Deal 'recreating' Kowloon Walled City taking shape

Ayra Wang

The demolished Kowloon Walled City could spring back to life as the administration is discussing how to recreate the set from a popular martial arts film with a movie company.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said talks are under way with the movie company behind Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which has grossed HK$63 million in Hong Kong and 500 million yuan (HK$539.23 million) in the mainland since May 1.

Filmgoers commended the movie crew for meticulously recreating the crowded and dark neighborhood of the 1980s.

"The set was torn down but not discarded, and the government is considering displaying some parts of the set in an appropriate place," Wong said.

However, Tenky Tin Kai-man, spokesman for the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, said it would be challenging to recreate the set due to high costs and management difficulties.

The administration should not make decisions simply because the movie is a hit, Tin added.

Meanwhile, authorities unveiled the timetable for the upcoming 106 mega events in the second half of this year, including 42 exhibitions, 15 sports events, 25 cultural events, 11 festivals and 13 finance, technology and innovation-related events.

"There will be 15 brand-new events coming and many well-received events from before will also return," Wong added.

A Chinese Kungfu x Dance Carnival will be held in July, with over 1,000 martial arts and dance masters presenting nearly 60 performances.

M+ Museum will hold a major retrospective of architect Ieoh Ming Pei between June 29 and January next year.

In October, the first ever Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo will feature 800 to 1,000 artists from the mainland and overseas, along with 500 local artists.

Additionally, a series of fashion design events will also be held back-to-back along with the annual Asian fashion show, Centrestage, in September and a brand-new Hong Kong Fashion Design Week in November.

The Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival and Design District Hong Kong will return in November and December, respectively.

Two internationally renowned sports events, the World Lacrosse 2024 Women's U20 Championship and the 2024 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, will be held in August and October.

Apart from exhibitions between September and December, the city will celebrate its 75th anniversary, including a pyrotechnic display on October 1.

Mid-Autumn lantern carnivals and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance will return in September and the dragon dance parade will be expanded.

For the second time, the annual Asia's 50 Best Bars award ceremony will be held in July, while in October an international innovation and technology event, SmartCon 2024, will makes it debut.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com