HK filmmakers urged to look beyond Hollywood

Taking over Hollywood is not a target of Hong Kong filmmakers, says internationally acclaimed director John Woo.

'Hollywood isn't the only [kind of cinema], and it isn't the best. There is no need for us filmmakers to have such an ambition,' said Woo, who was invited to present the 62nd Venice Film Festival's 'Secret History of Asian Cinema' programme on Friday night.

'It's difficult to say what the future of Chinese cinema will be like, but I believe that the creativity [of films] will improve drastically.'

The Secret History of Asian Cinema paid tribute to Chinese cinema, which is celebrating its centenary this year. It showcased restored Chinese classics from the mid-1930s to 1990, including Fei Mu's Spring in the Small Town (1947), widely recognised as the best classical Chinese film. The project was co-presented by Fondazione Prada.

Woo hoped that the restored Chinese classics could further cultural exchanges between China and Italy.

'I'm very grateful and moved by this project,' said Woo. 'Chinese films from the 30s and 40s had traces of the neo-realism of Italian cinema. From these Chinese classics we can learn about people's lives in those days.'

Woo said of the 15 Chinese classics to be shown, Fei's was one of his favourites.