Honour, courage, discipline, respect: the profound roots of Asian culture but also the profound roots of kung fu. The same kung fu of which Ip Man - legendary teacher of Bruce Lee - was (and remains) a universal icon. A symbol of strength, loyalty and wisdom that Asian cinema has celebrated in three extraordinary biopics and which it is now preparing to celebrate again with the exciting concluding chapter!
After Ip Man, Ip Man 2 and Ip Man 3, all directed by Wilson Yip and all big hits at previous Far East Film Festivals (in 2009, 2010 and 2015 respectively), here comes Ip Man 4 - The Finale, making its European festival premiere at FEFF 22. The film will be distributed in Italy by Tucker.
The first Ip Man saw the master fighting the Japanese occupation forces during the Second World War. In the sequel, Ip Man 2, our hero fought against the British in the Hong Kong of the 1950s: a city dominated by rival gangs and fierce gangsters. And in Ip Man 3 he faced off against an exceptional enemy: the indomitable Mike Tyson, in the role of a corrupt American property developer.
Now martial arts star Donnie Yen returns in a story which begins in 1964, with Bruce Lee in San Francisco promoting the philosophy of kung fu and taking part in major tournaments. And despite its beguiling mood of subtle, elegant melancholy, Ip Man 4, The Finale is not lacking in spectacular action and fight scenes...
Also immortalised in film by Wong Kar Wai (The Grandmaster), Ip Man has grown into an authentic superhero, dedicated to saving the city – and not only for Hong Kong cinemagoers. We'll miss you, Ip Man!