In the Face of Demolition

This early leftist social drama from Hong Kong offers a panoramic portrait of a crumbling apartment complex and its down-and-out denizens, including a taxi driver, an unemployed teacher, a professional reduced to selling his blood and, of course, a venal landlord. In addition to establishing an omnipresent theme in Hong Kong cinema – the plight of the urban poor – the film is also a prime example of the popular melodramas of the time, which featured displaced Mainland film stars.

Director: Lee Tit

Cast: Bruce Lee, Ng Cho-Fan, Cheung Ying, Lo Tun, Lee Yuet-Ching, To Sam-Ku, Mui Yee, Wong Man-Lei

Audience-only score — full critic data not yet in the ReelXO vault.