Painted Faces

Painted Faces

The critically-acclaimed story of three young men growing from a traditional Chinese theatrical school to stardom in Hong Kong's thriving film industry.

1988 · 108 min · ★ 7.0 · Drama

This is a story about the Peking Opera School that Jackie Chan, Samo Hung and Yuen Biao attended as young men. The story is about their teacher Master Yu and his school.

Directed by Alex Law Kai-Yui · Written by Alex Law Kai-Yui

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Shout! Factory Amazon Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 15m together

Painted Faces

One Husband Too Many

Both from Alex Law Kai-Yui.

More from Alex Law Kai-YuiSee all →

One Husband Too ManyOne Husband Too Many · 1988
One Husband Too Many
★ 8.01988
MovieComedy
Theater enthusiast Sun (Anthony Chan) is so passionate about drama that he sells his home to stage Romeo and Juliet. The plays turns out to be a complete failure however - and is the last straw for his wife (Anita Mui), who quietly leaves him. Marriage isn't working out too well for his friend Wa (Kenny Bee) either: Fed up with a husband who spends too much time at work and not enough at home, Wa's wife (Pat Ha) suddenly leaves. Things finally look up for Sun when he produces a popular play starring rich girl Hung (Cherie Chung) and the two begin dating. But it turns out Wa also has his eyes on Hung...
King Chau and Lady YuKing Chau and Lady Yu · 1981
King Chau and Lady Yu
★ 8.01981
MovieHistory
The story of Farewell to My Concubine is itself very dramatic. Lillian Lee is rumoured to have written the original screenplay in the late 1970s, which was made into a two-part television series on RTHK by Alex Law under the name King Chau and Lady Yu. Lee then adapted the story into a novel in 1985, which later inspired a feature film, scripted again by Lee and directed by Fifth Generation mainstay Chen Kaige, going on to become an international sensation that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globe Awards among other accolades. What's more, the Peking opera of the same title featured prominently in the novel, the TV programme and the film was itself adapted from a Kun opera, which was in turn based on the historical chronicle Basic Annals of Xiang Yu, from Records of the Grand Historian.
Echoes of the RainbowEchoes of the Rainbow · 2010
Echoes of the Rainbow
★ 7.62010
MovieComedyDrama
Told through the eyes of sticky-fingered eight-year-old boy Big Ears, Echoes of the Rainbow takes place in a close-knit grassroots community in 1960s Hong Kong. Big Ears' mother and father run the neighborhood shoe store, and his older brother Desmond is every family's dream son - an outstanding athlete with grades worthy of Hong Kong's best school.
An Autumn's TaleAn Autumn's Tale · 1987
An Autumn's Tale
★ 7.41987
MovieDramaRomance
Hong Kong native Lee Kay moves to NYC's Chinatown while attending college. When she learns that her boyfriend's cheating, her cousin comforts her.
Night and FogNight and Fog · 2009
Night and Fog
★ 7.32009
MovieDramaCrime
A troubled marriage fueled by the husband's jealousy, abuse, and financial struggles takes a dark turn as he becomes increasingly controlling, and subjects his wife to unbearable torment.
Eight Taels of GoldEight Taels of Gold · 1989
Eight Taels of Gold
★ 7.01989
MovieComedyDrama
An ex-pat travels from New York to his home village in rural China after a long absence. On his way, he meets a familiar girl.
To Err Is HumaneTo Err Is Humane · 1987
To Err Is Humane
★ 6.91987
MovieComedyAction
Sammo and Kenny are lowly employees if a jewelry shop. Sammo too often is the target of abuse from the manageress. One day the two are sent to show the diamonds to a sheik. They are robbed on their way to the bank. One by one they are being accused to be in collusion with the robbers. That makes Sammo very angry. To get even, he plans to kidnap the manageress. Kenny somehow learns of the plot. Sammo gets the wrong woman, accidentally kidnapping Joel.
