Hong Kong cinema shines at Shanghai film festival

Five new Hong Kong films were showcased at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, part of efforts to support emerging talent and expand their reach in the Chinese mainland market.

The five titles are namely, director Lawrence Kwan Chun-kan's romance The Marriage Drive, Paul Sze's action thriller Open Fire, the animated feature The Excreman — On the Road, director Mandrew Kwan's horror-suspense film Altarage, and Prison of Love, a drama about a female prisoner's redemption with the aid of police.

Lawrence Kwan, best known for his award-winning film In Broad Daylight, revealed that his new project is inspired by Cotton Tree Drive — a Hong Kong street famous for its popular marriage registry office. The film, which follows a lawyer's 12-year marriage coming to an end, is set to begin production this autumn and hit theaters next year.

The five films were promoted during an event titled "Hong Kong New Power Projects Showcase", organized by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Hong Kong Film Development Council on June 18.

In addition to the five films, an exhibition section of the Shanghai festival has selected seven acclaimed Hong Kong films, including the 1984 classic Shanghai Blues and the 2003 action blockbuster Tactical Unit, aimed at showcasing the charm of Hong Kong cinema's golden era.