雖然第三十四屆香港國際電影節(HKIFF)要到下周四才舉行新聞發佈兼公佈片目，不過近日卻於另一個網站流出消息，指雲翔執導剛於柏林影展競賽兼作全球首映的《安非他命》將成為今年HKIFF的閉幕電影。
到底這個消息又有甚麼啟示呢？
在未探討其他之時，先要看看資料來源。資料來源「亞洲電影資訊」撰文者Patrick Frater曾任職Variety及Hollywood Reporter亞洲部門，而該兩本網誌也於近年大搞亞洲版網站，由Patrick擔任主管，故此甚有理由相信這個傳聞可信性不低。當然，最終結果亦要等待HKIFF公佈。
另一方面，其實HKIFF的資料不經官方渠道或官方先行向傳媒提供下外洩亦不是首次，去年Hollywood Reporter便曾於電影節公佈片目前，宣佈了爾冬陞執導的《新宿事件》為去年HKIFF開幕電影。
其實這類傳聞若在國際性或區域性媒體披露，加上若了解披露消息人士於電影市場的人脈關係的話，對於影展來說，絕對是「防不勝防」。不過，一直以來很多影展在公佈片目前也傳聞一大堆，這個情況也算是正常不過。電影行業內一直存在大量「私密」，只是不知哪些事件會在甚麼時候發佈。
接著來看看若果《安非他命》真的成為今年HKIFF閉幕的話，其實對於電影節或是導演都是好事。
對於電影節而言，HKIFF多年來都給人一種十分保守的形象，近年也希望尋求突破。當中開幕與閉幕電影某程度上反映了一個影展的風格。在開幕嘉賓眾多擔心操之過急之時，在閉幕來部包含同性話題的《安非他命》，觀乎導演雲翔過往作品《無野之城》及《永久居留》的迴響，未知口碑已先贏話題甚至票房，也反映HKIFF打破過往形象，同時也可表現影展支持新導演及本地製作。對於雲翔來說，雖然電影已於柏林競賽及首映，但在港執導第三部電影能成為HKIFF閉幕之作，絕對是一種榮譽。
一切是否如傳聞所料，等到下周四便有答案。
The Daydreamer
I don’t have a lot of HKIFF-going experience, but as 《安非他命》 will probably be a Cat III film (Variety’s review, besides bashing it, says it’s only good for ‘gay male auds in search of of some lusciously lensed softcore porn’), is it only recently that Cat III opening/closing films were chosen (《黑社會2以和為貴》, 《新宿事件》)?
I agree with all your points- though it’s a pity it’s not a world premiere, it’s great that HKIFF is featuring an arthouse and challenging film directed by a Hong Kong newcomer.
Of course, I’ll love to see the gaping mouths and walkouts on closing night :D. I’m sure there are many who just buy the closing night film, being comfortable that they’re part of a big event while not bothering to read the film description at all. I’m also excited by the possibility that government ministers (maybe a Catholic 曾蔭權?) will see cocks and anal sex on the big screen in a very middle-class venue. Fingers crossed…
Scud
Hello, this is Scud the notorious director of Amphetamine. While no film is liked by everyone, the response we’ve had in Berlin from audiences and critics is overwhelming. All screenings were sold out, we’re interviewed by CNN, Rauters and HBO, invited to over a dozen of other film festivals, and our Thomas Price was on stage to present a Teddy…can’t get any better than that I think.
One of the most frequent question I was asked is “How is your film received in China?” It is beyond their imagination that there is something can not be seen.
Shooting a film that can not get into China is like a financial suicide, and I’m going to do it the 4th time with my next, “Love actually…sucks!” Yet the comfort is Amphetamine will be in Germany cinemas later this year.
When we were invited to be the closing film of HKIFF, we felt something good is happening in Hong Kong. After years of mainstream dominance, we have a spectrum from the Echoes of Rainbow to Amphetamine again, and the two extremes meet in Berlinale. I believe Donald Tsang, being the CEO of the Asian World City, should have no problem watching Amphetamine.
Ryan, you were such a keen critic to my films before, so much so that I really like to talk to you, not to win you over but to have a heart-to-heart discussion with another movie lover. You may also write to me at scudboy@gmail.com. For now thanks and happy new year.