In the Mood for Maggie Cheung brings together more than 20 of the iconic actress’ most celebrated films, many screening from new digital restorations and rare imported 35mm prints. Showcasing her expressive naturalism, elegance and magnetic screen presence, the film program traces Maggie Cheung’s evolution from rising star to international icon. After soaring to fame as the winner of the Miss Hong Kong pageant in 1983, she starred in Jackie Chan’s Police Story (1985) and went on to form a defining creative partnership with director Wong Kar-wai, whose films As Tears Go By (1988) and In the Mood for Love (2000) remain landmarks of modern cinema. Spanning romantic comedies, martial arts epics and arthouse dramas, the must-see GOMA program celebrates Maggie Cheung’s extraordinary range and influence on Hong Kong’s golden era of film. A free talk by Sydney-based writer and translator Dylan Cheung on Sunday October 26 will further explore her career and cultural impact.
Later in November, the Australian Cinémathèque program shifts gears with John Woo: Bullet Ballets, a thrilling showcase of the filmmaker’s pioneering ‘heroic bloodshed’ titles. Featuring A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Bullet in the Head and Hard Boiled, the film series honours John Woo’s signature blend of stylised gunplay, operatic drama and emotional intensity – a style that reshaped global action cinema. For years, many of these defining works from John Woo’s Hong Kong era were locked away due to complex legalities, but with the recent revival of the Golden Princess studio catalogue, they’re finally returning to the screen. While new restorations have been produced, GOMA’s screenings preserve the original cinematic experience, presenting each masterpiece as it was meant to be seen – in glorious 35mm on the big screen.
With GOMA’s main cinema newly refurbished, audiences are invited to rediscover the elegance, passion and power of Hong Kong cinema – a celebration best experienced in full cinematic glory. Visit the QAGOMA website to view the Australian Cinémathèque program and book tickets.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at QAGOMA.