Hong Kong 1941 (Chinese: 等待黎明) is a 1984 Hong Kong war drama film directed by Po-Chih Leong, produced by John Shum and written by Sammo Hung. The film stars Chow Yun-fat, Cecilia Yip and Alex Man. For his performance in this film, Chow was awarded his first Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor.
Contents
Synopsis
The film takes places shortly before and during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. The story of three young friends focuses on their sufferings as Hong Kong falls under oppressive occupation.
Years later, a woman narrates her personal story of the Japanese takeover of Hong Kong in 1941. She's Nam, young, attractive, daughter of a wealthy rice merchant, and prey to painful, disabling seizures. Her boyhood friend is Coolie Keung, whose family used to have wealth; he's now impoverished, a tough kid, a leader, in love with her. Into the mix steps Fei, cool and resourceful, an actor from the north, intent on getting to San Francisco in the US or Australia. They form a trio, but the day they are to leave Hong Kong, the invasion stops them. Fei must rescue Keung from collaborators, Nam falls in love with Fei, and danger awaits their next attempt to escape.
Filming locations
Yu Yuen (娛苑), a large residential building built in 1927 in Tung Tau Wai, Wang Chau, is featured in the film.
Cast and roles
Chow Yun-fat as Yip Kim-fei
Cecilia Yip as Han Yuk-nam
Alex Man as Wong Hak-keung
Shih Kien as Ha Chung-sun, Nam's father
Wu Ma as Chairman Liu Yan-mau
Paul Chun as Fa Wing
Ku Feng as Shui / Shiu
Stuart Ong as General Kanezawa
Billy Lau as Factory Foreman
Angela Yu Chien as Fei's Aunt
Chu Tau as Liu's men
Chow Kam-kong Liu's man
Po-Chih Leong as Emperor
Chin Ka-lok (extra)
Pang Yun-cheung (extra)
Lee Chi-kit (extra)
Home media
On 16 June 2025, Eureka Entertainment, an independent film distributor, will release a new 4K restoration of Hong Kong 1941 on Blu-ray as part of its "Masters of Cinema" series.