'Made in Hong Kong'
Updated: 2007-06-22 09:51
Hong Kong Films
The Hong Kong film industry experienced a peak of popularity with its popular studio shows in the 1970s, followed by the rise of the "new wave" in the 1980s. During this period cutting-edge maverick directors including Tsui Hark, Patrick Tam, Ann Hui On-Wah, Alex Cheung Siuhing, and Yim Ho challenged the supremacy of Hong Kong's mainstream crowd-pleaser films.
Right after the "New Wave", another storm swept the Hong Kong film community. While China and the UK were negotiating the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong filmmakers wondered how the political changeover would affect Hong Kong cinema.
During this time of political uncertainty some filmmakers produced movies reflecting Hong Kong's identity crisis. Examples include Swordman, Kiki's Delivery Service, Made in Hong Kong, and Comrades, Almost a Love Story, respectively directed by Tsui Hark, Hayao Miyazaki, Fruit Chan, and Peter Chan.
Director Peter Chan said a sense of homelessness and lost identity hanging over Hong Kongers in the 1990s prompted him to produce Comrades, Almost a Love Story in 1996.
·Hong Kong International Film Festival
The annual Hong Kong International Film Festival takes place in April. This event is particularly important to Hong Kong because of the strength of the local film industry. Over 200 films, produced both in Hong Kong and abroad, will be on during the two-week film show. Audiences also have the chance to retrieve old films reminiscent of the good old days, and the old-film-show intends to commemorate the contributive filmmakers of yesteryear. The charge is about HK＄50 for one film, and discounts are available for multiple-ticket purchases.
·The Hong Kong Film Archive
The Hong Kong Film Archive is dedicated to the preservation of Hong Kong's
film heritage. It collects and conserves prints and artifacts and provides
public access facilities. Now the Archive holds over 4,300 film copies, which
range from the documentary screened by the American Edison Company in 1989 to
the big-name films of the 1980s and the 1990s.
The Archive building, opened
in January 2001, houses in it a cinema with 127 seats, an exhibition hall and a
public library, all equipped with the latest technology to restore glamour to
the films of yesteryear. Free of charge..
·Cinemas
The best choice is the Broadway Cinematheque (BC) situated in Yau Ma Tei. The BC has four movie theatres and one resource center. Films around the world that receive little attention are always screened here. Film shows with different themes are constantly held, for instance, the French Film Festival and the Comrade Film Festival. On "bc Sundays" audiences can enjoy both old and new films. The charge is always HK＄35.
Hong Kong Design
Fashion and consumer convenience dictate the products designed by Hong Kongers.
The bottle for Watsons Water introduced in 2002 is a good example. The novel bottle, designed by the Hong Konger Liu Xiaokang, is easy to handle while its green cap can be used as a cup. Its trendy look made it a hit with young people as well.
Although deeply influenced by Japanese and Western design, Hong Kong designers also have their own unique style. The ongoing Sino-Western cultural exchange has engendered a strong sense of multiculturalism among Hong Kong designers. Some big-name local designers, like Vivienna Tam and Ma Weiming, have become well known for their unique and innovative styles with fans around the globe.
·Brand name stores of Hong Kong fashion designers
Brand name stores such as Vivienne Tam and Ma Weiming are available in the shopping malls in Jianshazui and Jinzhong. However, there are more choices in the New World Tower.
Island Beverley center is located right in the heart of Causeway Bay. Young and trendy with a wide range of European and Japanese fashion, footwear, jewellery and accessories, it is standard practice for Hong Kong designers to open a store in Beverley as a steppingstone.
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