Hong Kong filmmakers gather in Malaysia, opening new horizons for local audiences
Hong Kong filmmakers participated in post-screening sharing sessions during the “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” programme, promoting vibrant cultural exchanges with the local audience.
“Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” showcased seven Hong Kong films at the major cinema chain in Malaysia, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), from September 20 to October 3, bringing the dynamic creativity of the contemporary Hong Kong cinema to Malaysian audiences. In attendance were actress Kay Tse from “Out of the Shadow”, director Kwan Man Hin and actor Ling Man Lung from “The Remnant” and director Dickson Leung from “YUM Investigation”. They actively engaged with the audience and participated in promotional activities, providing valuable insights into the current state of the Hong Kong film industry with the local community.
Opening film “Out of the Shadow”, kicked off “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” in Malaysia, featuring renowned actress Kay Tse as a former undercover agent who has been living in Shek O and returns to action after twenty years to protect her daughter. Taking on the leading role, Kay shared her journey of transitioning from a singer to an actress with a sold-out audience. She admitted that her husband, Louis Cheung, had a significant influence on her decision, “Watching Louis’s acting career has been incredibly inspiring. He showed me endless possibilities and I find myself eager to experience that process firsthand. His dedication to a role and witnessing how his character comes to life on the big screen touches me profoundly. And I hope to share the same experience in the future.” In 2022, she was casted in “Band Four” and “Out of the Shadow” as the leading roles. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, noting, “Hong Kong films have traditionally been male-dominated, with few stories told from a female perspective. I feel fortunate to have been cast in these two roles.”
Kay also talked about her experience of working with the emerging actress Larine Tang on mother-daughter scenes, “This scene made me realise that no matter how close you once were, a child will eventually grow and embark on their own journey. I need to learn to let go and allow them to move towards their future.” As a mother of two, Kay was able to connect deeply with the character and project her emotions into the role.
When asked about the preparation she did before filming, she revealed that she consulted her husband Louis Cheung and fellow actors like Michael Ning, thoroughly read and analysed the script, and learned karate for her first-ever action scenes. She noted that the film showcases a feminine touch, with dialogues and character designs that challenge traditional female stereotypes, reflecting the changing role of women in contemporary society.
Director Kwan Man Hin and actor Ling Man Lung from “The Remnant” interacted with a crowd of enthusiastic local audience at the post-screening discussion, . Director Kwan provided insights into the filming process and commended the cast members, “I had been a bit nervous prior to meeting the actors, but they turned out to be very professional and all of them came prepared. Following our script discussions during the preparatory phase, we were able to align our rhythm during filming. Their performances were exceptional, and I truly appreciate their invaluable support to me as a new director.”
Kwan’s inspiration for “The Remnant” stemmed from a former gangster he met, who had then turned his life around to become a chef. During his research for the script, Kwan found laundromats particularly intriguing. He observed that although the staff may appear detached, they could read into their customers’ lives based on the quantity and condition of the clothing they sent in, including the customers’ family backgrounds, occupations, and habits. “I wanted to portray their struggles to survive in society while maintaining a sense of distance from the masses,” he said. This realisation led him to set the story in a laundromat, exploring the human intricacies and narrative elements encapsulated within this unique setting.
Actor Ling Man Lung who portrays the villain in the film shared, “The process of honing my acting skills is also a process of developing empathy, helping me understand the world better.” Director Kwan highly praised Ling’s performance, highlighting that Ling’s background of graduating from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a major in drama and later joined the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, which gives him a systematic approach to his roles.
Director Dickson Leung from “YUM Investigation” received a warm reception from the local audience with a full house screening. Visiting Malaysia for the first time, Dickson shared his impressions of the exchange and expressed his desire to film a supernatural or horror movie there in the future, “Malaysia has a great sense of space and vast areas. The people here are enthusiastic, and you can feel their passion for movies. We are very eager to explore collaborations with the local teams.”
Dickson revealed that the scenes set in “Ping On Building” were shot across three different tenement buildings in Hong Kong, capturing the rooftop, interior, chase scenes, and the ground area. He reminisced, “Ping On Building is a tenement building in Sham Shui Po, and its architectural structure is different from the typical two-apartment-per-floor design. Its narrow corridors and multiple staircases are very interesting, making it an ideal filming location.”
Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation and the exhibition “From Idea To Icon: Crafting the Hong Kong Cinema” was held in Malaysia from 20 September to 3 October. The event is financially supported by the CCIDAHK, the FDF and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Jakarta, in collaboration with the largest cinema chain in Malaysia, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), and film distributor GSC Movies (GSCM). During the event, seven Hong Kong films were screened, with the opening film being Ricky Ko’s “Out of the Shadow”. Other films include Chow Kam Wing’s “For Alice”, Ho Miu Ki’s “Love Lies”, Andy Lo’s “Once in a Blue Moon”, Sunny Lau’s “One Night at School”, Kwan Man Hin’s “The Remnant” and Dickson Leung’s “YUM Investigation”. Four films showcasing in the exhibition include Ricky Ko’s “Out of the Shadow”, Ho Miu Ki’s “Love Lies”, Kwan Man Hin’s “The Remnant” and Dickson Leung’s “YUM Investigation”.
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