The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) announced today the full line-up of the 42nd Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF42) at its press conference held at The Mira Hong Kong.

Attending guests include Dr. Johnnie To, Vice Chairman of HKIFFS, Mr. Fred Wang, HKIFFS Board Member, Mr. Wellington Fung, Assistant Head of Create HK and Secretary-General of Hong Kong Film Development Council and Ms. Cecilia Yip, HKIFF42 Young Cinema Competition Jury Member. Rising movie stars Ms. Jennifer Yu, Mr. Neo Yau and Mr. Siu Hin Ng also attended as guest MC to introduce the opening films, closing film and “Filmmaker in Focus” at HKIFF42.

The 42nd HKIFF’s opening night on March 19th will be illuminated by two gorgeous films from two promising Taiwanese directors – Omotenashi, directed by Jay Chern and Xiao Mei, directed by Maren Hwang. Closing film will be the World Premiere of What a Wonderful family! 3: My Wife, My Life, the latest work from the acclaimed comedy series by the Japanese master Yamada Yoji. The festival, which runs for 18 days from 19 March to 5 April, will present over 230 titles from 60 countries and regions. The line-up is as eclectic as ever, boasting 63 World, International and Asian Premieres.

Some of the highlight for this year are:

Filmmaker in Focus: Brigitte Lin Ching-Hsia
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of her career since her screen debut, the 42nd HKIFF will showcase 14 of her films including the new restoration of her first film Outside the Window. Lin will share her insights on film and life in the “Face to Face” seminar.

Master Classes by Werner Herzog
One of cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers, will attend the 42nd HKIFF and conduct a Master Class. His first visit to the Festival will be honored by a retrospective of his films, giving local audiences a rare opportunity to watch his classics, including four of his greatest cinematic achievements and his latest documentary Into the Inferno, which reflect his frantic imagination and poetic stylization.

Master Class & Movie Premiere by Tsai Ming-Laing
Co-organised with HTC VIVE, the Academy of Film of Hong Kong Baptist University and ZOTAC Computer, HKIFF42 is pleased to introduce the Hong Kong premiere of TSAI Ming-Liang’s The Deserted, HTC’s first virtual reality (VR) Chinese language film. Tsai Ming-Liang and Lee Kang-Sheng will attend a Master Class, to be held on April 2nd at 5:30pm at the Communication and Visual Arts Building of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Master Class by Hara Kazuo
The Japanese documentarian Hara Kazuo will bring along his latest film Sennan Asbestos Disaster, and attend a Master Class. 42nd HKIFF will also showcase two of his classic documentaries Extreme Private Eros: Love Song 1984 and The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On.

Special Guests
Several world-renowned directors will also visit Hong Kong for screenings of their films. Acclaimed American independent filmmaker Sean Baker, with his celebrated new film The Florida Project, will share his filmmaking experience. Kagawa Kyoko, the legendary Japanese actress of the Mizoguchi Kenji masterpiece A Story from Chikamatsu, and Ozu Yasujiro’s classic Tokyo Story will share her collaborations with the giants of Japanese cinema following the screening of the newly restored classic. The late Filipino master, Ishmael Bernal, will be featured in the Restored Classics section, and his longtime screenwriter, Ricky Lee, will also meet the audience to share his insights.

Awarded Films at the HKIFF
Cinephiles can enjoy a number of internationally award-winning films firsthand at the HKIFF. These include In the Fade, winner of the Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes and Cannes Best Actress Award for Diane Krugerpowerhouse performance; Joaquin Phoenix took home the Cannes Best Actor Award with You Were Never Really Here, which won the Cannes Best Screenplay Award alongside The Killing of a Sacred Deer; as well as Cannes Jury Prize winner and Oscar-nominated Loveless. Award winners from the Venice Film Festival include Grand Jury Prize winner Foxtrot, Special Jury Prize winner Sweet Country, Best Director award winner Custody, Best Actress Award for Charlotte Rampling in Hannah, and Best Actor Award for Kamel El Basha in The Insult. The Berlinale award winners include Grand Jury Prize for Mug, Outstanding Artistic Contribution Award for Dovlatov, winners of FIPRESCI Jury Prizes for River’s Edge and An Elephant Sitting Still, the latter also won Special Mention for Best First Feature Award.

Focus on Lucrecia Martel (Argentina)
The 42nd HKIFFF is pleased to celebrate the achievement of Lucrecia Martel, a major auteur and forceful leading light of New Argentine Cinema, by showcasing four of her acclaimed works, including Zama, her latest and multiple award-winning film.

The Awards Gala Night will be illuminated by the international premiere of Transit, directed by acclaimed German auteur Christian Petzold. The French Night will feature Custody, helmed by the Venice Best Director winner Xavier Legrand, who will come to Hong Kong to greet the audience. HKIFF is also pleased to present the Canadian film Ava, a feature debut about women’s fight for independence by Sadaf Foroyghi, who will meet the audience at the screenings.

A full list of the 42nd HKIFF programme is available at www.hkiff.org.hk. Tickets for the public can be booked online at http://www.hkiff.org.hk and all URBTIX and HK Ticketing outlets from 2 March.

We would like to remind readers that the 42nd HKIFF will take place from will take place from March 19th until April 5th in the beautiful city of Hong Kong.

About the HKIFF:
The HKIFF is one of the Asia’s oldest and most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new work and experience outstanding films. Committed to discovering new talent, the festival premieres the breadth of Chinese cinema and showcases Asian talent. As a life-style event, festival-goers watch world-class films, experience talks with leading filmmakers, visit film exhibitions and attend parties celebrating the Festival community, and much more.

To see other articles about the HKIFF please go HERE