The Hong Kong International Film Festival reviews the very best in cinematography and has just enjoyed a thoroughly successful 39th gala.
The Hong Kong International Film Festival, one of three events that go together to create the Asian Film Awards, paid considerable attention this year to the products of young film-makers and after substantial consideration sidelined three films worthy of note.
Laura Bispuri’s – Sworn Virgin – In a powerful display of Albanian culture and sexual identity; Hana searches for equal status as men and swears her eternal virginity to the old law of Kanun. Whilst her rebellion grants the film’s protagonist equal status as men she must cope with an entirety without love. The jury were particularly impressed with Laura’s ability to take the audience on a journey of emotional discovery.
The jury also gave a special mention to The Coffin in the Mountain by Xin Yukun. The film intrigues as a black comedy which primarily focuses on the hardships of rural Chinese life. The Jury prize however went to Darhad Erdenibulag and Emyrap Richard’s Mongolian version of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Castle’ simply titled K. Both directors only began their professional careers in 2012, and the reason behind their Hong Kong success was down to pair successfully re-creating the same level of wit as the original masterpiece.
With little surprise, the prestigious documentary award went to I am the people directed by Anna Roussilloun. The documentary was a definitive piece which tackled history’s greatest difficulty; the fact that it’s story is written by the victor. Interviewing villages on how Egypt’s political changes have impacted their lives, the viewer learns of how life has scarcely changed in Northern Africa despite the removal of several dictators.
The SIGNIS award (arguably the award of greatest significance), was designed to reward excellence from the film industry’s professionals. Li Ruijun, a successful writer, editor, producer and director stole the show with River Road. The spectacle unveils Northern China’s breathtaking scenery whilst delving into a remarkable relationship between two brothers who belong to the forgotten Yugur minority.
As one of Hong Kong’s leading cultural events, spectators are already focussing on next year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival; the Festival’s fortieth anniversary.
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