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SCMP Reporter

What can be done to revitalise the film industry?
As Li Wing-sum said (Talkback, July 25), there was a time when we could feel proud of the Hong Kong film industry.
Unfortunately, I wasn't around at the time when the likes of Chow Yun-fat were involved in groundbreaking films as the Hong Kong film industry evolved.
I was a huge fan of Hong Kong-made Infernal Affairs and The Warlords, to name but two, but it is the overall movie industry that has sunk to new lows.
We Hongkongers rely on Hollywood movies for our regular  film entertainment because there simply is not enough quality in the local industry. And this is where Li Wing-sum is wide of the mark.
I do not agree with him that the problem with the Hong Kong film industry is related to piracy.
Piracy is a far greater problem with Hollywood films, yet they still rake in billions of dollars, simply because they  are better-quality productions.
Hong Kong needs to promote its filmmakers. More attention must be paid to enabling young people who want to join the industry to attend film and acting schools.
When more attention is paid to these areas, more people will become involved, and this will increase the number of talented actors and directors who will be capable of making better films.
Quality is the key, and I know that Hong Kong has an abundance of it. It just needs to be channelled in the right direction.
Hong Kong should be involved in more films like Red Cliff.
Vincent Siu, Kowloon Tong
Should more open space be provided for free art shows?
Creative arts in Hong Kong are maturing.
An increasing number of artists are showing up and presenting their work.
Some even show their work in international competitions.
We have to provide more open space for these people, to attract people who are involved in art as a profession and also to encourage new talent.
Hong Kong is an ideal place for the development of a creative art industry, as different cultures blend harmoniously, which provides artists with a lot of inspiration. With such a fabulous working environment, it is possible for outstanding works of art to be produced.
Another point to be made is that the presentations of the present creative art industry, mainly in the form of exhibitions, usually take place in abandoned factories  in industrial areas like Kowloon Bay or Kwun Tong.
Despite working in such a substandard environment, local artists can still impress the public with some brilliant work.
If the government can provide more open space, for example building a creative-arts village, this industry can reach new heights.
A piece of fine art can give people who look at it a moment of peace. That is necessary for human beings, especially  those of us who are living in Hong Kong, which is such a busy city.
It affords a chance to relax for a moment and is a refreshing experience.
Therefore, more open space must be provided for Hong Kong's artists.
In the end we will all benefit.
Bai Ho-man, Tseung Kwan O
Should the slimming sector be more tightly regulated?
I think tighter regulation is essential in this  industry.
It is particularly important because of the most recent revelations regarding slimming products ('Doctor struck off 10 months over teen's diet pills', July 21).
A doctor 'improperly prescribed slimming drugs to a teenager who then had suicidal thoughts during mood swings'.
The medic was struck off the general register for 10 months for professional misconduct.
The slimming industry has been around for quite a while in Hong Kong. You still see a lot of slimming advertisements around Hong Kong.
Obviously, people wanting to take diet pills should follow the doctor's advice, but I am concerned that some people in the business might order potentially dangerous drugs using a doctor's name and without that doctor's knowledge. This is unforgivable.
For these reasons, it is important for the government to regulate the slimming sector. I suggest the government create a new licence that operators have to apply for.  Such a licence would clearly ensure that a doctor, for example, had the necessary expertise to prescribe slimming pills.
Weight-loss companies would also have to get a licence similar to the one issued to the medic.
These companies should also employ more doctors to take care of patients, as each patient will have different requirements.
With more medics, these companies can operate more efficiently and this will reduce the chance of mistakes being made.
May Yuen, Sheung Shui
What do you think of the standard of road safety?
I am confused by the letter from Greg Miles (Talkback, July 22).
He seems to be saying - when writing about driving problems on roundabouts - that anyone in the outer lane on a roundabout must exit at the next exit. Or in other words we all must go to the inner lane of a roundabout and quickly switch to the outer lane when you want to exit.
As I understand it, you should get in lane in time and not just exit from the inner lane at the last moment.
You may follow the outer lane even when coming to an exit.
The same applies to a normal straight stretch of road. You get in lane in time to exit. You do not jump three lanes at the last moment, and if you are in the left lane you do not need to exit.
A proper clarification from the traffic police would be appreciated, as I have seen many of these types of accidents and near-misses.
Jeffry Kuperus, Clear Water Bay



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