Masters of Asian Cinema: Johnnie To's 'Drug War' Dec. 5 at the Pickford
Masters of Asian Cinema: “Drug War”
According to series curator and Western Washington University librarian Jeff Purdue, Johnnie To has built one of the most prolific and varied film careers in contemporary cinema. He has reinvigorated traditional popular genres -- crime films, romantic comedies, and even martial arts films -- with astonishing inventiveness, specializing in twisty narratives that innovate while maintaining clarity and reveal surprising depths.
"Drug War" follows mainland detective Zhang as he tries to crack a gang of Hong Kong drug smugglers. The result is a breathless account of an investigation that ratchets up the tension beyond what seems possible.
Co-sponsored by Western Libraries and the Pickford Film Center, the Masters of Asian Cinema series continues the rich tradition that began with the Masters of Japanese Cinema series, one of the Pickford's longest running and most popular series.
Each film in the Masters of Asian Cinema series begins with an introduction from select speakers including local professors, artists, and educators. Purdue will introduce Drug War, and looks forward to talking about one of his favorite contemporary directors.
To learn more about upcoming films featured in this series, contact Jeff.Purdue@wwu.edu.