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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · AUGUST 23, 2012
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SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS
SECOND ANNUAL HONG KONG CINEMA FESTIVAL,
SEPTEMBER 21 - 23 AT NEW PEOPLE CINEMA
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Three-Day
Festival Celebrates the Finest Work from a Filmmaking Epicenter With
Six New Films, a Three-Film Retrospective and Filmmaker Guests
San Francisco, CA -- The San Francisco Film Society in association with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco presents the second annual Hong Kong Cinema festival, September 21 - 23 at New People Cinema
(1746 Post Street). This exciting series highlights one of the world's
major filmmaking hubs and features recent films showcasing Hong Kong's
range of cinematic storytelling with works by both internationally known
filmmakers as well as up-and-coming talents. This year's program also
includes a three-film retrospective to celebrate the 15th anniversary of
the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
"As
a follow-up to the great success of the inaugural Hong Kong Cinema,
this year we present a festival that not only highlights exciting new
productions, but also, in marking the 15th Anniversary of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, calls attention to the rich cinematic
tradition and recent history of this dynamic filmmaking center," said
SFFS Director of Programming Rachel Rosen. "We're pleased to continue
our partnership with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, which has
worked with the Film Society for over a decade."
"Hong Kong has
more than a century's history in filmmaking and has one of the largest
and most dynamic film entertainment industries in the world," said Jeff
Leung, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San
Francisco. "Over the years, Hong Kong films have gained considerable
worldwide acclaim and we are excited to present Hong Kong Cinema to the
Bay Area audiences this September."
Hong Kong films are widely
known and loved for their deft use of genre in all forms, and the second
edition of Hong Kong Cinema delivers the highest quality new work for a
variety of tastes. Kicking off the series in proper fashion is the
Opening Night film Love in the Buff, the not-quite-a-sequel to the smash hit Love in a Puff
(SFIFF 2011) which reunites the two protagonists and the entire
filmmaking team for a whole new exploration of romantic entanglements.
Other highlights feature the popular and prolific Simon Lam showing off
his acting chops in the crime thriller Nightfall, while Ann Hui, whose sold-out screenings of All About Love charmed audiences at HKC 2011, brings us the drama A Simple Life starring superstar Andy Lau.
In
addition to the six new films featured in this year's series, the
retrospective to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region offers a trio of earlier works
representing the vast thematic range of cinematic product in Hong Kong
during this period: Peter Chan's rarely-shown romantic drama Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996), Patrick Yau's gangland thriller The Longest Nite (1998) and Fruit Chan's innovative indie hit Made in Hong Kong (1997).
For complete program information visit sffs.org/cinema.
Friday, September 21
4:30 pm Love Me Not North American Premiere
Writer-director Gilitte Pik Chi Leung expected in person
Gilitte Pik Chi Leung (Hong Kong 2012)
A
sweet and daring portrait of blurred sexuality and love complications,
this independent feature tells the story of Dennis and Aggie, pals since
primary school and roommates for five years. Both are gay, but
inseparable as friends. Matters become tense, however, when Dennis
announces an arranged marriage and Aggie finds herself increasingly
jealous. Debuting writer-director Gilitte Pik Chi Leung offers a
bustling Hong Kong of reasonably successful, metrosexual youngsters
whose views of life and love are very different from those of their
parents. Stylistically innovative and bursting with energy, Love Me Not
announces an exciting new talent on the scene. Written by Gilitte Pik
Chi Leung. Photographed by Gilitte Pik Chi Leung, Evangelo Costadimas.
With Afa Lee, Kenneth Cheng, Rebecca Yip, Siu Wu. 92 min. In Cantonese
with subtitles. Distributed by Colored Production Company.
5:30 pm Opening Night reception with delicious hors d'oeuvres and wine at Superfrog Gallery at New People.
