Bridging cultures through the silver screen
Over 20 films from ASEAN Film Festival bring cultural insights and cinematic experiences to Hong Kong
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As business, trade and travel between Hong Kong, mainland China and ASEAN countries expand, fostering cultural understanding is increasingly acknowledged as key to strengthening international collaboration.
Beyond government efforts, the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) is one of the latest initiatives driving cross-cultural dialogue through cinema. Building on last year’s success, the second edition of AFF kicked off on September 5 in Hong Kong and will continue until September 28.
For the first time in Hong Kong, this year’s AFF features films from all ten ASEAN countries, offering over 20 free screenings to foster cross-cultural understanding and celebrate the rich diversity of ASEAN cultures.
AFF, a non-profit initiative themed “Collaboration and Co- Creation”, is led by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation (HKAF) with strong support from the Consulates-General of ASEAN countries in Hong Kong and more than 20 local and ASEAN partners.
A celebration cocktail reception was hosted on September 20, which was attended by distinguished guests, including The Honourable Michael Wong Wai-lun, Acting Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mrs Ainatol Zahayu Mohammad, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General and Consul-General of Brunei Darussalam in Hong Kong, Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt & Road, the Government of HKSAR, The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, HK-ASEAN Foundation Advisory Council Member, Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, and the Consuls-General or representatives of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with representatives from co-presenters, venue partners and supporting organisations of AFF 2024.
“Hong Kong, as a place where the East meets the West, and as the super connector between Mainland China and the rest of the world, is proud to be associated with ASEAN films,” said The Honourable Michael Wong Wai-lun, Acting Financial Secretary of the Government of HKSAR. “I must pay tribute to all ASEAN filmmakers for their dedication of time, creativity and passion which have resulted in the excellent collection of movies featured in the Festival. I believe that their skills, passion and commitment to storytelling will inspire others, in ASEAN and in Hong Kong, to follow their footsteps; and their wonderful efforts and generosity in sharing will allow us to see in the future another generation of filmmakers who will continue to carry the torch.”
“The bond between people is at the very heart of the Belt and Road Initiative. Film possesses a remarkable power to unite us, to foster respect and understanding, and ultimately, to touch our souls. The ASEAN Film Festival stands as a vibrant testament to our cultural connectivity and diversity. I want to congratulate the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation for yet another successful edition of the Belt and Road series of events. Together, we are not just celebrating film; we are celebrating the ties that connect us all,” said Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt & Road, the Government of HKSAR.
“Hong Kong is known for its diverse art and cultural landscape, offering a wide range of art events and festivals for visitors and tourists to enjoy. The increasing presence of both local and international events on the city’s art and culture calendar amplifies the vibrancy and cultural richness of Hong Kong,” said The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, HK-ASEAN Foundation Advisory Council Member. “The ASEAN Film Festival successfully showcases Southeast Asia’s vibrant and diverse cultures and artistic expressions, offering opportunities for the youth to explore ASEAN countries’ culture through different genres of films. We appreciate the Consulates-General of ASEAN countries in Hong Kong, our valued partners and all the parties and organisations involved for their invaluable contribution. It is gratifying to see our shared vision of strengthening Hong Kong – ASEAN relations coming to fruition.”
Mr Daryl Ng Win-kong, Chairman of the HK-ASEAN Foundation, remarked, “We extend our thanks to the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, for spearheading engagement with various ASEAN countries and the Government’s active promotion of Hong Kong, which has facilitated connections and created new opportunities across diverse business sectors. My deepest gratitude also goes to the Consuls-General of all 10 ASEAN countries for their personal touch in recommending films for AFF, as well as to our esteemed partners for enriching the Festival’s content and engagement.”
The films showcased at AFF 2024 were carefully selected by the Consuls-General of the respective ASEAN countries and each of them played an active role in choosing films that best represent their nation’s culture, values and storytelling tradition.
“ASEAN boasts a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, stories and artistic expressions making it a vibrant region in its own right. Meanwhile, Hong Kong remains a pivotal international hub that bridges ASEAN countries and China. Beyond trade and commerce, it is crucial to foster stronger cross-regional relationships among ASEAN countries, Hong Kong and Mainland China by promoting cultural exchanges, shared values and collaborative initiatives.” said Mrs Ainatol Zahayu Mohammad, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General and Consul-General of Brunei Darussalam in Hong Kong. “The ASEAN Film Festival marks a pivotal milestone in our ongoing cultural collaboration, highlighting the importance of both cultural exchange and co-creation. By harnessing the power of film as a universal language, the Film Festival transcends borders and fosters connections among us all, as viewers are invited to immerse themselves in the stories and perspectives of their ASEAN neighbours, thus creating an environment of understanding and appreciation.”
Thai: emphasising family bonds to resonate with Asian audiences
One of the films chosen from Thailand this year is “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”, a 2024 Thai blockbuster family drama co-written and directed by Mr Pat Boonnitipat, starring Mr Putthipong Assaratanakul and Mrs Usha Seamkhum.
