From August 5-21 BAM Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn will present "Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting: The Shaw Brothers," a series of films from the legendary Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong. With roots dating as far back as the silent era, the studio was formed by a trio of brothers and lead by the charismatic Run Run Shaw, revolutionizing the way movies were made in China and around the world. Known mainly for their martial arts epics, the Shaws also produced dramas, comedies and musicals. The studio established the careers of legendary actors such as Gordon Liu and Betty Loh Ti, and enlisted top-notch directors like King Hu and Li Han Hsiang.
All films are in Mandarin or Cantonese with English subtitles:
Friday, August 5 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"The Kingdom and the Beauty" (Jiang shan mei ren)
Directed by Li Han Hsiang, 1958, 99 min.
The Shaws and Han Hsiang spared no expense on this sumptuous musical about a young Chinese emperor who gives up his studies to travel incognito through the country disguised as a peasant.
Saturday, August 6 at 6:50 and 9:30 p.m.
"The Love Eterne" (Liang Shan Ba yu Zhu Ying Tai)
Directed by Li Han Hsiang, 1963, 123 min.
The Love Eterne is a musical about a young woman who pretends to be a boy so she can attend a male-only school. Once at the school she falls in love with a fellow student, yet cannot tell him the truth as it would jeopardize her chance for an education.
Sunday, August 7 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"Come Drink With Me" (Da zui xia)
Directed by King Hu, 1966, 94 min.
A young woman is sent to rescue her brother and surprises everyone with impressive martial arts skills. Hu weaves together elements of Chinese Opera and traditional folk tales, and also moves the camera back, to allow the fights scenes to unfold in a fluid manner close to dance.
Friday, August 12 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"The Empress Dowager" (Xi tai hou)
Directed by Li Han Hsiang, 1975, 107 min.
This historical epic is based on the life of Ching Dynasty Empress Dowager Tzu Hsi, who ruled China behind the scenes for over fifty years while puppet emperors pretended to hold power.
Saturday, August 13 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" (Ai Nu)
Directed by Chu Yuan, 1972, 86 min.
The daughter of a wealthy family is kidnapped and sold to a brothel where all sorts of unsavory business occurs. An amazing mix of martial arts, lesbian trysts, quests for vengeance, and old-fashioned exploitation, "Intimate Confessions" piles on the shock value with each new scene.
Sunday, August 14 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"Golden Swallow" (Hsia yu-yen)
Directed by Chang Cheh, 1968, 108 min.
In this sequel (of sorts) to "Come Drink With Me," the legendary Cheng Pei Pei reprises her role as kung fu master Golden Swallow, attempting to leave behind her life of violence and bloodshed.
Friday, August 19 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"One-Armed Swordsman" (Dubei Dao)
Directed by Chang Cheh, 1967, 111 min.
One of the first big hits for director Chang Cheh, the film is about a man who, after accidentally losing one arm, trains in a new style of left-handed combat to become a master swordsman with an unorthodox, yet unbeatable, technique.
Saturday, August 20 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"The 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (Shao Lin san shi liu fang)
Directed by Liu Chia-Liang, 1978, 115min.
A gentle ethics scholar who, after his family and friends are brutally murdered, goes to the Shaolin temple in the hopes of becoming a martial arts master. Once he leaves the temple he assembles a team of fighters and seeks revenge.
Sunday, August 21 at 6:50 and 9:15 p.m.
"Blood Brothers" (Chi Ma)
Directed by Chang Cheh, 1973, 118min
Three small-time bandits join to put down a rebellion, swearing devotion to each other. But as one rises to the rank of General, jealousy over both rank and women becomes a bloody problem.
