The article focuses on Hong Kong’s unique identity and how Hong Kong is portrayed in films from different periods.
I found it interesting that different periods of filmmaking in Hong Kong reflect the perception of the city in alignment with political factors. Not all films, but at least those mentioned in the article. For instance, in the 1950s, during the aftermath of World War II and the early years of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, there was a film called “space is god.” Many refugees sought to go to Hong Kong, but this film attempted to discourage people from it by depicting Hong Kong as dirty and chaotic. In the late 1950s and 1960s, as Hong Kong started on infrastructure development, improving living standards, and cultivating its own culture, the political situation in China was tumultuous, marked by corruption and internal divisions. During this period, some movies began promoting a positive image of Hong Kong by highlighting its well-established legal system, western influences, and desirable lifestyle, contrasting it with the underdeveloped mainland China at the time.
Therefore, the portrayal of Hong Kong in these movies reflects the complex political climate of that time. This is why Hong Kong’s identity cannot be simply explained; its distinctive historical background has shaped its identity and cityscape. Such as the magnificent Western architecture, the grand Chinese buildings, and the delicious cuisine from all over the world. Films have the power to convey these to the audience, influencing and shaping people’s perception of Hong Kong.
— Hung Hiu Yi, 3036141147
Interesting observation on how the messaging of films reflected real-world changes and the perception of a place. However, there seems to be some confusion regarding the time period and legal structure of Hong Kong as being synonymous with Western influence, which was not the intent of these films. There is also the opposing viewpoint of other films like Space is Gold, which was made during the same time period. To what extent do you feel that film in the present internet era still retains this power to shape perception of a place?
Thank you for your comment. Yes, there should be films with different perspectives in each era, and I have only selected films that fit my argument for my response which is not comprehensive enough. Also about the time period of Hong Kong’s history and the legal structure, maybe I didn’t express myself clearly enough. What I want to say is that they are related, but not fully represented, because these factors are complicated and cannot be explained by one single factor.
In response to your question, I believe that film still has significant power to shape people’s perceptions of places, even though the context in which film operates may be different from the past.
First of all, cinema has become more global with the advent of the internet and streaming platforms such as Netflix and YouTube. The internet allows people from all over the world to access and watch films, making it much easier to influence their perceptions than it would have been before.
The internet has also given rise to a variety of online platforms, including social media and film review sites, where individuals can interact, share opinions, and express their views on films. Those discussions shape collective perceptions and public discourse about a place, and promote interest in the content of a film or a particular culture.
However, social media, news, and personal interactions all contribute to the influence of films on perception formation in the Internet age. Since most people have access to a wide range of information, they can evaluate and discriminate it, films may not be as effective as they were in directing and exporting ideas.