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Letters | Can Hong Kong’s fading film industry be saved from the foreign invasion?
- Hong Kong films are not just entertainment, they are an important part of the city’s cultural heritage and should not be replaced by overseas versions
The article “Grand Cinema in Hong Kong’s Elements mall to close at the end of February after more than 11 years in business” (January 25) also serves as a reminder that Hong Kong’s film industry is fading.
Recently, Hong Kong’s pop culture has started to move away from Cantonese music and cinema towards foreign versions. Over the years, the staple entertainment of Hongkongers has changed from watching television every night or their favourite movies in the cinema to watching foreign films using mobile apps or binge-watching Korean variety shows. Most of us seem to be neglecting Hong Kong’s special culture.
Hong Kong movies, which embody our collective memory and – most importantly – our cultural heritage, are losing ground, but we don’t seem to care.
Some people say they do not go to the cinema to support Hong Kong’s film industry these days mainly because tickets are too expensive and also because they feel foreign films are more sophisticated. However, our local films are a transmitter of Hong Kong culture and strike a chord within us in a way that foreign films cannot.
It’s a pity that Grand Cinema is shutting down, as many of us have good memories of watching films there. I hope more people will support our local film industry and help it shine again.
Chloe Leong, Kwai Chung
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