The new MCL Amoy Theatre opens in Kowloon Bay on 15 July. The three-screen complex has 603 seats and features as MCL puts it “the latest and best in cinema experience”. Each auditorium is equipped with 4K Laser projectors and Dolby Atmos sound. Opening ticket prices are $60
MCL Amoy Theatre
G/F, Phase III, Amoy Plaza,
77 Ngau Tau Kok Road,
Kowloon Bay,
Hong Kong
The documentary Taiwan Equals Love has been pulled from the EU-Asia Rainbow Docs festival after the Film Censorship Authority refused to authorise the screening of the full documentary, Broadway Cinematheque announced.
The organisers of the ‘EU-Asia Rainbow Docs’ regret to announce that the scheduled full-length documentary “Taiwan Equals Love” will no longer be screened.
The Film Censorship Authority did not authorise the screening of the full documentary. We jointly decided to cancel the screenings of the film, in accordance with our agreed policy not to screen censored films in this programme.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
In May 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Director Yan Zhexuan’s documentary Taiwan Equals Love chronicles the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for this landmark achievement.
Humanising the struggle through the portrayal of three LGBTQ couples from three generations facing different legal and social challenges but all with the same dream of getting married. Their perspectives provide an intimate context and address the question of why this fight for equality and dignity is so important for millions of LGBTQ people everywhere.
EU-Asia Rainbow Docs
Date: 30 June-11 July, 2021
Venues: Broadway Cinematheque
Tickets: $95 from www.cinema.com.hk/en/movie/special/19
A new MCL Citygate Theatre opens in Tung Chung today. The four-screen complex has 673 seats and features as MCL puts it “the latest and best in cinema experience”. Each auditorium is equipped with 4K Laser projectors and Dolby 7.1 surround sound audio. Opening ticket prices are $80
MCL Citygate Theatre
6/F, 20 Tat Tung Road,
Tung Chung,
Hong Kong
Amadeus (a cyberpunk dream) is a short film, available on youtube, created by the Hong Kong Ballet and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra which depicts Mozart’s journey from the classical era to a psychedelic urbanscape in frenetic Hong Kong.
Director and production designer Ahong Cheung combines Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik performed by the HK Phil and choreography from HKB’s Artistic Director Septime Webre to transform the streets of Hong Kong into a vibrant Blade Runner style cyber-verse.
A disoriented Mozart finds himself in retro-futuristic SoHo pursued by ominous authority figures. While cyber-goth gangsters, mahjong players, street musicians, construction workers, and pedestrians mill about on the bustling streets.
images: hk ballet
The Oscar-nominated documentary Do Not Split about the 2019 Anti Extradition protests has won Video Documentary of the Year in Norway and it’s director/cameraman Anders Hammer is Video Journalist of the Year.
The jury’s reasoning: In the documentary «Do not split», Anders Hammer takes us into the streets of Hong Kong and gives us a unique insight into the uprising against the authorities that unfolded in 2019. Through Hammer’s proximity to the sources, we get to feel on the body what it’s like to be young student in Hong Kong and be afraid of losing key human rights when new bills are to be passed. His brave and well-planned working methodology, as well as his excellent presence with a camera, is remarkable.
Unfolding across a year and filmed from within the heart of the 2019 protests, Anders Hammer’s Do Not Split captures the determination and sacrifices of the protesters, the government’s backlash, and the passage of the new National Security Law.
The film’s title is a reference to the Cantonese phrase 不割席 that roughly translates as “Do not split, do not divide, do not snitch on others.” The phrase emphasizes unity among the protesters, reminding Hongkongers in both the peaceful and more radical camps that they are fighting for the same cause.
Hammer commented “I tried to move in flow with the development in the demonstrations, which were very unpredictable. There were large and small demonstrations all the time, and the demonstrators rarely had an idea of where the actions would end. Sometimes it was over before it had started because the police came and scared people away.”
“Then there could be street fights and long cat and mouse sessions,” Hammer added “There was a lot of evening and night work, and it was extremely unpredictable, but there was an insane energy among the protesters. It was incredibly fascinating to see.”
