HONG KONG fans of international films are better off than ever in terms of the numbers of movies they get to see each year.
Compared with the late 1980s, when local films elbowed overseas movies aside, Hong Kong, in 1995, is a big market for imports.
'Around 1990, the box office share between local and overseas films was something like 80:20,' Terry Lai said.
'Last year, it was 70:30 and, this year, it could be 60:40, maybe even 50:50. I think the production in America is better and better so audiences can really see the value.' Rigo Jesu agreed but also cited other factors in the development of the market share.
'There was a time when the local producers were coming out with a product that was new and fresh to the local audience and they were doing enormous business,' he said.
'Then, two things happened - audiences became more sophisticated and demanded more sophistication in all areas of filmed entertainment - and the local producers didn't respond to that quickly enough and well enough.
