Ng Ka-leung (centre, with trophy) says he doesn't believe the Hong Kong Film Awards' judges were motivated by politics in awarding "Ten Years" the Best Film award. Photo: AFP
Ng Ka-leung speaks to RTHK's Damon Pang
One of the producers of "Ten Years", Ng Ka-leung, says politics wasn’t a key reason why the movie won Best Film at the annual Hong Kong Film Awards.
The movie depicts a dystopian future for Hong Kong under increasing mainland influence. It was heavily criticised by state media for spreading what it called a "virus of the mind" and "despair".
Coverage of the ceremony was also censored in the mainland, and wasn’t broadcast there for the first time since 1981. Local media linked that decision to the nomination of “Ten Years”.
However, Ng said he thinks the awards' judges weren’t motivated by politics, and had just used normal criteria to rank the film.
On Sunday, Tourism Board chairman Peter Lam, a movie investor and Business and Professionals Alliance member, said the film’s win was unfortunate because “Ten Years” did not have strong box office returns and wasn’t nominated in any other category.
Ng said he respected Lam’s views, and conceded it wasn't the best movie from an artistic or technical point of view. He said he believed the movie was successful because it resonated with people’s daily lives, and made people reflect about what they could do for the city’s future.
Looking ahead, Ng said there needs to be freedom for all film directors to create, and they should be allowed to make films about whichever topic they want – be it current affairs or politically sensitive ideas.
Ng also denied speculation that broadcaster TVB had bought the rights to show the movie on TV, saying the distributor is still in discussion with different broadcasters.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1252420-20160404.htm
