A Glamorous Gathering at the Grand Opening of Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

Actors Kenny Wong, Jozev Kiu, director Herman Yau, and numerous talents and directors from Hong Kong and Thailand graced the event with their presence, making it a star-studded occasion.

20 August 2024

Presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy, with financial support from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK), Hong Kong Film Development Fund (FDF), and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (Bangkok ETO), the “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” and “Dynamic Cityscapes of Hong Kong Films” Exhibition are being held at HOUSE Samyan, Bangkok’s first art and alternative cinema, from August 16 to 25. A grand red carpet and opening ceremony took place at a Friday night on August 16.

“Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” introduces the rich and vibrant creativity of contemporary Hong Kong films made by exciting new local talents, with the mission to establish strong relations and bring together film professionals from ASEAN countries and Hong Kong for an in-depth discussion on the art of cinema and collaboration. Since 2021, we have been to many international cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, and so on.

Mr. Jason Chow, Acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, presided over the opening ceremony, with Mrs. Yuthika Israngura Na Ayudhya, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Miss Charima Thongsawat, Director of the Film and Video Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture also in attendance. Actors Kenny Wong and Jozev Kiu, stars of “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”, acclaimed director Herman Yau, with his latest work “Customs Frontline”, the exceptional new director Nick Cheuk of the heartfelt drama “Time Still Turns the Pages”, and the promising director Ho Miu Ki and producer Chan Hing Kai of the romantic film “Love Lies”, all flew in to participate. Chomsajee Techarathanaprasert, Managing Director of HOUSE Samyan, show the warmest welcome to everyone participating in the opening ceremony.

Moreover, renowned Thai actors Ter Chantawit Thanasewee and Aokbab Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, with the upcoming Asian actors Zee Pruk Panich, Mark Siwat Jumlongkul, and Jump Phisitphol Aekphongpisit, along with leading Thai directors Nonzee Nimibutr, Kongdej Jaturanrasmee, and Nontawat Numbenchapol, graced the red carpet.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Jason Chow, Acting Director of the Bangkok ETO highlighted the event’s role as a valuable platform for professional exchanges between filmmakers in Hong Kong and Thailand. He said he was delighted to see that Hong Kong filmmakers and artists were pro-actively exploring the Thailand market, and hoped these increasing interactions would lead to new collaborations and sharing of creative ideas, further enriching the film industries in both Hong Kong and Thailand.

Two opening films, “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” and “Customs Frontline” featured actors Kenny Wong, Jozev Kiu, and director Herman Yau, who met with the audience after the screenings to share insights. They unanimously noted that Thai audiences have a certain familiarity with Hong Kong films, making this exchange even more profound. Kenny Wong said, “Audiences here love and are familiar with Hong Kong films and they’ve watched many classic ones”. Kenny Wong also watches Thai movies and coincidentally met actor Jump from “Not Friends”, a film he recently watched, during the event. It was a surprise to him that Thai audience members recognised him and called out his name.

Jozev Kiu, after traveling through Cambodia and Thailand, discovered that Hong Kong martial arts culture has a lasting influence on Southeast Asian audiences. Martial arts action is a common language, and Thai audience reactions to this are very direct and genuine. Some audience members had even read Hong Kong comics and fantasised about a film that could unite different martial arts factions, a wish fulfilled by “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”.

Director Herman Yau of “Customs Frontline” observed that Thai audiences are very enthusiastic, with older viewers being more familiar with Hong Kong films because many Hong Kong films were screened in Thailand before the 2000s, which no longer happens after the financial crisis, leading to fewer distributors purchase Hong Kong films. The “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” offering a chance for Thai audiences to see Hong Kong films in theaters is an opportunity Yau cherishes and an event he hopes to contribute to.

The “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” showcases nine excellent films from August 16-20 at HOUSE Samyan, with two opening films “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” by Soi Cheang and “Customs Frontline” by Herman Yau. Other films include “Peg O’ My Heart” by Nick Cheung, “Love Lies” by Ho Miu Ki, “Time Still Turns the Pages” by Nick Cheuk, “In Broad Daylight” by Lawrence Kan, “Stand Up Story” by Au Cheuk Man, “Back Home” by Nate Ki, and “Center Stage” (4K restored version) by Stanley Kwan.

Additionally, the “Dynamic Cityscapes of Hong Kong Films” Exhibition, highlighting impressive scenes from five recent Hong Kong films and showcasing the diverse urban landscapes and cultural life of Hong Kong, will be held from August 16 to 25. The exhibition includes: a recreation of Kowloon Walled City for “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In”, the scenery of with a cargo ship against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour for “Customs Frontline”, an interactive installation of a bank vault and banknotes for “The Goldfinger”, a classroom filled with books signifying the stress faced by students for “Time Still Turns the Pages”, and the traditional Hong Kong Chinese restaurant for “Fly Me to the Moon”. What is more Hong Kong-style teahouse (Cha Chaan Teng), neon light signs, and bamboo theatres are elements that cannot be missed when we talk about iconic representation of Hong Kong’s urban cityscapes, which are often featured in Hong Kong films.

Please contact us if any questions,

Email: info@afa-academy.com

Tel: +852 3195 0609

Website: www.afa-academy.com

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