HK Slashiness

[przed]

Just got back from Cinematheque Ontario, where we saw The New One Armed Swordsman, the first film in their Heroic Grace series of Shaw Brothers martial arts epics. And all I can say is, THE SLASH, THE SLASH!

The film is directed by Cheng Cheh, who is pretty much famous for the amount of male-bonding/homoeroticism he included in his films. And this one stars two of Cheng's favourite actors, David Chiang and Ti Lung. Chiang is the titular one-armed swordsman (it's a Chinese movie thing, just go with it) who's all broody until Ti Lung shows up. Then he's all happy and in love. This being a Cheng film, it's not going to end well, but the fact that the two boys are all over each other makes it all worth while. And you've got to love a guy who goes ballistic when someone messes with his boyfriend. (blktauna agrees. Check out her review.)




This would be David Chiang, who I think is the prettiest.


This would be Ti Lung, who gets my sweetie's vote as the prettiest.


(An extra bit of slash trivia: David Chiang and Ti Lung starred in a lot of films together and were apparently quite good friends. Until "something happened." After which they refused to talk to each other and refused to work together. To this day neither will say what caused the rift and they've vowed to keep the secret until one or both of them is dead. The slash fans among you will probably be able to guess what my little conspiracy theory is for what exactly it was that drove them apart.)

Anyway, if there's anyone in the Toronto area who's at all interested in HK film, I'd totally recommend seeing this series. It's one of the few chances you'll ever have to see classic Shaw Brothers films on the big screen. And if you go to a screening, say hi. (I'll be the incredibly short woman with the incredibly tall bloke.)

Comments

[rotpunkt.livejournal.com]

God, I would so LOVE to watch this, but I live in Germany. If you ever can manage to get it on dvd, please tell me... *begs*

[przed.livejournal.com]

If you've got a region-free player, it has been released on DVD in a HK version, though I'm not certain if it's still in print. I'll ask my sweetie which online stores he usually uses.

(I'll also check if we have a copy, since we've got a ton of the Shaw Brothers releases. If it's not available, I might be able to make you a copy, though that always takes me forever to do and I owe about 3 people other films at the moment.)

[przed.livejournal.com]

londonronnie just found it on Ebay, so you might want to give that a shot.

[rotpunkt.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that´s cool - I´ll try! :)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

Funny you should mention this - blktauna was banging on to me about the very same movie just a few days ago.

Now I'm even more determined to see it - off to check ebay!

[przed.livejournal.com]

blktauna is totally right: you have to see this film.

Ebay is probably a good source, but if you're around London you also might want to keep an eye on the National Film Theatre and see if they get this series eventually. (I'm always an advocate for seeing stuff in the theatre, and the print of this one is gorgeous.)

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

but if you're around London you also might want to keep an eye on the National Film Theatre

Unfortunately I'm about 300 miles from London, so the NFT isn't an option I'm afraid. I was actually a member there for many years, and I must admit that it's one of the things I've missed most since I moved up here to the frozen north.

BUT...I have managed to find the movie on ebay... ;-)

[przed.livejournal.com]

I couldn't remember if your user name was because you were still in London, or you used to live in London. I had a sneaking suspicion it was the latter.

Glad you found the movie on Ebay. It's a keeper.

[sooguy.livejournal.com]

Based on the two shots. I agree with you David Chiang is the prettier one.

[przed.livejournal.com]

You have impeccable taste. ;)

[blktauna.livejournal.com]

Ah Lung is the Prettiest!

God this movie is more than I can believe....

[przed.livejournal.com]

Clearly you have to come to Toronto and hang out with Don.

[blktauna.livejournal.com]

Weeee!