Before Director Nelson Yeo created Singapore's very first wuxia with THE HOUSE ON THE MOON, he studied the way of the sword by learning from the genre’s greatest visionaries. But...what the heck is a "wuxia"... you ask? Literally translating to "martial chivalry", wuxia (武俠) is one of Asian cinema’s most enduring traditions. It follows solitary swordsmen and swordswomen that soar through the air, walk on water, and fight with superhuman reflexes. The sword, emblem of the classical martial hero, symbolizes their capacity to act in accordance with the chivalrous code of xiá (俠), serving the greater good, answering to an ancient code of honour, spiritual discipline, and justice for the powerless . As we prepare for the release of THE HOUSE ON THE MOON, watch these cult classics as a conversation held across 50 years of filmmaking:
In 19th-century Qing Dynasty China, renowned swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun Fat) decides to retire from his life of violence, entrusting his legendary 400-year-old sword, the Green Destiny, to his unspoken love, Yu Shu Lien(Michelle Yeoh). When the blade is stolen, suspicion falls on Jen Yu(Zhang Ziyi), a rebellious young noblewoman desperate to escape an arranged marriage. As Shu Lien and Mu Bai pursue the thief across breathtaking landscapes, they uncover a web of dark secrets and hidden identities.
Directed by Ang Lee, this international cinematic phenomenon made history by winning four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film. Renowned for Yuen Wo-ping’s gravity-defying action choreography and Tan Dun’s iconic cello score, the film elevates traditional wuxia into a deeply romantic, tragic, and visually staggering masterpiece of passion and restraint.
In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Rated NC16 for Some Intimate Scenes.
The Way Of The Sword: Wuxia Masters is co-presented by Filmhouse and Momo Film Co, and supported by Singapore Film Society
In a lawless and brutal country dominated by ruthless bandit clans, Ding On works as a blacksmith’s apprentice in a remote sword factory. When he discovers the truth about his father's murder, Ding On sets off on a quest for revenge after bandit leader Fei Lung. In pursuit of vengeance, Ding On narrowly escapes an ambush, but loses his right arm in the process. Finding a half-burnt martial arts manual, he strengthens his resolve, forging a broken blade and adapting his fighting style to attain his retribution.
Directed by Tsui Hark, this ferocious reimagining of Chang Cheh’s 1967 wuxia classic One-Armed Swordsman is a force of visual chaos and raw aggression. Driven by wild, immersive camerawork, and a gritty atmosphere, the film remains a visceral, influential cult classic.
In Cantonese with English subtitles.
The Way Of The Sword: Wuxia Masters is co-presented by Filmhouse and Momo Film Co, and supported by Singapore Film Society
Rating TBA.
In a quiet provincial town during the Ming Dynasty, Gu Sheng Zhai is a painter and scholar living with his mother near an abandoned estate. Fleeing from Government Officials who murdered her family after her father uncovers corruption, Noblewoman Yang Hui Zhen meets Sheng Zhai. The two convert the abandoned estate into a lethal trap, triggering an epic confrontation that escalates into a transcendental battle.
Directed by King Hu, this landmark epic was the first Chinese language film to win a prize at the Cannes Film Festival, forever setting the gold standard for the wuxia genre. Featuring groundbreaking bamboo-forest action sequences and stunning cinematography, the film transforms a story of political vengeance into a grand masterpiece.
In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Rated PG13 for Some Violence.
The Way Of The Sword: Wuxia Masters is co-presented by Filmhouse and Momo Film Co, and supported by Singapore Film Society