7:00 pm Love in the Buff OPENING NIGHT FILM
Pang Ho-cheung (Chun giu yu chi ming, Hong Kong/China 2012)
Cherie and Jimmy, the mismatched lovers from Love in a Puff
(SFIFF 2011), reunite in the latest immaculately crafted romantic drama
from Pang Ho-cheung. Here the two are living together in Hong Kong, but
Jimmy's inconsiderate behavior has driven Cherie to move out; his
relocation to Beijing creates a further wedge. When she is also
transferred there for her job, they can't help but reconnect in spite of
new romantic interests for them both. With the infectious chemistry of
Shawn Yue and Miriam Yeung as Jimmy and Cherie, the film poignantly
demonstrates the vagaries of love in the modern world. Written by Pang
Ho-cheung, Luk Yee Sum. Photographed by Jason Kwan. With Miriam Yeung,
Shawn Yue, Mini Yang, Xu Zheng. 111 min. In Cantonese and Mandarin with
subtitles. Distributed by China Lion Film Distribution.
9:45 pm Nightfall
Roy Chow Hin Yeung (Dai jui bo, Hong Kong 2012)
In
this grisly thriller, police inspector George Lam (the formidable Simon
Yam) investigates the mystery surrounding the murder of popular opera
singer Han, and alights on recently released convict Eugene Wong (Nick
Cheung) as his prime suspect. As Lam delves further into the crime,
uncovering details from the past that tie Eugene to Han's family, the
case increases in complexity and potential danger. With a memorable
fight sequence set aboard a cable car and the clever teaming of Cheung
and Yam on opposite sides of the law, this is a perfect example of the
wonderfully complex, action film for which Hong Kong cinema is known.
Written by Christine To Chi-long. Photographed by Ardy Lam. With Nick
Cheung, Simon Yam, Janice Man, Shawn Dou. 107 min. In Cantonese with
subtitles. Distributed by Well Go USA.
Saturday, September 22
1:30 pm Made in Hong Kong
Fruit Chan (Xiang gang zhi zao, Hong Kong 1997)
Produced by Andy Lau, Made in Hong Kong
created quite a stir when it first hit the international film scene in
1997, establishing director Fruit Chan as a representative Asian
filmmaker. Low-level gangster Autumn Moon (Sam Lee) is one step short of
a triad, and an ocean removed from respectability. Marginalized by
society, he nonetheless attempts to make his mark on the world, finding
direction in his connections to two young women. Moon's quest for
personal significance is full of startling violence, lyrical emotion and
surprising irony, and Chan's camera is right there, infusing this
street-level Hong Kong tale with a vibrant and affecting immediacy.
Written by Fruit Chan. Photographed by O Sing-pui, Lam Wah-chuen. With
Sam Lee, Neiky Yim Hui-chi, Wenders Li. 98 min. In Cantonese with
subtitles. Distributed by Focus Films.
3:45 pm Comrades, Almost a Love Story
Peter Chan (Tian mi mi, Hong Kong 1996)
This
beloved Hong Kong film is the sweet romance of two mainland immigrants
who meet in the bustling metropolis as they each pursue their dream of
something better. Qiao (Maggie Cheung) is an ambitious girl with an eye
on her McDonald's paycheck. Jun (pop star Leon Lai) is a restaurant
delivery boy, saving for his wedding to a girl back home. They're
obviously meant for each other but each, for the time being at least,
has other ideas. Director Peter Chan and writer Ivy Ho have crafted a
charming, elegant film about what life can offer those open to its
bright possibility. Written by Ivy Ho. Photographed by Jingle Ma. With
Leon Lai, Maggie Cheung, Eric Tsang. 116 min. In Cantonese and Mandarin
with subtitles. Distributed by Warner Bros.
6:15 pm The Great Magician
Derek Yee (Da mo shu shi, Hong Kong/China 2011)
Set
in 1920s China, this deliriously entertaining film deftly blends
vaudeville-style humor, vivid magic sequences and ruthless political
gamesmanship. Village warlord Bully Lei (Ching Wan Lau) is accused of
using mentalism to recruit soldiers to his cause. New arrival Zhang
(superstar Tony Leung), upset to find out Lei is holding a former flame
of his captive, aims to thwart these plans with an ambitious kidnap
scheme and various tricks of his own. When the plan goes awry, the two
match wits in an ongoing battle to see who is the more adept
illusionist. Written by Derek Yee, Chun Tin-nam, Lau Ho-leung.
