Top 5 Most Anticipated Hong Kong Films for 2011

Apart from mostly big-budgeted films that have already confirmed, there are not that many Hong Kong films announced to be released in 2011, so it appears that it’ll be another year dominated by Chinese/Hong Kong co-productions. The local industry is simply finding it too difficult making 100 percent local production these days. Here are five Hong Kong films you should get ready for next year, including a pair that will reign supreme in Cannes this coming May.

#.5 Lover’s Discourse
A work by first-time directors (Kwok Cheung Tsang and Chi-Man Wan), may not seem all that appealing especially when its a combination of several short love stories in one as wht we saw in “Hot Summer Days” (2010). But seeing Pang Ho-Cheung put great faith in his pals, and I think we can get excited for this as well. The film depicts four love stories that are interconnected; all of them were shot in different styles to depict four different situations of love, dating and romance in modern Hong Kong city. There are other romantic films waiting in line for release in 2011. But young blood could mean a fresh take on the genre.

#.4 Life Without Principle (aka Dyut meng gam)
Johnnie To’s film started shooting in 2010’s February, and many already tipped it to be one of the hot favorites to get selected by Festival de Cannes. But it didn’t arrive, because obviously it wasn’t even half-finished by the time the festival began. Judging from the plot that’s about kidnapping, hitman, “Life Without Principle” may not be anything new from this director but at least this director is consistent in the genre — this could be a winner. Look for this to be in Cannes 2011.

#.3 Shaolin
Honestly, I was a little hesitant to put this one on the list, especially after Benny Chan’s disappointing “City Under Siege” (2010). But the New Police Story director could certainly do better with this one, and needless to point it out but, Shaolin is one of the most, if not the most, hyped films at the moment. It assemblies a star-studded cast – Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Jacky Chan to play the monks and rides on the wave of recent resurgence of Kung Fu films. With a better script, smarter story and no more sloppy production values, this one could end up being one of the Chan’s best works.

#.2 The Grandmasters
After almost 8 years of work, Grandmasters finally could see the light…the same question still remains, will this consume the filmmaker during the post-production process and when will it be unveiled? This is the first time Wong Kar-Wai took on a Kung Fu genre film, this is the first time he touches upon biographical elements and with that many Ip Man’s autobiographical films being made recently, it is hard not to make comparison. But that’s why I expect so much from this one. A Wong Kar-Wai take on Ip Man must be something that’s so strangely different to the point that it is impossibly hard for you to ignore.

#.1 Flying Swords of Dragon Gate 3D
Tsui Hark has been trying so hard to win back to his top form. After some of failed experiments; he finally came up with Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame. It wasn’t exactly the best Hong Kong film of 2010, but it almost made the list of best of, and the traces of his best old self could also be seen from this critic. With this 3D stamped film, Tsui Hark is back to work on his own best Wuxia genre, and it helps that he is reunited with Jet Li. Without a question, this one is highly anticipated for this reason and it may very well mean Tsui Hark’s return to top form. (See pic of director on set).