[Explanation] Under the greenery of Lei King Road, Sai Wan River, Hong Kong, there is a five-storey building, which is the location of the Hong Kong Film Archive.
Since its opening in January 2000, nearly one million collections of films and film materials have been displayed here, recording and witnessing the development of Hong Kong films.
[Commentary] As a pioneer of Chinese-language films in the 20th century, in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the concentration of talents, cultural diversity and tolerance, and the huge film market in Asia, Hong Kong films created an amazing amount of production, box office, quality and artistry. Miracle has won the reputation of "Oriental Hollywood".
[Concurrent] Hong Zuxing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Producers Association
From the 1970s to the 1980s, about 200 to 300 movies were produced each year, and Hong Kong movies were popular in the Southeast Asian market at that time.
Because the mainland was not open to the public at that time, it was relatively seldom released in the mainland. However, in terms of films in Southeast Asia in the 1970s and 1980s, all the markets were almost dominated by Hong Kong films.
[Explanation] Entering the 1990s, the Hong Kong film market and industry were declining day by day.
Under the multiple predicaments such as the financial crisis and internal problems in the industry, the number of Hong Kong film industry practitioners is decreasing day by day.
After the return of Hong Kong in 1997, Hong Kong filmmakers ushered in new opportunities in the mainland market.
[Concurrent] Hong Zuxing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Producers Association
Twenty-five years ago, when I first returned to China, some media interviewed me and asked me what my views on Hong Kong movies were after the return?
I once said a sentence, and I still say it to this day, if there is no opening of the film market in the Mainland, Hong Kong films will not survive. This is what I said 20 years ago.
From what I see now, from the 25 years (before) of the box office in 1997 to the box office in 2021, my sentence is completely correct and not wrong.
[Explanation] Over the past 25 years, filmmakers from the two places have interacted more and more frequently, exploring more creative possibilities in the blending of different cultures.
In 2003, the "Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" was signed, which launched a "new engine" for Hong Kong films to enter the mainland market.
[Concurrent] Hong Zuxing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Producers Association
Because Hong Kong's star directors have joined the international film market very early, especially in international film festivals around the world, they have seen the footprints of Hong Kong star directors there.
They should have grasped the major international film technologies, the elements of the film, and how to get the audience's approval in the market. They should have grasped these technologies very early.
Because the mainland has just started (starting), the film has only taken off in the past 20 years. After their return in 1997, a group of filmmakers from Hong Kong came to the mainland, which can drive all the filmmakers in the mainland who have just graduated from universities and film academies. Played a big role, they seem to have a guiding role as a mentor.
[Commentary] In recent years, Hong Kong directors have cooperated with mainland companies and producers to direct theme films, which have become a popular creative model for Chinese films. Film production that has absorbed elements of Hong Kong's successful commercial films has also made the telling of "Chinese stories" more diverse and effective. International perspective.
[Concurrent] Hong Zuxing, Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Producers Association
To be honest, co-productions have played a big role in promoting the mainland film market. You can see that all the big box office hits in mainland China are made by co-productions.
Because Hong Kong is relatively small, the population is small, the audience is small, and there is little chance of making money, but using Hong Kong as an open market is not only for Hong Kong but also for the world, so we help domestic co-productions to go abroad and out of Hong Kong , facing the world still played a big role.
[Commentary] From "Taking Tiger Mountain by Wisdom" to "Heroes of Fire", from "Captain of China" to "Changjin Lake", Hong Kong filmmakers based on their own advantages, combined with the characteristics of the Chinese film market, used commercialized and typed films A new way of interpreting the feelings of home and country, allowing Chinese films to go abroad and to the world.
[Explanation] From start-up to maturity, from thriving to learning from others' strengths, the long "golden years", the brilliance of Hong Kong movies has not faded due to the passage of time, but it has become more and more unique because of its new positioning and new mission to keep pace with the times. Charm.
Reporter Fan Siyi Luo Siyu Liang Yuan Hong Kong reports
Responsible editor: [Song Fangcan]