Chicago, IL (September 7, 2021) Hong Kong New Talents program, initiated by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) with financial support by Create Hong Kong, has been on tour since June this year in Europe is making its first stop in North America at Asian Pop-Up Cinema, Chicago.
A special touring program post COVID-19’S disruption to the film industry’s ecosystem,
Hong Kong New Talents program introduces and promotes Hong Kong’s new generation of filmmakers to international audiences. The selection of exhilarating new films highlights the strong creativity and artistry of the emerging filmmakers, giving the global film community a glimpse of the refreshing landscape of Hong Kong cinema. Asian Pop Up Cinema’s upcoming Season 13th will feature five 1st & 2nd time directors’ work, screening from September 15 - October 6.
They are:
Drifting (Jun LI), The Dishwasher Squad (SHUM Shek Yin), Just 1 Day (Erica LI), Time (Ricky KO), and Hand Rolled Cigarette (CHAN Kin-long).
All films will be shown with English subtitles with pre-recorded post-screening Q&As with directors and/or main cast, moderated by Kevin Ma, festival’s virtual moderator. Information on the screening schedule and ticketing is available at https://www.asianpopupcinema.org/13boxoffice
“Our festival takes pride in continuously discovering new talents and sharing their passionate new projects with the international audience. It is our pleasure that our official selection of the coming season includes such a diversity of new directors’ works reflecting strongly Hong Kong cultures and values.”Sophia Wong Boccio, Founder & Executive Director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema.
"We are delighted to be bringing works by some of our emerging filmmakers to the audience in Chicago, showcasing their remarkable diversity and creativity,"Albert Lee, Executive Director of HKIFFS.
The Hong Kong New Talents program to be shown during the 13th Season of Asian Pop Up Cinema are:
Drifting《濁水漂流》| Midwest Premiere | Streaming Wednesday- September 15 - Tuesday, September 21
Having made a significant impact with his directorial debut Tracey in 2018, Jun LI’s second feature takes a closer look at Hong Kong’s homeless people. The film features an outstanding ensemble of actors and shows a sensitive approach to an important social issue.
The Dishwasher Squad (洗碗天團) | World Premiere | Monday, September 27 | Drive-in | ChiTown Movies (2343 S. Throop) at sunset (8:00 - 8:30PM)
Two good friends buy a cheap dishwashing factory then discover it’s in financial ruin but have to pay out existing contracts at the risk of financial penalty. To solve the problem, they decide to hire ‘special’ people to get a perk from the government. This heart-warming comedy is sure to be a crowd-pleaser directed by SHUM Shek Yin.
Just 1 Day《給我1天》| U.S. Premiere | Wednesday, Sept 29 | Drive-in at ChiTown Movies
Adapted from her own 2018 novel, Erica LI’s heartfelt story about the importance of holding on to every precious memory in life is a sad reflection of an old Hong Kong vanishing under gentrification and rapid urban redevelopment.
Time《殺出個黃昏》| Midwest Premiere | Tuesday, October 5| Drive-in at ChiTown Movies
First-time director Ricky KO’s satirical black comedy examines loneliness and lost ideals of old age. Full of clever plot twists and hyper-stylized kudos to classic Hong Kong cinema, it features two veteran and iconic actors from Hong Kong’s golden age of Cantonese cinema, Patrick TSE
and Petrina FUNG. Produced by Lam Ka Tung, this seasons Career Achievement Award recipient.
Hand Rolled Cigarette (手捲煙》| Midwest Premiere | Weds, Oct 6 | Drive-in at ChiTown Movies
Actor-turned-filmmaker CHAN Kin-long’s gritty bromance drama hailed from the much-lauded First Feature Film Initiative. It depicts two men who transcend their cultural and racial differences to form a brotherhood. Lam Ka Tung shines as a former British soldier in this crime thriller.
ABOUT SOPHIA’S CHOICE / ASIAN POP-UP CINEMA
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, a semi-annual Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501 C (3) not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.