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Throw Down

Throw Down

Directed by Johnnie To • 2004 • Hong Kong
Starring Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying

One of the most personal films by the prolific Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To is a thrilling love letter to both the cinema of Akira Kurosawa and the art and philosophy of judo. Amid the neon-drenched nightclubs and gambling dens of Hong Kong’s nocturnal underworld, the fates of three wandering souls—a former judo champion now barely scraping by as an alcoholic bar owner (Louis Koo), a young fighter (Aaron Kwok) intent on challenging him, and a singer (Cherrie Ying) chasing dreams of stardom—collide in an operatic explosion of human pain, ambition, perseverance, and redemption. Paying offbeat homage to Kurosawa’s debut feature, SANSHIRO SUGATA, To scrambles wild comedy, flights of lyrical surrealism, and rousing martial-arts action into what is ultimately a disarmingly touching ode to the healing power of friendship.

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Throw Down
  • Throw Down
    1:36:11
    Throw Down

    Throw Down

    Directed by Johnnie To • 2004 • Hong Kong
    Starring Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Cherrie Ying

    One of the most personal films by the prolific Hong Kong auteur Johnnie To is a thrilling love letter to both the cinema of Akira Kurosawa and the art and philosophy of judo. Amid the neon-drenched nightclubs ...

Extras

  • Johnnie To on THROW DOWN
    40:15
    Johnnie To on THROW DOWN

    Johnnie To on THROW DOWN

    Filmed in 2004, this interview features director Johnnie To discussing THROW DOWN.

  • Yau Nai-hoi on THROW DOWN
    11:19
    Yau Nai-hoi on THROW DOWN

    Yau Nai-hoi on THROW DOWN

    Conducted in 2021, this interview features screenwriter Yau Nai-hoi recalling his work on THROW DOWN.

  • Peter Kam on THROW DOWN
    11:23
    Peter Kam on THROW DOWN

    Peter Kam on THROW DOWN

    In this 2021 interview, composer Peter Kam discusses his score for THROW DOWN.

  • David Bordwell on THROW DOWN
    21:13
    David Bordwell on THROW DOWN

    David Bordwell on THROW DOWN

    This 2021 interview features film scholar David Bordwell analyzing the cinematic and storytelling techniques found in THROW DOWN.

  • Caroline Guo on THROW DOWN
    12:45
    Caroline Guo on THROW DOWN

    Caroline Guo on THROW DOWN

    Conducted in 2021, this interview with film scholar Caroline Guo addresses the way genre blending and cultural codes in THROW DOWN engage and subvert viewer expectations.

  • Making of THROW DOWN
    11:08
    Making of THROW DOWN

    Making of THROW DOWN

    This 2004 program features director Johnnie To and cast members Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Kar-fai, and Cherrie Ying discussing THROW DOWN.

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