Zhang Yimou and Son Suk-ku make surprise appearances at 'Hong Kong Night' in Busan

‘Hong Kong Night,’ co-hosted by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and the 31st BIFF, was held on October 9 at the Paradise Hotel in Busan. The event was supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Culture, Creative and Sports Industries Development Bureau (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund (FDF), with sponsorship from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Attendees included BIFF Chairperson Park Kwang-su, Culture, Creative and Sports Industries Commission member Drew Lai, and AFAA Executive Director Josie Lin. Hong Kong film professionals such as Fala Chen, Terrance Lau, Hedwig Tam, Maggie Shiu, Nancy Sit, Jonathan Wong, and Derek Tsang also attended. The atmosphere intensified when Zhang Yimou and Son Suk-ku made unannounced appearances.

Fala Chen stated that for Hong Kong cinema to move toward the global stage, it is important to preserve local language and cultural characteristics. “The more specific a story is and the more it possesses unique Hong Kong characteristics, the more it can move the hearts of the audience,” she said. As Hong Kong cinema expands its presence on the international stage, maintaining regionality appears to be a key future challenge.

The event also introduced ‘Dead End,’ the winner of the Higher Education Institution category for the 7th ‘First Feature Film Production Support Program.’ The work was invited to the ‘Vision - Asia’ section of this year's BIFF and held its world premiere on October 10. Director Isabella Lam Lok-hin, along with Terrance Lau, Hedwig Tam, and Maggie Shiu, discussed the planning and filming process of the work.

Director Isabella Lam Lok-hin said she has loved movies since childhood and felt honored to present her first feature film at an international film festival. Terrance Lau revealed that although he initially received a script with an unfinished ending, he decided to appear in the film because he was drawn to the mysterious development. He added that throughout filming, he had to be curious about the next part of the story just like an audience member, and that acting a character with significant emotional shifts was not easy.

In the work, Hedwig Tam played the wife of the protagonist played by Terrance Lau, and Maggie Shiu played the protagonist's mother. The peaceful daily life of a family begins to be shaken by the appearance of a boy of unknown identity. Maggie Shiu said she decided to appear after being impressed by the director's passion, expressing a desire to support Hong Kong cinema.

Veteran Hong Kong actress Nancy Sit and singer-songwriter Jonathan Wong introduced the new work ‘Rags 2 Richmond.’ Nancy Sit expressed her joy at attending BIFF and ‘Hong Kong Night’ for the first time and thanked Jonathan Wong. Jonathan Wong stated that he drew strength from the achievements of Hong Kong film professionals active on the international stage and their mutual support, expressing his desire to continue the culture of Hong Kong cinema.

Read the original (Korean)