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Sept 20 - Oct 3, 2022
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) held a premiere of the film "Look Up" (一样的天空) in Singapore on September 23. The screening was attended by a full house of more than 200 guests.
The screening marked the Singapore opening of the "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" film programme, which is on a world tour in multiple cities this year to showcase the unique charm of Hong Kong films, after its April debut in the Italian city of Udine. Sponsored by Create Hong Kong and run in collaboration with the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and the Singapore Film Society, the event in Singapore involves a twin showcase of selected Hong Kong films and photographic works by four unit photographers.
Presenting four short stories directed by four emerging directors, "Look Up" (一样的天空) contains a vivid account of an autistic youngster finding self-worth in arts, a son resolving a conflict with his father, a musician revitalising traditional Cantonese opera with pop music, and a South Asian youngster chasing his lion dance dream. Mirroring the socio-economic developments of Hong Kong in the past 25 years and celebrating the can-do spirit of Hong Kong people, the film traces among its stories the life of a social work graduate and his journey to help others shine and rediscover their values.
Addressing the opening event in a speech delivered by video, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said talent grooming is always at the heart of Hong Kong's cultural policy. The Directors' Succession Scheme, the Scriptwriting Incubation Programme, the Film Production Financing Scheme and the First Feature Film Initiative have been launched to provide mentorship to aspiring directors and scriptwriters, and partial financing to small to medium-budget film productions.
"Echoing our role as a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, we also hold an array of flagship events, including the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market, Entertainment Expo and the Hong Kong International Film Festival," he added.
With a fresh injection of $1 billion to the dedicated Film Development Fund in 2019, the film industry is supported in four strategic directions: nurturing of talent, enhancing of local production, market expansion and audience building. Over the years, more than 90 film productions have been funded. Sixty-four new directors and 21 new producers have also been groomed under various initiatives. The productions have won more than 150 local and overseas film awards.
The other Hong Kong films being shown in the film programme are "Pretty Heart" (心里美), "Septet: The Story of Hong Kong" (七人乐队) , "The First Girl I Loved" (喜欢妳是妳), "Mama's Affair" (阿妈有咗第二个), "Detective vs. Sleuths" (神探大战), "Table for Six" (饭戏攻心) and "Limbo" (智齿).
We are excited to have Hong Kong actress Ms Jennifer Yu (余香凝) (bottom left) from the films “Pretty Heart” and "Septet: The Story of Hong Kong", as well as Hong Kong directors, Ms Kearen Pang (彭秀慧) (bottom centre) from the film "Mama's Affair" and Mr Sunny Chan (陈咏燊) (bottom right) from the film "Table for Six" (饭戏攻心), joining us in various lively Q&A zoom sessions on two weekends to share their perspectives on acting and directing.
Actress Ms Jennifer Yu (余香凝) on the films “Pretty Heart” (心里美) and "Septet: The Story of Hong Kong" (七人乐队). |
Director Ms Kearen Pang (彭秀慧) on the film “Mama’s Affair” (阿妈有咗第二个). |
Director Mr Sunny Chan (陈咏燊) on the film "Table for Six" (饭戏攻心). |
To enhance public understanding of the aesthetics of Hong Kong cinema, the Singapore ETO held a photo exhibition on the works of four talented Hong Kong unit photographers, namely Jupiter Wong (木星), Wong Wai-lun (王伟伦), Quist Tsang (曾觅) and Sharon Salad (李诗卉), at Suntec City from September 20 to October 3 to showcase the evolution and artistic dimensions of nearly 200 Hong Kong films over the past 25 years through the lenses of the photographers.
A photo exhibition on the works of four talented Hong Kong unit photographers was open to the public from September 20 to October 3.
The exhibition was held at a popular shopping mall in the prime location of Suntec City.
The exhibition featured the works of four talented Hong Kong unit photographers, namely Jupiter Wong (木星), Wong Wai-lun (王伟伦), Quist Tsang (曾觅) and Sharon Salad (李诗卉).
Classic films such as “The Midnight After” (那夜凌晨，我坐上了旺角开往大埔的红VAN), “Shock Wave” (拆弹专家), “A Simple Life” (桃姐) and “Heaven in the Dark” (暗色天堂) were revisited in the exhibition.
Also not to miss is “Anita” (梅艳芳), a biographical film celebrating legendary Cantopop star Anita Mui, also dubbed as the "daughter of Hong Kong”, who died at an early age of 40.
In an immersive tunnel, visitors were led through a journey of nearly 200 Hong Kong films over the past 25 years through the lenses of the photographers.
Children gleefully showed off beautiful film postcards and clapperboard-like luggage tags, souvenirs obtained from visiting the exhibition.
The clapperboard-like luggage tag was also popular among adult visitors. It was given to those who took a shot of their favourite photo in the exhibition and posted a story in Instagram, with a hastag #𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗪𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀𝗦𝗚. Head over to Instagram to find out which exhibit was the most popular!
More to check out:
Dedicated event website (film and exhibition trailers, full information of film showcase and exhibition):
https://singaporefilmsociety.com/makingwavessg/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MakingWavesSG
Event Highlight video:
https://bit.ly/3zb4sDI
Programme booklet:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13NCezUNC-vtK-M4GetHDsq7KKQDPUlrB/view
Press Release by Singapore ETO:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202209/23/P2022092300726.htm
Press Release by Singapore Film Society:
https://bit.ly/3SDqdmI
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