The first comprehensive collection on the subject of Hong Kong neo-noir cinema, this book examines the way Hong Kong has developed its own unique and culturally specific version of the neo-noir genre, while at the same time drawing on and adapting existing international noir cinemas. With a range of contributions from established and emerging scholars, this book illuminates the origins of Hong Kong neo-noir, its styles and contemporary manifestations, and its connection to mainland China. Case studies include classics such as The Wild Wild Rose (1960) and more recent films like Full Alert (1997) and Exiled (2007), as well as an in-depth look at the careers of iconic figures like Johnnie To and Jackie Chan. By examining at its past and its contemporary development, Hong Kong Neo-Noir also points towards the genre’s possible future development.

An indispensable study of a neglected genre, this anthology traces the cultural history of Hong Kong’s noir cinema, identifies key figures in the genre’s development, and furnishes incisive analyses of essential neo-noir films. Collectively, the book's chapters capture the artfulness, ingenuity, and exuberance of this remarkable cinematic tradition. -- Dr Gary Bettinson, University of Lancaster

Esther C. M. Yau teaches cinema studies in the School of Humanities at The University of Hong Kong. Tony Williams is Professor and Area Head of Film Studies, English Department, southern Illinois University at Carbondale.