PEACE HOTEL

Right before he crossed over to Hollywood with THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, Chow Yun-fat starred in this fascinating Eastern Western with a Morricone-influenced score. Writer / director Wai Kar-fai (co-editor of HARD BOILED) has good visual sense and the production design is consistently impressive, right down to the smallest detail. After his wife’s murder in an Old West-type scenario, Ping sets up a Peace Hotel as sanctuary for anyone who needs protecting. One day, a mysterious woman shows up who seeks shelter from a gang hunting her. Vowing to never turn anyone away, Ping must decide whether to help the women or risk confronting the gang.