This island has more than 7,650 skyscrapers and is known for economic freedom and a high quality of life. Alongside modernisation, Hong Kong also has fascinating cultural assets. The film industry in Hong Kong has delivered stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and many more to world cinema; it also produces award-winning art house films.
Wong Kar-Wai, originally born in Shanghai, is famous for his unique and highly stylised pictures. He was listed on the respected Sight & Sound Top Ten Directors list of modern times. He is also the first Chinese director to preside on the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Filmmakers such as Ho Cheung Pang, Lau Wei-keung, Jonnie To, Wilson Yip have also produced inspired films using Hong Kong as a backdrop. John Woo has become an internationally renowned director, but he built up his reputation in Hong Kong with frenetic action films such as A Better Tomorrow.
Whilst Hong Kong’s literary scene is quite small the territory has attracted many writers who have been inspired by its cosmopolitan, melting pot society and complex political history. These include John Lanchester, who writes in Fragrant Harbour of the myriad communities who have passed through Hong Kong, and William Rhode, whose White Ghosts tells the story of the underbelly of Hong Kong life through the eyes of a few expatriates, or ‘White Ghosts’. Chris Patton, the last British Governor of Hong Kong, has also written at some length about the territory’s political status following the handover, some of these writings are collected on East and West.
Alice Mak and Brian Tse's My Life as McDull, appeared originally as a cartoon series for children. They became extremely popular and have been made into animated feature films. McDull is a cartoon pig character that lives his life simply and naturally, although he's not perfect, he never gives up. Music of Hong Kong is called Cantopop. It is one of the largest and most important music industries in Asia with iconic figures such as Faye Wong and Leslie Cheung.
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