Ko Chun-Hsiung
In 2013, the Golden Horse Film Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary. The ministry of Culture commissioned director Yang Li-chou to make a documentary about the history of Golden Horse. What is unique to this film is that it's not an ode to celebrities but about the role cinema plays in ordinary people's lives. It's a love letter to cinema, filmmakers and audiences.
Chu (Mickey Chu Kin-Kwan) is a young fellow who's made it big in the business world, and makes headlines when he offers a large reward for a special $1000 bill with a personal inscription on it. The bill is a memento of his adolescent friendship with Ching (Athena Chu) and Ricky (Nicky Wu), who were once the best of friends. The three have since gone their separate ways, but Chu holds onto the bittersweet memories of their youth, when the three were inseparable, and saw only bright futures ahead of them. But misplaced emotions and the painful trials of youth split them apart, and now that Chu has finally made it big, he wants nothing more than to see the three reunited. Will the two respond to his impassioned plea to find them once again?
With karma as the central theme, this intriguing movie is made up of three amazing stories. The first one tells about a fox fairy that a fox fairy that a fox sacrifices itself to save a hunter from being sucked by a vampire. The second tale depicts the surprising out come of the murder of a shop owner whose wife has an affair with his servant. In the third story, a doll fairy punishes a man for sexually abusing his wife by burying itself together with the man in a fire.
Kwong is a mafia king. When a rival gang steals a rare chinese artifact from him, he blaims his two "bag-men" and threatens to "cut their life" if they don't recover the treasure.
Someone in a prison run by a corrupt warden fakes the deaths of convicts to later use them as expendable assassins. A police officer is sent into the prison to gather evidence of the corruption.
An elderly crime family boss, Feng, is being released from prison for good behavior and bad health. In the outside world, he learns that his daughter has shacked up with a depraved thug named Sin from America and that she will soon by flying out to the States to join him. When his attempts at fatherly consulting fail, Feng sends his goons, Maddy and Tat, after the boyfriend. In return, Sin has his men cripple Maddy. When Feng swipes Sin's shipment of drugs, the war between the two men escalates.
In 1950s, Chinese Civil War ends with the defeat of Republic of China and the establishment of Communist China. The 93rd Division's soldiers take their families with them, exit southwestern China and enter northern Burma (Myanmar). The hike through forest is full of disasters and short of supplies, but the survivors reach and settle within border of Burma. They build a village, and ally with local armed gang to resist Burmese government's attacks. Later, the relocated government of Republic of China offers to take the soldiers and dependents to Taiwan, but some are disappointed with the government and decide to stay.
This is director/martial arts star Frankie Chan's unofficial remake of the Kinji Fukasaku film SHOGUN'S SAMURAI (1978). Instead of Japanese samurai in a period setting, we get modern day Chinese gangsters battling each other for the position left vacant after the mysterious death of their head honcho.
Fight to Survive is a Hong Kong Triad movie directed by Wai Chi-Ho and starring Alex Man.
Four Chinese germ warfare scientists are kidnapped by a Japanese organisation.
A soldier from Mainland China arrives at Hong Kong to look for his estranged sister and finds out that she has been forced into prostitution by a criminal organization.
In an attempt to put their Ninja lifestyle behind them, Rodney and Janet retire to the countryside to raise a family. As the old saying goes though, you can't run away from your past and the couple soon find themselves the target of a rather unpleasant gang. When Rodney is framed and put in prison, Janet is left to look after their son alone. Meanwhile, back at the clan, the Ninjas are facing a fierce internal struggle as the dastardly Stewart attempts a takeover. When Gordon returns from a mission, he soon uncovers the truth and the stage is set for a final face off of epic proportions.
During the last years of Japanese occupation in Taiwan, as tenants from the preceding generation, the family of Chan brothers was suffering from poor harvest. With a deaf old mother, a mental disordered sister whose husband was killed in war, and a bunch of children, it was not hard to imagine that they were really poor. One day, a heavy unexploded bomb fell down from the sky on two brothers' farmland. The brothers brought the bomb to the Japanese police as a "gift for the Emperor of Japan". Unfortunately, the Japanese were frightened by the bomb and order them to throw it into the sea. They could do nothing but obeyed the order. The bomb exploded when thrown into the sea. A great number of dead fishes came out of the sea. The two brothers collected the fishes back home. When they saw their exciting family enjoy the fishes, they felt that God is fair.
In Hong Kong, Ho Chen-tung is the aging Mob boss, living by a code of honor, keeping peace among rival factions. For years, he has been estranged from his son, Hui, who lives in Australia. Tung has become a sort of father to Han, a Vietnamese refugee who also lives by an ethical code. At the same time that Hui reaches out to his father, the Hong Kong CID conclude their years'-long effort to get the goods on Tung and his associates. Tung expects the younger gangsters to live by the code he loves, but at his trial, he has a surprise coming to him. It may be up to Han to restore the balance.
