The Empty Hands
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Polish premiere
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Film description
Mikawa has Japanese roots, but she grew up in Hong Kong. From her earliest years, she was raised around karate. Her father set up a dojo in their apartment and subjected her to intense training. So intense, in fact, that the girl began to hate the sport. Now the old master passed away and Mari wants to get rid of the training room and get the apartment back to normal. There is one serious setback – her father left half the dojo to his former student. He resumes the training and gives Marie an ultimatum which will force her to consider getting get back on the mat.
"The Empty Hands" is not one of the typical martial arts film, once made in Hong Kong by the dozens – thanks to Chapman To's auteur attitude. The choice of the Japanese karate instead of the Chinese kung fu is already subversive and refreshing, but there is more. The beautiful shots and the slow, contemplative narration, juxtaposed with powerfully filmed fights create a story about a brutal fight of a conflicted soul. An extraordinary, deep role was created by Stephy Tang – actress and singer known to Five Flavours audiences from "My Prince Edward." Before shooting the film, Tang spent six months training karate. The father is played by Yasuaki Kurata, the legend of martial arts cinema.
text:
Marcin Krasnowolski
Chapman To
Born in Hong Kong in 1972, known mostly for his acting career. He starred in the "infernal Affairs" trilogy and Chung Mong-hong's debut "Parking." He has actively supported the protests in Hong Kong, which got him blacklisted among Chinese producers. He directed two films.
2016 Kai fan la! / Let's it
2017 Puste ręce / Hung sau dou / The Empty Hands
