The closure of Cine-Art House in Kowloon City Plaza on August 26, 2024, marks the sixth cinema to shut down in Hong Kong this year, highlighting the ongoing struggles within the city's film industry [ecd502ac]. Opened in December 2019, Cine-Art House was cherished for its affordable ticket prices, which drew patrons like student Chiu Shing-Hei and resident Huang Ye, who expressed their sadness over the cinema's closure. In a farewell gesture, the cinema distributed 140 free tickets for its final screenings, with the popular film 'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' selling out for its last showings [ecd502ac].
The closure of Cine-Art House is part of a broader trend affecting Hong Kong's cinema landscape, as box office earnings have dropped over 17% year-on-year in the first half of 2024, totaling HK$640 million. This decline follows a peak in total annual box office receipts of HK$1.99 billion in 2015 [ecd502ac]. Other cinemas, such as the President Theatre and GH Kai Tak, have also closed recently, contributing to a sense of loss within the community [ecd502ac].
In a notable contrast, Hong Kong has selected the action film 'Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In' as its entry for the 97th Academy Awards. Directed by Soi Cheang Pou-soi and starring Louis Koo and Raymond Lam, the film received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Set in the 1980s before the demolition of Kowloon Walled City, it follows a young undocumented immigrant navigating the treacherous world of crime lords [fb8de358]. Since its premiere on May 1, 2024, the film has grossed over HK$105 million, showcasing a glimmer of success amid the industry's challenges [fb8de358]. The contenders for the Oscars will be announced on January 17, 2025, as the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong submits one entry annually [fb8de358].
As both the cinema and art sectors face significant challenges, the cultural landscape of Hong Kong is evolving, reflecting broader economic trends and shifting consumer preferences [2feb339c][b4874f2c].