HK Film Archive Celebrates 1980s-90s Comedy at 'More Than Joy' Exhibition

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition

To tie in with the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025 theme "More Than Joy", the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will stagethe exhibition "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" at the Exhibition Hall of the HKFAfrom May 30 to October 19, showcasing the unique charisma of Hong Kong comedy filmsthrough film excerpts, oral history, song classics and posters from comedic films for visitors to savour the joyful moments produced.

Hong Kong comedy films thrived in the 1980s and 1990s, and many of the popular works produced at the time are now regarded as classics. Through different angles in three thematic zones, the exhibition outlines the local comedy film scene in these two decades.

In the exhibition zone "Roomfuls of Laughter", nearly 100 exhilarating excerpts from classic Hong Kong film comedies will be screened under four themes, namely "Classic Combos", "The Art of Exaggeration", "Laughing with the Times" and "The Nonsensical Art of Mo Lei Tau". Comedies include "Wheels on Meals" (1984), "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1987), "All for the Winner" (1990), and "Forbidden City Cop" (1996), which are selected to depict and deconstruct the design and tactics of the jokes in comedy films.

The other zone in the exhibition, "Oral History: Our Comedy Hour", will screen two thematic videos of interviews with filmmakers including Wong Jing, Clifton Ko, Tenky Tin, Alfred Cheung and Mak Kai-kwong, along with actors including Teresa Mo and Sandra Ng. The two videos are titled "The Birth of Comedy" and "Behind the Jokes: The Making of a Comedian". The former unveils the development and creative process of Hong Kong comedy films from aspects such as creative inspiration, story concept and casting, while the latter explores how actors characterise their roles, interact with other actors and provide reflections on their film careers, illustrating the professionalism of Hong Kong comedy film stars.

Decorated as a karaoke lounge, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, the exhibition zone "Happy Karaoke Sing-A-Long" features more than 20 theme songs or interludes in film excerpts, including "Ex-love is Like a Dream" from "92 The Legendary la Rose Noire" (1992), "A Love Affair" from "Let's Make Laugh" (1983) and "We Meet Again Stranger" from "All's Well End's Well" (1992). Visitors can enjoy the songs in the videos and revisit the enduring pop culture comedy moments.

The exhibition features installations for visitors to take pictures for their joyful moments, including a "poster waterfall" comprising numerous posters of classic comedy films, such as "All the Wrong Clues (…For the Right Solution)" (1981), "Aces Go Places" (1982) and "Sixty Million Dollar Man" (1995). There is also a Comedy Wall of Fame displaying actors and filmmakers' insights into comedy films, as well as a feature wall which integrates multiple classic comedy scenes and iconic landmarks of Hong Kong, such as the Bank of China Tower, the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Two seminars will be held during the exhibition period. The first seminar will be held at the HKFA Cinema on June 22 (Sunday), featuring director Clifton Ko and actress Teresa Mo, and hosted by veteran film critic Thomas Shin. Details of the second seminar will be announced on the HKFA website (www.filmarchive.gov.hk) later.

Admission is free. For details of the exhibition, please visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2025/comedy-e/pe-event-2025-comedy-e.html or call 2739 2139. Fortune Star Media Limited is the partner organisation for the exhibition.

This year, the LCSD presents the third Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, themed "More Than Joy". For more information, please visit www.pcf.gov.hk.

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Film Archive to present "Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s" exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images