Spirit of Independence Film Presents Bullet in the Head

Three friends leave Hong Kong in search of fortune, freedom, and a better life. What they find instead is war.

John Woo's heroic bloodshed masterpiece Bullet in the Head, one of his most powerful and uncompromising works — an epic tale of brotherhood, betrayal, and survival set against the chaos of the Vietnam War.

When Ben, Frank, and Paul flee their troubled lives for what they hope will be opportunity abroad, they are drawn into the brutal realities of conflict, greed, and moral collapse. As violence closes in from every side, their friendship is pushed to its absolute breaking point.

Released in 1990, Bullet in the Head stands as one of Woo’s most personal films — combining explosive action with emotional devastation, political fury, and the operatic intensity that would define heroic bloodshed cinema. Often regarded as one of his boldest achievements, the film remains a harrowing exploration of innocence lost and loyalty destroyed. The film will be introduced by Dr Wayne Wong, lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield and expert on global martial arts and action cinema.

Alongside the main feature, the evening will include a selection of special extras to complete the full cinematic experience.

Before the film, we’ll be screening The Spirit Hunters, a horror martial arts mashup from the Spirit of Independence archives: An Interpol agent from Japan visits Finland to catch a small time criminal but all hell breaks loose as a sword wielding demon from the spirit world tries to open portal to another world. Now she has to team up with the criminal to save the world. 

We’ll also be presenting a curated reel of trailers and film ephemera inspired by the era’s explosive action cinema, capturing the raw energy, international crime thrillers, and war-scarred storytelling that shaped cult action filmmaking.

And as an added bonus for the night, all attendees will be entered into a free raffle, with a chance to win a selection of film-related prizes.