Hong Kong New Wave Essentials [Blu-ray]

Painted Faces: Long before the world discovered Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, they were members of a children's Peking opera troupe. Painted Faces is the colorful story of the adolescent years of Jackie, Sammo, and others who grew up to transform Hong Kong cinema. Sammo Hung recreates the role of his former troupe master, and Cheng Pei-pei (Come Drink With Me) is radiant as a Cantonese opera star. Painted Faces swept the 1988 Hong Kong Film Awards and Taiwan Golden Horse ceremonies, its many honors included two Best Actor statues for Sammo Hung. The Story of My Son: The Story of My Son is an early collaboration between directing duo Johnnie To and Wei Chia-hui. Li Tzu-liang (Damian Lau) is newly widowed and leading an impoverished life with two young sons (Huang Kun-hsuan and Cheng Pak-lam). He attempts to make a fortune gambling at the horseracing track but is subsequently debt-laden even as more heart-wrenching events begin to unfold. The two renowned young stars, Huang Kun-hsuan (All About Ah-Long) and Cheng Pak-lam (Pak Lam Weekly), were crowned Best Child Performer at the 35th Asia Pacific Film Festival. Women: A woman (Cora Miao) joins the carefree "Spinsters' Club" when she discovers her husband (Chow Yun-fat) is having an affair. Despite the seemingly happy front that her "sisters" put on, underneath it all each of them secretly yearns for a man in their lives. When her repentant husband begs forgiveness, she is forced to decide on what she truly wants. Stanley Kwan's directorial debut, Women deftly explores the swirl of emotions in these characters' hearts as well as the constant tussle between one's heart and mind.