Hong Kong Film Panorama

May 10-20

Screening Schedule

In collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, İstanbul Modern Cinema presents a selection of seven films from the emerging cinema of Hong Kong. Among the films in the selection are Echoes of the Rainbow (Sui Yuet San Tau), which won the Crystal Bear at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival and is considered one of the Top 10 movies of 2010 in China; Gallants (Da Lui Toi), which was selected best movie at the Hong Kong Film Awards; and The Drunkard (Jiu Tu), based on the 1963 novel by Liu Yichang, a prominent author in Hong Kong literature.

Echoes of the Rainbow (Sui Yuet San Tau)

Alex Law, 2010, 117´

Set in 1960s Hong Kong and manifesting the socio-economic changes the country underwent through many elements ranging from class division to typhoons and from corruption to incurable disease, the plot develops around the family’s eldest son, an athletic boy popular in his school, getting leukemia. The film won the Crystal Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival in the Generation category and was a great success at the 2010 Hong Kong Film Awards.

La Comédie Humaine (Yan Gaan Hei Kat)
Hing-Ka Chan and Janet Chun, 2010, 100´
A Postmodern buddy movie. The protagonist is hit man Spring who has lost contact with his partner Setting Sun. Meanwhile, Spring crosses paths with Soya, a frustrated screenwriter who recently broke up with his psychotic girlfriend. A comedy-action develops around characters whose fates intersect.

Gallants (Da Lui Toi)

Clement Sze-Kit Chen and Chi-kin Kwok, 2010, 98´
A high-energy comedy about martial arts, the film won the awards for “Best Picture”, “Best Supporting Actor”, and “Best Supporting Actress” at the 2011 Hong Kong Film Awards. Real estate agent Cheung goes to a remote village to settle property rights and arrives in Mang’s teahouse which was once Law’s kung-fu school. Law has been lying in a coma for thirty years in the upper floor of the teahouse. But when the landlord Pong attempts to secure the place to a contractor Law wakes up from his coma, however, neither his memory nor sanity is complete.

Crossing Hennessy (Yut Mun Hinneisi)

Kesişen Yollar (Yut Mun Hinneisi)

Ivy Ho, 2010, 105´

Loy and Oi-lin are two shopkeepers working on the same avenue. Loy is a man in his 40s who lives with his beauty-obsessed mother; Oi-lin is a stubborn yet pretty and unobtrusive girl.They are set up on a match-making date by well-meaning relatives. Actually, they both have somebody else on their minds and do everything they can to avoid this meeting, but after a while they realize that they have quite a few points in common. A romantic comedy that glimpses at urban life in present-day Hong Kong.

All About Love (Duk Haan Chau Faan)

Ann Hui, 2010, 105´

A film about urban life, which can be regarded as quasi-feminist for the message conveyed by the prominent Hong Kong director. Anita and Macy are two lovers who have ended their relationship but start to see each other again frequently because of their pregnancies. This bisexual couple, who still love one another, discover that they are both pregnant.A cheerful romantic comedy with a stance against the male-dominated system, simpaticoactresses, and an observant sense of humor.

Break Up Club (Fun Sau Suet Oi Nei)

Chun-Chun Wong, 2010, 104´

A film about relationships by the director of youth films. A website promises users to win back lost relationships and loves. But first the users have to break up another happy couple. Having something to say about modern relationships and filmed in documentary style using a handheld camera this film will be enjoyed especially by the younger audience.

The Drunkard (Jiu Tu)

Freddie Wong, 2010, 106´

An adaptation from Liu Yichang’s 1963 novel, a notable book in Chinese literature, The Drunkard tells the story of Lau, a writer who drowns his memories of wartime brutality in alcohol. Lau has to write erotic stories to earn money, meanwhile he has relationships with the women around him. Set in a colorful 1960s Hong Kong setting the film earned director Wong a nomination for “Best New Director” at the Hong Kong Film Awards.