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South China Morning Post
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Catch cinematic gold at Hong Kong International Film Festival 2025
Sit back and break out the popcorn as the 49th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) prepares to fire up the projectors from April 10 to 21. The 2025 edition of one of Asia's oldest cinematic events will screen nearly 200 films from 69 countries and regions, including six world premieres, two international premieres and 52 Asian premieres. A still from Louis Koo Tin-lok's Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Photo: courtesy Entertaining Power Co Limited HKIFF's main draw this year is Louis Koo Tin-lok , who has become a household name over a 32-year career producing movies as well as starring in some of Hong Kong's biggest box-office successes of recent years, including Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024). As the festival's Filmmaker in Focus, Koo will present 10 films he has starred in alongside a commemorative book. Advertisement Joining Koo in the role of official ambassador is Hong Kong Film Awards and Taipei Golden Horse Awards best-actress nominee Angela Yuen Lai-lam. Hidetoshi Nishijima in a still from The Brightest Sun. Photo: courtesy Sony Pictures Festival openers will be The Brightest Sun (2025), which marks Japanese director Tetsuya Nakashima's first film in seven years, followed by Pavane for an Infant (2024), by Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun, which casts actress Fish Liew Chi Yu in a drama exploring the country's abandoned baby crisis. Other films to catch include Shoplifters (2018) and 100 Yen Love (2014) starring Sakura Ando, who will present her latest film, Bad Lands (2023); and Catalan filmmaker Albert Serra's documentary Afternoons of Solitude (2024), an introspective portrayal of a matador that won the Golden Shell award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Finnish auteur Juho Kuosmanen will also be in town as part of HKIFF's Meet the Filmmaker series, where he will introduce his Silent Trilogy (2024), consisting of three shorts. Filipina actress Nora Aunor in a still from Bona. Photo: courtesy V Productions Hot on the heels of Tilda Swinton's recent visit to M+ to promote the art of film restoration, HKIFF will feature a slew of restored masterpieces throughout the programme, ranging from Akira Kurosawa's epic Seven Samurai (1954), which has been revitalised in 4K to commemorate its 70th anniversary, as well as Filipino filmmaker Lino Brocka's lost 1980 masterpiece Bona, which has been restored and is being shown for the first time in more than four decades. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong International Film Festival 2025 highlights: 12 must-see movies and programmes
Opening on April 10, the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival is a 12-day cinematic showcase of award winners and crowd pleasers from across the globe. Advertisement While there is a notable lack of new Hong Kong films debuting at this year's edition, the exciting and eclectic line-up boasts nearly 200 films. These include more than 50 Asian premieres, a celebration of actor Louis Koo Tin-lok 's impact on the Hong Kong film industry as a producer, and a smorgasbord of restored international classics. Cinematic luminaries such as French auteur Leos Carax, Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra and Japanese actress Sakura Ando will be in attendance. Below are 12 highlights not to be missed from this year's festival. 1. The Brightest Sun (opening film) Hidetoshi Nishijima in a still from The Brightest Sun. Celebrated for his dazzling virtuoso style in such films as Memories of Matsuko and Confessions, Japanese maximalist auteur Tetsuya Nakashima returns with his first feature in seven years.
