For its 48th edition, HKIFF will be presenting six restored classics by influential Chinese directors, including Zhang Yimou, Tsui Hark, and Malaysian-born Taiwanese-based filmmaker Tsai Ming-Liang. The festival will announce its complete programme in March, however the six Chinese-language films that will be screened are as listed:
Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind, directed by Tsui Hark (1980)
A pioneer of Hong Kong’s New Wave movement, Tsui Hark shocked the local establishment with his controversial film Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind. Initially banned in 1980 for its portrayal of violence, bloodshed, and political allusions, the film was released after significant reshoots and re-edits. It remains widely acclaimed as a milestone in Hong Kong cinema.
Old Well, directed by Wu Tianming (1987)
This year’s program highlights two master filmmakers from the renowned Xi’an Film Studio. Wu Tianming, a former head of the studio and a prominent Fifth Generation filmmaker, presented a new form of visual and socio-political expression in Old Well. This meticulously observed and non-ideological portrayal depicts the lives of impoverished villagers in their quest for water across generations.
Dislocation, directed by Huang Jianxin (1986)
Meanwhile, Huang Jianxin skillfully crafts a bureaucratic farce in Dislocation, leveraging the science-fiction genre to adeptly satirize the intricacies of a deeply entrenched and corrupt social system, offering sharp insights into the complexities of power dynamics and societal dysfunction. Zhang Yimou, who also hails from Xi’an, showcased his prowess not only as a director but also as a lead actor in Old Well.
The Story of Qiu Ju, directed by Zhang Yimou (1992)
In The Story of Qiu Ju, Yimou skillfully wielded caustic irony to highlight the plight of peasants. This film explores the theme of bureaucratic negotiations through a peasant woman’s relentless pursuit of justice, which won the director Venice’s prestigious Golden Lion in 1992.
Mahjong, directed by Edward Yang (1996)
Edward Yang’s Mahjong offer insightful and melancholic portrayals of Taiwan’s rapidly changing capital. Mahjong is a screwball farce that exposes the manipulation and lies inherent in modern prosperity through a diverse set of characters.
The Wayward Cloud, directed by Tsai Ming-Liang (2005)
To complete the six-film selection, The Wayward Cloud, which won a Silver Bear in Berlin in 2005, is a quasi-pornographic musical that confronts the psychosexual disconnection and existential malaise of its characters, expressing their unspoken desires and yearnings.
Read more about the festival’s programmes here.
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