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Thriving film industry
A flash of swords and the deft hand of the hero, or heroine, dispatches another villain. The scene is a familiar one to Hong Kong film-goers who bought 65 million cinema tickets in 1978. Making a significant con- tribution to meet this demand is Hong Kong's multi-million dollar film industry. During 1978, more than 130 feature-length films were produced by Hong Kong com- panies. They ranged from the popular Chinese epics featuring kung fu and bold sword fights to competitive productions aimed at the sophisticated international market. Many Hong Kong films are dis- tributed to major markets throughout the world. The territory's largest production house is Shaw Brothers, set in 18.5 hectares in Clear Water Bay in the New Territories. Each year, Shaw Brothers produces more. than 40 Mandarin and Cantonese films, some of which are dubbed in English. In 1978, Shaw Brothers also was involved in a $75 million co-production Meteor, starring Sean Connery and Natalie Wood. Hong Kong's other major film company is Golden Harvest which produces some 12 to 15 films annually. Its most important project in late 1978 was the $11 million production Night Games, directed by Roger Vadim. Golden Harvest also was a partner in one of the most successful films in Hong Kong during the year, Michael Hui's The Contract, a contemporary Cantonese comedy. Because land values are affecting cinema development in Hong Kong, the government is planning to introduce new regulations which will enable small cinemas to be established in multi-storey buildings.
Previous page: Hemmed in, but undaunted, the heroine fights for her life in a Chinese epic being filmed at Shaw Brothers Studios. Left: Candice Bergen and Ryan O'Neal in Hong Kong to film scenes for Oliver's Story'; American economist, Professor Milton Friedman on location for a television documentary; Film-maker, Michael Hui who wrote, directed and starred in 'The Contract'.
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