​The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a screening programme entitled "From Panel to Big Screen - Panorama of Hong Kong's Comics-Inspired Films" from May to September. Fourteen films adapted from comics have been selected for screening at the HKFA Cinema for audiences to appreciate the creativity of Hong Kong films and comics and their longevity as pop culture forms. The screening programme is one of the programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2023.
 
     Under the themes of "Iconic Characters", "Adaptations of Japanese Manga", "Adaptations of Hong Kong Comics" and "Animation", the programme will screen Hong Kong films that were adapted from comics since the 1960s. Works in "Iconic Characters" include "Much Ado About Nothing" (1960), "Old Master" (1965) and "The Raid" (1991), recounting the stories of all-time classic comic characters through sight and sound. "Saga of the Phoenix" (1990), "Mack the Knife" (1995) and "Initial D" (2005) under the theme of "Adaptations of Japanese Manga" showcase the ingenuity of Hong Kong filmmakers in merging Japanese culture with local elements.
 
     Local comics thrived in the 1980s and 1990s. "Adaptations of Hong Kong Comics" focuses on films that were adapted from popular Hong Kong comic series, including "Young and Dangerous" (1996), "Feel 100%" (1996), "The Stormriders" (1998), "A Man Called Hero" (1999) and "Dragon Tiger Gate" (2006). In "Animation", animated films that were adapted from comics will be screened. These include "The Great Detective Sherlock Holmes - The Greatest Jail-Breaker" (2019), "Storm Rider - Clash of Evils" (2008), and "Master Q 2001" (2001) that is the first film in Hong Kong to combine 3D computer graphic animation with live action performances.
 
　　Some screenings will be accompanied by post-screening talks. Comic artists Cowman, Lun Yu-kwok, Jeffrey Lau, author Lai Ho, filmmakers Manfred Wong, Alan Mak, Wilson Yip, Toe Yuen, Gordon Chin, film researchers Shu Kei, Thomas Shin, Eric Tsang, Keeto Lam, Winnie Fu, Yuen Tsz-ying, and comic collector Lin Man-on will be the speakers.
 
     All films are in Cantonese. "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Old Master" have no subtitles. Other films are with Chinese and English subtitles.

    In addition, the "Tango Between Images - Hong Kong Films & Comics" exhibition is now being held at the HKFA until October 8 to review Hong Kong films that were inspired by or adapted from comics since the 1930s. Exhibits include manuscripts of comics, film scripts, design drawings of characters and film promotion materials.

     To tie in with the screening programme and the exhibition, the HKFA will organise a series of seminars and workshops. A seminar entitled "The Japanese Manga Connection in Hong Kong Films" will be held on June 3 with Neco Lo and Honkaz Fung as the speakers, Eric Tsang as the moderator. Another seminar entitled "When Comics Met Cinema - 'The Stormriders' and Comics-Inspired Films" will be held on July 2 with Ma Wing-shing, Manfred Wong and John Chu as the speakers, Thomas Shin as the moderator. The "Parent-Child Hand-Drawn Animation Workshop" and "Comic Drawing Workshop for Young People" will be held on July 1 for children and youngsters to learn the techniques of drawing animation and comics respectively under the guidance of instructors.
 
     Tickets of "From Panel to Big Screen - Panorama of Hong Kong's Comics-Inspired Films" screening programme priced at $45 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Admission to the exhibition and seminars is free. Workshops are also free of charge with limited quota on a first-come, first-served basis. Online application for the workshops will open from June 1 on the website of the HKFA. For details of the screening programme, exhibition, workshops and seminars, please visit the website of the HKFA www.filmarchive.gov.hk or call 2739 2139.
 
     The first Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival organised by the LCSD aims to offer an array of programmes from pop concerts and performances to thematic exhibitions, film screenings, outdoor and outreach activities, showcasing Hong Kong's unique cultural creativity and vibrancy. For more information on other fascinating programmes of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk/en/.

Ends/Friday, April 14, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:00

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