Directed by Tsui Hark in 1986, Peking Opera Blues makes its first-ever appearance in French cinemas. The Hong Kong film, led by Brigitte Lin, Cherie Chung and Sally Yeh, will be released in a 4K restored version from 21 October 2026.
The plot unfolds in China in 1913, shortly after the Republic is established. As rival military factions vie for power, Tsao Wan, daughter of a warlord, works in secret with the revolutionaries. Her mission takes her to a Beijing opera house, where she meets two other women who soon find themselves drawn into the uprising.
At the heart of the story lies a document that could shape the future of the new regime. To recover it, the three heroines must navigate interactions with the military, the revolutionaries, and members of the troupe. Disguises, masks, and concealed identities drive a plot that blends political adventure, action, and comedy.
The trailer for this restoration spotlights the trio of Brigitte Lin, Cherie Chung, and Sally Yeh, set against a theater backdrop where revolutionary intrigue intersects with show-stopping numbers.
Peking Opera Blues, originally titled Do ma daan, holds a pivotal place in Tsui Hark’s body of work and in the 1980s New Wave of Hong Kong cinema. The director blends various popular genres while foregrounding three women with very different motives in the driving roles.
This release also brings back to cinemas an earlier film that predates the big-budget productions that later introduced Tsui Hark to French audiences, notably the Once Upon a Time in China saga and the adventures of Judge Dee, including the Detective Dee : La Légende des Rois Célestes.
Ahead of its national release, the restored cut of Peking Opera Blues will have its premiere at the Festival Lumière 2026, as part of a tribute to Tsui Hark. Running 1h45, the film will be distributed in France by Metropolitan FilmExport and shown in its original language with subtitles.
To discover more of the films slated for this period, also check out our guide to the October 2026 movie releases and our pick of films currently showing in theaters.
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