High hopes for 'Chinese fever' as recognition boosts morale of SAR industry battling piracy and talent exodus

Hong Kong's film industry was euphoric yesterday after the unprecedented Oscar wins by locals Tim Yip Kam-tim and Peter Pau Tak-hei, which insiders believe could launch SAR films on to the global market.

'It is very heartening for us all. Our professionalism has been recognised by the West and, hopefully, there will be more quality films to come and to go international,' said Joe Cheung Tung-joe, honorary president of the Hong Kong Directors' Guild.

'Hong Kong films' artistic standard and achievement are in general very high with the existing pool of talent.'

Veteran film critic and historian Law Kar said: 'It's a huge boost to industry morale. It shows that a pure Chinese film is able to captivate the world. Hollywood fame doesn't only come from someone like [Hong Kong director] John Woo going to the US to make English films.'

Yip and Pau won for best art direction and best cinematography respectively for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The Government yesterday said Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa had written to the pair extending his congratulations. However, the excitement was tinged with slight disappointment as Crouching Tiger lost to Gladiator for best film and Traffic's Steven Soderbergh for best director.

Law said: 'It makes sense that it lost out in best film, as the Oscars judges are mostly Americans who may not know as much about Chinese film. But it is slightly out of people's expectation that Crouching Tiger didn't win best director.'