With the recent high box office and viewership of Hong Kong films, coupled with many new movies being released, everyone is full of confidence in the revival of the film industry. And from October 25 to November 13, the annual film event “Hong Kong Asian Film Festival HKAFF” will also make a grand return, eagerly anticipated by many film fans!
This year’s event has gathered more than 60 Asian blockbuster films for the audience, covering works from Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlin Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, and many other international film festivals. In the opening and closing films, there will be carefully crafted works by new Hong Kong director talents, supporting local film producers! Below, we will select a few must-see masterpieces for everyone:
“Out of Date, Out of Season” (Hong Kong) 2022
A family, two mothers’ contradictions, three generations’ emotional entanglements, weave together a Hong Kong family story that resonates with you and me. The award-winning film “Out of Date, Out of Festival,” directed by emerging director Tsang Hing-hung, is inspired by his own experiences. Through a winter solstice dinner, it explores family relationships. The seemingly absurd and chaotic family is actually a reflection of many people. The contradictions, reflections, and forgiveness within it are definitely the most sincere portrayal of family love.
Starring Mirror members Lu Juean, Lu Hanting, as well as Tan Shanyan, Yuan Lilin, and Feng Sibo. Many new generation actors and a group of film kings and queens will perform together, don’t miss it!
“Narrow Road Dust” (Hong Kong) 2022
The owner of a cleaning company, Brother Narrow (played by Zhang Jicong), struggles to make a living in middle age and cannot be considered successful in life. Needing help, he hires Candy (played by Yuan Lilin), a single mother who was once a delinquent girl. In the early stages of the epidemic, in a forgotten corner of society, the two develop a subtle relationship, until Candy’s past stealing habits, developed for survival, almost destroy everything Brother Narrow has…
Why is there always a gap between the expectations and reality of life? How can two wounded people support each other? Chapman To won the Best Actor nomination at the 59th Golden Horse Awards for “A Sun,” while Yuen Lai-lam was nominated for Best Actress. This film is definitely worth looking forward to!
“Flowing Water, Falling Flowers” (Hong Kong) 2022
The movie focuses on foster families, exploring the continuation of blood ties and love. Tianmei and He Bin, a couple recognized as kind and charitable, have welcomed different children into their home over the past decade – some causing headaches, some causing sighs. The wife, who lost her son early on, also finds solace in her heart and regains the feeling of being a mother. At different stages of life, these children have given the couple different reflections, filling the void in a flawed family.
“Lights and Shadows” (Hong Kong) 2022
Tang Hsien-ning’s “Lights Out” tells the story of a wife, played by Sylvia Chang, who rebuilds a dismantled neon sign for her deceased husband to fulfill his last wish. Hoping to fulfill her husband’s last wish, the wife gradually learns the stories behind each of the former neon signs. Sylvia Chang and Simon Yam reunite 39 years later, collaborating with new actors Chow Hon-ning and Choi Sze-wan to tell a unique Hong Kong history. The neon lights in the film coincide with the recent demolition projects. Different symbolic images run through the entire film, metaphorically reflecting not only the city but also the resilient people of Hong Kong.
“Defend My Name” India 2022
Hareesh and his wife Reshmi moved from South India to Delhi to work at a medical glove factory in the outskirts. Despite the pandemic lockdown, the factory had to operate as usual. Under immense life and work pressure, Hareesh got into a dispute with his colleagues, inadvertently causing an old video to circulate among the workers.
The gossip, malice, and suspicion of the crowd snowballed, putting the marriage and work of this couple in jeopardy. They seek justice, they want to defend their dignity, but does justice truly exist? In the eyes of the powerful, is the dignity of the poor not even worth mentioning?
“The Murder on Turtle Island” (Malaysia, Indonesia) 2022
After witnessing her sisters being killed, Zahara raised the orphan to adulthood and made a living by selling turtle eggs. One day, an unexpected guest suddenly visited, disturbing the secluded life of the two aunts and nephews. Zahara was very suspicious of the stranger in front of her, but what she did not expect was that she would be caught in a mysterious time loop.
As a prominent figure in the Malaysian New Wave cinema, Ho Ming Ching excels in blending various theatrical elements, drawing inspiration from traditional folklore, magical realism, and even hand-drawn animation, combining the best of all worlds. This film not only embarks on a journey of women fighting against oppression and seeking justice but also brings Malaysian folklore back to the screen.
“The Gaze of Hui Zi” (Japan, France) 2022
Adapted from the autobiography of Japanese deaf professional boxer Keiko Ogasawara, directed by the emerging talent on the international stage, Akira Miyake. Born with a hearing impairment, the girl thought her life would be aimless, but unexpectedly fell in love with boxing. Despite her small stature and slow punching speed, she had a determined heart and found her life’s direction through boxing. However, news of the gym’s imminent closure came at this time, leaving her unsure of what to do. She discovered that her deepest fear was actually not being able to find a reason to put on boxing gloves.
Miura Tomokazu and Kishii Yukino play two master and disciple who know and cherish each other. Without words, with just one punch and one block, every punch is their way of communicating. The director captures the essence of finding oneself in a boxing film with agile rhythm and keen observation of details.
In addition to the recommended films above, the film festival also brings other exciting works waiting for the audience to discover. You may refer to the official website to find your favorite movie!
Image source and learn more: Hong Kong Asian Film Festival HKAFF
