ON! 文化 / CULTURE-ON

HKIFF49 honours Louis Koo as this year’s Filmmaker in Focus for his outstanding performances and dedication to fostering the growth of local cinema.  After the screening of PARADOX, one of his most iconic works, the star actor-turned-producer took the stage at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, engaging in an inspiring Face to Face session with the moderator, actor Neo Yau, and the public.

 

What defines a good actor and a successful actor? Koo believed that a good actor not only excels in performances, but also embodies good human qualities - patience, and humility, serious and dedicated in filming, and willing to help others.  A good actor may not be always successful; many good actors make great contributions to the cinema without any recognition.  Filmmaking is a collective effort, a good actor should not focus only on his/her own performance, but the entire film as a whole.

 

About the future of Hong Kong cinema, Koo said that the industry needs to be reformed and rejuvenated with a new generation of talents, offering young actors and filmmakers the opportunity to play a big role, and let the audience get to know them better.  At the same time, the industry needs to focus on creativity, heads to bold new directions, and experiments with new genres, producing films that are more sophisticated, and that can cater to what the audience really needs.  Talking about the AI era, Koo believed that we are now in a period of ‘chaos’ - AI is not yet able to replace human beings in many aspects, yet it becomes increasingly threatening.  Instead of resisting AI, we should embrace AI and make good use of it to facilitate filmmaking and assist in the development of cinema.  Koo revealed that he is now using AI to create the animated version of WARRIORS OF THE FUTURE, his sci-fi epic.

 

In response to Yau’s provocative question whether film is dead, Koo replied assertively: ‘Film is not dead, Hong Kong is not dead, and we are not dead!’  His brilliant answer won a big applause from the audience.