Cinema Hong Kong: Movie
Location: Rialto Cinemas, Newmarket, Auckland
(More photos available on facebook)
From 11 to 17 August 2011 at the Rialto Cinemas, Newmarket, Auckland: Cinema Hong Kong will showcase 13 titles from Hong Kong featuring two from the Shaw Brother’s era in the 60’s, and four short movies from the Hong Kong Baptist University. The mixture of classic and contemporary titles aims to show the evolution of the Hong Kong entertainment industry. Check out what’s screening here!
When thinking of Chinese language cinema, the first place that most people would think of is Hong Kong. It’s not surprising since for decades Hong Kong has been the third largest motion picture industry in the world after Hollywood and Indian cinema. In fact, most people would be familiar with Hong Kong stars like Jackie Chan and Chow Yun Fat who have made it into major Hollywood movies.
Hong Kong film is famous for its unique blend of Hollywood’s “thrill-a-minute” philosophy with elements from traditional Chinese drama and art. Coupled with Hong Kong’s fast and loose approach towards film-making, this produces the energy and surrealism that Hong Kong films are noted for.
We invite you to come experience the wonders of Hong Kong cinema – from classics to the trendier animated films. There’s something for everyone at Cinema Hong Kong this year.
Fun facts about Hong Kong Cinema
- In 1963 the British authorities passed a law requiring the subtitling of all Hong Kong films in English, supposedly to enable a watch on political content. This later had the unintended consequence of facilitating the movies’ popularity in the West.
- Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were both signed by Golden Harvest Studios, which was formed in 1970 and became the top studio by the end of the 1970s.
- Bruce Lee started off his performance career in the US but was unsuccessful. Then he went to Hong Kong and became successful there before later becoming popular in the US.
- Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars is modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.
- Chow Yun Fat was the first Hong Kong actor to break into Hollywood without Kung Fu.