Photographed by Nobuyasu Kita. With Tony Leung, Ching Wan Lau, Zhou Xun,
Wu Gang. 128 min. In Cantonese and Mandarin with subtitles. Distributed
by Emperor Motion Pictures.
9:00 pm Love Me Not see 9/21
Writer-director Gilitte Pik Chi Leung expected in person
Sunday, September 23
1:30 pm A Simple Life
Ann Hui (Tao jie, Hong Kong/China 2011)
Director Ann Hui (All About Love,
HKC 2011) is an expert image-maker of daily life. In her latest, which
won five of the top Hong Kong Film Awards, she depicts the relationship
between a film producer named Roger (Andy Lau) and the aging household
servant Ah Tao who has looked after four generations of his family.
Though it focuses predominantly on these two protagonists and the
shifting balance of caretaking they undergo together as Ah Tao's health
worsens, A Simple Life also offers an expansive and
humanitarian look at the range of elderly people in Hong Kong, many of
whom have been abandoned by relatives who are overseas. Written by Susan
Chan, Roger Lee. Photographed by Yu Lik Wai. With Andy Lau, Deanie Ip,
Qin Hailu, Wang Fuli. 117 min. In Cantonese with subtitles. Distributed
by China Lion Film Distribution.
4:00 pm Love in the Buff see 9/21
6:30 pm Romancing in Thin Air
Johnnie To (Gao hai ba zhi lian II, Hong Kong/China 2011)
Johnnie
To shifts once again from action terrain to romantic drama in this
story of famous actor Michael Yuan (superstar Louis Koo) who escapes to a
remote mountain lodge to lay low after being jilted at the altar.
Looked after by the lodge's owner Sue and her star-struck helpers Teeny
and Beauty, he starts assisting with simple tasks around the hotel --
until his manager and the Hong Kong film industry find him and come
calling. As the story develops, tensions of Michael's life as a movie
star and Sue's own history involving a missing husband conflict with
their growing attachment for one another. Written by Wai Ka-fai, Yau
Nai-hoi, Ryker Chan, Jevons Au. Photographed by Cheng Siu-keung. With
Louis Koo, Sammi Cheng, Li Guangjie, Gao Yuanyuan. 114 min. In Cantonese
and Mandarin with subtitles. Distributed by Media Asia.
8:45 pm The Longest Nite
Patrick Yau (Am faa, Hong Kong 1998)
Made
in 1998, Patrick Yau's bleak and intricate thriller, set on the
Portuguese gambling island of Macau, portrays two rival gangs attempting
to negotiate a truce before a legendary boss from another gang arrives.
The process is thrown into disarray when an assassination plot is
uncovered implicating one of the groups against the other. With a
noirish patina reflecting the shadowy world of its setting and featuring
The Great Magician's Tony Leung as a dirty cop who has his own
hidden agenda, Yau's violent and atmospheric film conjures up a lawless
world of corruption and nihilism. Written by Szeto Kam Yuen, Yau Nai
Hoi. Photographed by Ko Chiu Lam. With Tony Leung, Ching Wan Lau, Maggie
Siu. 81 min. In Cantonese with subtitles. Distributed by Universe Films
Distribution.
Film tickets $11 for SFFS
members, $13 general, $12 seniors, students and persons with
disabilities; Opening Night film and party $20 for SFFS members, $25
general; Film Society CineVoucher 10-Packs $105 for SFFS members, $125
general. Box office opens August 23 for members and August 25 for the
general public online at sffs.org.
Hong Kong Cinema is sponsored by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco and media partners San Francisco Bay Guardian and San Francisco Examiner.
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San Francisco Film Society
Building
on a legacy of more than 50 years of bringing the best in world cinema
to the Bay Area, the San Francisco Film Society is a national leader in
exhibition, education and filmmaker services.
The
Film Society presents 365 days of exhibition each year, reaching a
total audience of 130,000 people. Its acclaimed education program
introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media
literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students and presents more
than 100 classes and workshops annually. Through Filmmaker360, the Film
Society's filmmaker services program, essential creative and business
services and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to
deserving filmmakers of all levels.
The
Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a
wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change
perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it
is largely donor and member supported. Patronage and membership provides
discounted prices, access to grants and residencies, private events and
a wealth of other benefits.
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