Jacob Cheung's 6 Classics Rescreen at Hong Kong Film Archive, Offers Advice to New Directors
SingTao · 1 SOURCES1 day ago6 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Film Archive is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special "Star Talk" series featuring acclaimed director Jacob Cheung Tak-Leung (張之亮), who has been active in the film industry for four decades. A retrospective of six of his representative works is being held on November 7-8 at the Archive's cinema, each screening followed by a post-show discussion. Cheung shared candid reflections on his career trajectory, his memorable collaborations with legendary figures, and his perspective on the evolution of Hong Kong cinema through periods of prosperity and hardship.
Key Points
- The Hong Kong Film Archive's 25th anniversary "Star Talk" series features a retrospective of six films by Jacob Cheung, screened on November 7-8 at the Archive cinema
- Films screened include "The Last Eunuch" (7th morning), "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Funeral" (7th afternoon), "The String of Life" (7th evening), "The Way We Are" (8th morning), "Midnight Fly" (8th afternoon), and "Butterfly on the Shoulder" (8th evening)
- For his debut film "The Last Eunuch," Cheung received massive support from Sammo Hung (洪金寶) and the Golden Harvest studio, with members of the "Hung Gang" including Ma Wu, Chan Yau-Wai, Zhang Jiting, and Lam Ching-Ying all contributing to the production
- Cheung credits the late Ma Wu (午馬) as a mentor figure who respectfully offered suggestions, including writing 2-3 pages detailing his preferred camera techniques without imposing them
- During the 1998-1999 Asian financial crisis, Cheung co-founded the "Creative Alliance" with other filmmakers to produce quality films at lower costs; Leslie Cheung (張國榮) famously accepted a nominal HK$1 salary to star in Cheung's "Meteor Rain"
Why It Matters
Cheung's 40-year career journey and his reflections on past challenges offer valuable lessons for the current generation of Hong Kong filmmakers navigating an increasingly difficult market. His emphasis on understanding one's audience, solving practical challenges like funding and collaboration, and maintaining artistic integrity despite commercial pressures resonates particularly strongly in today's environment. The Archive's retrospective not only preserves Hong Kong's cinematic heritage but also provides a platform for intergenerational dialogue about the enduring values of filmmaking .
Cheung's 40-year career journey and his reflections on past challenges offer valuable lessons for the current generation of Hong Kong filmmakers navigating an increasingly difficult market. His emphasis on understanding one's audience, solving practical challenges like funding and collaboration, and maintaining artistic integrity despite commercial pressures resonates particularly strongly in today's environment. The Archive's retrospective not only preserves Hong Kong's cinematic heritage but also provides a platform for intergenerational dialogue about the enduring values of filmmaking .