The Tanner Hill - Life & Leisure

When it comes to old Hong Kong films, images are instantly conjured of the black-and-white Cantonese movies, classic movie dialogues, and household names the likes of Connie Chan Po-chu, Leung Sing-bor, and Lui Kei. If all these ring a bell, then the Hong Kong Film Archive is a place you would want to pay a visit. Find out more about the philosophy of, and the story behind the Hong Kong Film Archive from our chat with head of the Archive Mr. Richie Lam.

"The idea of establishing the Hong Kong Film Archive was conceived in 1980," said Mr Richie Lam, Head of Hong Kong Film Archive. "Back in the 1980s, many cultural and movie luminaries such as Law Kar, Lin Nien-tung and Yu Mo-wan suggested establishing a movie library to preserve Hong Kong's old movie culture. Through the research by professional consultants in Canada, the cultural value of Hong Kong's old movies has been confirmed to be worth its recognition. What followed was a visit of a research team to movie archive museums in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada, and later the team's establishment of the policy, blueprint and standard of a similar museum in Hong Kong, based on the city's conditions back then. The year 1993 saw the commencement of the preparation process, and by March 2001, the Archive was opened for service at its current Sai Wan Ho location. That was 12 years ago."

Periodic Reflection on the Silver Screen

As a long-time fan of Hong Kong movies since his childhood, Richie admits that it is a great honour to be Head of Hong Kong Film Archive, partly because being assigned with a multi-disciplinary governmental task is a rare opportunity, and partly that the often-underestimated value of Hong Kong movies is something he deems deserving of more attention from the public. "The scale of production, equipment and technology used to make films back in the old days are no match for that of today, and special effects from audio to visual were something we could only dream about, but the uniqueness of old Hong Kong movies lies in their reflection of the sense of value and social phenomena in that particular day and age," continued Richie. "Incidents like the water shortages in the 1960s are not part of the personal experiences of many, but the famous dialogue 'Those of you living downstairs, turn off the tap!' in black-and-white Cantonese films has vividly depicted the lives of Hong Kong people during that time. Compared to contemporary films that are produced for the pursuit of sensual satisfaction, black-and-white Cantonese films focused more on the depth of social context."

With the collection and restoration of old Hong Kong films and artefacts as its aim, Hong Kong Film Archive has to date archived over 9,000 movies and more than one million movie-related artefacts such as posters, copies, movie stills, scripts and promotional materials. The Archive has also published over 160 publications related to the movie industry, and videotaped and transcribed interviews with senior movie actors and practitioners into valuable resources to aid future research by the industry or scholars.

The Hong Kong Film Archive is really a walk down memory lane for Hong Kong people, especially senior citizens. "With the increasingly shrinking supply of black-and-white Cantonese films and old movie replicas, our job is to collect, restore and systematically archive the old movies, to ensure the people of Hong Kong, especially senior citizens, get to reminisce about the old days," said Richie. "I usually chat with the viewers outside the Film Viewing Room before the viewing session, and many senior couples would liken the session with the early stage of their relationship!"

Treasure Trove for Lovers of old Hong Kong Movies

The Hong Kong Film Archive is open all year round except Tuesday and public holidays, for free visit of exhibitions or the dedicated black-and-white Cantonese film session every Friday morning. "Many senior citizens would come to watch the black-and-white Cantonese films after an early yum cha session. There was once when renowned Cantonese opera actor Lam Ka-sing came to watch a movie he played in, and naturally enough, fans in the audience were more than eager to be photographed with him," chuckled Richie. "Hong Kong Film Archive also organises senior citizens-orientated sessions for non-profit organisations, elderly homes and senior groups, where the organisations can pick a movie such as The Orphan, starring Bruce Lee, or The Great Red Robe by Yam Kim-fai, to be played at a theatre that seats up to 120 senior citizens. There is also a group screening room where fans of Connie Chan Po-chu, Lam Ka-sing, Fong Yim-fun, Yam Kim-fai and Bak Sheut-sin frequent to watch movies by their much-loved actors and actresses."

The Resource Centre on the third floor is where visitors can while away the afternoon reading old movie magazines. "With the Archive's membership system, members can watch old movies and black-and-white films at the special seats equipped with a TV screen and a pair of headphones. A token viewing fee of HKD10 is charged for both the early and main viewing sections – the membership system was only set up to meet royalties requirements."

If you are also a fan of the good old Hong Kong films, head to the Hong Kong Film Archive for a treasure hunt now!

Special Thanks:
Richie Lam, Head of Hong Kong Film Archive
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/HKFA