Critic's Choice 2026: Illuminating Books, Encountering Shadows
Critic's Choice 2026: Illuminating Books, Encountering Shadows, presented by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, features a series of literary film adaptations exploring cross-media narratives and female representation from June 14 to July 12, 2026, at the Hong Kong Film Archive and Emperor Cinemas (iSQUARE), including a tribute to director Chantal Akerman.
- When
14 Jun 2026 - 12 Jul 2026 00:00 - 23:59
- Location
Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema
Hong Kong Island Quarry Bay Eastern
50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
- Tickets & pricing
HK Film Archive Cinema
HKD 75
Emperor Cinemas iSQUARE
HKD 95
Highlights
"Critic's Choice 2026: Illuminating Books, Encountering Shadows" delves into the significant genre of literary adaptations in film. Exploring themes of media transformation, female representation, and growth struggles within patriarchal societies, the series demonstrates how cinema offers a unique space for modern reinterpretation of literary classics. Notably, the program includes a special tribute to the late Belgian-Jewish feminist filmmaker Chantal Akerman, marking the tenth anniversary of her passing, and revisiting her works that challenge the male gaze to reclaim female autonomy and desire.
Program
The selection features a diverse range of classic and contemporary adaptations:
- The Third Man (1949): Reflecting on post-WWII moral decay and power dynamics.
- Inherent Vice (2014): A black comedy subverting the femme fatale trope in detective fiction.
- Dream of the Red Chamber (1977): Directed by Yau Kong-kin, reshaping Lin Daiyu as a resilient woman.
- Little Women (1994): Gillian Armstrong's critical reimagining of the classic story.
- Anna Karenina (2012): Reflecting on the patriarchal upper class through Anna's perspective.
- Ghosts (1987): Searching for identity across borders.
- Orlando, My Political Biography (2023): A trans-media exploration inspired by Virginia Woolf.
- La Captive (2000): Chantal Akerman's masterpiece reclaiming female autonomy.
Ticketing & Venue
The screenings take place at the Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema and Emperor Cinemas (iSQUARE). Tickets are available via URBTIX. For more details, please visit the HKFCS official website.
