree, most of you will probably disagree so let us know your thoughts!
Sincerely as always,
Yours truly,
With love,
LawHag
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