To pay off his debt as a gambler, a man drags his sister and step-brother into a life of crime and a violent war between rival gang lords.
The award-winning director of such esteemed films as Black Rain and The Ballad of Narayama has chosen here to tell the decidedly dicey true tale of Iheiji Muraoka, also known as Zegen, the man who became the most powerful pimp in modern Japanese history, a man who could honestly regard himself as "The Boss of the South Seas." At the time, between the World Wars, Japan was involved in empire-building throughout East and Southeast Asia. After a brief career as a low-level military adventurer, Iheiji (Ken Ogata) decided to set up chains of brothels throughout Asia. As Japan's power in the region grew, so did his prosperity, as the man is quite literally surrounded by sex of all kinds, much of it shown onscreen. Interestingly enough, this engaging rogue was convinced that his entrepreneurship was not only personally rewarding, but was his way of doing his patriotic best to advance his country's global ambitions.
After being released from prison, Tang Kat-Yung exacts revenge on Li Ah Chai, in this sequel to Rich and Famous.
Taiwan's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. In the story, the kindly and very efficient Chinese settlers are distrusted by the natives until they show that they are able and willing to cure an outbreak of plague. The daughter of the native Taiwanese chief has her own peace plan for the region, which involves finding the most eligible Chinese bachelor and marrying him.
In Thailand in the 1950s, Detective Au Wei is shot to death by Cha Tin-Hung in a raid because of Cha's involvement with black market diamonds and jewelery. Wei's daughter Chun Chun swears revenge, helped by Wei's friend Yeh Tai-kor, a professional con-man.
Wau Fong and Pak Yuk are attractive hostesses in a cabaret with a great following. One of Wan's suitors, Or Ah Chun is a powerful and prominent figure with strong Japanese connections. But she is reluctant to accept his affection and offer of good life. A postgraduate returning from Japan, Lin San Lon is deeply in love with Pak. The musically talented Lin composes the song LOVE, LONE FLOWER for her. But an American bomber puts an end to their relationship, killing Or and Pak in the debris of the cabaret. Wan becomes "Chieftain" of May Flower Restaurant after the liberation. Among the girls under her supervision, she is surprised to see the late Pak...
Cheng Chu and Cheng Lin are brothers, who grow up in a rather ill-off family. Chu later becomes a gang leader while Lin as a senior high student. Lin is under the pressure of college entrance exams and becomes restive. Ah-Chiang, Lin's boyhood friend deserts the army and runs away with military weapons. He hides in Lin's rented house, shoots a policeman to death by accident and flees with Lin. They kidnap a fashion model, Sophia...
The plot follows a group of women who struggle in Hong Kong, most of them illegal immigrants from mainland China.
Tim Burstall directs then-up-and-comers Mel Gibson and Sam Neill in this action-packed Cannes Film Festival selection about the grim realities of World War II, a gritty drama based on actual events. Sent to rescue survivors from the site of a plane crash in the South Pacific, Capt. P.G. Kelly (Gibson) and his elite squad of Australian commandos must keep tabs on a defecting Japanese official who could hold the secret to peace.
Top Kung Fu actors, Phillip Ko, Ling Yun, and Robert Tai battle it out for turf supremacy in old shanghai. Note: special Triad codes are shown in this film for the first time.
Former Vietnamese soldier Nguyen Dich (Chow Yun-Fat) comes to HK after the Vietnam war, as a professional killer for a gang leader. Here he meets and falls in love with Vicky Lee (Rosamund Kwan). He is ordered to kill her father, and later given the order to kill her too as she started to suspect him. She then discovers that he is responsible for her fathers death...
After losing his title of king of gamblers, Asia's top card player holds a contest in the hopes of restoring his reputation and his wealth that was cheated from him. Awesome tricks, fists and kicks galore.
Story of a US-educated scientist who returned to China, and suffered during the years of the Cultural Revolution.
After suffering a breakdown at his wife’s funeral, a grief-stricken older man finds that he can only recognize his daughter-in-law. The discovery of a new love seems to improve his faltering health, but more heartbreak awaits just around the corner.
Conflicts between power-hungry triad gangsters in Macao leads to bloody battles.
A woman seeks revenge against the people responsible for her sister's death.
Patriotic extravanganza concerning early 20th century political events in Taiwan (i.e. the Republic of China), told in an ensemble format
Zhijie, in her bid to find a wife for her mentally-challenged son, found Chu Lien to become her daughter-in-law. From then, Chu Lien's life becomes miserable, constantly being physically abused. Fortunately, Shun-hsing took pity on her, both of them quietly exchange solemn vows to each other...
