Before the story is set in motion, some personalities already emerge from the social landscape of the Alley: the village fool, the demanding and fearsome landlady and her potentially philandering husband. The film then charts Sing’s attempt to prove himself worthy of The Axe Gang and his process of self-discovery as he interacts with people in the Alley and someone from his past.īalancing the vibrancy and seediness of urban Shanghai – complete with colourful neon signs and expensive nightclubs-with the rundown and humble locale of Pig Sty Alley, Chow cleverly subverts the commonplace notion of mundanity often associated with nondescript communities.

By sheer coincidence, he brings the gang’s attention to an otherwise unnoticed and decrepit residential cluster known as Pig Sty Alley. Sing, a young man who harbours a past of humiliation and inadequacy, seeks to restore his confidence by joining The Axe Gang, though not without pretending to be a member of the gang first. Led by Brother Sum, a ruthless and intimidating figure, it boasts a whole contingent of literal axe-wielding hooligans in black suits. One of the most prominent and feared gangs is the Axe Gang. It is Shanghai in the 1930s and gangs are rife, holding considerable power over society, including law enforcement.

It was also the highest-grossing film in the history of Hong Kong till 2011. It garnered numerous awards, scooping up 5 Golden Horse Awards (including Best Director and Best Film), 6 more at the Hong Kong Film Awards (including Best Picture) and earned a nomination at the British Academy Film Awards and a Golden Globe nomination. The film was extremely well-received and became a box office hit in both Asia and the United States. Kung Fu Hustle is a 2004 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed, co-written and co-produced by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. Screenwriters: Stephen Chow, Huo Xin, Chan Man-keung, and Tsang Kan-cheungĬast: Stephen Chow (Sing), Danny Chan (Brother Sum), Yuen Wah (landlord of Pig Sty Alley), Yuen Qiu (landlady of Pig Sty Alley), Eva Huang (Fong), Bruce Leung (Beast) Producers: Stephen Chow, Chui Po-chu, Jeffrey Lau

Filmbusu Treeview is a weekly collaboration between Tembusu Treehouse and Tembusu College’s Filmbusu, where Treehouse writers give their take on Filmbusu’s pick of the week.

The beast kung fu hustl