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The Caped Crusader has flown into Hong Kong for the filming of 'The Dark Knight', the latest exciting installment in the Batman series of movies.
Hollywood actors, stuntmen and film crew joined forces with a hulking Hercules C-130 transport plane and a couple of helicopters to shoot scenes set against the backdrop of Hong Kong's iconic skyline and stunning harbour.
But behind the scenes there has also been plenty of action as the Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority has worked hand in hand with local production company October Pictures to bring the Batman action to life in Asia's world city.
TELA Commissioner Maisie Cheng says despite the many logistics challenges involved in making a Hollywood blockbuster, all the effort is well worth it for Hong Kong.
"TELA welcomes the use of our city as a location for local or international film productions and we have a dedicated Film Services Office to help out in this regard," she says.
"Hong Kong has a world-famous skyline set against green hills and a beautiful harbour, all of which combine to make a magnificent canvas for any movie maker.
"We're proud that Hong Kong will feature in another international movie and happy to have played a role in making it happen."
Ms Cheng said the unique style of Hong Kong's homegrown film-makers had also captivated audiences around the world.
She said Hong Kong movie fans from overseas and the Mainland would often look for the locations featured in classic movies such as 'Chungking Express', 'In the Mood for Love', 'Police Story' and 'Infernal Affairs'.
'The Dark Knight' is the latest in a long line of foreign movies that have chosen Hong Kong's unique and beguiling cityscape as a location. Some of the most recent include 'Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (2007); 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (2005); 'Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life' (2003); 'Die Another Day' (2002); 'Rush Hour 2' (2001), which starred Jackie Chan; and, 'Spy Game' (2001).
Other memorable international films shot in Hong Kong include 'Bloodsport' (1988); 'Revenge of the Pink Panther' (1978); 'The Man with the Golden Gun' (1974); the Bruce Lee classic 'Enter the Dragon' (1973); 'You Only Live Twice' (1967); 'A Countess from Hong Kong' (1967); the romantic drama 'The World of Suzie Wong', which starred William Holden and Nancy Kwan; and 'Around the World in 80 Days' (1956).
William Holden also starred in the tragic 'Love is a Many Splendored Thing' (1955), regarded as the first Hollywood production to put Hong Kong on the international movie map.
In recent years Hong Kong's special-effects expertise has also been put to good use by Hollywood and local production houses in movies including 'Kill Bill, Volumes 1 & 2' (2003 and 2004), 'Shaolin Soccer', 'Kung Fu Hustle', 'A Man Called Hero' and 'The StormRiders'.
Some memorable scenes from movies shot in Hong Kong include:
* the cafe where Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung met in 'In the Mood for Love';
* the action sequence in 'Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life' where the main characters jump off International Finance Centre, paraglide over the city and land on a boat in the harbour;
* the use of the HSBC headquarters in Central as the US Embassy in 'Spy Game';
* James Bond emerging nonchalantly from Victoria Harbour and strolling casually through the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club after escaping custody in 'Die Another Day'; and
* James Bond enjoying a tipple in the famous Bottoms Up bar in Tsim Sha Tsui in 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
Hong Kong has also proved to be a versatile setting, with movies of all genres shot here.
There is a great tradition of action movies filmed in Hong Kong, and some suggest this genre owes much to the city. 'Enter the Dragon' (1973), starring Bruce Lee and financed by Warner Brothers, remains one of the most influential martial-arts movies ever made. It brought the kung fu into mainstream Western acceptance and imprinted the image of Bruce Lee's gutsy determination and humour on audiences around the globe.
Films following in Bruce Lee's spirit included 'Double Impact' (1991), 'Bloodsport' and 'Mortal Kombat'.
Comedy has visited Hong Kong in the form of 'Revenge of the Pink Panther' and Peter Sellers. Another comedy, 'The Countess of Hong Kong' starred a young Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren, and was the last film to be directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Big budget Hollywood adventure came to Hong Kong with 'Around the World in 80 Days' starring David Niven and Shirley MacLaine - proof that even five decades ago Hong Kong was a 'world city'. The film won five Academy Awards and remains a popular classic.
But arguably it was the arena of love and romance that first attracted foreign movie-makers to Hong Kong.
'The World of Suzie Wong', largely filmed in Wan Chai, remains the most fondly remembered of this genre, along with 'Love is a Many Splendored Thing'.
Others include 'Love Story' (1970), starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal, still regarded as one of the most romantic films of all time by the American Film Institute. The sequel, 'Oliver's Story' (1979), also contained scenes shot in Hong Kong.
So whether it is action, adventure, intrigue or romance, just about every style of movie has been made in Hong Kong - and the city's unique blend of East and West, style, cityscape and natural beauty remain as beguiling as ever.
But then again, it is Asia's world city.
Ends/Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:25
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