Hong Kong has long been known as Hollywood East. This reputation is not only well deserved it is a part of Hong Kong culture worth celebrating for. From as early as the 1960s and well into the 1990s Hong Kong films have attracted a large following all around Asia. Even though, recent years have seen the dominance of Hong Kong films in the South East Asian market recede, the influence of genres pioneered by the Hong Kong film creators continue to leave significant mark on films produced in Asia and around the world.
The production of “Stealing the Roast Duck 《偷燒鴨》” and “Zhuangzi Tests His Wife 《莊子試妻》” in 1909 and 1913 by the Lai brothers (Lai Bak Hoi 黎北海, and Lai Man Wai 黎民偉) respectively opened the curtains to Hong Kong’s remarkable film industry. The year 2009 marks a century of films in Hong Kong and will be an important milestone for Hong Kong’s film industry in many regards. 2009 through 2013 will be remembered as the turning of a new page in the history of the film industry in Hong Kong at the juncture of 100 years of Hong Kong films.
To celebrate this historic moment, DotAsia is proud to work jointly with RTHK, IFACT-GC along with other film organizations and enthusiastic parties to produce a series of events under the theme: 香港電影100年 (HK Film 100 Years) and an online platform at HKFilm100.Asia. Events planned include art exhibitions, celebratory ceremonies, movie screening of Hong Kong film classics as well as contests such as a T-shirt design contest. Meanwhile, HKFilm100.Asia will serve as an online platform to archive and commemorate large and small scale events sharing the same theme and passion for Hong Kong films.