Introduction

To honor the achievement of Hong Kong's leading producer, Raymond Chow, the TIFF is awarding him the Special Appreciation Award this year. Three of his films will be screened throughout the night to commemorate the occasion. Jackie and Jiangshi (hopping ghost), who took the 1980s by storm, come back to the screen once more!

"Police Story"　警察故事
105min Cantonese Color | 1985 Hong Kong
Released late 1985 as a New Year's movie. The film attracted a lot of attention for Jackie's brilliant action and direction, which continued from his previous work, Project A (1984). Inspector Chan pursues the boss of a drug syndicate but falls into their snare as they collude with some influential figures, and Chan is falsely accused of cop-killing. Furious Chan corners the criminals in a department store for a face-off at the climax. The film is memorable not only for its comical elements but also its serious aspects. Maggie Cheung, who later became an internationally-acclaimed actress, plays the role of Chan's innocent girlfriend. The Japanese release version will be screened.
Director : Jackie Chan
Cast : Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung

"Mr. Vampire"　疆屍先生
96min Cantonese Color | 1985 Hong Kong
Released in Japan in April 1986. Original story by Eric Tsang of the Mad Mission series. This was the first of a film series combining comedy, horror, kung fu action and SFX. A priest is asked by rich Yam to perform a reburial of Yam’s father but is surprised when he looks inside the coffin. The deceased will resurrect and become a hopping ghost if nothing is done. Sure enough, Yam gets killed. Suspecting it is the work of the vampires, the priest launches an investigation with his two bumbling assistants. Ricky Hui of the Mr. BOO! series plays the priest's funny student.
Director : Ricky Lau
Cast : Lam Ching-Ying, Ricky Hui, Moon Lee

"The Cannonball Run"
95min English Color | 1980 U.S.A.
Launched late 1981 as a New Year's movie. The supercar boom may have passed its peak, but the extreme speed of Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari and Aston Martin excited the audience in those days. An actual car race of 5,000km across America with no rules, was made into an all-star film. Hal Needham, an ex-stunt man who worked with Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit (1977), packed the story with car action. Self-parodies, seemingly enjoyed by the stars themselves, are also a must-see. The film was promoted in Japan as starring Jackie, who was already popular at that time.
Director : Hal Needham
Cast : Burt Reynolds, Jackie Chan, Roger Moore