Action cinema fans, pay attention. Veteran action director and martial artist Sammo Hung has settled into the director’s chair for the first time since 1997 (Mr Nice Guy, Once Upon a Time in China and America), and the results arrived in Aussie cinemas tomorrow.
The Bodyguard sees Sammo both direct and star as a retired soldier from Beijing now living in a remote town near the Russian border, and his collision with organised crime. Zhu Yuchen, Li Qinqin, Feng Jiayi and Jacqueline Chan fill out the main cast.
However, the special appearances list here is enormous, chock-full of faces that will be familiar to Hong Kong cinema buffs. Five of the Seven Little Fortunes, including Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah, a cameo from superstar Andy Lau, and industry veterans Dean Shek, Karl Maka and Tsui Hark. Looks like it’ll be fun.
The trailer tells you everything you need to know:
The Bodyguard is screening in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide from April 1, and you can find screening details at distributor Magnum’s site for the film. (Note that in some cities, there are both Mandarin and Cantonese audio versions available.)