The recent closure of Cine-Art House in Kowloon City Plaza on August 26, 2024, is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles within Hong Kong's film industry. This cinema, which opened in December 2019, was beloved for its affordable ticket prices, attracting patrons like student Chiu Shing-Hei and resident Huang Ye, who expressed their sadness over its 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].
This closure 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, the film 'The Last Dance,' directed by Dayo Wong Tze-wah, has recently achieved remarkable success, grossing HK$122 million since its release on November 9, 2024. This makes it the highest-grossing Chinese-language film ever, surpassing the previous record of HK$115 million set by 'A Guilty Conscience.' On November 16, 2024, the film achieved a record HK$9.18 million in a single day, attracting over 120,000 viewers [6041f79f]. It also earned over 11 million ringgit (HK$19.36 million) in Malaysia and is set to premiere in mainland China on December 14, 2024 [6041f79f].
The film has received critical acclaim, with Anselm Chan Mou-yin winning best director at the 61st Asia Pacific Film Festival, and Michelle Wai winning best leading actress. It currently holds an impressive 8.7 rating on Douban, and ranks seventh overall in box office receipts, trailing behind major Hollywood films [6041f79f].
Amid these challenges, new films and shows are being released that could invigorate the local film scene. This weekend, audiences can look forward to the coming-of-age film 'Didi' by Sean Wang, which opens in cinemas on October 18, 2024. Additionally, the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival runs from October 17 to November 10, showcasing new Kazakh cinema and Palestinian filmmakers [1cfea12b]. Streaming options include the 1990s-set K-drama 'A Virtuous Business' on Netflix, the music-themed drama 'Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born' on Disney+, and the psychological murder mystery 'Doubt' starring Han Suk-kyu on Viu [1cfea12b].
In a parallel development, Arte M Hong Kong, part of South Korea’s Arte Museum, will close its doors on December 31, 2024, after a two-year run, due to tough economic conditions. The museum, which specializes in immersive digital art experiences, is relocating to Shenzhen, China, and is currently offering a 50% discount on tickets until its closing date [24b730e3]. The Quarry Bay location opened in October 2022 and was initially planned to move to 11 Skies in the Airport City project. Hong Kong's economy is facing challenges, with GDP growth expected to slow from 3.3% to 2% in the third quarter of 2024, affecting various businesses, including CR Care, which are also closing amid this trend [24b730e3].
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].