The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department launched the lecture series "Genius of the System: When Art and Commerce Converge on Film" in June as one of the programmes to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hong Kong City Hall. Curated by veteran film researcher Sam Ho, the lecture series reviews the development of the Hollywood film industry from the 1920s to the 1950s. The second phase of lectures will be held from September to November, covering the "auteur directors" of that era and exploring the dark world created by them in film noir.

     Under the business-oriented studio system at the time, some directors were keen on expressing their own creative ideas beyond industry boundaries. They were particularly masterful in mise-en-scène to create their own filmic world as if they were the original authors of the film, and thus they are regarded as "auteurs". Enriched with film language, their works are usually distinguished by their own artistic directorial style, providing deep observation of human nature and social phenomena. Among them are numerous remarkable classics of film noir. 
     
     Details of the lectures in the second phase are as follows:
 
Lecture 4
Topic: The Auteurs
Date: September 10 (Saturday)
Time: 4pm
Speakers: Kiki Fung (Programme Consultant for the Hong Kong International Film Festival), Sam Ho (curator, film researcher)
Content: An analysis of  the big-name "auteurs" in Hollywood's "golden age", such as John Ford, Howard Hawks and Alfred Hitchcock.

Lecture 5
Topic: More Auteurs
Date: October 8 (Saturday)
Time: 4pm
Speaker: Sam Ho (curator, film researcher)
Content: A look at other directors with distinctive styles from this era who left impressive works, including Nicholas Ray, Sam Fuller and Josef Von Sternberg.

Lecture 6
Topic: Film Noir, the Glorious Dark Side of the System
Date: November 26 (Saturday)
Time: 4pm
Speakers: Freddie Wong (film critic, director, filmmaker), Sam Ho (curator, film researcher)
Content: An exploration of the darkness of images, and stories created by "auteurs" in film noir of this era, studying its artistic approach and appeal.

     All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will take place at the Recital Hall, Hong Kong City Hall (8/F, High Block). Each lecture will last for about 90 minutes. Tickets priced at $80 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For ticketing enquiries, please call 3761 6661. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp. (Details of the third phase of lectures will be announced in due course.)
 
     In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter Hong Kong City Hall for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering Hong Kong City Hall must comply with the relevant requirement of the Vaccine Pass. According to the latest requirement on the Vaccine Pass announced by the Government, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR codes displayed in red or amber are not allowed to enter Hong Kong City Hall.

Ends/Friday, August 12, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:00

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