Portal:Film/Selected article June 2006

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Way of the Dragon (1972) film poster

Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action movie, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural appeal. In recent years, the flow has reversed somewhat, with American and European action films being heavily influenced by Hong Kong genre conventions. The first Hong Kong action films favoured the wuxia style, emphasizing mysticism and swordplay, but this trend was politically suppressed in the 1930's and replaced by styles in which films depicted more down-to-earth unarmed kung fu. The 1970's saw the rise and sudden death of International superstar Bruce Lee. He was followed in the 1980's by Jackie Chan—who popularised the use of comedy, dangerous stunts, and modern urban settings in action films—and Jet Li, whose authentic wushu skills appealed to both eastern and western audiences. The innovative work of directors and producers like Tsui Hark and John Woo introduced further variety (ie; gunplay, triads and the supernatural). An exodus by many leading figures to Hollywood in the 1990's coincided with a downturn in the industry.

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