Asian Cinerama: Growing Light Opens First Week with Packed Screenings and Talks
Director Seo You-min and Yoshiyuki Okuyama met Hong Kong audiences, sharing insights from reimagining a classic to presenting a debut feature and inspiring students in a university talk.
Organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy with the support of the Hong Kong Creative Cultural Industries Development Agency (CCIDAHK) and the Hong Kong Film Development Fund, and MCL Cinemas as venue partner, the first week of Asian Cinerama: Growing Light ran successfully from August 30 to September 1. The three-day programme featured screenings of Secret: Untold Melody, At the Bench, and Blue Gate Crossing, along with a university talk. Korean director Seo You-min and Japanese director Yoshiyuki Okuyama joined the events in person, engaging audiences and students in lively discussions and heartfelt exchanges.
On August 30, Seo You-min presented her film Secret: Untold Melody. A longtime fan of the original, Seo admitted to feeling pressure when taking on such a popular story, even travelling to Tamsui, Taiwan, to better capture its atmosphere. She explained that EXO’s D.O. (Do Kyung-soo) was her first choice for the lead: “He is an excellent musician with a pure and charming presence.” Audiences praised her delicate, modern adaptation, and many fans stayed after the screening to meet her, with some travelling from as far as Xiamen for the event.
On August 31, Yoshiyuki Okuyama joined the screening of his debut feature At the Bench. Asked why he chose to shoot on film, he explained, “In the digital era, I want to preserve the beauty of analog.” The film consists of five stories, each carefully crafted with screenwriters to feel like everyday moments, from a man at a sushi bar to a girl holding flowers. Okuyama said he hopes audiences don’t just feel intense emotions at the cinema, but also find meaning in the ordinary — with playful twists that highlight the contrast between the familiar and the unexpected. He shared that his favourite moment was the final scene: “When I wrote it, I had a picture in mind, but the actors’ performances went far beyond what I imagined. I was truly moved.” As a photographer-turned-filmmaker with a strong following, Okuyama drew many fans who stayed behind for photos and autographs.
On September 1, HKBU Film Academy and the Asian Film Awards Academy co-presented the first “The Asian Filmmakers in Focus Talk” university talk, featuring Okuyama in conversation with Hong Kong director Adam Wong. Okuyama reflected on starting with photography: “A photo captures a single moment, but it can spark endless imagination.” Moving into film, he created works such as Kenshi’s striking MV Kanden. Asked about its inspiration, he explained, “I often think about what reality is. To me, reality is a mix of the real and the unreal,” an idea he expressed through constant shifts in perspective.
On the Japanese industry’s focus on “function” — advertising needing mass reach, or films aiming for box office — Okuyama offered a different approach: “Sometimes, creating for just one person is enough. A work can be like throwing a stone into a lake, a single message that resonates deeply.” Adam Wong also shared his own creative experiences, making the dialogue especially inspiring for students.
The three-day programme closed with enthusiastic participation from audiences and students alike. From post-screening talks to the university lecture, the exchanges were heartfelt and thought-provoking, showcasing the diversity of Asian cinema while inspiring the next generation. Asian Cinerama: Growing Light continues next week with more screenings and filmmaker talks. Limited tickets remain — don’t miss the chance to be part of it!
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