The 41st Hong Kong International Film Festival (April 11th – 25th, 2017) will present a full retrospective of Edward Yang. Audience attending the festival will enjoy this rare opportunity to watch his seven feature films, including the newly restored classic Taipei Story (1985) and A Brighter Summer Day (1991).

The organizers of the 41st Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), which will take place from April 11th – 25th (2017), announced that there will be a 10-year commemorative retrospective of Edward Yang. Cinephiles attending the festival will have the opportunity to watch all of his seven feature films, including two newly restored classic that you cannot miss: Taipei Story (1985) and A Brighter Summer Day (1991).

Edward Yang is considered as one of the greatest Chinese filmmakers of modern times. Yang, along with Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Tsai Ming-liang, are the fathers of the New Taiwanese Cinema wave that started around 1980’. Yang’s work will later influence filmmakers for his unique vision and aesthetics.

The Festival also confirmed the presence of Hsiao Yeh, a long-time partner and screenwriter of The Terrorizers (1986), who will discuss his collaboration on A Brighter Summer Day (1991). Kaili Peng, Yang’s widow and who was responsible for the original score in A One and a Two (2000) will also attend the festival as a guest speaker to meet the audience.

On the occasion of this retrospective the Festival will also publish a revised edition of its original programme catalogue “The One and Only, Edward Yang” (2008). The HKIFF also announced that Moleskine is going to produce a special edition notebook celebrating the work of Edward Yang.

That Day on the Beach – Taiwan | 1983 – 166 min.

Two friends who haven’t seen each other for thirteen years reunite. One is a successful concert pianist just back from a European tour and the other has just started a new business. (IMDB)

Taipei Story – Taiwan | 1985 – 110 min.

Lung, a former member of the national Little League team and now operator of an old-style fabric business, is never able to shake a longing for his past glory. One day, he runs into a former teammate who is now a struggling cab driver. The two talk about old times and they are struck by a sense of loss. Lung is living with his old childhood sweetheart Ah-chin, a westernized professional woman who grew up in a traditional family. Although they live together, Ah-chin is always weary of Lung’s past liason with another girl. After an argument, Ah-chin tries to find solace by hanging out with her sister’s friends, a group of westernized, hedonistic youths. (IMDB)

The Terrorizers – Taiwan |1986 – 109 min.

A metaphysical mystery about the lives of three couples in Taipei that continually intersect over a span of several weeks. (IMDB)

A Brighter Summer Day – Taiwan |1991 – 237 min.

Based on a true story, primarily on a conflict between two youth gangs, a 14-year-old boy’s girlfriend conflicts with the head of one gang for an unclear reason, until finally the conflict comes to a violent climax. (IMDB)

Trailer

A Confucian Confusion – Taiwan |1994 – 125 min.

Taiwanese society is closely examined in this complex political drama that includes elements of black comedy. The underlying thesis is a call for nouveau riche Asian countries to expand their horizons and reconsider their traditional ways. The relationships within the film are quite convoluted. All the characters are somehow connected by blood, friendship, or sexual chemistry. The story revolves around Molly, a well-born young woman who helms a PR company which is backed by Akeem, her rich boyfriend (to whom Molly’s talk show host sister was formerly engaged). Molly’s best friend and personal assistant is Qiqi, a former schoolmate from the lower middle class who is to marry Ming, a low-level government employee. Larry, Molly’s business manager and friend of Akeem, runs Molly’s company. Feng wants to be an actress, and works for Molly while waiting for her big break (she also romances Larry). Birdy is an avante-garde playwright trying to produce his first commercial play. Things heat up when Molly reevaluates her life after firing Feng over a disagreement. 1994 Cannes Film Festival: Nominated to the Golden Palm. (Sandra Brennan: All Movie Guide)

Trailer [No English translation]

Mahjong – Taiwan |1996 – 121 min.

When a well known businessman goes missing, owing $100m to Taipei’s underworld, two hoods decide to follow his son, the leader of a youth gang. A small group of trendy foreigners gets caught up in the action. (IMDB)

Scene

Yi Yi (A One and a Two) – Taiwan | 2000

Each member of a middle class Taipei family seeks to reconcile past and present relationships within their daily lives. (IMDB)

Trailer

To know more about this festival please go to the Festival Profile or to the Official Website.