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].
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].