HKFA Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Three Editions of the Programme Series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks"

HKFA's first ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026 explores cinematic world of Peter Chan

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA), the HKFA will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, winner of the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Golden Horse Awards and the Golden Rooster Awards, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Chan will also attend the pre- or post-screening talks with film critic Thomas Shin to share with audiences his cinematic world spanning different cultures and generations.

Chan entered the film industry in the 1980s. In 1991, his debut directorial work, "Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye" (1991), won actor Eric Tsang the Best Actor award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. This firmly established Chan as a prominent director. During the 1990s, Chan co-founded United Filmmakers Organization Ltd, which produced a series of urban comedies, including ''Comrades, Almost a Love Story'' (1996), which was directed by him and swept nine accolades at the Hong Kong Film Awards. In addition to directing for Hollywood, he also collaborated with other Asian directors on various high-quality productions. Since 2005, he has expanded into the Chinese Mainland film market and successfully combined commercial appeal with artistic vision in many of his works. Chan's works are rooted in artistic sensibilities, while maintaining a unique Hong Kong perspective and embodying a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

The selected films are matched into three pairs of screenings. The first pair includes two timeless cinematic romances. In "Comrades, Almost a Love Story", Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung play the roles of two new immigrants in Hong Kong, where their lives become intertwined. After drifting apart in their different pursuits, they unexpectedly reunite in another country, while the news of the passing of singer Teresa Teng away from home echoes in the air. Michael Curtiz's "Casablanca" (1942) follows the protagonist, played by Humphrey Bogart, who is nonchalant about the ongoing war until he is reunited with his former lover, played by Ingrid Bergman. With the rekindled old feelings and resurfaced past, the two have to choose between their undying love and the noble and higher ideals.

The second pair of film is "American Dreams in China" (2013), directed by Chan, and "Tom, Dick & Hairy" (1993), directed by Chan and Lee Chi-ngai. The former follows three college friends, played by Huang Xiaoming, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei, in their venture into business together and the yearning, frustration, insecurity and pride in their pursuit of success in the world. Starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Tony Leung Ka-fai and Lawrence Cheng, the latter is a playful urban romantic comedy about three bachelors struggling with love and marriage.

The third pair of films is set against the background of war. In Chan's "The Warlords" (2007), Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro star as three blood brothers who face life and death together on the battlefield. However, their loyalty and promises are ultimately sacrificed to political intrigue and self-interest, culminating in a heart-wrenching tragic fratricide. Directed by Lewis Milestone, "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) (2K Digital Restored Version) is an adaptation of the eponymous classic German novel. The film follows young Paul, who is full of dreams and ideals about joining the military and eventually meets his own tragic end on the battlefield after witnessing his peers, superiors and friends fall one after another amid the brutality of war.

Tickets priced at $60 will be available from tomorrow (April 24) at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. There is a 20 per cent discount for each purchase of two or more regular-priced tickets for different screenings in the same designated pair.

In addition, a free screening of "Perhaps Love" (2005), directed by Chan, will also be held at the Cinema of the HKFA on June 19. The film tells of the complicated affairs between two film stars, played by Zhou Xun and Takeshi Kaneshiro, and a film director, played by Jacky Cheung, in front of and behind the camera during a film production.

Admission by ticket is required for the free screening. Starting from April 24, ticket holders of any two screenings of the programme can collect a ticket for the free screening by presenting the purchased tickets at the box office of the HKFA on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Limited walk-in seats will also be available on the day of the free screening. Members of the public are welcome to queue up at the G/F lobby of the HKFA 45 minutes before the screening begins. Each person can register for one ticket while stocks last.

The screening times of the films are as follows:

The First Pair

May 23 (Saturday)

11am

"Comrades, Almost a Love Story"

May 23 (Saturday)

2.30pm

"Casablanca"

The Second Pair

May 23 (Saturday)

6.30pm

"American Dreams in China"

May 24 (Sunday)

11am

"Tom, Dick & Hairy"

The Third Pair

May 24 (Sunday)

2.30pm

"The Warlords"

May 24 (Sunday)

7pm

"All Quiet on the Western Front"

Free Screening

June 19 (Friday)

2pm

"Perhaps Love"

For programme details, please visit the HKFA website at www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en/web/hkfa/2026/peter-ho-sun-chan/pe-event-2026-peter-ho-sun-chan.html or call 2739 2139.

