Hong Kong in frame for return as ‘Hollywood of the Far East’ with mainland Chinese officials looking at cutting red tape for city filmmakers
- Senior industry figures speaking to film authorities about reducing barriers to southern China market
- Move aims to revitalise Hong Kong cinema, but others warn it risks compromising artistic integrity
Hong Kong could revive its film industry, once dubbed the Hollywood of the Far East, with talks underway to help Cantonese cinema break into the Greater Bay Area, senior officials have told the Post.
Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, the chairman of Hong Kong Film Development Council chairman, revealed his organisation and major industry players had been in talks with mainland China’s film authorities over removing barriers restricting them from exploiting the lucrative market over the border.
The move falls under the Chinese government's development plan for the Greater Bay Area, bringing Hong Kong and 10 other southern cities together as a technology-driven economic powerhouse.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said the city’s film industry was viable and more opportunities rested on the near 70 million population within the bay area scheme.
“The market is largely Cantonese speaking and its culture is close to Hong Kong,” Yau said. “It can serve as Hong Kong’s immediate market and a production base.”