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Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
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Hong Kong writer/director/star Stephen Chow began his career as a children's TV entertainer, but his unique style — called “mo lei tau” (or “nonsense”) — transforms ordinary situations into kung fu-injected, CGI-laden, stunt-fuelled comedic romps. As in his previous film Shaolin Soccer, Chow casts himself as the hapless, idiotic hero — here, a poor, weedy guy keen to be a member of the infamous Axe Gang who terrorise 1940s Shanghai. But from a tough neighbourhood, unlikely heroes appear. In the middle of a homage to Scorsese's Gangs of New York, a hilariously impressive martial arts battle begins. The exemplary fight scenes are choreographed by Sammo Hung (a collaborator of Jackie Chan) and Yuen Wo-Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix trilogy). Featuring more action than most action films, more comedy than most comedies and certainly more “nonsense” than most films in general, this is a dazzling and outrageous movie. KK
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Tell us what you think
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Running time
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95min
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Country of origin
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HK / Chi
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Genre
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Period Martial arts Comedy
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Alternate title
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Gong Fu,
Gung Foo
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Original language
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Cantonese / Mandarin
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Screenplay
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Stephen Chow, Tsang Kan-Cheong [Tsang Kan-Cheung], Lola Huo, Chan Man-keung
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Theatrical distributor
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Columbia TriStar
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UK cinema certificate
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15
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UK cinema release date
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June 2005
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Subtitling information
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In Cantonese, Mandarin with subtitles
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| awards information |
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Award |
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Nominee/Winner |
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| British Academy Film Awards 2005 |
Best Film Not in the English Language |
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Nominee |
| Golden Globe 2005 |
Best Foreign Language Film |
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Nominee |
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Film certification logos reproduced by kind permission of BBFC |
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