Hong Kongers are supporting Hong Kong films
After being badly hit by the pandemic in recent years, the Hong Kong film industry has rebounded in the second half of this year, with some Hong Kong productions cracking the top ten Chinese-language films at the Hong Kong box office.To get more
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Some academics think that besides “revenge spending” after the easing of pandemic measures, Hong Kongers using their support of local film as a means of bolstering Hong Konger identity and political expression in the aftermath of the national security law could also be a reason for the film's success.
Record breakers
The Hong Kong film industry — once called the Hollywood of the East — is showing signs of recovery as box office takings rise in the second half of this year, particularly for Hong Kong-made films.
Award-winning actor Louis Koo invested HK$450 million (US$57.3 million) and years of effort in producing Hong Kong’s first sci-fi film, Warriors of Future (《明日战记》). The film raked in box office takings of over HK$58 million between its opening on 25 August and 16 September, beating blockbusters such as Infernal Affairs (《无间道》) and CJ7 (《长江7号》), and ranking seventh on the top ten list of Chinese-language films in history at the Hong Kong box office.
During media interviews, Koo thanked the supporters and said, “Frankly, when it comes to the box office, higher numbers are definitely better, and it shows that new film genres can come out of Hong Kong. But I am ecstatic that many Hong Kong films are doing so well in the second half of this year, which is what everyone wants.”
Star-studded cast
Aside from Warriors of Future, many Hong Kong films have recently become hits. For example, Table for Six (《饭戏攻心》) — directed by Sunny Chan and starring Dayo Wong, Louis Cheung and Ivana Wong — was initially scheduled for release during Chinese New Year this year, but the fifth Covid-19 wave in Hong Kong led to cinemas closures, delaying its release until 7 September.
The movie raked in HK$1.58 million on opening day, making it the opening day box office champion among Hong Kong comedies this year, and the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie opening on a working Wednesday since Hong Kong’s opening up.
On 12 September, Ming Pao reported that Table for Six became a hit, with box office takings exceeding HK$15 million in six days, the fastest Hong Kong comedy to reach that milestone this year.
As for Chilli Laugh Story (《阖家辣》) — produced by Sandra Ng and starring Edan Lui of Hong Kong boy band Mirror — it has taken in HK$32.1 million over the summer break after opening on 14 July, making it the top grossing Hong Kong film of the summer and ranking third in summer box office takings, after Hollywood hits Thor: Love and Thunder, and Minions 2.