The documentary is largely divided into individual sequences, which show different parts of the protests. It follows several people, and much takes place in the center of the demonstrations.
“I have thought that the documentary will reflect and do what happened justice, at the same time as it gives a greater insight into the political and human” said Hammer.
Watch fieldofvision.org/do-not-split
The Oscars take place on 25 April.
A sad day, many fine films and good nights out.
“UA Cinemas has always been committed to providing the highest quality of cinematic entertainment to all audiences in Hong Kong since it was founded in 1985 by Mr. Ira Kaye. However, we regret to announce that UA Cinemas will cease business with immediate effect from 8 March 2021 due to unavoidable and devastating pressure faced by our operations since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
We would like to thank our customers, colleagues and business partners for their support with UA Cinemas over the past 36 years. Thank-you everyone for taking the journey with us.”
Remark: To comply with the statute and to protect the interests of all stakeholders, UA Cinemas has commenced winding up proceedings with the Hong Kong court. For any enquiries, please call 3104-1777 or 3104-1779 for assistance.
As part of Black History Month, Larger Than Life: The American Civil Rights Movement in Documentaries takes place online from 25 February to 1 March 2021. To raise awareness and promote cultural and racial harmony in Hong Kong, this free film showcase introduces major figures in the African-American civil rights movement from the 1950s to the 1970s, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Black Panthers and Shirley Chisholm.
Their philosophies still affect racial, class and gender relations in America and the world to this day. The documentaries explore their influential roles in contributing to the social progress towards greater political and cultural understanding. There will be after-screening talks and a talk on racial relations in Hong Kong.
8pm, 25 February, 2021
King in the Wilderness
Director: Peter Kunhardt
8pm, 26 February, 2021
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
Director: Orlando Bagwell
8pm, 27 February, 2021
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Director: Stanley Nelson Jr.
8pm, 28 February, 2021
Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed
Director: Shola Lynch
8pm, 1 March, 2021
Talk: Racial Relations in Hong Kong
Venue: Africa Center Hong Kong
Online registration for screenings: https://hkmovie6.com/filmFest/bab6bb4b-be1e-4ca1-8fb5-e892e57ff829
Registration for the Talk: https://hkac.org.hk/registration/?event=ij4EtZnOyY
Larger Than Life: the American Civil Rights Movement in Documentaries
Date: 25 February – 1 March, 2021
Venue: Vimeo
Tickets: Free
Images: Courtesy Library of Congress
Ignoring the National Security Law, Wuhan virus quarantine and social distancing rules Santa Claus has come to town! Hongkong Post launches it’s fourth set of Christmas stamps (previous issues were in 2002, 2007 and 2014).
The set of four stamps features Santa enjoying a short staycation – twelve days, not one less – while his new hybrid electric/reindeer sleigh is recharging. Savouring Chinese tea and dim sum, playing on the swings in a children’s playground, practising Tai Chi on the Victoria Harbour waterfront Santa finds the ‘Worlds Greatest City’ much changed before jumping on a Ding Ding to deliver presents and seasonal blessings of hope to the people of Hong Kong.
The $2 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet sees Santa savouring a Hong Kong-style Christmas feast of yum cha. On the stamp sheetlet, Santa is sharing dim sum from a cart with the homeless.
$3.7 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet, Santa and Rudolph chill out on the swings reminiscing about pre-Covid Christmas and free speech.
The $4.9 stamp has Santa Claus join his gingerbread men friends for a Tai Chi workout on the Victoria Harbour waterfront. The $4.9 stamp sheetlet has Santa and the gingerbread man enjoying a mental workout over a game of Chinese chess.
$5 stamp and self-adhesive stamp sheetlet – with his reindeer recovering from being pepper-sprayed while trying to park his sleigh in Central – has Santa taking a ding ding to finish delivering his presents…
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a trip on the Star Ferry, Santa crosses the harbour to bring love, peace and joy to those unable to sit at home with piles of cash.
The assorted Christmas stamps and philatelic products can be bought at any post office or ordered online here
