The grandmaster / Великий мастер

HONG KONG – CHINA – USA
2013, 120 MIN.

Director Wong Kar Wai
Script Wong Kar Wai, Xu Haofeng, Zou Jingzhi
Camera Philippe le Sourd
Design William Chang
Music Nathaniel Méchaly, Shigeru Umebayashi
Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Cung Le, Chen Chang, Woo Ping Yuen, Siu Lung Leung, Jeana Ho, Cheung Yan Yuen
Producers Guoqing Gu, Sanping Han, Kuo Hsing Li, Zhong-Lun Ren, Jacky Pang Yee Wah, Wong Kar Wai, Xiaoming Yan, Dong Yu
Production Annapurna Pictures, Block 2 Pictures, Bona International Film Group, Jet Tone Production, Sil-Metropole Organisation

The famous grandmaster, founder of the oldest school of martial arts, is going to retire and wants to appoint a worthy successor who will carry his tradition forward. But his best student has more ambitious plans to integrate all schools in one. To fulfill this mission he challenges leaders of each school for a duel and, having won all fights, unites the schools, except of his late master’s. His master’s daughter, secretly in love with her rival, decides to fight to honor her father’s name.

WONG KAR WAI

Born in 1958 in Shanghai, China. At the age of 5 with his family moved to Hong Kong. In 1980 he graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a graphic designer. Then worked as a scriptwriter. In 1988 he debuted as a film director with “As Tears Go By”, acclaimed by critics and public. Participant in and winner of prestigious international film festivals. His film “Happy Together” (1997) got the Prize for the Best Director at the Cannes IFF. His filmography includes among others: “Ah Fei’s Story” (1991), “Chungking Jungle” (1994), “Fallen Angels” (1995), “In the Mood for Love” (2000), “2046” (2004), “My Blueberry Nights” (2007).