4 Star

Hard Times in HK.

From Eureka comes a restored Hong Kong classic, written by another classic, Sammo Hung (Warriors Two & The Prodigal Son, The Millionaires Express), and directed by Po-Chih Leong (The Wisdom of Crocodiles, The Jade Pendant) who takes us back to WWII. The British protectorate of Hong Kong, three young people and their hopes for the future. Once again, an amazing restoration for this 1984 film. But be aware, this film does not paint the Japanese invaders in a good way, and there are some very disturbing images near the end of the film.

Narrated by Han Yuk-Nam (Cecilia Yip, To Be Number One, This Thing Called Love), who tells of a time of turmoil, when the Japanese war machine enters World War Two. The British are leaving, as well as anybody wealthy. Somebody not so wealthy is actor Yip Kim-Fei (Chow Yun-Fat, Wild Search, RICH AND FAMOUS / TRAGIC HERO) who dreams of ‘Gold Mountain’ in the US, or ‘New Gold Mountain’ in Australia. But he lacks the cash, and that is why he’s stowing away on a liner. But he is found out and ends up in the drink.

Rations are in short supply, due to the unrest, and once wealthy Wong Hak-Keung (Alex Man, As Tears Go By, Rouge) finds himself a leader of some thugs who make their living doing anything they can get their hands on. His childhood friend Nam has fared better, as her family run a wealthy rice merchant.

Events transpire that brings these three together, and they become inseparable friends, they vow to leave and follow Fei’s dream, but the Japanese turn up, and they have to fight collaborators, looters, the police and the Japanese for their opportunity to get away.

Chow Yun-Fat, was awarded his first Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor, a powerful film about resilience and the struggle to follow a dream.

HONG KONG 1941 (Masters of Cinema) Limited Edition Blu-ray is available now.

 

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY:

 

• Limited edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Time Tomorrow

• 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration

• Original Cantonese mono audio track

• Optional English dub

• Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release

• New audio commentary by East Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)

• New appreciation of Hong Kong 1941 by film writer, programmer and East Asian film expert Tony Rayns

• Crossing Cultures – an interview with Po-Chih Leong by Frédéric Ambroisine

• Po-Chih Leong on Hong Kong 1941 and Cultural Identity (Masterclass at Udine FEFF 2023)

• Two archival interviews with Chow Yun-fat

• Three archival interviews with Cecilia Yip

• Archival interview with Paul Chun

• Theatrical trailer

• PLUS: A limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on Hong Kong 1941 and Po-Chih Leong by Gary Bettinson, editor of Asian Cinema journal