The Grandmaster 3D (DBHK)

In the early Republic Era, Wing Chun master Ip Man is chosen by southern Chinese martial artists to spar with northern master Gong Baosen at his retirement ceremony. After rising to fame from the battle, Ip navigates war and poverty, and forges a close bond with Gong Er, sole heiress of the Gong family’s signature move. In the twilight of the martial arts world, Ip stands shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow masters Ma San and Razor, pursuing a martial arts path of “being, knowing, doing.”

Bordwell had always admired Wong Kar Wai’s blend of high art and pop expression. THE GRANDMASTER sees Wong appropriating kung fu film traditions, using martial arts techniques to depict romantic love. Bordwell especially admired Wong assembling the film like a mosaic, freely reconstructing it into multiple versions and reworking it within existing frameworks. To him, each version of THE GRANDMASTER has its own focus and experimentation, and the North American version possesses a uniquely ambiguous poetry that sets itself apart from the Chinese and European versions.

This screening features the rarely screened 3D version, giving audiences a chance to appreciate the multiple facets of THE GRANDMASTER.

11/1: Post-screening seminar in Cantonese with Li Cheuk-to & Bono Lee

*Please bring along your own 3D glasses
3D glasses will also be distributed on the day of screening. For further details, please enquire with cinema staff.