Hong Kong Neo-Noir

Abstract

The first comprehensive collection on the subject of Hong Kong neo-noir cinema, this book examines the way Hong Kong has developed its own unique version of noir since the late 1940s, while drawing upon and contributing to global neo-noir cinemas. With a range of contributions from established and emerging scholars, this book illuminates the origins of Hong Kong neo-noir, its styles, contemporary manifestations, and its connection to mainland China before and after the 1997 Handover. Case studies include classics such as The Wild Wild Rose (1960) and more recent films like Full Alert (1997), Exiled (2007) and Shinjuku Incident (2008). It provides a fresh look at the careers of iconic figures Johnnie To, Jackie Chan, and Fruit Chan. By examining the films of émigré Shanghai directors, cool women killers, and noir cityscapes, Hong Kong Neo-Noir explores the complexity of the essential connection between a vibrant cinema and global noir.