Stanley Kwan, one of the most iconic film directors in Hong Kong, was honored at the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival’s (HIFF) Spotlight on Hong Kong Filmmaker in Focus. A live-streamed conversation with him was presented on November 9. Director Kwan discussed his illustrious career and talked about some of his best films.  His groundbreaking movie, LAN YU, was presented in theater at the Festival.

The Festival, running from November 4-28, was a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual screenings, panels and workshops.  At the virtual discussion with Stanley Kwan, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Ms Jacko Tsang thanked HIFF for honoring Kwan, an influential director and producer in the Hong Kong film industry.  His contribution towards Hong Kong cinema is unique and indelible, Ms Tsang noted.

This year’s Spotlight on Hong Kong program includes a total of six movies. In addition to Stanley Kwan’s LAN YU, Jun Li’s DRIFTING; Chan Kin-long’s HAND ROLLED CIGARETTE; Ricky Ko’s TIME; Longman Leung’s ANITA, and Soi Cheang’s LIMBO were also screened, either online or in-theater.

“It is exciting that the Festival appreciates Hong Kong’s emerging film talents and has included titles by a new generation of Hong Kong filmmakers in this year’s Spotlight on Hong Kong.  The selection covers different genres and explores the lives of people in divergent circumstances, from the unhoused to the superstar,” Ms Tsang said at the pre-recorded remarks before each screening.

She also appreciated HIFF’s continued support of Hong Kong cinema. She noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government strives to support film development and talent nurturing.

The Directors’ Succession Scheme where qualified directors are invited to partner with one to two young directors to co-produce films is one of the initiatives to nurture talents. The Scheme encourages seasoned directors to share their experience with young film-makers, and to enhance the quality and quantity of film production in Hong Kong. 

Hong Kong filmmaker Stanley Kwan (upper left) with moderator Crystal Kwok (upper right) and interpreter Kevin Ma (bottom) at the live-streamed conversation presented by the Hawaii International Film Festival on November 9.