The real-life story of a legendary Ming general (Meng Fei) who attempts to rid Chinese waters of Japanese pirates.
Love turns into heartache as a young man worries about the insanity that runs in his family and whether his baby will be affected by it.
Modern day Hong Kong is the backdrop for this action adventure about the narcotics trade. A convicted felon named Peter Chin breaks up a bloody barroom battle and saves the life of a gang member. He is rewarded with an introduction to one of the gang's lieutenants, a beautiful woman named Daisy. Together they plot to extort millions from a rival gangland chief, but their efforts are foiled by an uneasy truce between the two leaders. Knives, flying kicks, fists, guns and bombs come into play as Peter strives to keep a gangland leader from escaping with a fortune in drugs and money.
A Hong Kong mobster's sister is working with authorities on their investigation into her own brother's plot to assassinate the Queen.
A most touching and consistently heart-gripping war drama depicts the heroic deeds of General Chang Tsu-chung who was even held in high esteem and dubbed as “Mars of China” by his Japanese counterpart, General Itagaki during Sino-Japanese war.
Mr. and Mrs. Ho are longing for a grandson. Their son, Ho Chieh and daughter-in-law, Wan Ping, come home from abroad. Wan Ching, the little sister-in-law, is a nurse and comes with Mrs. Ho to meet her sister. At the airport, old Mrs. Ho mistakenly hears that her daughter-in-law is pregnant. After that, Ho Chieh has to attend a business party. However, his wife is not free for it so he begs his little sister-in-law to go as his wife. Wan Ching turns out to be a hit with the guests. In order to please his mother, Chieh asks little sister-in-law to take Wan Ping to the hospital for a pregnancy test and get a false positive report. But through a mistake, Wan Ping gets the report of a sterile woman. She is saddened by it but everyone lies to the old people in order to spare them the disappointment...
The film is based on the true story of a regiment of nationalist troop fighting Japanese forces several times of their strength. Due to the political reasons, such historical topic is avoided in China, and even after the reform, the cautious approach needs outside help from Hong Kong, but such attempts still deserves a great salute.
In a small town found the only son of possession, the local, most influential family, dead and naked in vinbutiks hostess, Cheng Niang. His father insists that there is a murder committed by Chai-Tseng Chu, Cheng Niang husband. Tseng claims he is innocent. However, Cheng Niang has disappeared. Old Lin then tries to bribe Magistrate Tang judging Tseng to death and execute him immediately. Cheng Niang learns about her husband's death and freezing. Judge Tang is guilty and begins to see ghosts every night
Wu Min Chan and Kuang La Lung are subordinates of Commander of Northern Province, gunning for the post of Garrison Commander. On Wu's side are Shi Wen, and Sha Chung, while Kuang was assisted by Pei Chiang, Si Ma, and Niu Chung. Soon Shi gained power and sent Niu to kill Wu with Lui Yan's dagger, causing Lui Yan to commit suicide before the Commander. Niu became possessed with self-reproach, and was jailed for being drunk. Shi sent Pai Siow Lan, Niu's sweetheart to poison Niu. Pai drank the poisoned drink, and begged Niu to escape. Realizing Shi's true character, Niu went to seek Shi. In the end, Niu committed suicide after killing Shi.
The Looks of Hong Kong is a Hong Kong Drama directed by and starring Stanley Fung.
Wang Chun, a veteran diver, is hired to recover a large quantity of gold bars from a ship sunk during the retreat of Japanese soldiers from Hong Kong. But no sooner has the treasure been found, then former Japanese military man, Arakawa, and his men arrive in a speedboat. Arakawa kills Wang's boss, seizes the gold and forces Wang to steer his boat to safety. A struggle ensues. The speedboat sinks after striking a reef. Wang escapes with the gold. He later marries a girl named Yen-yen. They settle down in South Korea, where Wang owns a big ranch. They have a daughter, Shan-shan. 7 years later, Arakawa returns, he demands Wang to hand over the gold bars with Yen-yen and Shan-shan as hostage..
Lung Kong collaborated with accomplished novelist Meng Jun to pen the script for this tale of heartbreak and doomed romance. The mounting despair of two solipsistic characters headed towards an emotionally shattering break-up is depicted through an elliptical series of flashbacks.
A young innocent woman is raped by a gang of five men. Years later the young woman has matured into a sophisticated lady and singer. The five guys have gone their separate ways, however one by one, she finds them and sets about her revenge.
