Asian film talents converge in Hong Kong for “Asian Cinerama: Eternal Youth”
Karata Erika, Esther Liu, and Jack Tan converge in Hong Kong for an intimate exchange with cinephiles.
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy, in collaboration with Broadway Cinematheque, “Asian Cinerama 2024: Eternal Youth” has successfully concluded. This two-week event, the latest edition of Asian Cinerama, explored the theme of “Youth” through nine films from across Asia, spanning from 2001 to 2024. The selection showcased diverse directorial perspectives on youth. The event also brought key film talents to Hong Kong to meet fans, including producer Tanaka Sachihiko and lead actress Karata Erika of “When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty”, lead actor Jack Tan of “GOLD”, and director Lien Chien Hung and lead actress Esther Liu of “Salli”.
Asian Cinerama aims to promote and celebrate outstanding Asian films, giving local audiences the chance to appreciate the non-mainstream Asian cinema. The selection includes films that introduce novel topics and unique perspectives, showcasing quality Asian films to Hong Kong cinephiles.
“When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty” kicked off the Asian Cinerama. Karata Erika and Tanaka Sachihiko attended the post-screening discussion, sharing details about the filming process and creative concepts behind the film. The house was packed with enthusiastic audience members asking questions, creating a lively atmosphere. Producer Tanaka Sachihiko elaborated on the film’s symbolism, highlighting the director’s creativity and encouraging audience reflection on the theme of growing-up. After screening, crowd of fans took photos with Karata Erika, who expressed gratitude and hoped for continued support of her future projects.
Jack Tan, the lead actor of “GOLD”, visited Hong Kong again since earlier this year for “Abang Adik”, receiving a warm welcome from the audience. He shared captivating filming details, creating an energetic and engaging atmosphere. Tan portrays Malaysian Paralympic badminton champion Cheah Liek Hou, adjusting his acting methods and physique to convey the character’s evolution. He praised the film’s fourth-wall-breaking technique as innovative to Malaysian cinema, noting how it effectively breaks tension during competition scenes while adding dramatic flair to the film. As a Mid-Autumn surprise, Tan shared video greetings from director Adrian Teh and Cheah himself, delighting everyone in the house.
The final post-screening session featured director Lien Chien-Hung and lead actress Esther Liu of “Salli”. They engaged in a lively and inspiring Q&A with the audience. Liu, who plays a chicken coop owner, humorously recounted her “chaotic” on-set experiences with animal co-stars, while director Lien revealed the film’s autobiographical elements. Liu’s unique character interpretation included suggesting a “marriage proposal” scene, emphasising how unconventional experiences foster self-discovery.
The nine selected films include “14 Again: I Love You Two Thousand”, a Thai comedy directed by Nareubadee Wetchakam that blends road trip, romance, friendship, and horror. The line-up also features the 4K restored version of “My Girl”, the 2003 Thai box office champion directed by Songyos Sugmakanan. Additionally, there is Ishibashi Yuho’s “When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty”, starring Karata Erika . Another highlight is “Doubles Match” directed by Hung Po-Hao, which stars Taiwanese actors Rexen Cheng and Shih Ming-Shuai, and was the opening film of this year’s Taipei Film Festival.
“Salli”, directed by Lien Chien-Hung, has earned six nominations at this year’s Taipei Film Awards, including Best Narrative Feature and Best Actress. It has also been selected for prestigious festivals such as the Busan International Film Festival and Osaka Asian Film Festival. “Heavy Snow”, directed by Yun Su-ik, marks the silver screen debut of Korean star Han So-hee, who takes on the challenging role of a lesbian character in this independent production. The restored version of “Take Care of My Cat”, directed by Jeong Jae-eun, was hailed by The Guardian as one of “the 20 most important contemporary Korean films” and earned Bae Doona her first Best Actress award. “GOLD”, directed by Adrian and starring the talented Jack Tan, is based on the inspiring true story of Malaysia’s Paralympic badminton champion. Finally, “Brief History of a Family”, directed by Lin Jianjie, has screened at renowned international festivals like Sundance and Berlin, earning praise from foreign audiences who have likened it to the Chinese version of “Saltburn”.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0609
Website: www.afa-academy.com
