From Stardom to Struggles: The Plight of Hong Kong Filmmakers

It’s been nearly three years since Ho Cheuk-tin, a promising 38-year-old Hong Kong director, last directed a film. Celebrated for his debut, *The Sparring Partner*, which won him the Best New Director award at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2023, Ho's courtroom drama shattered records as the highest-grossing Category III film, reeling in over HK$40 million despite its restrictive age rating.

Following this success, Ho commenced production of his second film, *Over My Dead Body*, which also thrived, grossing more than HK$22 million in its debut. However, now, nearly three years later, Ho finds himself in a creative deadlock, unable to spark interest from investors for new projects.

A Fast-Declining Industry Post-Pandemic

Ho isn’t alone in his frustrations; the entire Hong Kong film sector is grappling with a downturn despite recent successes. Riveting productions like *The Last Dance* and *Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In* became record-breakers, earning over HK$142 million and HK$108 million, respectively. Yet, the overall box office revenue for local films hit a dismal HK$1.34 billion last year—the worst showing in nearly 13 years, if we exclude the pandemic's impact.

With ten cinemas closing their doors this past year and many theaters struggling, prominent figures like actor Louis Koo have warned of fewer local productions on the horizon, pushing for increased government funding to rejuvenate the industry.

A Shift in Production Landscape

Filming peaked in 2017 with 67 productions, but co-productions plummeted from 41 films in 2018 to a meager 11 in 2019. While local productions saw a brief increase during the pandemic, by 2024, only 11 new films were set to roll.

Camera technician Curry Hui lamented that film jobs, once 70% of his workload, now only make up 40%, as the industry shifts towards television and digital content.

The Poverty Behind Production Budgets

Rick Lau, director of photography for *Hand Rolled Cigarette*, noted that many productions are now either oversized films with few workers or tiny projects struggling with tight budgets. This polarization has led to limited output and a compromise in quality, further worsening the industry's health.

Investor Wariness and Funding Woes

As projects dry up, producers like Angus Chan emphasize cautious investments. With the Government Film Production Financing Scheme offering funding for selected projects, filmmakers face delays and bureaucratic hurdles.

Directors learn the hard way: ventures without government support are hard to fund, and the prolonged waiting period for approvals complicates matters further. While some films relish government backing, many creators express frustration that timely assistance is lacking.

Finding Hope Amidst Despair

Despite setbacks, many filmmakers, including Ho, remain optimistic. He is now exploring opportunities outside of Hong Kong, eyeing projects in regions like Taiwan where costs are more favorable.

Cecilia Then, a production manager, echoed the sentiment of perseverance despite the odds. The unique thrill of creating something that resonates on screen fuels her ongoing commitment to the industry.

The Vision for a Rebirth

As the Hong Kong film industry navigates this challenging landscape, voices across the board call for government support, better regulations, and creative ways to rejuvenate local cinema. The future may be uncertain, but the heart of Hong Kong filmmaking is relentless.

In a world of ups and downs, seasoned professionals like Lau and Ho stand resolute, hoping their collective creativity and passion will one day foster a renaissance in Hong Kong cinema—a bread that will grow to feed more.