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HKFA's first ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026 explores cinematic world of Peter Chan (with photos)
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     To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA), the HKFA will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, winner of the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Rooster Awards, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Chan will also attend the pre- or post-screening talks with film critic Thomas Shin to share with audiences his cinematic world spanning different cultures and generations.
 
     Chan entered the film industry in the 1980s. In 1991, his debut directorial work, "Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye" (1991), won actor Eric Tsang the Best Actor award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. This firmly established Chan as a prominent director. During the 1990s, Chan co-founded United Filmmakers Organization Ltd, which produced a series of urban comedies, including ''Comrades, Almost a Love Story'' (1996), which was directed by him and swept nine accolades at the Hong Kong Film Awards. In addition to directing for Hollywood, he also collaborated with other Asian directors on various high-quality productions. Since 2005, he has expanded into the Chinese Mainland film market and successfully combined commercial appeal with artistic vision in many of his works. Chan's works are rooted in artistic sensibilities, while maintaining a unique Hong Kong perspective and embodying a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
 
     The selected films are matched into three pairs of screenings. The first pair includes two timeless cinematic romances. In "Comrades, Almost a Love Story", Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung play the roles of two new immigrants in Hong Kong, where their lives become intertwined. After drifting apart in their different pursuits, they unexpectedly reunite in another country, while the news of the passing of singer Teresa Teng away from home echoes in the air. Michael Curtiz's "Casablanca" (1942) follows the protagonist, played by Humphrey Bogart, who is nonchalant about the ongoing war until he is reunited with his former lover, played by Ingrid Bergman. With the rekindled old feelings and resurfaced past, the two have to choose between their undying love and the noble and higher ideals.
 
     The second pair of film is "American Dreams in China" (2013), directed by Chan, and "Tom, Dick & Hairy" (1993), directed by Chan and Lee Chi-ngai. The former follows three college friends, played by Huang Xiaoming, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei, in their venture into business together and the yearning, frustration, insecurity and pride in their pursuit of success in the world. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Lawrence Cheng, the latter is a playful urban romantic comedy about three bachelors struggling with love and marriage.
 
     The third pair of films is set against the background of war. In Chan's "The Warlords" (2007), Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro star as three blood brothers who face life and death together on the battlefield. However, their loyalty and promises are ultimately sacrificed to political intrigue and self-interest, culminating in a heart-wrenching tragic fratricide. Directed by Lewis Milestone, "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) (2K Digital Restored Version) is an adaptation of the eponymous classic German novel. The film follows young Paul, who is full of dreams and ideals about joining the military and eventually meets his own tragic end on the battlefield after witnessing his peers, superiors and friends fall one after another amid the brutality of war.
 
     Tickets priced at $60 will be available from tomorrow (April 24) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. There is a 20 per cent discount for each purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets for different screenings in the same designated pair.
 
     In addition, a free screening of "Perhaps Love" (2005), directed by Chan, will also be held at the Cinema of the HKFA on June 19. The film tells of the complicated affairs between two film stars, played by Zhou Xun and Takeshi Kaneshiro, and a film director, played by Jacky Cheung, in front of and behind the camera during a film production.
 
     Admission by ticket is required for the free screening. Starting from April 24, ticket holders of any two screenings of the programme can collect a ticket for the free screening by presenting the purchased tickets at the box office of the HKFA on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on the day of the free screening. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the G/F lobby of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.
 
     The screening times of the films are as follows:
 
The First Pair
May 23 (Saturday) 11am "Comrades, Almost a Love Story"
May 23 (Saturday) 2.30pm "Casablanca"
The Second Pair
May 23 (Saturday) 6.30pm "American Dreams in China"
May 24 (Sunday) 11am "Tom, Dick & Hairy"
The Third Pair
May 24 (Sunday) 2.30pm "The Warlords"
May 24 (Sunday) 7pm "All Quiet on the Western Front"
Free Screening
June 19 (Friday) 2pm "Perhaps Love"

     For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/peter-ho-sun-chan/pe-event-2026-peter-ho-sun-chan.html or call 2739 2139.
 
Ends/Thursday, April 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 13:00
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The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Comrades, Almost a Love Story" (1996). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.)
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Casablanca" (1942). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.)
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "American Dreams in China" (2013).
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Tom, Dick & Hairy" (1993). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.)
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "The Warlords" (2007). (Courtesy of Media Asia Film Distribution (HK) Limited)
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) (2K Digitally Restored Version). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Universal)
The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows Peter Chan (centre) with actress Zhou Xun (left) and actor Jacky Cheung (right) on the set of "Perhaps Love" (2005).