Happy BigamistHappy Bigamist · 1987
Happy Bigamist
★ 6.71987
MovieRomanceComedy
Ah Sun of the drama society leads a dramatic private life off-stage as well as on. His ex-wife Kong loses her last cent in business; and after going bankrupt is left without a place to stay. As she is entitled to own half of Ah Sun's house, she moves back. Ching, Sun's girlfriend, is determined to show who's the mistress. Her exaggerated actions embarrass Kong, and Kong soon has a chance to hit back. Ah Sun's rich aunt returns for a visit and has not been told about their divorce...
A Tale of Three CitiesA Tale of Three Cities · 2015
A Tale of Three Cities
★ 6.72015
MovieDramaHistory
A former spy in the Chinese Nationalist Party falls for an opium-dealing widow, as China is ravaged by war and revolution.
The Soong SistersThe Soong Sisters · 1997
The Soong Sisters
★ 6.61997
MovieDramaHistory
Ai-ling married a wealthy and powerful businessman. Ching-ling married Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary founder of modern China. Mei-ling married Chiang Kai-shek, China's leader during World War II. The sisters captured the world's fascination for their brilliant marriages and their strong influence on their nation.
The Blacksheep AffairThe Blacksheep Affair · 1998
The Blacksheep Affair
★ 6.51998
MovieActionThriller
A patriotic Chinese cop is reposted to fictional East European country Lavernia as punishment for ignoring orders during a plane hijack operation. There he encounters his ex-girlfriend, who fled to Lavernia after Tiananmen Square. Their paths soon tangle with the charismatic but evil leader of the Japanese cult Aum Shinryuu
Moon WarriorsMoon Warriors · 1992
Moon Warriors
★ 6.51992
MovieActionRomance
A kind-hearted fisherman, content with simple life, is reluctantly drawn into helping a noble emperor regain his throne from his evil brother.
Mr. HandsomeMr. Handsome · 1987
Mr. Handsome
★ 6.41987
MovieComedy
Two Hong Kong men must find a way to deal with their love lives: One with a much younger girlfriend and is admired by his co-worker, and one who is married to two hilarious, dictatorial and stubborn women.
1:99 Shorts1:99 Shorts · 2003
1:99 Shorts
★ 6.32003
MovieComedyDrama
Shorts made by 11 directors in order to fight against the SARS epidemy that occurred in China and Hong Kong in 2003. The shorts were produced by the Information Service Departement of the Government of HK SAR. The aim was to bring back confidence to the HK popuation. The running-time is 1 to 2 minutes for each short.12 Short films: 1-"Rhapsody", director: Johnny To and Wai Ka-fai; 2-"My Sow Is Not Feeling Well", director: Fruit Chan; 3-"Smile", director: Teddy Chen; 4-"Of a Cause" (Animation) director: Tsui Hark; 5-"Hong Kong - A Winner", director: Stephen Chow; 6-"Who's Miss Hong Kong?", director: Joe Ma; 7-"Family of Heroes", director: Alex Law and Mabel Cheung; 8-"Until Then", director: Gordon Chan and Dante Lam; 9- "McDull 1:99" director: Brian Tse; 10-"Spring, 2003", director: Peter Chan; 11-"A Glorious Future", director: Andrew Lau and Alan Mak; 12-"Making of 1:99", director: Wong Shou-Ping.
Now You See Love... Now You Don'tNow You See Love... Now You Don't · 1992
Now You See Love... Now You Don't
★ 6.21992
MovieComedy
This is a screwball-comedy in Hong Kong style. Chow Yun Fat plays the spoiled village hetman of a tiny village in Hong Kong. The plot revolves around his love interest who has run off to work in downtown Hong Kong and many culture clashes between the peasants and urban life are highlighted.
The Illegal ImmigrantThe Illegal Immigrant · 1985
The Illegal Immigrant
★ 6.21985
MovieDrama
The lead, arrested and processed after a police raid on a Canal St. clothing workshop. He has no status in HK, where he'd swam, or the US, where he arrived as a stowaway, to avoid metal detectors which would pick up the bullets still in his body.

