MUBI Notebook presents an extensive conversation with Hong Kong New Wave luminary Tsui Hark, examining his prolific career spanning over 200 credits as director, producer, writer, and occasional performer. The piece traces his evolution from early genre innovations—including the politically charged Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind (1980) and the Jet Li vehicle Once Upon a Time in China (1991)—through his pioneering adoption of Hollywood-grade visual effects in Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983). Thrift analyzes Tsui’s genre versatility across comedy, romance, action, and fantasy while noting his shift toward nationalist-friendly historical epics like The Battle at Lake Changjin (2021). The interview acknowledges his legendary producer role in John Woo’s masterworks and his contentious collaborations with King Hu, situating Tsui as a technologically adventurous blockbuster auteur whose recent work prioritizes spectacle over the political confrontation characteristic of his 1980s–90s period. The piece coincides with restoration campaigns and archival releases bringing previously unavailable films to home video formats.
Original article published on MUBI Notebook — AI-generated summary. Visit the website to read the full article at the source.
