Birmingham 2022 Programme

A Conversation with Rupture cast and crew (15)

A Q&A with Birmingham filmmaker Ranjeet S Marwa who will be talking about his new film Rupture along with stars Mark Strange, Nick Khan, and James Bryhan. This talk will be hosted by Phil Gillon of Eastern Film Fans.

Kung Fu Stuntmen: Never Say No! 龙虎武师

Junzi Wei | 2021 | Cantonese, Mandarin | Cert 18 | 93 mins

This definitive documentary chronicles the Hong Kong action industry, with first-hand accounts from the people who made it great. Featuring icons Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping, Donnie Yen, Tsui Hark, and veteran stunt performers Yuen Wah, Mars, Yuen Qiu, Chin Kar-lok and many many more. FSFF is proud to present this documentary in the UK for the very first time, in association with the Hong Kong Stuntmen Association, and with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

Drunken Master II

Lau Kar Leung | 1994 | Cantonese with English subtitles | Cert 15 | 102 mins

Ever since becoming a superstar, and then director in the 1970s, Jackie Chan was unafraid to buck industry trends – always steering away from the copycat films that followed on the heels of his box office success. After a string of modern-day hits, in 1994 Jackie returned to the genre (and franchise) that made him a star, and revitalised kung fu comedy once again with Drunken Master II. While the original was directed by fellow Chinese Opera trained Yuen Woo-ping, the sequel would be co-created by Hung Ga supremo Lau Kar-leung – a perfect blend of Jackie’s comic timing and Leung’s martial arts authenticity (Lau’s kung fu linage descends from Wong Fei-hung, Jackie’s character in the film). While creative differences almost derailed the production (Jackie took over directing duties from Lau) Drunken Master II remains a cohesive genre classic which has thrilled audiences worldwide. Also starring legendary Canto-pop queen Anita Mui, and superkicker Ken Lo. Fighting Spirit Film Festival is proud to present the original uncut Hong Kong version, in a new restoration from the Warner Archive – not screened in the original form theatrically since the limited UK first run in 1994/5. This screening is supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

THE COCKTAIL PARTY

Jessica Sanders | 2020 | English | Action,Comedy | 5 mins 

A Cocktail Party turns into an unexpected martial arts action film.

DUTY - OUT OF LINE

Felix Fukuyoshi Ruwwe | 2020 | German | Action,Comedy | 10 mins

Miss Special Agent (Julia Schunevitsch) has to escort a high ranked scientist (Khoi Chau) to a safe place when a masked killer (Felix Fukuyoshi) crosses their path to eliminate the scientist. Protecting lives is a task our skilled special agent is very well prepared for, but things don't go as smooth when it turns out that the scientist is a naive misogynist who isn't quite willing to be saved by a woman…

JIU JITSU SAVED MY LIFE TWICE

Tin Brendel | 2021 | English | Documentary | 15 mins

Born in the favelas of Brazil, we follow the unbelievable life story of Neto Nunes - the journey of London's strongest Jiu Jitsu fighter and family man.

SURVIVORS

Harry Kirby, George Kirby | 2021 | English | Action, Horror | 7 mins

When the unexpected side effect of a trial cancer treatment brings about the apocalypse, a group of young friends must use their martial arts skills to survive the infected hordes.

DEVIANTS

Godefroy Ryckewaert | 2021 | French | Action | 12 mins

Paris is the cradle of an underground war. To one side, individuals with altered genes due to the worst experiences of the past. On another side, a government agency called the EYE whose mission is to eliminate this new kind of threat.