Months since the first teaser launched, the official trailer is out for Septet: The Story Of Hong Kong. Years in the making and once bearing the title “Eight And A Half” when there were indeed more than seven directors on board, the long-awaited omnibus is getting a 2021 release featuring respective shortfilm segments from directors Sammo Hung, Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, Yuen Wo Ping, Johnnie To, Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark, each contributing a story to pay tribute to the city’s “golden era” during which all the directors emerged.
Johnnie To ropes in six fellow veteran Hong Kong filmmakers for this highly anticipated omnibus. Each one of the short films covers a different period in the city’s recent history, including Sammo Hung’s nostalgia-tinged piece about his martial arts training, the late Ringo Lam’s poignant tribute to his hometown, Ann Hui’s quietly moving ode to the educators, and To’s dark comedy about three friends’ bonanza. Shot entirely on 35mm film, this is a momentous cinematic event that no Hong Kong film fan will want to miss.
The project also marks the last piece of cinema from Lam, who sadly passed away in December of 2018.
Media Asia has already since launched international sales during last week’s EFM for its successor, Septette: More Stories Of Hong Kong, which will aim its focus on emerging directors instead of veterans, including Frank Hui and Vicky Wong (Trivisa) and Derek Tsang (Better Days). Future updates remain pending, while Septet: The Story Of Hong Kong, now grants its audience the newest trailer above ahead of its screening for the 45th Hong Kong International Film Festival in April.