More Like This

Seven SamuraiSeven Samurai · 1954
Seven Samurai
★ 8.51954
MovieActionDrama
A samurai answers a village's request for protection after he falls on hard times. The town needs protection from bandits, so the samurai gathers six others to help him teach the people how to defend themselves, and the villagers provide the soldiers with food.
Ip Man 4: The FinaleIp Man 4: The Finale · 2019
Ip Man 4: The Finale
★ 7.32019
MovieActionHistory
Following the death of his wife, Ip Man travels to San Francisco to ease tensions between the local kung fu masters and his star student, Bruce Lee, while searching for a better future for his son.
ZatoichiZatoichi · 2003
Zatoichi
★ 7.22003
MovieAdventureDrama
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.
Master Z: Ip Man LegacyMaster Z: Ip Man Legacy · 2018
Master Z: Ip Man Legacy
★ 6.62018
MovieActionCrime
Following his defeat by Master Ip, Cheung Tin Chi tries to make a life with his young son in Hong Kong, waiting tables at a bar that caters to expats. But it's not long before the mix of foreigners, money, and triad leaders draw him once again to the fight.
Blood and BoneBlood and Bone · 2009
Blood and Bone
★ 7.42009
MovieActionCrime
In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
Executioners from ShaolinExecutioners from Shaolin · 1977
Executioners from Shaolin
★ 6.71977
MovieActionDrama
After the destruction of the Temple, a Shaolin disciple devotes years to mastering the Tiger style in order to defeat the martial arts master who killed his teacher. His wife, a Crane style specialist, has a feeling one style won't be enough.
Five Fingers of DeathFive Fingers of Death · 1972
Five Fingers of Death
★ 6.71972
MovieActionDrama
A young boxer joins a martial arts school to increase his skill so he can enter a martial arts competition. He leaves the school when he hears that a local gangster is terrorizing the town. He comes to the aid of a young singer and brings on the wrath of the local gang. He eventually enters the martial arts competition after learning iron palm technique and takes out all competition.
The Man from Hong KongThe Man from Hong Kong · 1975
The Man from Hong Kong
★ 6.61975
MovieActionCrime
Australian authorities arrest a man believed to be connected to the Sydney criminal underworld and send for Inspector Fang Sing Leng from Hong Kong to question him. After the alleged criminal is assassinated, Inspector Leng and the Sydney police try to hunt down those responsible and hope to solve their case along the way.
Hard TimesHard Times · 1975
Hard Times
★ 6.81975
MovieDrama
In the depression, Chaney, a strong silent streetfighter, joins with Speed, a promoter of no-holds-barred street boxing bouts. They go to New Orleans where Speed borrows money to set up fights for Chaney, but Speed gambles away any winnings.
SidekicksSidekicks · 1992
Sidekicks
★ 5.31992
MovieActionAdventure
Asthmatic teenager Barry Gabrewski is a daydreamer. Troubled by bullying, he escapes into a fantasy world where he is the sidekick to his martial arts hero, Chuck Norris, in a series of high-octane adventures taken right out of his movies. With help from his teacher's wise old uncle, Mr. Lee, Barry learns the finer points of martial arts and enters a karate championship.
Miracles: The Canton GodfatherMiracles: The Canton Godfather · 1989
Miracles: The Canton Godfather
★ 7.11989
MovieCrimeAction
A country boy becomes the head of a gang through the purchase of some lucky roses from an old lady. He and a singer at the gang's nightclub try to do a good deed for the old lady when her daughter comes to visit.
Pushing HandsPushing Hands · 1991
Pushing Hands
★ 7.31991
MovieDramaComedy
Mr. Chu is an elderly widower who teaches tai chi chuan in Beijing. He moves to America to live with his son's family, but finds the cultural adjustment difficult. Since his daughter-in-law is a white woman who does not speak Chinese, Mr. Chu's son, Alex, must mediate.
The Karate KidThe Karate Kid · 1984
The Karate Kid
★ 7.21984
MovieActionDrama
New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter