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Programme
Opening Movie
Where the Wind Blows 風再起時
by Philip YUNG 翁子光
Starring : Tonny Chiu-wai LEUNG, Aaron KOWK
2023 | Crime & Thriller | 119 mins | VOSTFR
*Film d’ouverture du HKIFF, Sélection officielle au Sitges, Lauréat du meilleur acteur dans un second rôle aux Hong Kong Films Awards, Lauréat du meilleur acteur aux Asian Film Awards…
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, the film’s plot begins in 1974, when the British government decided to implement a reform by establishing the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to combat deep-rooted corruption within the police force. The story then focuses on the journey of four "detectives" from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, including the most famous and corrupt ones, LUI Lok (Aaron KWOK) and LAM Kong (Tony LEUNG). After the great success of Port of Call (official selection of the 1st FFHKP) at the box office and in festivals across Asia, director Philip YUNG returns with his own style blending romanticism and neorealism. He collaborates with Aaron KWOK, awarded “Best Actor” at the Golden Horse Awards, international star Tony LEUNG, and Michael HUI, “Best Actor” at the Hong Kong Academy Awards. The film reflects on the corruption before 1974 and offers a contemplation on the spirit of the foundation of the rule of law, as well as the hopes for a new, just, and equal Hong Kong.
Thursday 14/11 – 6:30 p.m.
Presentation of the Festival, Screening with the short film RED EGG .
Monday 11/18 – 7:45 p.m.
Sélection Focus
In Broad Daylight 白日之下
by Lawrence Kwan 簡君晉
Starring Jennifer Yu, David Chiang, Bowie Lam, Rachel Leung et Henick Chou
2023 | Drama| 106 mins | VOSTFR
*Lauréat de 3 prix importants aux Hong Kong Films Awards, Sélection aux Tokyo International Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, CinemAsia Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival…
Synopsis: Kay, an award-winning journalist (played by Jennifer YU), begins a new investigation into abuse at "Rainbow Bridge Care Home," a private facility for the elderly and disabled. As Kay delves deeper into her research, she uncovers that the issue is structural and tied to the privatization of public services. This crime thriller is inspired by true stories, based on two major scandals exposed by the media in 2015 and 2016. In Broad Daylight reflects on the pursuit of justice and truth, as well as the role and importance of independent media. Directed by young filmmaker Lawrence KAN, the film was widely praised by Hong Kong audiences and compared to Silenced (2011) by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the famous Korean film. After being awarded and well-received at film festivals across Asia, the film earned 3 major awards and 16 nominations at the Hong Kong Academy Awards, a rare achievement in recent years. Jennifer YU and Rachel LEUNG won "Best Actress" and "Best Supporting Actress" respectively at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The performances of Bowie LAM and David CHIANG (The Angry Tiger) were described by critics as “moving, fascinating, and poignant.” With its touching story and shocking yet striking imagery, In Broad Daylight is undoubtedly one of the best social dramas in Asia in recent years.
Friday 15/11 – 8:30 p.m.
Screening with the short film RED EGG .
Sunday, 17/11 – 3:30 PM.
Bonus video: an exclusive interview with the director.
Sélection Fantastique
Back Home 七月返歸
de Nate Ki 謝家祺
Starring Anson KONG ,Bei Ling, Heung Wing
2023 | Horror & Drama |102mins|VOSTFR
*Nominé aux Hong Kong Films Awards et au concours du New York Asian Film Festival…
Synopsis: Heung-Wing (played by Anson KONG, the vice-captain of Hong Kong's most famous boy band, MIRROR) has left Hong Kong for a new life in Canada. One day, he receives an urgent call from a hospital in Hong Kong informing him that his mother is in critical condition after a suicide attempt. Heung-Wing immediately returns to Hong Kong and moves into his mother's public housing apartment. Since his move, increasingly strange phenomena occur, including a sudden spike in suicides among his neighbors… Over the past four years, the distributor and producer MM2 has created a social trilogy: Drifting (screened in Paris in 2021), The Narrow Road (screened at the 2nd FFHKP and voted "Best Film" by the audience), and finally Back Home in 2023. This film marks a revival of Hong Kong horror cinema through a reinterpretation of socio-cultural symbols and metaphors. In addition to its own strangeness, Back Home reminds us of a work by Fruit CHAN with similar themes: Made in Hong Kong, particularly through the performance of BAI Ling (3 Extremes, Dumplings), his favorite actress. Like BAI Ling, who plays Heung-Wing's mother, Back Home recalls Fruit CHAN's work with similar themes but takes the form of a supernatural thriller. Since BAI Ling (Three... Extremes, Dumplings, 2004), Fruit CHAN’s favorite actress, plays the role of Heung-Wing’s mother, Back Home, with its own eerie elements, reminds us of a work by Fruit CHAN with similar themes: Made in Hong Kong, but in the form of a supernatural thriller.
*Warning: Some scenes may be disturbing for certain audiences.*
Saturday, 16/11 – 6:45 PM.
Horror Night progame
Bonus video: an exclusive interview with the director.
Tuesday 19/11 – 6:30pm.
Sélection Fantastique
Over My Dead Body 死屍死時四十四
by Ho Cheuk-Tin 何爵天
Starring Mo Shun-kwan, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Wong You-nam, Edan Lui, Yeung Wai Lun, Lau Kong
2023 | Comedy, Drama | 119 mins | VOSTFR
*Film de clôture à Osaka Film Festival, Nominé aux Hong Kong Films Awards…
Synopsis: One evening, Du and his family find a dead body outside their home. Instead of calling the police, Du's mother-in-law (played by Teresa MO) decides to move the body to their neighbor’s doorstep to avoid the drop in value of her own apartment. A complicated night is about to unfold… Following the remarkable success of The Sparring Partner (the opening film of the 2nd FFHKP), young director HO Cheuk-Tin returns with this new film in a completely different style. While The Sparring Partner is a courtroom drama with a serious tone, Over My Dead Body is a dark comedy filled with absurdity, hilarity, and irony. In addition to Teresa MO, HO has brought together several stars, including comedy giant Ronald CHENG, Jennifer YU, and of course, the return of YEUNG Wai-Lun, the lead actor from The Sparring Partner. The film satirizes the wild capitalism of Hong Kong and the city’s conservative, cynical, macho, and selfish cultures.
Saturday 16/11 – 4:30 pm.
Horror Night programe
Tuesday 19/11 – 20h45.
Sélection Paysage
Fly Me To The Moon 但願人長久
by Sasha Chuk 祝紫嫣
Starring: Wu Kang-ren, Sasha Chuk, Angela Yuen, Tse Wing-yan, Natalie Hsu
2023 | Drama| 113 mins | VOSTFR
*Lauréat de la meilleure scénariste et du meilleur acteur à HK Film Critics Society Award, Sélection aux Tokyo International Film Festival et New York Asian Film Festival…
Synopsis: In 1997, Yuen immigrates from Hunan to Hong Kong to reunite with her family. However, she quickly realizes that Hong Kong is not the paradise she imagined: she lives in an impoverished neighborhood and is bullied by her classmates due to her Chinese background. Although the family experiences a relatively happy life after the arrival of her younger sister from China, things take a drastic turn when her father, Kok-Man, is arrested for theft and drug trafficking. Ten years later, Kok-Man is released from prison. Yuen and her sister have learned Cantonese and integrated into society, but tensions with Kok-Man persist. Directed by young filmmaker Sasha CHUK, this film is produced by the renowned Stanley KWAN (*Rouge, Center Stage*) and Jun LI (*Drifting*). The film explores Hong Kong identity and the integration challenges faced by Chinese migrants since the handover. Despite winning several awards at film festivals across Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan), the film encountered technical difficulties screening in Beijing. This is a rare opportunity to see the film in Paris and participate in an online discussion with Sasha CHUK after the screening.
Sunday 17/11 – 5:45pm
Bonus video: an exclusive interview with the director.
Sélection Paysage
A Light Never Goes Out 燈火闌珊
de Anastasia TSANG 曾憲寧
Starring: Sylvia CHANG, Simon YAM, Cecilia CHOI, Henick CHOU
2022 | Drama| 103mins | VOSTFR
*Lauréat de la meilleure actrice à Golden Horse, Sélection aux Tokyo International Film Festival et IFFR…
Synopsis: Since the death of her husband Bill, Mei-heung has been unable to sleep. After finding a key among Bill’s belongings, she discovers that he owned a neon workshop and meets his young apprentice, Leo. Together, they embark on a journey to complete Bill’s final project, while Mei-heung learns the delicate art of neon light crafting. Her efforts to create a neon sign with her own hands become a poignant tribute to their shared past. As Mei-heung reflects on her life with Bill, she uncovers hidden fragments of his story, bringing her bittersweet comfort.
Friday 15/11 – 6:30pm.
Monday 18/11 – 5:30 pm.
Screening with short film 9032024
*This screening is in partnership with Spectrum Films
Rétrospective
Bio-Zombie 生化壽屍
by Wilson Yip 葉偉信
Starring Jordan Chan, Sam Lee, Angela Tong, Emotion Cheung, Wayne Lai
1998 | Horror, Zombie, Comedy ,Category III |98 mins|VOSTFR
Synopsis: Woody the Invincible and Crazy Bee work in a pirated VCD shop. While returning their boss's car, they accidentally hit a soldier and take him to the mall to avoid the police. What they don’t realize is that the man has ingested a colorful soda laced with biochemical substances...
*Warning: Some scenes may be disturbing for certain audiences.*
Saturday 16/11 – 9:30 pm.
Horror Night programe
*This screening is in partnership with Spectrum Films
Closing Movie
To Be Continued 尚未完場
by Dora Choi et Haider Kikabhoy
2023 | Documentary | 80 mins | VOSTFR
Synopsis: Co-directed by Dora CHOI and Haider KIKABHOY, this documentary begins with the fight to preserve the historic "State Theatre" site on Hong Kong Island. Through this battle, the fascinating history of this legendary venue is gradually uncovered, focusing on the life of Harry ODELL. Once a major figure in entertainment and leisure, ODELL has long been forgotten, but he played a crucial role in bringing famous artists and musicians from around the world to perform in Hong Kong during the 1950s. Additionally, he had a significant impact on the development of art and culture in Hong Kong. The team traces his life from World War II to interviews with the new owner of his house—Hins CHEUNG, the renowned Cantopop singer. This film is dedicated to audiences who appreciate Hong Kong Cinema and Culture. This biographical work invites reflection on the concept of "local identity," the cultural spirit of this metropolis, and the complex influence and legacy of colonization.
Sunday 17/11 – 20h.
Closing event,
Screening with short film: 9032024.
Bonus video: an exclusive interview with the director.
Animation Selection
RED EGG 紅雞蛋 (Short Film)
by Hoi Chiu 海潮
2016 | Animation |4.45 mins
Synopsis: RED EGG is a sand animation consisting of 1582 individual sand paintings. The story is about one's life from start to end, with the desire to chase dreams at every stage of life. It is about love, sadness, anxiety, sickness, religion... all about life condensed into a 4 min/45 second animation.
Short Film Selection
9032024 (Short Film)
by Xai REN 任俠
2016 | Drama |8.38 mins |VOSTFR
Synopsis: Ma-Er, who is disabled, wants to find a regular job and live a normal life, but the bureaucratic system won’t allow it... This is a rare short film shot in an Orwellian style. The young director, Rex REN, co-directed May You Stay Forever Young (2021), which was selected as the opening film of the 1st FFHKP. He is also a protégé of the renowned director Fruit CHAN. His works have also been featured in past short film programs at the Cinémathèque Française in Bercy.