Recently saw 2 chinese martial arts films : “Kung-fu hustle” and “House of Flying daggers”. The first is more recent (as in release date), and is not dubbed; i.e.; you must read the sub-titles. The second, which is a much acclaimed film, has been dubbed in English. I enjoyed both films, although they have vastly different storylines.

KFH is a story set in what looks like modern day China, and is the comically told story of the “fight” between the notorious Axe gang and the night-gown clad landlady of a poor Chinese chawl. Don’t get misled by the night-gown though; the landlady has it in her to terrorise local residents, beat her husband to a pulp, and emit yells so shrill, they crack glassware. Into this war comes our hero, a happy-go-lucky, never-do-well wastrel with a heart of gold. Getting involved in a vicious fight, leaves him almost fatally wounded. However, all is not lost yet….

HFD is a more “Serious” film. The story of the struggle between governement policemen, and an underground organisation – the flying daggers, in 8th century China, this film presents a love triangle, and the fate of the three involved in it.

Both films have martial arts. While KFH is snappy, and more urban, HFD is slower and more “poetically” told. HFD’s cinematography is something to watch out for ; beautifully enacted fight scenes in green bamboo forests make for scintillating cinema. Slow motion is used to emphasize martial techniques and the exquisite precision involved. Most characters in this film wear decorous costumes, while performing martial manoevres, and swirling sleeves and long skirts only serve to increase the beauty manifold. As far as the martial arts are concerned, KFH seems to have more “technique” (and I’m no expert) as evinced in the one-to-one fight sequences, while HFD has better presentation.