Laugh through time in classic 80s and 90s comedies exhibition

Get tickled back in time and explore the chuckles of classic comedies at the Hong Kong Film Archive(HKFA)’s "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition, dedicated to reviving the laughing fest from May 30 to October 19. 

Featuring the classic film excerpts, oral histories, classic songs, and posters from the 1980s to the 1990s, movie fans are invited to reminisce about the hilarious moments recorded on screen.

The exhibition is divided into three thematic zones, each presenting different facets of local film scenes of a golden era. 

Roomful of Laughter

The exhibition zone, “Roomfuls of Laughter”, showcases nearly 100 exhilarating excerpts from classics with four themes: “Classic Combos", "The Art of Exaggeration", "Laughing with the Times" and "The Nonsensical Art of Mo Lei Tau".

Selected films include "Wheels on Meals" (1984), "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1987), "All for the Winner" (1990), and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996), Spy Dad (1996), filling the room full of chuckles as well as delving into the tactics and construction of comedic moments.

Oral History: Our Comedy Hours

Another section, "Oral History: Our Comedy Hours" includes interviews with renowned filmmakers including Wong Jing, Clifton Ko Chi-sum, Tenky Tin Kai-man, Alfred Cheung Kin-ting and Mak Kai-kwong, along with actors including Teresa Mo Shun-kwan and Sandra Ng Kwan-yue. 

These segments are compiled into two thematic films, namely "The Birth of Comedy" and "Behind the Jokes: The Making of a Comedian", exploring the filmmakers’ creative process and script development and actors’ reflections on film careers and character developments, respectively.

Happy Karaoke Sing-A-Long

The third zone ”Happy Karaoke Sing-A-Long" welcomes visitors with over 20 selected theme songs or interludes in film excerpts into a karaoke lounge, including "Ex-love is Like a Dream" from "92 The Legendary la Rose Noire" (1992), "A Love Affair" from "Let's Make Laugh" (1983) and "We Meet Again Stranger" from "All's Well End's Well" (1992).

+2

Poster Waterfall

The exhibition also features a photo spot called "Poster Waterfall," where movie fans can snap pictures that blend classic and modern moments. 

Classic comedy films, such as "All the Wrong Clues (…For the Right Solution)" (1981), "Aces Go Places" (1982) and "Sixty Million Dollar Man" (1995) are included.

A Comedy Wall of Fame is also displayed with actors' and filmmakers' insights into comedies, as well as a 4-meter-high feature wall incorporating iconic scenes and city landmarks such as the Bank of China Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui's Clock Tower, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. 

Additionally, two seminars have been organized during the exhibition period, with the first seminar hosted by film critic Thomas Shin at the HKFA Cinema on June 22, featuring director Clifton Ko and actress Teresa Mo. 

Guests can wait in the first-floor lobby 45 minutes before the seminar begins, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Admission is free, and the exhibition is open from Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm.