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2018.06.16 14:05
MoMA 무협감독 유가량 회고전(7/5-17)
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The Grandmaster: Lau Kar-leung
July 05, 2018–July 17, 2018
![Series-image-001_Mad-Monkey-Kung-Fuc-300x200.jpg](http://www.nyculturebeat.com/files/attach/images/3948247/228/716/003/28d24ff19b597e8e09c7b7a4e8da17a7.jpg)
Many directors and actors have been associated with the kung fu genre, Hong Kong cinema’s most unique creation, but no one compares to Lau Kar-leung (1937–2013), aka Liu Chia-liang, as a purist of the genre and the kung fu form. Trained in the southern Hung Fist tradition, Lau practiced under his father, whose teacher was a direct disciple of Wong Fei-hung (1847–1924), the legendary martial artist and folk hero whose life has been fictionalized in over 100 films. This lineage formed the foundation of Lau’s work as both a director and kung fu practitioner.
Lau began performing stunts and small roles in movies at an early age, and joined the Shaw Brothers film studio in the 1960s as a martial arts instructor, choreographing and directing action scenes. His partnership with director Chang Cheh created such stunning swordplay films as One-Armed Swordsman (1967) and Golden Swallow (1968). The first martial arts instructor ever to become a director, Lau rose to the position with a unique vision. Diverging from Chang’s world of gut-spilling bloodbaths and machismo, Lau used his films to honor the holistic practice of kung fu—a discipline of both the body and mind. And unlike director King Hu (Come Drink with Me, A Touch of Zen), who constructed fantastical, impressionistic movements inspired by Peking opera–style acrobatics and theatrics, Lau favored realistic combat, informed by the southern kung fu form that he had practiced all his life.
While many films feature invincible fighters at their pinnacle, Lau had a penchant for a martial artist’s training stage, dedicating ample screen time to the depiction of rigorous practice and the development of humility, kindness, and moral standing—the qualities that make a true master. Some of the training scenes have an almost documentary quality; the actors sometimes underwent grueling physical ordeals on set. Lau often embedded kung fu demonstrations in opening-credit sequences as well, offering moments for the art form to shine in its purest state. Intricately choreographed and performed fight scenes further underline the director’s intimate relationship with his art. Lau’s films are an ultimate ode to kung fu, and earned him the moniker The Grandmaster.
This series includes 10 films Lau made for the Shaw Brothers. The director himself appears in six of the films, in a variety of leading and supporting roles, alongside many of his favorite kung fu stars, including Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Kara Wai, and Hsiao Hao.
Organized by La Frances Hui, Associate Curator, Department of Film.
The exhibition is supported by the Annual Film Fund.
Special thanks to Celestial Pictures, American Genre Film Archive, and Bede Cheng.
*유가량, 무협의 혼이 잠들다 <시네 21>
http://m.cine21.com/news/view/?mag_id=73832
Screening Schedule
Challenge of the Masters
1976. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Chen Kuan-tai, Lau
Kar-leung. DCP. In Mandarin; English subtitles. 93 min.
Over 100 films have fictionalized the story of the legendary folk hero Wong Fei-hung,
presenting him as a revered master of kung fu and a leader in moral virtues. Lau Kar-leung
chose instead to use his sophomore directorial effort to focus on the making of the master,
and he would continue to explore this theme in later films. Wong (Gordon Liu Chia-hui)
appears as a hotheaded young man initially too rash to become a role model. Under the
tutelage of Luk Ah Choi (Chen Kuan-tai), a celebrated practitioner of the Shaolin tradition, Liu
undergoes rigorous training not only in kung fu but also, more importantly, in humility and
kindness—the qualities that make a true, honorable kung fu master.
Fri, Jul 6, 5:00 (T2) Sun, Jul 8, 2:00 (T2)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
1978. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Wong Yue. DCP. In
Mandarin; English subtitles. 116 min.
Lau Kar-leung and Gordon Liu Chia-hui’s most celebrated work is a quintessential, allexhaustive
course in Shaolin kung fu. Liu plays San Te, originally a commoner on the run from
oppressive Manchu officers. Taking refuge in the Shaolin temple, he devotes himself to the
most rigorous kung fu training ever seen on screen. Each of the temple’s chambers specializes
in one aspect of training, from arm strength to vision, balance to the mastery of individual
weapons. No acting lessons ever prepare an actor to undergo such a grueling process—
documentary-style. Liu proves himself one of the most sensational and enduring kung fu
stars.
Sat, Jul 7, 7:00 (T2) Tue, Jul 17, 7:00 (T2)
Dirty Ho
1979. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Wong Yue, Kara Wai.
DCP. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 102min.
Master Wang (Gordon Liu Chia-hui) poses as a wine and antiques connoisseur to hide his true
nobility and kung fu prowess. When he meets Dirty Ho (Wong Yue), a witty con artist, Wang
knows he has found the right man to help him untangle a royal succession
Mad Monkey Kung Fu
1979. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Lau Kar-leung, Hsiao Hou, Kara Wai. DCP.
In Cantonese; English subtitles. 114min.
Lau Kar-leung stars in this film as Peking opera performer and kung fu master Chen. A
drunken evening leaves his hands crippled and his sister (Kara Wai) is forced to marry a
villainous brothel owner. Reduced to a street performer living a solitary life, Chen meets Little
Monkey (Hsiao Hou) and takes him in as his kung fu student. Extended sequences showcasing
the two practicing side by side affirm Lau as both a striking martial artist and brilliant
choreographer. Hsiao Hou puts his sensational athleticism and humorous charm on full
display, performing kung fu the monkey style. This film affords Lau yet another opportunity to
highlight the mentor-disciple relationship and the strenuous training behind the making of a
kung fu master.
