It’s difficult to overstate the importance of Tsui Hark’s Film Workshop to Hong Kong cinema in the mid 80’s thru 90’s. The company epitomized the magic and versatility of Hong Kong filmmaking. A list of their productions reads like a list of the best Hong Kong movies of all time.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Film Workshop, (a company formed by director Tsui Hark and his wife, the producer Nansun Shi,) the Hong Kong International Film Festival is curating a special exhibition at the Agnes B. gallery in Wanchai.

What’s inside? (more…)

The past week has been a blur of films, receptions, after-parties and late night snacks. Hong Kong has been the epicenter of the Asian film industry, hosting four major movie events simultaneously.

In addition to the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and the Asian Film Awards (which was held on Monday night,) the four day Filmart and HAF film financing forum have just finished up.

During this period there have been several notable film launches. Wednesday night was the premiere of Hong Kong director Dante Lam’s new film, The Sniper. Starring Richie Jen, Huang Xiaoming and Edison Chen, the picture was originally scheduled to be released last year.

How did it turn out? (more…)

Sunday night the convention center was abuzz with two star-studded premieres marking the start of the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival. The cast of both opening films, Shinjuku Incident and Night and Fog were on hand to celebrate the occasion.

Movie stars and celebrities in attendance included Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Fan Bingbing, Takenaka Naoto, Simon Yam, Xu Jinglei, Zhang Jingchu, Derek Yee, Ann Hui, Karen Mok and many others. Check out the photos! (more…)

The thirty-third Hong Kong International Film Festival kicks off at the end of the month. It stretches from March 22nd until April 13th, with a huge variety of films. The festival broke a new record last week when it sold 19,559 tickets in a single day!

The HKIFF includes movies from every country imaginable, plus boasts important world premieres. One highly anticipated film, Shinjuku Incident, was chosen to open the festival. What makes Shinjuku Incident such a draw? (more…)

How many kicks and punches did I witness in the last week? Probably more than most people see in a lifetime! Donnie Yen’s Ip Man, and Tony Jaa’s Ong Bak 2 share certain qualities, but weak action isn’t one of them! (more…)

I have a theory that any Hong Kong movie with the word “Beast” in the title can’t be half bad.* With that in mind, I headed over to the Grand Cinema in Elements mall last Tuesday. Though I didn’t know anything about Beast Stalker besides two of the cast members, I picked up a ticket.

The Grand Cinema in Elements is a great place to catch a film. It has several theaters, a few of which are huge, and the sound systems are great. With seats that vibrate, for an action flick or horror film you can’t do much better. On Tuesdays tickets are just $40 HKD, a steal compared to cinemas in Hong Kong side, plus you get a better film-going experience.

Before the movie even started I was nearly jumping out of my seat from watching the previews! (more…)

Last night I checked out the premier of A Decade of Love, a film that was originally supposed to be screened as part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival back in March. Similarly structured to Paris, Je t’aime, the movie is a mixture of ten stories, each with a different director and cast. Every story centers around the concept of love.

How was it? (more…)

Who can forget those cine-magic moments as Faye Wong pranced around the snack stand in Wong Kar Wai’s Chung King Express?

Landlords, that’s who! (more…)

The New York Asian Film Festival opened today featuring four films from Hong Kong. Among those chosen were two by Johnnie To’s Milkyway Productions, Mad Detective and Sparrow. A pair of hyper-stylized adaptations of Japanese comic books, Sasori, and Shamo, are also on the menu. What’s the story behind these selections? (more…)

Tuesday night I headed out to Megabox in Kowloon Bay for the premiere of 6th Floor Rear Flat 2. The film is a sequel to the sleeper hit directed by Barbara Wong in 2003. What was the turnout like in far-away Kowloon Bay? (more…)