Red Cliff II

Dir: John Woo
Scrs: John Woo, Chan Khan, Kuo Cheng, Sheng Heyu
Action Unit Director: Corey Yuen
Presenters: China Film Group, Avex Entertainment, Chengtian Entertainment, CMC Entertainment, Showbox, John Woo
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Zhao Wei, Hu Jun, Shidou Nakamura, Chiling Lin, You Yong
2009 | Colour | 35mm | Mandarin | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 141min

Picking up where the first episode left off, Red Cliff II sees Cao Cao (Zhang Fengyi) amass a staggering force of 800,000 soldiers and 2,000 battleships, poised to crush the fragile alliance of Liu Bei (You Yong) and Sun Quan (Chang Chen) at Red Cliff. Outnumbered and under-supplied, the allies must rely on cunning strategy rather than sheer force. Liu Bei’s master tactician, Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro), devises an ingenious plan to replenish their arrow supply using scarecrows, while Zhou Yu (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) sows discord within Cao’s court, leading to the downfall of his most capable generals. The final piece of their strategy hinges on a crucial shift in the eastern wind, predicted by Zhuge Liang’s celestial knowledge, allowing the allies to set Cao’s battleships ablaze in a matter of moments.

While John Woo continues his signature portrayal of male camaraderie, Red Cliff II also boldly introduces new elements that give greater prominence to its heroines. Sun Shangxiang (Zhao Wei) bravely infiltrates Cao’s camp to gather intelligence, while Sun Quan’s concubine, Xiao Qiao (Chiling Lin), desired by Cao, meets the warlord alone at night to delay his actions and buy time for the alliance. Filmed on expansive constructed sets and enhanced with cutting-edge CGI, Red Cliff II is a visually breathtaking and emotionally stirring conclusion to Woo’s two-part saga.

Red Cliff II was winner of Best Sound Design at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards. The screening will feature a 35mm archival film print, allowing audiences to experience the unique texture of celluloid on the big screen.

Special acknowledgements: Mr Terence Chang, Mr John Woo

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