Controversial Hong Kong film Ten Years to spawn international versions in Thailand, Taiwan and Japan
Audience reaction around the world convinced the filmmakers that the idea could transfer to other locations, and the three films are expected to go into production by the end of the year
The Hong Kong film Ten Years – a controversial socio-political fable which scooped the best picture prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2016 after being slammed by pro-Beijing media from both Hong Kong and the mainland – is set to spawn three new films set in Thailand, Taiwan and Japan.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the film’s production company, Ten Years Studio, executive producer Andrew Choi says, “When Ten Years was screened at festivals around the world, audience members responded with much emotion and introspection; their enthusiasm sparked the team’s interest in producing international versions.”
In the three new films, creative control will be given to the local producers and directors. All of them will follow the same format as the Hong Kong version and create an omnibus feature comprising five short films by five directors; each will picture the region in 10 years, taking on such issues as heightened government surveillance, technology’s impact on human relationships, and the loss of authentic culture.