“In Thai culture, children tend to stay with their families longer than western countries and deeply value their relationships with their grandparents. This movie brings out the common family value of filial piety, a bond shared across many Asian cultures,” said Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam, Consul-General of Thailand in Hong Kong.
Malaysia: celebrating national pride through cinema
The Malaysian film “Malbatt: Misi Bakara”, billed as Malaysia’s highest-budget production ever, proves that creating compelling war movies with thrilling action scenes is not exclusive to Hollywood.
“Malbatt is our version of the Hollywood blockbuster Black Hawk Down,” said Mr Muzambli Markam, Consul-General of Malaysia in Hong Kong. “When the HK-ASEAN Foundation approached us with the idea to collaborate and promote ASEAN in Hong Kong, I believed that culture is one of the best ways to showcase and promote our respective countries.”
“For me, it’s not just about showing the films. It’s about exhibiting the diverse culture that Malaysia has to offer, especially to an international audience,” said Mr Markam.
“Dreamy Eyes” is one of the films representing Vietnam in this year’s AFF. The film was chosen for its relatable and emotionally touching narrative, according to Mrs Le Duc Hanh, Consul- General of Vietnam in Hong Kong.
“It’s an adaptation of a novel by a very popular writer, Mr Nguyen Nhat Anh, a bestseller in Vietnam. It’s a love story. We have many good war and action movies, but this one is special. It’s hoped that the film will resonate with audiences and promote Vietnam as a travel destination,” Mrs Le added, also noting the historical ties between Vietnam and Hong Kong in the film industry.
One example she cited is “The Lover”, a critically acclaimed romantic movie filmed in Vietnam released in 1992. Starring Ms Jane March from France and Mr Tony Leung Ka-fai from Hong Kong, it remains a memorable cinematic offering among Hong Kong audiences for its Vietnamese setting.
Laos: showcasing cultural heritage and traditions
Laos has entered two films in the festival to showcase Laotian culture, tribal beliefs and rural life. One, The Signal by Mr Lee Phongsavanh, follows a country girl’s journey to the city in search of her father, where she stays in her uncle’s employer’s oddly empty mansion.
“Despite being a smaller country, we want to showcase Laos’ culture, particularly our way of life. Though small, our films manage to display our traditions. We want to show more of Laos, using this as a starting point,” said Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, Consul- General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Hong Kong.
Indonesia: diverse genres and growing film industries
“Isolation Ward”, filmed in a colonial-era fort, is a taut thriller directed by Mr Adhe Dharmastriya from Indonesia. The film masterfully leverages its historical setting to evoke suspense and psychological horror, making it a memorable experience.
This movie is one of the films screened at AFF. “The other film is about love - a heartfelt drama that will resonate with many,” said Mr Yul Edison, Consul-General of Indonesia in Hong Kong. “Indonesia’s film industry is growing rapidly, and we see AFF as a vital platform to introduce Indonesian films to a broader audience.”
Singapore: shared values across ASEAN films
From Singapore, “Wonderland and Seven Letters” bring audiences back to a Singapore of the past, highlighting values of family, friendship and loyalty.
“Films are one of the best ways to bring people together by deepening understanding of our commonalities amidst diversity,” said Mr Ong Siew Gay, Consul-General of Singapore. “Both films show what family, friendship, and loyalty mean for all of us.”
The Philippines: highlighting various aspects of culture and diverse experiences
Ms Germinia V Aguilar-Usudan, Consul-General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, expressed her pleasure in participating in the AFF for the first time with three special films that showcase Philippine traditions and values in a contemporary context, highlighting various aspects of Philippine culture and the diverse experiences of Filipinos today.
Particularly, the film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” tells the story of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Hong Kong torn between love and aspirations. It portrays the dedication and determination of OFWs in pursuing their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.
Filmmakers, directors and actors from nine featured films, including those from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, participated in special sharing sessions with local youth and ASEAN students in Hong Kong.
Mr Pat Boonnitipat, director of “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”, expressed his surprise and gratitude for the film’s success. Though family dramas are not usually seen as commercially viable, he said, they focused on making the film as good as possible, supported by a passionate crew and cast who loved the story.
Mrs Usha Seamkhum, the lead actress of “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”, mentioned that although she had no prior acting experience, she was encouraged by the director to take on the role, which gave her the confidence to portray the grandmother.
Some of the film screenings were complemented by post-screening dialogues with film crews and renowned Hong Kong film industry professionals, further enhancing cultural exchange throughout the festival.
Two university students who attended the screenings found the films’ unique styles refreshing. Mr Ho, a journalism student, enjoyed Isolation Ward’s distinctiveness, while Ms Chan, a psychology student, appreciated the perspectives offered by The Signal and Isolation Ward, expressing interest in exploring more ASEAN films.