Opening Film

First Pair

A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box (4K Digitally Restored Version)

World Premiere

Dir/Scr: Jeff Lau
Prod Co: Choi Sing
Cast: Stephen Chow, Law Kar-ying, Ng Mang-tat, Karen Mok, Lam Kit-ying
1995 | Colour | DCP | Cantonese | Chi & Eng Subtitles | 88min

The two-part Odyssey directed by Jeff Lau lifts Stephen Chow’s Mo Lei Tau (nonsensical) humour beyond its alleged superficiality, turning it into a new aesthetic with depth and substance – a freedom that defies norms and imagination. Unlike the original novel, the film casts its gaze on the Monkey King’s emotional attachments and inner struggles. The opening scene instantly breaks the mould: Monkey, played by Chow, is sick of Longevity Monk’s nagging and set on slaying his master (Law Kar-ying) who, as it happens, sacrifices himself to save his disciple from evil. 500 years later, Monkey is reincarnated as Joker, an outlaw chief. In his repeated battles with female demons, he soon rekindles a romance he is destined for. Alongside Stephen Chow’s mind-blowing performance, also at the core of the film is his profound love for White Bone Demon (Karen Mok). Lam Kit-ying, starring as another demon, was once known as the prettiest television actress of her time. Her early passing makes watching this film all the more poignant.

Courtesy of Media Asia Film Distribution (HK) Limited

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