Beijing fans of Hong Kong film and Canto-pop hold parties to reminisce, and introduce them to a new generation
- When they were growing up the only pop music around was Hong Kong pop and, with no Hollywood films screening then, Hong Kong films were the ones they flocked to
- Sammo Hung, Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, and Canto-pop duo Tat Ming Pair are among their heroes; now they hope to pass the torch to the younger generation
On a quiet July evening, a throng of people attend an unconventional party in a bar tucked away in a quiet hutong, or laneway, in Jiugulou Dajie, Beijing. Standing in front of a big screen showing Hong Kong protest footage, a DJ plays Cantonese songs from different eras that evokes the youthful exuberance and rebellious spirit pervading the city streets during Hong Kong’s “summer of discontent”.
Funkie Gao Yifeng, a co-organiser of the event, holds regular Cantonese music nights in bars in the Chinese capital. Although Canto-pop no longer wields much influence among the young generation in mainland China, the Beijing native and professional DJ says his gigs are still popular.
“Many people from my generation love Canto-pop a lot,” says the 40-year-old. “[Hong Kong] music and many Hong Kong TV drama series were introduced to China in the ’80s following China’s opening up. There was no pop music in China then. Many mainland singers did cover versions of Canto-pop.
“I love Tat Ming Pair. They were much influenced by Britpop and electronica. I didn’t know much about [such overseas] music styles then. From their music to the composition of their lyrics to the design of their album covers, their works are special and beautiful,” Gao says.
While the heyday of Hong Kong pop culture has passed, there are still diehard fans in China eager to perpetuate its legacy, and introduce to young people luminaries who once propelled the development of the entertainment industry across Southeast Asia.