Films & Schedules - HONG KONG

Set during the Qing Dynasty, The Warlords tells the story of the rise of General Pang, whose ascent is aided by two bandits who become his blood brothers. Almost inevitably, power breeds greed and hubris, and the brotherhood collapses in a spiral of resentment and betrayal.

“With a cast of thousands, spectacular battle scenes, Shakespearean-style rumination on the corrupting influence of power, and a story of love and loyalty played with dramatic intensity and martial arts fury, The Warlords reigns as the Asian super-production for the new millennium. All revolves around the tragic fate of General Pang (Jet Li), whose noble intention to bring peace and stability to late 19th-century Qing Dynasty China turns into vaunted ambition for personal power and glory. Pang is joined by two bandits who become his sworn blood brothers. Zhao (Andy Lau) and Jiang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) help Pang rise to power, carrying out impossible campaigns for the Qing court, defeating Taiping rebels, and conquering cities. Along the way, Pang becomes attracted to Zhao’s wife (Xu Jinglei), and massacres prisoners whom Zhao had promised to protect. Soon, the brotherhood collapses in a spiral of betrayal and death.”—San Francisco Film Festival.

Filmography: He’s a Woman She’s a Man (94), Comrades: Almost a Love Story (96), Perhaps Love (06).

126 Minutes    

Interests: Asian.