8 September 2021 (Chicago) – The touring Hong Kong New Talents film programme lands in Chicago this month with the world premiere of SHUM Shek-yin's The Dishwasher Squad.
Joining SHUM's heart-warming comedy in the five-film programme, which will form part of the Asian Pop-Up Cinema Season 13 from 15 September to 12 October, are Just 1 Day (Erica LI), Time (Ricky KO), Hand Rolled Cigarette (CHAN Kin-long), and Drifting (Jun LI).
The outdoor ChiTown Drive-In Theatre will host four films, including the world premiere of The Dishwasher Squad, with Drifting available for online streaming. Information on the programme, screening schedule, and ticketing is available on the Asian Pop-Up Cinema official website.
Organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) with support from Create Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the Hong Kong New Talents programme kicked off in June during the 23rd Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy. Chicago is the touring programme's second stop and its first in North America.
"We are delighted to be bringing works by some of our emerging filmmakers to the audience in Chicago, showcasing their remarkable diversity and creativity," HKIFFS Executive Director Albert LEE said.
Sophia Wong BOCCIO, Founder and Executive Director of Asian Pop-Up Cinema said, “Our festival takes pride in continuously discovering new talents and sharing their passionate new projects with the international audience. It is our pleasure that our official selection of the coming season includes such a diversity of new directors’ works reflecting strongly Hong Kong cultures and values.”
Details on the Asian Pop-Up Cinema Season 13's five-film Hong Kong New Talents programme are as follow:
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1.The Dishwasher Squad《洗碗天團》| 20:00, 27 September 2021
Writer-turned-director SHUM Shek-yin makes his directorial debut with a heart-warming comedy about two friends who buy a dishwashing factory, discovering that their newfound business is in financial ruin.
2.Just 1 Day《給我1天》| 20:00, 29 September 2021
Adapted from her own 2018 novel, Erica LI's heartfelt story about the importance of holding on to every precious memory in life is a sad reflection of an old Hong Kong vanishing under gentrification and rapid urban redevelopment.
3.Time《殺出個黃昏》| 20:00, 5 October 2021
First-time director Ricky KO's satirical black comedy examines loneliness and lost ideals of old age. Full of clever plot twists and hyper-stylised kudos to classic Hong Kong cinema, it features two veteran and iconic actors from Hong Kong's golden age of Cantonese cinema, Patrick TSE and Petrina FUNG.
4.Hand Rolled Cigarette《手捲煙》| 20:00, 6 October 2021
Actor-turned-filmmaker CHAN Kin-long's gritty bromance drama hailed from the much-lauded First Feature Film Initiative. It depicts two men who transcend their cultural and racial differences to form a brotherhood.
5. Drifting《濁水漂流》| streaming, 15-21 September 2021
Having made a significant impact with his directorial debut Tracey in 2018, Jun LI's second feature takes a closer look at Hong Kong's homeless people. The film features an outstanding ensemble of actors and shows a sensitive approach to an important social issue.