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows Peter Chan (centre) with actress Zhou Xun (left) and actor Jacky Cheung (right) on the set of "Perhaps Love" (2005). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930) (2K Digitally Restored Version). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Universal) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "The Warlords" (2007). (Courtesy of Media Asia Film Distribution (HK) Limited) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Tom, Dick & Hairy" (1993). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Casablanca" (1942). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "American Dreams in China" (2013). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present three editions of the programme series ''Close Encounters with Master Filmmakers: Movie Talks" in 2026. The first edition will feature a selection by director Peter Chan, which includes four iconic films directed by him and two Hollywood classics that profoundly influenced his career, to be screened at the Cinema of the HKFA on May 23 and 24. Photo shows a film still of "Comrades, Almost a Love Story" (1996). (Courtesy of Park Circus/Warner Bros.) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority clarifies untruthful remarks regarding patients collecting medications

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) clarifies the untruthful remarks regarding patients collecting medications today (April 24) as follows:

Through reforming the subsidisation structure of the public healthcare service, the fees and charges reform aims to guide the public to make optimal use of healthcare resources, reduce wastage and abuse, and enhance healthcare protection for the four categories of "poor, acute, serious, critical" patients, based on the principle of 'co-payment by those who can afford and co-payment by those with mild conditions'. The reform will thereby enhance the sustainability of the healthcare system in response to challenges such as an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and serve as a safety net for all. After the implementation of the reform, the Government maintains a high level of subsidisation of up to 95 per cent for public healthcare services, with citizens co-paying a very low proportion of the cost.

The spokesperson for the HA said that, having analysed data from the pharmacies of public hospitals and clinics, the HA considers that recent allegation that patients have not collected medications following the implementation of the fees and charges reform does not accord with the facts.

The HA emphasised that, in the course of consultation and drug prescription, doctors will ascertain patients' medication profiles, including their medication habits and the quantity of medicines kept at home. In general, if patients already have a sufficient supply of medications at home, for example, long-term medications for chronic diseases or analgesics prescribed for "as needed" use, doctors will discuss with patients and advise that they do not need to collect the same medications from the pharmacy again, so as to reduce wastage caused by overstocking of medicines. For the sake of complete records, doctors will still make a prescription entry in the medical record to document that the patient has followed their medical advice, continued treatment, and has appropriate follow-up arrangements in place. Under the prevailing recording system, such prescription records are also counted under the category of unfilled prescriptions.

In the first quarter of 2026, the rate of unfilled prescriptions was 2.4 per cent, similar to the 2.2 per cent for the whole of 2025. Taking the unfilled prescription records for the first two months of 2026 as an example, about 72 per cent arose from prescriptions made by doctors for the sake of complete medical records, where patients did not actually need to collect the medications. This involved patients who, after discussion with their doctors, confirmed they had a sufficient supply of medications at home and did not need to collect them again. Of these, about 12 per cent involved "as needed" medications (such as analgesics or artificial tears).

In fact, after the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform, the number of unfilled prescriptions has shown only a very slight change, and accounts for only a small proportion of the total number of medication slips processed by public hospitals. The relevant data are set out below for reference.

2025

2026 (January to March)

Number of medication slips processed

About 5.4 million

About 1.457 million

Number of unfilled prescriptions

About 120,000

About 35,000

Percentage of unfilled prescriptions

2.2 per cent

2.4 per cent

From observations by frontline healthcare staff and feedback from patients, the HA understands that, after the implementation of the reform, many patients now recognise that overstocking of medications at home should be avoided, particularly "as needed" medications. Some patients have also proactively requested doctors to reduce prescriptions of such medications to avoid wastage. In the first quarter of 2026, demand for "as needed" medications was about 7 per cent lower than the same period in 2025.

The spokesperson added that if patients consider they already have a sufficient quantity of medications stored at home, they may discuss with their doctors during consultation to reduce the prescription of the medications concerned. Doctors will adjust the prescription quantity according to the patient's clinical condition. The spokesperson reminded patients not to decide on their own not to collect the prescribed medications, but to collect them in accordance with the doctor's prescription to ensure the treatment achieves the expected results.

The HA emphasised that it will ensure no patient is denied from medical care due to lack of means. This fundamental principle will not change. After the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform, the HA has introduced various measures to strengthen protection for "poor, urgent, serious and critical" patients. As at March 31 this year, over 220,000 applications for medical fee waivers have been approved, which is 16 times the approximately 14,000 patients granted waivers in the whole of the previous year. In addition, as at March 31 this year, 2,953 applications for the annual spending cap of $10,000 have been approved. These figures demonstrate that the enhanced patient protection measures are yielding results and effectively safeguarding low-income persons and vulnerable groups. In response to public comments that individual patients have abstained from taking medications due to fee concerns, the HA calls on members of the public to proactively assist those genuinely facing financial difficulties to apply for fee waivers, and to work together to support the public healthcare reform.

Source: AI-found images