Cannes: At the Cannes Film Festival, Hong Kong is making a bold statement—its storied film industry is ready for a revival. The city’s Film Development Council, led by chairman Wilfred Wong, is aiming to recapture the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, spanning the 1970s through the 1990s, by backing a new wave of directors.
“We should not forget our identity. How the people all over the world would look at us when they recognise a Hong Kong movie,” said Wong in an interview with Reuters. As head of the council responsible for government film funding, Wong emphasized the importance of preserving the unique cinematic identity that once made Hong Kong films internationally recognizable.
The 1970s marked a cultural explosion for Hong Kong cinema, catapulted by Bruce Lee’s legendary martial arts films. After Lee’s passing, Jackie Chan picked up the torch and helped push the genre forward. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Hong Kong became a dominant force in global cinema, offering internationally acclaimed films like In the Mood for Love, Infernal Affairs, and Kung Fu Hustle. Renowned actors such as Andy Lau, Michelle Yeoh, and Maggie Cheung, along with directors like John Woo and Johnnie To, were regular fixtures at prestigious global festivals, including Cannes.
However, the industry’s momentum slowed significantly in the late 1990s after the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. A confluence of factors—including overproduction, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and a brain drain to Hollywood—triggered a long period of decline. Risk-averse investors, reluctant to finance projects by new talents, instead turned to familiar names with established track records.
Now, the Film Development Council is actively seeking to reverse that trend. Its latest initiative aims to inject life into the industry by supporting debut features from emerging filmmakers. According to Wong, the council has already helped develop 32 new directors through recent programs.
Also Read | Nicole Kidman: ‘It Ain’t Over’ in the Fight for Gender Equality in Hollywood
Among this new generation is director and actor Juno Mak, whose film Sons of the Neon Nights was screened out of competition at Cannes. The crime drama stars veteran actor Tony Leung Ka-fai, whose return to the festival signals both pride and hope for Hong Kong’s cinematic future.
“It’s kind of happiness, joy, enjoyable and satisfaction. So we can again show to all the audience and all the people in the world what Hong Kong productions are going on now,” Leung said. Speaking to Reuters, the 67-year-old actor underscored the urgency of nurturing fresh talent.
Also Read | Richard Linklater Reflects on Challenges of Making French New Wave Film as an American
“We need new generations of directors, new generations of actors and actresses, new generations of script writers, new generations of every part that makes this dream,” he added.
With its legacy in tow and a fresh cohort of creatives on the rise, Hong Kong cinema appears poised to redefine itself for a new era—while never forgetting the roots that once captivated the world.
