Controversial , low-budget dystopian Ten Years took the top honors at the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday.
A local box office hit made up of five vignettes set in 2025, where locals are persecuted for speaking Cantonese not Mandarin.
Amidst increasing fears of mainland pressure and interference in Hong Kong and some cinemas refusing to screen the film, its success was a surprise even to the producers themselves.
Andrew Choi, one of the producers for the film, said “The meaning of this prize is that it shows Hong Kong still has hope. It reminds us that we could have courage to be creative. I would like to thank everyone who has watched it.”
According to the Guardian, this film with a budget of HK$500,000 ($64,000) has earned HK$6m, but its run stopped despite still playing to packed theatres.
Another big winner of the night was Port of Call, with a total of 7 wins including Best Actor (Aaron Kwok), Best Actress (Jessie Li) and Best Screenplay (Philip Yung Tsz Kwong).
Winners
Best Film: Ten Years
Best Actor: Aaron Kwok (Port Of Call)
Best Actress: Jessie Li (Port Of Call)
Best Director: Tsui Hark (The Taking Of Tiger Mountain)
Best Screenplay: Philip Yung Tsz Kwong (Port Of Call)
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Ning (Port Of Call)
Best Supporting Actress: Elaine Jin (Port Of Call)
Best New Performer: Michael Ning (Port Of Call)
Best Cinematography: Christopher Doyle (Port Of Call)
Best Film Editing: Cheung Ka Fai (Ip Man 3)
Best Art Direction: William Chang Suk Ping, Yau Wai Ming (Office)
Best Costume and Make Up Design: Yee Chung Man (Monster Hunt)
Best Action Choreography: Li Chung Chi (SPL 2: A Time For Consequences)
Best Sound Design: Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu Keung, Yiu Chun Hin (The Taking Of Tiger Mountain)
Best Visual Effects: Jason Snell, Ellen Poon, Tang Bingbing (Monster Hunt)
Best New Director: Raman Hui (Monster Hunt)
Best Original Film Score: Dayu Lo, Chan Fai Young (Office)
Best Original Film Song: We Almost Fly (She Remembers, He Forgets)
Best Film From the Mainland and Taiwan: The Assassin
Definitely need to check out ‘Port of Call’