Top 5 films to watch in Hong Kong this week: September 8-14

Bleak portraits of romance and domestic drama from Taiwan and Hong Kong, arms-dealing stoners, an up-close portrait of New York’s fashionistas and a documentary of Tokyo’s famed fish market make up our must-see list

Edmund Lee

Published: 8:00am, 8 Sep 2016

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1. Happiness

In his feature directing debut, screenwriter Andy Lo Yiu-fai avoids the pitfalls of his story’s sappy premise and brings out the best in his two leads, Kara Wai and Carlos Chan, as a dementia-stricken recluse and a homeless young man who form an unlikely bond.

(Opens September 8)

2. The First Monday in May

Fashionistas will find this documentary irresistible, a tour behind the scenes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2015 show, “China: Through the Looking Glass”. Leave it to Vogue boss Anna Wintour to steal the spotlight as she spearheads the Met Gala.

(Opens on September 8)

3. War Dogs

Based on a 2011 Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson, Todd Phillips’s comedy caper tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of two smarmy stoners (played by Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) from Miami who become international arms dealers. It’s the American dream gone dark.

(Now showing)

4. At Cafe 6

A surprisingly bleak depiction of growing pains among young adults, this serene debut by writer-director Neal Wu Tzu-yun – who is also one of Taiwan’s most popular authors – is a refreshing change of pace for a cinema increasingly revelled for its cheery rom-coms.

(Opens on September 8)

5. Tsukiji Wonderland

After its relocation plans were suspended last week, the fate of the world’s largest fish market remains up in the air. Regardless of the outcome, however, this documentary on the Tokyo institution will ensure that it lives long in the memories of foodies and travellers alike.

(Now showing)

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