The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF47) brings together seven comedies and suspense thrillers under Fantastic Beats to inspire younger cinemagoers.

Ranging from intimate romance to asexual identity and even a ghost marriage, the ever-popular section features work by filmmakers from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Latvia.

It highlights the diverse performances of some of the most eminent actors in Japan.  Suzuki Ryohei co-stars with Miyazawa Hio, recent winner of Best Supporting Actor at the Asian Film Awards, in Matsunaga Daishi’s intimate Egoist, which captures moments of intense sexuality and complex emotions in a closeted relationship.  In contrast, Tamada Shinya’s I am What I am portrays an asexual character who dares to dream and be different, anchored by Drive My Car star Miura Toko’s nuanced performance.  Maeda Tetsu extends from individual emotions to social concerns in Do Unto Others, where Matsuyama Kenichi and Nagasawa Masami enter into difficult debates about righteousness and personal conviction.

Mixing supernatural, romance, action, thriller and absurdity into one, Cheng Wei-Hao’s 2022 Golden Horse Film Festival closing film, Marry My Dead Body, explores myriad social issues and gender stereotypes through a bromance ghost story.  Making his directorial debut, actor Kai Ko delivers a shockingly violent comedy about juvenile delinquents in Bad Education, based on a galvanising script by Giddens Ko.

Thai directing twins Wanweaw and Weawwan Hongvivatana create a winning mix of nostalgia, likeable performances and an adorable tale of sisterhood in You & Me & Me.  Also derived from her experience, Latvian director Signe Baumane’s coming-of-age story, My Love Affair with Marriage, is a visually ravishing animated odyssey searching for love and happiness.

HKIFF47 will take place from 30 March to 10 April, featuring screenings and audience-engagement events in theatres and online.  The complete programme and screening schedule are now available through HKIFF’s official website (www.hkiff.org.hk).  The public can purchase tickets through URBTIX.

Fantastic Beats:

  1. Egoist by Matsunaga Daishi
  2. I am What I am by Tamada Shinya
  3. Do Unto Others by Maeda Tetsu
  4. Marry My Dead Body by Cheng Wei-Hao
  5. Bad Education by Kai Ko
  6. You & Me & Me by Wanweaw Hongvivatana and Weawwan Hongvivatana
  7. My Love Affair with Marriage by Signe Baumane

To download more information:
https://usercontent.hkiff.org.hk/Press/HKIFF47