Film noir is symbolic of Hong Kong movies. A popular genre in the 1980s, it reflects the state of minority social groups and social phenomena. This category of Hong Kong films were then promoted to oversea market and gained recognition on international level. Le French May, taking place in May, is titled ‘Noir, A Film Noir Retrospective Bridging France and Hong Kong’. Including a selection of film noir by film makers in the two countries; in thriller, horror and other categories; it showcases films in varying style and cultural background.

Opening with ‘A Prophet’, the festival is also showing ‘Boarding Gate’ by Olivier Assayas, partly filmed in Hong Kong; classic films such as ‘The Man Must Die’ (1969) and ‘The Hole’ in the 1960s. The Hong Kong selection includes ‘As Tears Go By’ by Wong Kar-Wai, ‘My Heart Is That Eternal Rose’ by Patrick Tam, ‘Long Arm of the Law’ by Johnny Mak and a premier of the director’s cut of ‘Dangerous Encounter of the First Kind’ by Tsui Hark. The film festival is on between 3 and 26 June 2011, further information is available on its official website.

Text: Vincent Lau | Translation: dilettante
Edit: Carmen Lee
Update: 22 Apr 2011

LE FRENCH MAY 2011
frenchmay.com