ZHANG Yimou and SON Suk-ku make surprise appearances at Busan International Film Festival's 'Hong Kong Night'

Key figures including PARK Kwang-su, Chairperson of the Busan International Film Festival, Drew LAI of the Cultural, Creative Industries Commission, and Josie LIN, Executive Director of the Asian Film Awards Academy, attended the event. They were joined by Fala CHEN, Lokman YEUNG, Hedwig TAM, Maggie SHIU, Nancy SIT, director Jonathan WONG, Derek TSANG, and various emerging Hong Kong directors, who collectively promoted the unique charm of Hong Kong cinema and the creative capabilities of its new generation to the world. Global director ZHANG Yimou and Korean actor SON Suk-ku also made surprise appearances to grace the occasion.

Fala CHEN, who serves as an ambassador and judge for the 'International Film Creation Camp,' noted the excellent atmosphere at the 'Hong Kong Night' venue. She emphasized that for Hong Kong cinema to expand globally, it is vital to preserve local language and cultural characteristics, stating, "The more specific a story is and the more it possesses unique Hong Kong characteristics, the more it can move the hearts of the audience."

Additionally, 'Dead End,' the winner of the 7th 'First Feature Film Production Support Program' in the higher education institution category, was invited to the 'Vision - Asia' section of this year's Busan International Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on October 10. Director Isabella LAM Lok-hin and lead actors Lokman YEUNG, Hedwig TAM, and Maggie SHIU attended 'Hong Kong Night' to share stories regarding the planning and filming process of the work.

Director Isabella LAM Lok-hin expressed that she has loved films since childhood and felt deeply honored to present her first feature film at an international film festival. Lokman YEUNG mentioned that although the ending was not complete when he first received the script, he was captivated by the mysterious progression where the conclusion remained unknown, leading to his decision to appear. He added that during filming, he was as curious about the next developments as the audience, and that acting a character with significant emotional shifts was not an easy challenge.

In the work, Hedwig TAM plays the wife of the protagonist played by Lokman YEUNG, while Maggie SHIU plays the protagonist's mother. The peaceful daily life of the family begins to be shaken by the appearance of a boy of unknown identity, causing the character played by Hedwig TAM to doubt her husband and mother-in-law.

Maggie SHIU stated that she decided to appear in the film after being deeply impressed by the director's passion when they first met, expressing her desire to support Hong Kong cinema through her participation in the project.

Furthermore, veteran Hong Kong actor Nancy SIT and singer-songwriter Jonathan WONG introduced their new work, 'Rags 2 Richmond.' Nancy SIT expressed great joy in attending the Busan International Film Festival and 'Hong Kong Night' for the first time, offering thanks to producer Jonathan WONG for the invitation. She said she was happy to showcase her strengths by singing 'Like I Do' in the film and believed she could widely promote her signature 'cross step' dance. Jonathan WONG expressed that he gained great strength from the achievements of Hong Kong filmmakers active on the international stage and their mutual support. He also expressed gratitude to senior filmmakers such as Nancy SIT and Eric TSANG for supporting his musical film and stated his intention to continue the Hong Kong film culture.

Held annually, 'Hong Kong Night' serves as an event where major figures from the Asian film industry gather, while providing a valuable venue for exchange among filmmakers from various regions, including Hong Kong and Korea. By promoting cross-regional collaboration and creative exchange and steadily expanding the international network of Hong Kong cinema, the event helps more Hong Kong films and new generations of film talent move forward into the world.

Read the original (Korean)