Program Note
Sze-To Bo was once Hong Kong's top judo player, but now he wastes his days running a nightclub, consumed by alcohol and gambling. One day, a promising judo athlete named Tony challenges him to a match. Adding to his annoyance, a singer hopeful insists on performing at his nightclub. Despite his reluctance, Sze-To Bo ends up spending time with Tony and the aspiring singer. Together, they navigate various challenges and move towards their individual life goals.
This film is a remake of Kurosawa Akira’s debut work, Sanshiro Sugata (1943), as evidenced by the Japanese music and judo theme throughout the movie. It evokes memories of early 21st-century Hong Kong, and through the protagonist's journey back to his original dream via judo, director Johnnie TO's affection for Hong Kong is palpable. Johnnie has cited this as one of his favorite films. This year at BIFAN, audiences can enjoy the 4K remastered version along with a masterclass by director, Johnnie TO. (Martin LEE)