HKIFF45 Connects with Filmmakers, Physically and Virtually

HKIFF45 Connects with Filmmakers, Physically and Virtually

Article provided by HKIFF Media

19 March 2021 (Hong Kong) – Renowned as a dedicated platform for promoting cultural exchange in the cinematic world, the 45^th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF45) will continue to connect audiences with filmmakers, despite the health crisis and international travel restrictions. 

HKIFF45 will stage two Masterclasses with celebrated documentarians Frederick WISEMAN and HARA Kazuo, who will meet a cinema audience in Hong Kong through live online streaming.  Following the screening of his latest opus, City Hall, WISEMAN will talk with Ruby YANG, the local Oscar-winning documentarian.  Likewise, HARA will speak with Hong Kong filmmaker-cum-critic Freddie WONG following his Reiwa Uprising screening.  

In a new video or live streaming initiative entitled Zoom in Directors, local cinephiles can look forward to meeting HAMAGUCHI Ryusuke, director of Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, HKIFF45’s closing film and the recent winner of the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 71^st Berlinale.   This initiative will also feature KUROSAWA Kiyoshi (Wife of a Spy), Christian PETZOLD (Undine), Denis CÔTÉ (Social Hygiene), ANOCHA Suwichakornpong (Come Here), and Adilkhan YERZHANOV (Ulbolsyn and Yellow Cat).  Swedish maestro Roy ANDERSSON and Iranian master Mohsen MAKHMALBAF will greet the audience before the screening of their latest works, About Endlessness and Marghe and Her Mother, respectively. 

HKIFF45 will also invite Hong Kong filmmakers and guest speakers to share their views in post-screening talks and other interactive events.  In addition to Stanley KWAN’s talk on WU Yonggang’s The Goddess, multi-cultural artists TANG Siu-wa and Edward LAM will share their thoughts on Martin Eden and About Endlessness.

In another new initiative entitled Guest Filmmakers Select, six talented young Hong Kong directors, including Philip YUNG, Toe YUEN, WONG Chun, Jun LI and Oliver CHAN, will speak to audiences following the screenings of their personal HKIFF45 choices: DAU. Natasha, Marona’s Fantastic Tale, Careless Crime, Ema, and Asia.  Another local filmmaker, LEUNG Ming-kai, will join Déa KULUMBEGASHVILI, the Georgian director of Beginning, through live streaming to share their creative insights.

HKIFF45 will continue to offer free community screenings to the public.  This year’s selections are Gunda, A Leave, Gorbachev. Heaven and Love Unto Wastes – all of them come with post-screening discussions.

HKIFF45 will adopt a hybrid format for the first time, featuring screenings and audience-engagement events simultaneously in-theatre and online from 1 to 12 April.  The full line-up is now available on www.hkiff.org.hk.

From 10 am on 18 March, the public can purchase tickets online (www.hkiff.org.hk) or through all URBTIX outlets for screenings at Cultural Centre, City Hall, Arts Centre and Tai Kwun.  For screenings at the K11 Arthouse, tickets are available for purchase only at its box-office or through MCL Cinema’s website (www.mclcinema.com) and mobile ticketing app.  Those opting for the online experience can purchase Online Passes or tickets through the HKIFF45 ONLINE platform.  Cinephiles wanting to enjoy the best of both worlds can buy the Hybrid Pass, admitting them to all screenings at Cultural Centre and City Hall and the entire HKIFF45 ONLINE programme.  The Hybrid Pass is available for purchase at all URBTIX outlets. (For details of the HKIFF45 ONLINE Terms of Use and other ticketing information, please visit www.hkiff.org.hk).