Film Development Fund backs three Hong Kong movies for local premieres
Three films funded by the Hong Kong Film Development Fund will hold local premieres from late October to November. The movies, directed by first-time directors, include "Good Men and Faithful Women", "The Fourth Act" and "The Big Split". The films have been screened at international festivals.
The Hong Kong Film Development Fund has supported three films – Good Men and Faithful Women, The Fourth Act and The Big Split – which will hold local premieres on 27 October, 3 November and 5 November respectively, showcasing the creative achievements of emerging film talent and the fund's effectiveness in nurturing the industry.
Good Men and Faithful Women is the winning entry from the government-funded First Feature Film Initiative's tertiary category. Produced by Zhuang Lizhen, directed by Yang Liangquan and co-written with Huang Huimin, it stars Yang Weilun, Zhong Xueying, Pang Shuihui, Lu Zhenye, Wu Yongshi and Zhen Yuru. The story follows a man and a woman who develop a grudge after a food-delivery mix-up but eventually become each other's lifeline. The film has been nominated for the Fei Mu Honour and Youth Jury Honour at the 10th Pingyao International Film Festival, selected for the Discovery section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, and screened at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival and the 46th Hawaii International Film Festival. It will be released in Hong Kong on 29 October.
The Fourth Act, funded under the Film Development Fund's Succession Scheme, is produced by Derek Yee, directed and written by Wang Dejian, and stars Stephen Fung, Yuen Linhong, Wu Hang-yee and Zhou Xiuna. The plot follows a washed-up stage director who decides to write, direct and star in a new play to regain his dignity, only to lose himself between drama and reality. The film opened the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival and has been shown at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, the 45th Vancouver International Film Festival, the 10th Pingyao International Film Festival, and the Hong Kong Film Roadshow in Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia. It will be released in Hong Kong on 12 November.
The Big Split is the winning entry from the First Feature Film Initiative's professional category. Produced by Chen Qingjia and Ke Xingpei, directed by Tang Zhongxing and co-written with Li Baozhi and Cheng Li, it stars Deng Lixin, Zhou Xiuna, Jiang Yinsheng, Bai Tiannan and Xie Yongxin. The movie portrays two retired female bowling athletes who were once rivals but reunite years later to collaborate on the lanes. It has been screened at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival and the 46th Hawaii International Film Festival, and will be released in Hong Kong on 26 November.
Dr Patrick Wang Ying-fai, chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, said the three films, all debut features by new directors, are stylistically distinct. Good Men and Faithful Women captures the Hong Kong spirit of resilience, The Fourth Act weaves stage and real-life conflicts with twists, and The Big Split offers an uplifting story about facing adversity with a sporting attitude.
