Hong Kong Dispatch. 1.

Despite the problems incurred in the lead up to the 30th HKIFF - budget difficulties, problems securing the Tamar site for the outdoor screenings, last minute screening changes - they managed to successfully kick-off last night (April 3) with a gala dinner honoring Hong Kong's action choreographers. And tonight the festival proper begins with opening night films Election 2 and Isabella.

Five of Hong Kong's most distinguished choreographers were honored at the event: Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Woo-ping, Lau Kar-leung and Ching Siu-tung. Other guests included HK cinema notables such as Tsui Hark and Peter Chan. The entire event, save for a few brief remarks, was in Cantonese, and those scattered Westerners in the audience were either dozing off or getting a running commentary from the person next to them.

Some felt that the event carried a certain bittersweet tinge. Present were the men whose blood and sweat literally built up Hong Kong cinema into one of the world's most vibrant and productive industries, and which in turn had great influence on American action films (seen most clearly in such productions as Kill Bill and The Matrix, which hired Yuen Woo-ping to direct the fight sequences), and now Hong Kong cinema is dying, and everything they've worked towards is being sadly swept away. Many of the choreographers present commented that whilst they were honored by the event, it was the first time in their long and distinguished careers that their achievements had really been recognized on such a large scale.

The festival will also pay tribute to action choreographers through a program of 20 titles covering a wide spectrum of films from this genre, including the works of King Hu, Bruce Lee, Chang Cheh and Corey Yuen as well as the five honored choreographers. This event represents the best of Hong Kong's action cinema of the past few decades. A special tribute catalogue featuring interviews with the major choreographers about their careers and influences, as well as critical and historical essays, will also be published by the festival.

Posted by dwhudson at April 4, 2006 4:23 AM