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Opinion | To tell a good story, Hong Kong films must first be authentic
- Unlike last year’s generic ‘Warriors of Future’, ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ hit the spot with its authenticity and homage to Hong Kong’s cinematic legacy
- Its success proves that many people remain interested in Hong Kong’s heartbeat
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One lawmaker recently suggested that Hong Kong films should tell “good stories” and be devoid of negativity if they are to be funded by the government. But such a position risks stifling creativity and innovation.
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Hong Kong films resonate with audiences not because they paint a rosy and utopian picture, but because they hold up a mirror to Hongkongers’ daily struggles and challenges. In navigating the harsh realities through cinema, viewers will find stories of perseverance, resilience and determination – the very essence of the Lion Rock spirit.
This spirit is very much present in Hong Kong cinema, which is enjoying something of a renaissance.
It can tug at our heartstrings as in the sports drama Zero to Hero, stir our memories of Cantopop queen Anita Mui as in the biopic Anita, shed light on crime and our jury system as in The Sparring Partner, revisit an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as in The Goldfinger or lampoon the prohibitive cost of housing as in the dark comedy Over My Dead Body.
These are just a few of many recent “good stories” spanning a range of genres that are uniquely Hong Kong.
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Conversely, Hong Kong’s appeal as a shopping destination has diminished due to the surge in digital commerce, and heightened consumer confidence in mainland goods. Amid concerns that Shenzhen might be luring diners and shoppers away, it’s a different story with film-goers.
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