Unit4.2- Brainstorming and selecting Hong Kong films for “Hybrid Ctiy”

I’m writing down the process of documenting the Hong Kong movies that closely align with the theme of my project. Here are my basic criteria for selecting the film materials:

1. Time Period: Since I started watching Hong Kong movies from the late 1990s, and mostly during my childhood, my primary focus will be on films made from the 90s to now.
2. Director/Filmproducer Preference： I admire the storytelling and style of director Wong Kar-wai. Besides Wong Kar-wai, the films produced by Ann Hui, Peter Chan (Chan Ho-sun), Pang Ho Cheung and some new generation Hong Kong Directors will be also taken consideration.
3. Visual Elements: Hong Kong filmmakers often use vivid colors or black-and-white scenes to reflect the era and environment. I’ll look for scenes with high color contrast to showcase the unique characteristics of “the city and the individual” and the distinct features of Hong Kong.
4. City Characteristics: Since my project background is based on Hong Kong as a “hybrid city,” I’ll select scenes with Hong Kong-specific settings, like neon lights, trams, and bustling markets, to evoke an emotional resonance about the city.

Here’s my tentative list of films with reasons for their selection:

1. Chungking Express (directed by Wong Kar-wai): Shows Hong Kong as a multicultural, multi-layered city. It’s especially notable for the complex emotions and identity struggles among various characters.
2. In the Mood for Love (directed by Wong Kar-wai): More than a love story, it reflects the social and cultural atmosphere of Hong Kong in the ’60s.
3. Days of Being Wild (directed by Wong Kar-wai): A film about young people in Hong Kong seeking identity and freedom.
4. Happy Together (directed by Wong Kar-wai): This film explores a same-sex relationship and uses their experiences in a foreign country (Argentina) to show the complexity of identity and culture.
5. Comrades: Almost a Love Story (directed by Peter Chan): This film tells the story of two mainland immigrants in Hong Kong and their complex feelings about identity and homeland.
6. Love in a Puff (directed by Pang Ho Cheung) : Depicts the life and love views of modern young people in Hong Kong.

(to be continued）