Quote:
Originally Posted by james0246
I don't know...the fact that Johnnie To, Wong Kar-Wai and Ann Hui are still working in Hong Kong almost completely destroys your point for me (I don't care if they all started before the 00s, they still were consummate directors during the time period in question)...which is already ridiculously off-topic to begin with.
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Wong Kar Wai: Hasn't made a film in HK since 2004, though he is coming out with one later this year, but on the other hand it's another Ip Man film, which is somewhat uncreative when you consider the number of
other Ip Man films out there... Also I wouldn't describe any of his previous films as really having mainstream appeal. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on the Ip Man film but...
Johnnie To: Haven't watched many of his films, but I found Exiled to be dull. I wouldn't consider any of his work particularly outstanding, visually he's inferior to most of what was put out in the 90s, and HK's film industry and talent has never been strong on subtle drama (besides maybe the aforementioned Wong Kar Wai).
Ann Hui: Can't really comment, haven't seen her films.
Also, you have to bear in mind that these are largely film "auteurs" and their work doesn't really have the mainstream appeal that made HK so successful in the past. Not only that, but these auteur work lack the distinctiveness of the film genres that made HK great in the first place. They're much like art films that are made anywhere, they don't offer the unique but accessible film experience that HK produced in the past.
There's also a problem of talent. There is no new generation of talent in the industry. It's really obvious if you look at the actors, all of them got started in the 70s and 80s, and all of them are getting older. Our screens are
still all Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Andy Lau, Chow Yun Fat, Sammo Hung, Stephen Chow and Tony Leung. All of these guys are getting old and are retiring and there doesn't seem to be any actors to take their place. The same seem to goes for writers and directors too.
HK seems to have gotten some of it's Mojo back with the spate of Ip Man films, whether they can use those renewed box office takings to bring in more talent is what will be the deciding factor. Without new talent, HK's film industry will die, and it will be a sad thing, because there's no experience quite like a good HK film.
You're right that this is a bit offtopic. I might start a thread about it, depending on if I think there's more interest.