Bleak outlook for Hong Kong film industry as Covid-19 keeps cinemas shut and fewer movies are made
- Box office takings fell 72 per cent to HK$537 million last year, as cinemas closed for 116 days
- Glimmer of hope in producing films for mainland Chinese audiences, say industry veterans
Industry players expecting another bleak year ahead say the only hope now is to make films that appeal to mainland Chinese audiences.
“This year will be miserable for domestic films if they only focus on the local market. Losses are inevitable,” said Crucindo Hung Cho-sing, chairman of the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association.
The city’s cinemas saw their takings plunge by 72 per cent to HK$537 million (US$69.27 million) last year, from HK$1.92 billion in 2019, according to Hong Kong Box Office Ltd.
With each wave of Covid-19 infections, the government ordered cinemas to close three times for varying periods last year, keeping them shut for a total of 116 days. Cinemas remain closed under current restrictions.
Fewer new films opened last year too. The total fell by a third to 218, from 319 in 2019, with only 34 Hong Kong productions, down from 49 the year before.