The Stormriders

Dir/Pho: Andrew Lau Wai-keung
Orig Story: Ma Wing-shing
Scr: Manfred Wong
Prod Cos: Golden Harvest, Centro Digital Pictures, Tianshan Film Studio
Cast: Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Chiba Sonny, Kristy Yang, Shu Qi
1998 | Colour | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 128min

Following the success of the Young and Dangerous series, Andrew Lau and BoB and Partners took on an even greater challenge by adapting Ma Wing-shing’s bestselling comic series The Storm Riders for the screen. Condensing the epic saga into a two-hour film, it centres on the martial arts master Lord Conqueror (Chiba Sonny), who manipulates his two disciples, Cloud (Aaron Kwok) and Wind (Ekin Cheng), before they ultimately revolt against him after discovering his ruthless ambitions.

The Stormriders broke new ground with its pioneering use of computer-generated visual effects. Working with Centro Digital Pictures Limited, Lau ventured into digital production for the first time, learning the technology from scratch and collaborating closely with the visual effects team to ensure the seamless integration of live action and CGI. Every detail from the choreography and performances to production design and visual effects was meticulously orchestrated.

Lau devoted two years to the project, increasing the number of effects shots from an initial 250 to more than 600. The spectacular final showdown, in which Cloud and Wind confront their master, remains one of the film’s visual highlights. Drawing on his background as a cinematographer, Lau translated Ma Wing-shing’s striking comic-book imagery into a breathtaking cinematic spectacle. The film became a milestone in the use of CGI in Hong Kong cinema.

Courtesy of Orange Sky Golden Harvest Entertainment Group

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