ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL strengthens cultural ties between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia

The inaugural ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL ended on a high note with a finale attended by representatives from 10 ASEAN countries, concluding what was a city-wide event showcasing the rich cultures of Southeast Asia, and fostering cultural bonds between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

At a time when Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu designates boosting regional partnerships a priority and emphasizes opportunities for cooperation in trade, tourism and culture with recent visits to Southeast Asia, the first-ever ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL culminated in a finale in Hong Kong on 19 August, becoming one of the many events that have fostered cultural ties between the city and ASEAN countries.  

It was with the aim of exposing Hong Kong’s youth to Southeast Asia’s diverse cultural riches that the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation launched the festival. Through the universal language of storytelling on screen, the non-profit organization hoped to provide a window into the varied customs, traditions and day-to-day lives found across the region through 14 specially curated films by top Southeast Asian filmmakers.

At the closing ceremony, Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of HKSAR, praised the success of the festival in boosting cultural connection and furthering dialogue between Hong Kong and ASEAN countries.

“I would like to thank the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation for organizing the ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL,” Yeung remarked. “Bringing over a wide selection of films from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong audiences, the festival echoes our strategic direction in promoting the development of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.”

Spreading cultural richness

From Cambodia’s powerful portrayals of history to Vietnam’s artful dramas, the 21 screening sessions held between 4 and 19 August drew over 600 students and young people, offering them vibrant glimpses into the textures of culture often unseen by Hong Kong audiences.

One of the festival’s screening sessions is that of the award-winning Cambodian film ‘White Building’. Director Kavich Neang hosted a sharing session afterwards, giving more than 40 guests and young attendees insight into Cambodian’s distinct heritage through his film and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the production.

“The ASEAN and Hong Kong enjoy long-standing and deep-rooted partnerships that span decades. Such partnerships are highlighted by the Chief Executive’s highly successful visit to ASEAN countries last month,” Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of HK-ASEAN Foundation, remarked.

“Through the ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL, we seek to present to Hong Kong audiences the rich cinematic tapestry of the ASEAN, and to promote a deeper understanding of one another’s cultures. It is also a celebration of Hong Kong’s strength in the creative industries as well as our role as a bridge connecting the ASEAN and mainland China,” Ng added.

Deeper understanding through films

At the festival’s finale, guests were treated to a special screening of the critically-acclaimed Indonesian period drama ‘Before, Now and Then,’ depicting a woman who loses her family in the 1960s upheavals but eventually finds solace through an unexpected friendship.

Muhammad Neil El Himam, Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Products at Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, said he hoped the film would shed light on Indonesian history and society.

“Hong Kong, as an international hub in Asia, is an ideal location for connecting cross-regional cultures and driving better understanding among neighbors. Cinema is just one tool, and I am confident that there is potential for more collaboration between Hong Kong, Indonesia and other ASEAN nations through many such cultural platforms,” he said.   

Movies open doors to diversity

As a testament to its role in building cultural bridges, the festival has garnered a strong endorsement from participating ASEAN nations, who unanimously lauded the festival for fostering appreciation of diverse viewpoints across generational divides.

“The festival holds significant importance as it offers a special platform for us to showcase, share and honor the diverse and rich cinematic works and, for the matter, traditions and customs from the ASEAN region,” said Pech Puthisathbopeaneaky, Consul General of Cambodia in Hong Kong. “As we look to the future, we expect to see a rise in interest in the various cultures and traditions of our region as well as a continued effort by both Hong Kong and the ASEAN countries to organize more such occasions,” she added.’

The idea that cinema is an important contemporary medium to tell stories and share ideas, beliefs and culture resonates strongly with Muzambli Markam, Consul General of Malaysia in Hong Kong. “I’m very happy that we are finally having the inaugural ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL. Film is one of the avenues or platforms that can help provide an insight for foreign countries and foreigners into, for example, Malaysian culture,” he noted.

Restarting regional engagement

Following challenges of limited mobility and collaboration during the pandemic, the festival also provided a timely opportunity to reboot cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

“Both Southeast Asian countries and Hong Kong have come through a challenging period in the last three years because of Covid. Having a film festival at this juncture is a very good opportunity for both sides to start resuming these exchanges and understanding of each other’s culture, traditions and arts scene better,” said Ong Siew Gay, Consul General of Singapore in Hong Kong.

Chaturont Chaiyakam, Consul General of Thailand in Hong Kong, recognized the value of the festival in strengthening ASEAN-Hong Kong ties at a critical time: “I was very impressed with the Foundation when I learned that the Foundation was trying to bridge the understanding between ASEAN and Hong Kong. We have been doing a lot of promotion for Thai films in the past five years.”

Opening up new opportunities

Looking ahead, the participating ASEAN nations expressed optimism for future ASEAN-Hong Kong collaboration in films. Pham Binh Dam, Consul General of Vietnam in Hong Kong, encouraged Hong Kong filmmakers to actively explore and tap into the ASEAN markets, citing the historical influence of Hong Kong TV and films on Southeast Asian audiences through the decades.

“For decades, Hong Kong’s brand name has remained ingrained in the minds of many people in Southeast Asia. The power of influential movies should not be underestimated, as they can shape the perception of one country’s audience towards another,” Pham explained.

By reigniting regional relationships through cinema, the inaugural ASEAN FILM FESTIVAL highlighted the power of arts to transcend borders and push partnerships forward, laying the foundation for richer cultural collaboration in the years ahead.