It’s nearly here! Chinese New Year is right around the corner and Malaysians around the country are preparing to welcome the Year of the Ox with a bang!
Sure, celebrations this year will have to be smaller and tone-downed no thanks to Covid-19, but that’s no reason to slip into a dour mood during this holiday season.
And what better way to keep spirits up than to kick back and relax while watching some good old Chinese New Year film classics?
Put aside the popcorn and instead, grab some pineapple tarts and love letters, it’s time to start binge-watching this festive season.
1. The Ip Man series
It doesn’t matter if you’re barely acquainted with Chinese films; Donnie Yen’s depiction of martial arts legend Bruce Lee’s mentor is well-regarded in its own right.
Centring around the real life of the humble but formidable martial arts master, Yip Man, the films are brimming with action scenes that are nothing short of breathtaking.
With iconic scenes of Ip Man taking on dozens of karate students, or duelling other martial arts masters on a dining table, the well-choreographed scenes will keep your eyes glued to the screen.
Aside from the rapid flurry of kicks and punches, it also helps that Yen plays Yip Man as an extremely likeable character who would prefer spending time at home with his family rather than fighting.
While it is normally believed that the first film remains the best of the lot, the other four films are just as entertaining and deserve a watch.
2. Kung Fu Hustle
Ask any Chinese film lover for the name of the best comedian in recent memory, and chances they’ll say Stephen Chow.
A highly talented figure in the Chinese film industry, who can act, direct, write and produce, he mixes over-the-top martial arts combat with hilarious comedy to make memorable movies.
Kung Fu Hustle is widely regarded as his masterpiece, and it’s no mystery why.
Chow plays a petty criminal who ends up being caught in the middle of a feud between a community of slum residents and the vicious Axe Gang.
Be prepared to be wowed by the many fight scenes present in this action film, and to be left in stitches by the comedic moments in between.
3. Mulan
One for the kids as well as for the young at heart, the classic Disney animation is one that a lot of Malaysian children grew up with.
Based on the legend of Mulan, Hollywood takes some liberties to come up with a fun, exciting story with a lot of heart.
The film tells the story of the free-spirited but filial Mulan, who risks her life to save her father’s by going off to war in his place.
Despite being a cartoon, the script for Mulan is immaculately written, with well-placed gags and cultural references popping-up throughout the runtime.
Not to mention, the film also has some of the best soundtracks to be found in any Disney film, with memorable classics such as “Reflection” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”.
4. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
An all-time classic of Chinese wuxia films, this award-winning Ang Lee film also happens to star one of Malaysia’s own daughters, Michelle Yeoh.
The film follows Li Mu Bai, played by superstar of the time, Chow Yun-fat, who entrusts his sword to his lover, played by Yeoh, for safekeeping.
However, the sword is stolen and Li is forced to locate it, which leads him further into a tangled web of intrigue and deception.
There is much to be loved about this movie, and it has rightfully cemented its place as a masterpiece of Chinese cinema, recognised even by Western audiences.
For even if you overlook the excellently choreographed fight scenes between Zhang Ziyi and Yeoh, there is still an exciting plot to keep you in your seat.
5. The Journey
A film by Malaysians for Malaysians, this film is among the highest-grossing local films of all time and for good reason.
The film revolves around a socially conservative father, Uncle Chuan, who is aghast at finding out that his daughter has brought home a British fiancée.
Despite the cultural and language barrier, he and his future son-in-law head out on a journey to deliver wedding invitations by hand, just like in the old days.
As to be expected, the barriers that both men put up are slowly taken down as they begin to learn valuable lessons about accepting each other’s differences.
It is a heartfelt story about family and tradition that speaks to all ages, and for a film made on a small budget, it still has a big heart to it.