On a rainy night, a robbery took place in a villa and some invaluable jewels were taken. One of the robbers was shot dead, the other wounded. The wounded robber dropped the leather case containing the jewels and it fell on to a rock beneath a suspension bridge. Chiang Wen Hua was a schoolteacher who was separated from her husband. On a Sunday afternoon, Chiang and her daughter Hsiao Ching went picknicking near the suspension bridge. Hsien Ching's paper windmill was carried away by the wind, and, in looking for it, Hsiao Ching found the leather case containing the jewels...
Chiu Ling introduces his girlfriend Ma San to work for his uncle Chiu Chi. Ma San and Chiu Chi gradually fall in love with each other.
Comedy about five married couples — a pair of parents and their four daughters and sons-in-law. Li Li Hua plays the eldest girl, opposite her real-life husband Yean Chuan.
Chong has been dedicating to run the Hotel Esquire for more than thirty years. Business is booming. However, a double room rented by a newly married couple is said to be haunted. Business thus declines sharply. Chong employs a private detective to look into the matter first, and then a taoist to play exorcism. But nothing has changed. One day, Chong and a tenant see a woman in weird dressing go into the room. They then plot to catch the backstage manipulator of this haunting event.
A detective writer and his girlfriend are involved in a mysterious case when he watches at his neighbor's house.
Heavyset Master An (Got Siu-Bo) receives a message from a dying imperial messenger and finds himself to be the hunted due to the defining, powerful nature of the message. A reluctant hero and not a fighting swordsman at heart (his sword is bent and worn), he's defended by mainly a duo of females and a sneaky swordsman played by O Chun-Hung.
Have no other info than it was part of Golden Horse's 100 Greatest Chinese-Language Films.
Storm over the Yangtze River tells the true story of undercover intelligence agent "Yangtze Number One" and his colleagues in Jianli County of Hubei Province, who risk their lives to carry out the "Dead Bridge Plan" to secure the "Yangtze 180 Blockade". The film garnered 4 awards at the 1969 Golden Horse Awards, including Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress.
Taiwan's most glamorous screen couple, Ko Chun-Hsiung and Chang Mei-Yao, co-star in "Fallen Petals", a romance with the unique setting of Taiwan during World War II, when the island was a colony of Japan. Ko is drafted into the Japanese army and forced to leave his pregnant girlfriend behind. When he is presumably killed in action, Chang becomes a cabaret girl to support their baby. Thanks to director Pan Lei's sensitive scenario, the dramatic outcome is far from predictable.
The story of Lonely Seventeen centers on Tan-mei, a seventeen-year-old high school girl who comes from a wealthy family. The film begins with Tan-mei inviting her cousin, who is also her sister’s fiancé, Feng Tse (Ke Jun-Xiong), to come over to her place on a rainy night. However, Feng Tse secretly visits his mistress first and gets seriously wounded after a fight with the woman. When he tries to make a second stop at Tan-mei’s place, he loses control of his car and is killed in a car accident. After the death of Feng Tse, Tan-mei and the mistress start to behave strangely, and both of them are sent to the same mental health institute after their emotional breakdown.
The fourth film of the 5-film series The Best Secret Agent series of taiyupian (Taiwanese-language cinema), which was also dubbed into a Mandarin version.
The film Bride in Hell (1965) is an adaption of The Mistress from Melynn, a 1960 novel by Victoria Holt. The story begins when a yacht is lost at sea. Then a telephone call between male protagonist Wang Yiming (Ke Junxiong) and his cousin Gao Fengjiao (Liu Qing) reveals that Wang’s wife has perished while eloping with a neighbor. After female protagonist Bai Ruimei (Jin Mei) learns that her older sister Ruiyun – Wang’s wife – has died, Ruimei changes her identity and applies for a job as a tutor to Wang’s daughter Shuyuan in a bid to solve the mysteries surrounding her sister’s death.
A paratrooper Kiyohio (played by Ke Junxiong) meets a beautiful tour guide Shumei (played by Bai Lan). The two hit it off and fall in love, but she'd already promised engagement to a childhood friend off at war.
During the Sino-Japanese War, Tsui-Ying flees with her father from the Japanese occupation. She meets a young man, Ling-Yun, and falls in love. Yet Tsui-Ying chooses to leave Ling-Yun and marries his uncle, a traitor who serves the Japanese. Out of heartbreak, Ling-Yun leaves the country to study abroad. In the meantime, Special Agent 001 leads the resistance against the Japanese. After Ling-Yun returns to Shanghai from the UK, he is surprised to find out his ex-lover has become the wife of his uncle Chao-Chun. Special Agent 001 continues their sabotage and the identify of the agent finally is revealed. The first Taiwanese-language spy film produced in Taiwan, The Best Secret Agent is a remake of the 1945 movie of the same name that caused a sensation in Shanghai.
