Author Archives: John Snadden

When Fortune Smiles: The Life and Times of Raymond Chow and Golden Harvest

Posted on May 5, 2020 by John Snadden
Raymond Chow in 2013

Raymond Chow, a major figure in world cinema, died on 2 November 2018. He was the co-founder and public face of the Hong Kong based Golden Harvest Film Company. From 1970-2003, Golden Harvest produced approximately 600 feature films, and through its theatrical arm distributed nearly as many titles again. From the mid-1980s, Golden Harvest became the most prosperous and prolific movie business in South East Asia, supplanting the once all-powerful Shaw Brothers Studio.

Raymond Chow and … (read more)

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Enchanting Shadows: The Films of the Shaw Brothers

Posted on March 14, 2014 by John Snadden

The recent passing of Chinese business tycoon Run Run Shaw was an event well covered by the world’s media. The obituaries for the 106 year old entrepreneur mainly concentrated on his business acumen and life-long philanthropy.

Like many successful industrialists, Run Run Shaw’s public largess would not have been possible without the profits generated by his companies, in particular the Shaw Brothers movie studio.

For more than a twenty year period from the late 1950s, Run Run Shaw helped create … (read more)

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Once Upon a Time in Chinatown

Posted on January 30, 2011 by John Snadden

It was the end-of-an-era on 26 May 2008 when Melbourne’s Chinatown cinema closed its doors for the final time. For nigh on thirty years, the Chinatown cinema had regularly screened Cantonese language films in central Melbourne. And for just over nineteen of those years, I had been watching and enjoying Hong Kong movies on the big screen.

Sometimes the end of an era is celebrated and sent out on a high, but in the Chinatown’s case the last film was … (read more)

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Gong Li – Her Brilliant Career

Posted on August 11, 2008 by John Snadden

One of the most recognised Chinese faces in the world today is that of actress Gong Li. Her memorable screen roles of strong willed women challenging an obstinate male dominated society found enthusiastic audiences in the east and west.

Films such as the historical dramas Ju Dou and Raise the Red Lantern were world-wide successes; while smaller, more parochial films like the urban drama Breaking the Silence were garnered with critical and local rewards.

Gong Li has at times been … (read more)

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