Autumn of Hong Kong Cinema, World Premiere of the Original 'A Better Tomorrow' (1967) 4K Restoration

Is there an original 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 besides Chow Yun-fat's version? It is the 1967 film 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 directed by Yeung Kwan. Lee Cheuk-hung (played by Leslie Cheung) is arrested as a safecracker and is released after serving over ten years. During that time, his fiancée Betty has become the woman of the triad leader One-eyed Jack. He decides to stay at his friend Ah Han's house while hiding his release from his brother. Jack pressures him to rejoin the organization, but determined to leave his past behind and start a new life, he ultimately resists the temptation. In response, Jack begins to draw his brother into the dark world. The 1967 film 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 is considered one of the top 100 Hong Kong films of all time by 'Time Out Hong Kong' and has had a significant influence on John Woo's 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 (1986). Additionally, the protagonist Lee Cheuk-hung is the father of Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung, who played the corrupt football association president in Stephen Chow's 〈Shaolin Soccer〉(2002). With impressive performances from the actors, dynamic camera work, and intense fight scenes, 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 will be screened in a 4K digital restoration at its world premiere.

Meanwhile, the Korean Film Archive and the Hong Kong Film Archive are jointly planning the 'Emotional Journey – Crossing Borders with Hong Kong Cinema', supported by the Cultural and Sports Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. This project is part of the 'Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul' (September 26 to October 25) and will be held at the Cinematheque KOFA from October 15 (Wednesday) to 25 (Saturday). This special exhibition will screen four classic Hong Kong films produced from the 1960s to the 1980s and two Korean-Hong Kong co-productions. The original 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 (1967) 4K restoration, which is the predecessor to John Woo's 〈A Better Tomorrow〉 (1986), will be screened at its world premiere, bringing back memories for film fans of the legendary Hong Kong noir genre and its stars, including John Woo, Chow Yun-fat, and Leslie Cheung. After the screenings, there will be a special film commentary and discussion featuring Hong Kong film researcher and critic Sam Ho, Joyce Yang, and film critic Joo Sung-cheol to enhance the audience's understanding of Hong Kong cinema. It is hoped that this exhibition will deepen the friendly relations between Korea and Hong Kong and open new horizons for cultural exchange in the film industry between the two regions.

Additionally, the 4K digital version of Ho Yim-chan's 〈The Heroic Ones〉, which brought the first female martial arts star Jeong Pae-pae to stardom, and the action-packed 〈The Invincible Dragon〉 will also be screened. Along with these, the Korean action film pioneer Jeong Chang-hwa's Korean version of the 007 spy film 〈Moments are Forever〉, filmed in Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, and Kim Dong-hak's 〈The Fierce 509 Anti-Tank Unit〉 will also be available for viewing.

Opening Ceremony

October 15 (Wednesday) 7 PM Screening of 〈The Invincible Dragon〉

Closing Ceremony

October 25 (Saturday) 3:30 PM Screening of 〈A Better Tomorrow〉(1967)

Film Introduction and Discussion

October 15 (Wednesday) 7 PM Introduction after the screening of 〈The Invincible Dragon〉

October 16 (Thursday) 7 PM Introduction before the screening of 〈The Heroic Ones〉

October 17 (Friday) 4 PM Introduction before the screening of 〈Moments are Forever〉

October 17 (Friday) 7 PM Introduction before the screening of 〈The Fierce 509 Anti-Tank Unit〉

October 18 (Saturday) 1 PM Introduction before the screening of 〈A Better Tomorrow〉(1986)

October 18 (Saturday) 3:30 PM Discussion after the screening of 〈A Better Tomorrow〉(1967), film critics Sam Ho, Joyce Yang, Joo Sung-cheol

* Film introductions and discussions will be conducted with Cantonese-Korean consecutive interpretation.