Hong Kong as we knew it was taken away from us 💜💔

May the sun rise once again in this fiercely free and uniquely creative city

Hong Kong ― an open society before the handover ― was once a bastion of press freedom 💜💔

BRITISH  HONG  KONG

Hong Kong in an era where the Lion met the Dragon

British Hong Kong is the real Hong Kong.  It is the Hong Kong that gave the world 'Hollywood of the East'.

Hollywood of the East is a story unlike any we've ever uncountered.  A story so incredible that it's just worth telling and sharing.  And it began in a place at the time called British Hong Kong - a place of culture and art and most of all, cinema.

In the heyday of the Cantonese film industry, starting from the 1980s to early 1990s, Hong Kong was home to several gifted film directors such as the legendary John Woo, Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and auteur Wong Kar-wai.  Through their cult classic action movies, these were among the 'Hollywood East masters' who helped make martial arts popular in the West, which had been the principal source of Hong Kong cinema's global fame.

Not only they helped shape the Golden Age of Hong Kong cinema, they also helped make the city's leading men and ladies world famous.  As kung fu movies exploded into popularity internationally, Hong Kong cinema was transformed into a cultural icon with a legacy that lasts to this day  💜

Hong  Kong  Cinema

香港電影

HOLLYWOOD of the EAST

The story of Hong Kong cinema spans over a century.  It was dubbed 'Hollywood of the East' in its heyday, drawing parallels between the glory days of Old Hollywood (not today's Hollywood in all its debauchery) and the golden era of Hong Kong cinema that portrayed the fantasy and dynamic life in Hong Kong before the handover.

Amid the elusive charm of Hong Kong, a world city that inspired its legendary film industry and the birthplace of Cantopop (Cantonese pop music), Hong Kong cinema had produced Asia's most notable icons of this era.

With stunning good looks and marvellous talent, coupled with serious martial arts skills, the city's award-winning actors and Cantopop stars were world famous.  As Hong Kong cinema gained cult status in the West, these 'Hollywood East superstars' will remain Asia's most enduring cultural icons in our hearts.

Hong Kong cinema's Golden Age.  With love  💜

Andy  Lau

SBS  BBS  MH  JP

劉德華

'one of Asia's most beloved showbiz superstars of all time'

‘one of Cantopop's Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王)’

‘290+ awards both for acting and singing’

‘Hong Kong's most awarded singer'

'one of Hong Kong's most famous singers in this era’

‘a Hollywood East heartthrob & Hong Kong's superstar acting in 160+ films’

Chow  Yun-fat

SBS

周潤發

‘Hong Kong's King of Cool‘

'the most iconic action star in this era'

'one of Asia's most famous leading men of all time'

'the coolest actor in the world‘ ― Los Angeles Times

'a Hollywood East heartthrob & Hong Kong's international superstar'

© 2026  Costanzia  Tran