HKTB promotes movie tourism with docufilm "Hong Kong Classics Reimagined” - Grab your free tickets for 8 screenings at M+ cinemas

Hong Kong movies have always been a pioneer for Chinese-language cinema and everlasting classics have been fascinating theater fans over the years. A latest “Live Out the Cinematic Hong Kong” promotion has been launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to pay tribute to Hong Kong movie classics while attracting movie lovers around the world to visit Hong Kong in person through a new docufilm, Hong Kong Classics Reimagined, as well as a tailor-made travel guide. 

Following its premiere in “Marché du Film” at the Festival de Cannes in France in May, the docufilm premiered on Friday in M+ cinema, West Kowloon Cultural District. There will also be eight free public screenings of Hong Kong Classics Reimagined to allow both local and global viewers to experience the appeal of Hong Kong on the silver screen. 

Promoting Hong Kong Tourism to the World

For the first time, Hong Kong Classics Reimagined brings together both seasoned and emerging movie makers to recreate classic Hong Kong movie scenes in a new 60-minute film featuring six popular genres – ranging from romance, thriller, kungfu, action, comedy and art – in six short films against the backdrop of various iconic Hong Kong attractions and landmarks. These six films are directed by six renowned filmmakers including Wing Shya, Man Lim-chung, Kenji Tanigaki, Lawrence Kan Kwan-chun, Wong Kwok-keung, and Lemon Liu Yi-man. 

The premiere ceremony last night was attended by the cast and crew, including actors Gordon Lam, Cheung Siu-fai and Jocelyn Chan, directors Wing Shya, Wong Kwok-keung and Lemon Liu, and producers Silence Leung and Chan Sinn-gi. 

The idea to create this docufilm two years ago originated from the people’s love for Hong Kong cinema, Leung said, hoping that her work can showcase how the creativity of Hong Kong cinema has been impacting global movies. This irresistible force never fades and Hong Kong remains a beautiful city with its very own unique charisma, Chan Sinn-gi also said. 

“Illicit”, one of the six short films in the docufilm, is a tribute to famous director Wong Kar-wai and features actress Karen Mok, a motorcyclist, threading the needle across M+, Pottinger Street, and Soho in Central, unfolding the little stories in a big city. 

Dedicated Travel Guide to Extend Diverse Experience Beyond Movies

Pang Yiu-kai, HKTB Chairman, said, “Hong Kong cinema has long captivated audiences worldwide. Through Hong Kong Classics Reimagined, we pay tribute to classic Hong Kong movies and showcase the city’s unique appeal to attract visitors from around the world to visit Hong Kong for a movie pilgrimage and experience the allure of Hong Kong.” 

A dedicated travel guide launched on the HKTB website also offers a series of specially curated experiences for visitors to immerse themselves in the world of Hong Kong movies and discover the beauty of the city beyond the famous scenes, ranging from the record store on Ap Liu Street, Sham Shui Po in Internal Affairs, to the motorbike journey in Wong Kar-wai’s Fallen Angels on an open-top bus. 

Gordon Lam, who directed and starred in one of the short films “Passion Call” in Hong Kong Classics Reimagined, recommended the Hong Kong landmark Temple Street to visitors, as its stark day and night contrast makes it a vibrant place, and he hopes to convey its energy to the audience through the short film. He also pointed out that movies are an excellent medium to promote tourism by piquing the curiosity of overseas audiences through the cinematic lens, inspiring them to visit and explore Hong Kong. 

Meanwhile, actor Cheung Siu-fai, who also starred in “Passion Call”, stated that many beautiful sceneries in Hong Kong can be showcased through the lens, such as the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, Tung Lung Chau, and the Big Buddha, waiting to be further discovered by visitors. 

Actress Jocelyn Chan, who starred in another short film “The Raw Oysters”, shared that the film was shot at the revitalized Grade II historic building Oi!, reinterpreting Hong Kong classics just like the short film. 

The docufilm will be publicly shown in the M+ cinema for free on consecutive Saturdays starting July 20, with a total of eight screenings. Interested citizens can visit the event website starting on July 8 (Mon) to reserve free tickets. Two tickets can be reserved at a time. All tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Show Biz tells good stories of Hong Kong

The HKTB has been orchestrating for overseas production crews to come and film in Hong Kong so as to utilize the city’s unique urban landscape and cultural characteristics. In the past six months, the HKTB has also been cooperating with different Chinese and international shows and programs as well as influencers on social media to introduce in-depth traveling experience offered by Hong Kong to the international audiences. 

The latest example is the popular MasterChef Australia series, the crew of which has recently arrived in Hong Kong to shoot three episodes of its sixteenth season. Apart from indulging in street food and enjoying Michelin-level delicacies, candidates also take on cooking challenges at the West Kowloon Cultural District harbor, the Big Buddha monastery, and dai pai dongs in Central. 

Famous Taiwanese actress-singer Dee Hsu also shot her latest show “Dee Girl’s Talk” in Hong Kong and were even accompanied by the city’s two stars Tyson Yoshi and Terence Lau Chun-him. 

Catonpop diva Joey Yung and girls’ group Twins also introduced must-go places in Hong Kong and shared their fond memories of the city when shooting season 2 of Girls’ Spectacular Journey for the mainland. They also invited a close friend Kenny Kwan Chi-bun to their show as they together promoted hotspots in the city to Chinese audiences. 

The latest Thai romance movie Under Parallel Skies, starring Win Metawin, is set in Hong Kong. It received support from the HKTB to shoot in Kowloon City, Tai O, Peng Chau, and the Avenue of Stars, presenting Hong Kong’s unique culture to the global audience before a silver screen.