Wed, Jul 11, 7:00 (T2) Sun, Jul 15, 5:00 (T2)
Return to the 36th Chamber
1980. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Hsiao Hou. DCP. In
Cantonese; English subtitles. 100min.
This quasi follow-up to the masterpiece The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) once again
celebrates the intricacies of kung fu training. Gordon Liu Chia-hui shows off his comedic edge
as Chieh, who impersonates a Shaolin fighter in order to stand up for a group of exploited
textile workers. When his cover is blown, he is determined to seek real training at the temple.
Deemed unfit by the head monk, however, he is assigned to build bamboo scaffoldings.
Laboring day in and out with the material, Chieh gradually acquires kung fu skills by observing
others in training and maneuvering bamboo poles. Lau Kar-leung brilliantly foregrounds this
resilient, flexible material, which symbolizes the strength and beauty of Chinese culture.
Mon, Jul 9, 7:00 (T2) Mon, Jul 16, 7:00 (T2)
My Young Auntie
1981. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Kara Wai, Lau Kar-leung, Hsiao Hou. DCP.
In Cantonese; English subtitles. 115min.
Lau Kar-leung’s favorite female kung fu star, Kara Wai, stars as Dai Nan, a young widow from a
small village who has arrived in cosmopolitan Guangzhou to safeguard her deceased
husband’s estate. With no shortage of humor, Dai Nan meets Jing Chuen (Lau Kar-leung), her
nephew-in-law at least twice her age. Charged with protecting his young auntie, Jing Chuen
soon learns she is in fact an accomplished kung fu fighter. Joined by Jing Chuen’s son Ah Tao
(Hsiao Hou), a Hong Kong–educated/English-speaking modern young man, they form an
unusual and sometimes comical alliance to fight an evil uncle who schemes to steal the family
fortune.
Sat, Jul 7, 4:00 (T2) Thu, Jul 12, 4:00 (T2)
Martial Club
1981. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Kara Wai, Wang
Lung-wei, Lau Kar-leung. DCP. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 102min.
Gordon Liu Chia-hui plays a young Wong Fei-hung, the legendary kung fu master. When his
friend is brutally injured by members of a rival martial arts club, he must rise to demand
justice. Liu displays his remarkable combat skills in an ingeniously choreographed duel in a
narrow alleyway that remains one of the best action sequences ever filmed. Lau Kar-leung
uses this film as a vehicle to illustrate the age-old code of ethics observed by martial arts
practitioners; speaking directly to the camera, he makes a special appearance in the opening
credit sequence to demonstrate the kung fu world’s rules of engagement.
Sun, Jul 8, 5:00 (T2) Sat, Jul 14, 4:00 (T2)
Legendary Weapons of China
1982. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Lau Kar-leung, Lau Kar-wing, Kara Wai,
Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Hsiao Hao. DCP. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 105 min.
The Qing court has solicited a mystical clan of boxers to withstand foreign gunfire. Lau Karleung
stars as Lei Kung, one of the leading boxers, who dissolves his own fraction in order to
preserve life. Seen as a traitor, he is hunted down by various fighters, played by Lau’s all-time
favorite kung fu stars Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Kara Wai, and Hsiao Hao. Spectacularly and
intricately choreographed combat ensues, but the ultimate battle belongs to Lau and his reallife
brother Lau Kar-wing, who plays one of the assassins. Their unforgettable, grueling, 10-
minute long fight using a dizzying slew of lethal weapons is Lau’s utmost expression of love for
Chinese martial arts.
Thu, Jul 5, 7:00 (T2) Fri, Jul 13, 7:30 (T2)
The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter
1984. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Gordon Liu Chia-hui, Kara Wai, Fu Sheng,
Lau Kar-leung. DCP. In Cantonese; English subtitles. 97 min.
Evil general Pan Mei entraps Yang family warriors into a tragic battle that leaves almost their
entire clan killed. While one brother returns home a traumatized shell, the other, Yang Wulang
(Gordon Liu Chia-hui), seeks refuge in a monastery, where he develops the invincible
eight diagram pole fighting technique. But this life of spiritual solace does little to tame his
desire for vengeance. When his sister (Kara Wai) is captured by Pan, Yang emerges for a final
showdown. Lau Kar-leung’s most emotionally dramatic picture features some of his most
stunning group action scenes. The director appears in a small role as a hunter who puts on a
spectacular fight to assist Yang’s escape.
Fri, Jul 6, 7:30 (T2) Sat, Jul 14, 7:00 (T2)
Martial Arts of Shaolin
1986. Hong Kong. Directed by Lau Kar-leung. With Jet Li, Huang Qiuyan, Hu Jianqiang. DCP.
In Mandarin; English subtitles. 93min.
A young Jet Li stars as Zhi Ming, a monk who grew up as an orphan in the Northern Shaolin
Temple. Years in the monastery don’t quell his quest to avenge his father, who was murdered
by a wicked court official. During a failed assassination attempt, Zhi Ming meets and bonds
with Sima (Huang Qiuyan), a Southern Shaolin temple–trained fighter who also seeks revenge
for her family. Spectacularly choreographed fight scenes provide Lau Kar-leung a unique
opportunity to showcase the strengths of both northern and southern martial arts styles. The
singularly sensational Li is joined by a cast of national martial arts champions, making this one
of the most impressively performed kung fu films.
Tue, Jul 10, 7:00 (T1) Fri, Jul 13, 5:00 (T2)