I’ve got important details including guests, dates, and times so take a gander at the films on offer and make a choice since the festival starts tomorrow!
The 1st of July marks fifteen years since Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty and to commemorate that special occasion, the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office, London, and Terracotta Festival have teamed up to hold a film festival which will showcase the best of Hong Kong films past and present, and pay tribute to one of the most vibrant sources of films in the world.
The ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ launches tomorrow on the 2nd of July 2012 at the Odeon Covent Garden, London and it will run for a fortnight until 14th July. Fifteen films have been carefully selected and like the Terracotta Festival there will be guests attending including world renowned star Jimmy Wang Yu and producer Roger Lee who will be appearing in their respective film screenings, along with acclaimed directors Fung Chih Chiang and Jessey Tsang. Here’s the schedule:
Opening Film
:
A Simple Life – 2011 dir. Ann Hui
Q&A with Roger Lee, producer and writer
2nd July 2012, 19:00
Based on the life story of producer Roger Lee, a nostalgic and award-winning story of a young masters relationship with his family servant after she suffers a stroke, starring Andy Lau and Deanie Ip.
Infernal Affairs – 2002 dir. Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
3rd July 20112, 18:15
Remade as The Departed, the film that sparked renewed interest in the Hong Kong film industry is a clever double undercover thriller pitting a policeman undercover in a triad gang, and a triad member as a mole in the police force.
White Vengeance – 2011 dir. Daniel Lee (UK Premiere)
4th July 2012 18:15
Martial arts sword fighting action set during the period of the battle of the Kingdom of Qin.
The Detective 2 – 2011 dir. Oxide Pang (UK Premiere)
5th July 2012 18:15
No knowledge of Detective 1 needed! Aaron Kwok stars as the eponymous detective on another supernatural thriller case involving serial murders with no finger prints on the scene, only a deliberate trail of deadly clues.
Made In Hong Kong – 1997 dir. Fruit Chan
6th July 2012, 18:15
Disaffected youths lives drifting into contract killing is the subject of Fruit Chan’s much acclaimed study on the marginalised in Hong Kong society.
East Meets West 2011- 2011 dir. Jeffrey Lau (UK Premiere)
7th July 2012, 14:15
From the director of A Chinese Odyssey comes a mad-cap ensemble star-studded cast fantasy comedy involving pop stars, heavenly dragons, diva’s on the run from tycoons and a lot of money at stake!
Shaw Brothers Double Bill:
Two of the most legendary and seminal films from the Shaw Brothers Studio get a rare UK big screen outing.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin 1978 dir. Liu Chia-Liang
7th July 2012, 18:15
One Armed Swordsman – 1967 dir. Chang Cheh
7th July 2012, 20:45
Swordsmen (aka Wu Xia) – 2011 dir. Peter Chan
8th July 2012, 14:15
A clever blend of detective investigation film and martial arts film with action stars Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the roles of suspect and detective respectively.
Famous Hong Kong star and veteran of over 80 films, Jimmy Wang Yu will be present at two of his films – Wu Xia made in 2011, and One Armed Swordsman made in 1967. He will be at both screenings for an audience Q&A session on the 7th and 8th of July. Update: Mr. Jimmy Wang Yu will not be able to attend the festival due to health reasons.
Big Blue Lake – 2011 dir. Jessey Tsang
Q&A with Director Jessey Tsang
9th July 2012, 18:15
Based on the director’s own experiences of returning from abroad to the community in the New Territories she grew up in to find that her mother has Alzheimer’s and that around her much has changed. Hong Kong independent director Jessey Tsang will hold a post screening Q&A.
When Beckham Met Owen – 2004 dir. Adam Wong (UK Premiere)
10th July 2012, 18:15
First play in the UK of this charming and quirky film about young sexual awakening. Two friends brought together by their love of football could be torn apart by their first love.
Sparrow – 2008 dir. Johnnie To
11th July 2012, 18:15
Johnnie To’s crime caper starring Simon Yam and Lam Ka Tong, inspired by the stylish classics of the French New Wave, is a metaphor for the clash of the old and the new in modern day Hong Kong. Two rival pickpocket gangs face off on the streets of Hong Kong.
The Bounty – 2012 dir. Fung Chih Chiang (UK Premiere )
Introduction with Director
12th July 2012, 18:15
Fung Chih Chiang, scriptwriter with hits such as Shaolin Soccer and Sparrow, presents his directorial debut, The Bounty on July 12th. This mad-cap comedy has a genuine message to deliver about family, relationships and the relentless pursuit of money. Starring Chapman To, Fiona Sit and a welcome return for Alex Man Chee Leong to our screens.
Dream Home – 2010 dir. Pang Ho-cheung
13th July 2012, 20:45
What would you do to get you ‘dream home’? Josie Ho goes the extra mile to drive down property prices, by killing people in the area. A genius premise to a gory film from the unconventional Pang Ho Cheung.
Closing Film:
Life Without Principle – 2011 dir. Johnnie To
14th July 2012, 18:30
Three characters get embroiled in a desperate race for $10M in a thrilling and exciting film by Johnnie To, commenting on society’s reaction to the worst economic crisis of our generation. Starring Lau Ching Wan.
‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ will take place at Odeon Covent Garden, 135 Shaftesbury Avenue, from 2nd -14th July 2012.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £9 (£8 concessions NUS, OAP).
Check out the official website for more information.
