Once the Hollywood of the East, Hong Kong's film industry has produced numerous classics (Bruce Lee martial art films) and world-renowned auteurs (Wong Kar Wai). While its star has waned, Hong Kong cinema has continued to release contemporary gems, with emerging local talent in recent years injecting new blood into the industry.
Celebrating just how much contemporary Hong Kong cinema has achieved is Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema. This travelling programme that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will be hitting Singapore's shores from September 20 to October 3.
Its two-part showcase includes a film festival featuring eight of the best and brightest of Hong Kong cinema in recent years. Opening the film festival on September 23 is Look Up by directors Tim Poon and Sunny Yip, a story that follows Shun through 25 years of his life as he helps four young talents achieve their potential through the arts.
Other films include Mama's Affair featuring the film debut of two members of the popular boyband Mirror; the LGBT romance film The First Girl I Loved; and cop thriller Detectives Vs Sleuths which reunites director Wai Ka Fai with star Lau Ching Wan. There will be three livestreamed Q&A sessions where audience members get to interact with directors (of Look Up, Mama's Affair and Table for Six) and actors (from Pretty Heart) and ask all their burning questions.
Making Waves will also be presenting a special photo exhibition. Explore the magic of Hong Kong cinema through stunning film stills taken by four local unit photographers: Jupiter Wong, Wong Wai Lun, Sharon Salad and Quist Tsang. These photographers have worked with directors like Peter Ho-sun Chan and Derek Kwok-cheung Tsang and on films like The Midnight After (2014) and Anita (2021). Catch the exhibition at Suntec City East Atrium from September 20 to October 3.
Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema is organised by Create Hong Kong, Hong Kong Economic Trade Office in Singapore, and Singapore Film Society. For more programming and ticketing information, visit singaporefilmsociety.com/makingwavessg.
