2022 Feature Film Programme
Our feature film line-up for 2022.
Surviving Bokator
Mark Bochsler | 2018 | Cambodian with English subtitles | Cert 15 | 97 mins
Surviving Bokator is a powerful story about reclaiming cultural identity and building bridges between generations. Filmed over five years, it tells of the struggle of an older genocide survivor (Grandmaster San Kim Sean) to resurrect the ancient Cambodian martial art of Bokator — virtually lost during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime — and preserve it for the nation’s youth. Through this journey, the film gets to the very core of the generational fracture happening in Cambodian communities around the world today, between genocide survivors determined to revive and maintain traditional ways, and Cambodia’s youth looking to forge a new path forward. There will also be a Bokator demonstration before the screening and a Q&A with director Mark Boschler afterwards.
Synopsis:
A genocide survivor leads a team of youths on a mission to revive Cambodia's ancient martial art and win international competition. Bokator was nearly eradicated by the Khmer Rouge 40 years ago and was feared extinct. Filmed over 5 years, this powerful award winning film is a unique look into a post-war people's efforts to reclaim traditional identity and find their place in a modern world.
The Valiant Ones 忠烈圖
King Hu | 1975 | Mandarin with English subtitles | Cert 15 | 105 mins
Master director King Hu (DRAGON INN, THE FATE OF LEE KHAN) returns to the wuxia genre he redefined with COME DRINK WITH ME. Set in the Ming dynasty era, THE VALIANT ONES is a tale of chivalrous martial artists (Hsu Feng, Roy Chiao, Han Ying-chieh) defending the coast against marauding Japanese pirates (lead by Sammo Hung, who also choreographed the action). Having left Shaw Brothers after COME DRINK WITH ME to escape the studio system, King joined Taiwan’s Union Films – where he directed Cannes winner A TOUCH OF ZEN – before returning to Hong Kong to make two films with Golden Harvest. THE VALIANT ONES (made under the King Hu Productions banner) is a golden age classic which FSFF is proud to be screening from a new restoration by the Hong Kong Film Archive. This screening is also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
Synopsis:
Facing threats from Japanese pirates along China's southern coast, Chinese Ming dynasty officials recruit a husband-and-wife martial arts duo to fight their adversaries
New York Ninja
John Liu, Kurtis Spieler | 1984/2021 | English | Cert 18 | 93 mins
From the strange genius of Taekwondo super-kicker John Liu Chung-Liang, comes the 1980s genre classic that almost never was: NEW YORK NINJA. Hot off a home run of hits at Seasonal Films (SECRET RIVALS 1 & 2, SNUFF BOTTLE CONNECTION), Liu followed in the footsteps of Bruce Lee as director/star. But in 1984, amid production issues – his American debut would be lost in development hell..until now! Vinegar Syndrome has unearthed a true lost film: reconstructing from 35mm film reels – without script materials or audio (a newly recorded voice track stands in for the original performances) – they have revived the Ninja infused madness of NEW YORK NINJA. Biohazard suit not required.
Synopsis:
Originally shot in 1984 and not finished until 2021, New York Ninja is about a sound technician for a news station (John Liu) who becomes a vigilante ninja in New York City after his pregnant wife is murdered.
Momentum
Michelle Aguilar, Lane Power | 2022 | English | Cert 15 | 52 mins
MMA fighting gave Chris "Coco" Cocores an escape – born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California, in a broken home riddled with childhood traumas: For him, street fighting was a way to cope. By age 26, Chris was the reigning MMA featherweight champion and a month away from the biggest fight of his career. But when tragedy strikes, Chris finds himself at the beginning of a whole new fight -- the fight for his life. Determined to get back in the ring, Chris called his coach Ryan Wallace from his hospital bed: “I’ll get back out there, no matter what it takes.” Without skipping a beat, Ryan agrees to help him. Momentum follows Chris’ journey of perseverance and vulnerability within the world of MMA.
Synopsis:
MMA fighting gave Coco an escape. But when tragedy strikes, Chris finds himself at the beginning of a whole new fight -- the fight for his life. This is a story of resilience, vulnerability and sacrifice in the face of life’s most insurmountable hurdles. Filmed over the course of 3 years, MOMENTUM is a vérité feature documentary following one man’s exhilarating journey out of the darkness and back in the ring.
WAY OF THE DRAGON 猛龍過江
Bruce Lee | 1972 | Mandarin with English subtitles | Cert 18 | 99 mins
In a special FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY screening – Bruce Lee’s directorial debut, WAY OF THE DRAGON, joins the lineup at this years FSFF. Having smashed box office records throughout Southeast Asia with THE BIG BOSS and FIST OF FURY, Lee rejected further scripts from Golden Harvest, instead launching CONCORD PRODUCTION and took the cast and crew to Rome to film in 1972. The result features one of the most iconic cinematic fights of all time – Bruce Lee v Chuck Norris in the Roman Colosseum. A classic from the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, and not to be missed in this all-too-rare screening. You’ll kick yourself for not going! This screening is also supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
Synopsis:
A man visits his relatives at their restaurant in Italy and has to help them defend against brutal gangsters harassing them.