S Viswanath

Ongoing global strifes and cross continental turmoil notwithstanding these last few month and years, HKIFF50 kept its annual tryst with all things culture, collective camaraderie and cinema, as the 12-day Golden Jubilee 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF50) got off to a grand start amidst glitz and glamour with the Asian premiere of renowned Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen’s We Are All Strangers at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The high profile inauguration which saw the 12-day long celebration of crème la crème of international cinemas officiated by Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) Chairman Dr Wilfred Wong & Hong Kong Government’s Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Vivian Sum Fong-kwang, saw Festival Ambassadors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu, joined by Asian Visionary Ambassadors Gingle Wang and Win Metawin on stage, witnessed by a distinguished galaxy of local and international filmmakers toasting the festive occasion of the HKIFFs milestone edition.

The annual Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), one of specially administered Island Nation region of the People’s Republic of China, most significant cultural events is Asia’s longest-running platform for filmmakers, film professionals, and filmgoers worldwide to not only announce their new works but also experience some of the most outstanding contemporary films of the year.

During its 12-day long run HKIFF showcases some of the choicest world cinemas to the local audiences and cineastes assembling from across the globe, enriching and deepening both Hong Kong moviegoers’ understanding of movies as also providing a perfect singular platform for networking and connectivity for attendees who fly in to fete the cinema jamboree.

Besides catching up with some of the award winning and highly accoladed global cinemas the film festival also provides a singular window to spotting and discovering new talents, especially with HKIFF premieres of the breadth of Chinese cinema and the emerging Asian talents.

The occasion also saw the festival Ambassadors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu kick off the 50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition at the Exhibition Hall in Hong Kong City Hall’s Lower Block. The film fair, which runs concurrently with the HKIFF50, is sponsored by Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the aegis of the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and Film Development Fund and organised by Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF).

HKIFF50 is presents over 215 films from 71 countries and regions, including 11 world premieres, four international premieres, and 49 Asian premieres. With over 320 screenings, the festival ensures audiences will have ample opportunities to engage directly with internationally celebrated filmmakers such as Juliette Binoche, Chen Kaige, Ann Hui, Tsai Ming-liang, Ildikó Enyedi, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Edwin, and Ben Rivers, all in full attendance at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Speaking on the momentous milestone occasion, Dr Wong observed that “it is deeply meaningful the exhibition returns to our roots, the venue of the very first film festival — the Hong Kong City Hall — as we mark a new beginning, Looking back over the past five decades, HKIFF has grown from humble origins into an internationally recognised cinematic event. We look forward to embarking on the next chapter together with audiences and supporters.”

Further, Dr Wong noted that the festival’s 50th anniversary was “a moment of profound significance with HKIFF having grown alongside Hong Kong to become one of City’s most iconic and enduring cultural events, maintaining its commitment to presenting outstanding international cinema while serving as a vital gateway for Chinese-language films to reach global audiences.”

Permanent Secretary Culture Vivian Sum in her addressed observed that “the film festival is an important part of government’s effort to support film development in the region showcasing outstanding Hong Kong and Mainland films to global audiences, while bringing exceptional international works to Hong Kong to promote film culture. At the same time, the festival creates valuable opportunities for the local industry to connect with visiting international filmmakers, fostering exchange, innovation, and heritage, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a cultural and artistic hub bridging East and West.”

The Permanent Secretary further elucidated that “the film festival fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s advantages as East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The government will continue to provide steadfast support for the development of the local film industry, further encouraging more multidisciplinary collaborations and film tourism initiatives, with a view to highlighting the unique charm of Hong Kong cinema.”

Festival Brand Ambassadors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu euphorically and eulogistically shared their aspirations to promote Hong Kong cinema and connect with new audiences. Asian Visionary Ambassadors Gingle Wang and Win Metawin offered forward-looking perspectives on the future of filmmaking, embodying the creativity and global outlook of a new generation of Asian talent.

This year’s Filmmaker in Focus, Jia Zhangke, reflected on his long-standing relationship with HKIFF encouraging younger audiences to approach cinema with openness and curiosity.

The opening ceremony also saw the screening of the specially curated tribute video, In Films, What Do You See? – Fifty Years of Cinematic Whispers, by renowned art director and film editor William Chang, with original music by young local composer Olivier Cong. The compilation brought together selected clips from films presented at the festival over the years, guiding audiences on a lyrical journey through cinematic memories and iconic moments.

The exhibition showcases rare photographs of master filmmakers, renowned directors, and film stars, along with archival documents, posters, publications, and replicas of artefacts that trace the festival’s evolution and highlight key milestones.

Three special sessions will also take place on 6 and 7 April, featuring filmmakers Ho Miu-ki (Love Lies) and Ho Cheuk-tin (The Sparring Partner), as well as film critics and longtime festival participants. The participants will reflect on their personal festival memories, share observations on the future of Hong Kong Cinema, and explore the cultural urban legends that connect HKIFF and City Magazine, both of which are marking their Golden Jubilee this year.

The inaugural film “We Are All Strangers” by the Singaporean director Anthony Chen sees the closing of the filmmaker’s ‘Growing Up’ trilogy whose earlier films were Ilo Ilo and Wet Season. The film is a poignant family drama situated in the bustling Singapore City, wherein three families from different social classes navigate their intertwined lives, challenging traditional values and exploring the bonds that connect people beyond blood relations.

The film and the director achieved a unique landmark as the first Singaporean film to compete for Berlinale’s Golden Bear Award. The plotline revolves around two weddings that highlight a romantic crisis in the lives of father and son in parallel, quietly reshaping the fragile balance between the two, as both confront love, loss, and responsibility. While redefining what family means, its sprawling, tumultuous narrative is simultaneously a portrayal of a modern Singapore, reflecting on the City-State’s conformism in thrall to westernised, patriarchal capitalist principles.

S VISWANATH is a veteran film critic who officiates as JURY at several National & International Film Festivals.