2019 | Colour | 114′ | DCPDirector: Mika KaurismäkiScreenwriter: Hannu OravistoCinematographer: Jari MutikainenCast: Chu Pak-hong, Anna-Maija TuokkoIn English, Finnish and Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles2019 Audience Prize, Lübeck Nordic Film DaysProfessional chef Cheng travels with his young son to a remote Finnish village looking for his friend but to no avail. Having nowhere to stay, Cheng is helped by the café owner Sirkka who offers him accommodation. In return he helps her in the kitchen surprising the locals and tourists with the delights of Chinese cuisine. He uses local ingredients to make delicious perch soup and reindeer bah-kut-teh, satisfying cravings, as well as healing body and soul. Café regulars reciprocate by introducing him to the joy of an authentic Finnish sauna. He finds a peaceful paradise in a foreign land away from the hustle and bustle, recovering from past traumas and rekindling passion. Before the release of My Prince Edward, actor Chu Pak-hong has already showcased his acting talent in the leading role of this foreign language film. Directed by Mika Kaurismäki (the elder brother of acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki), with a feel-good fairy-tale ambience, Master Cheng serves a feast of cross-cultural love in scenic Finland through the theme of culinary art. 

2013 | India | Colour | 105′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Ritesh BatraCinematographer: Michael SimmondsCast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin SiddquiIn Hindi and English with Chinese and English subtitles2014 Best Screenplay and Best Actor, Asian Film AwardsThe one and only, century-old home-cooking delivery service in Mumbai operates rain or shine. A fateful lunchbox mix-up brings together a man and a woman, who become pen pals and eventually confidants. She is a capable housewife and a good cook, but her husband fails to appreciate her talents, leaving their marriage growing stale; while he is a diligent and devoted civil servant, who is widowed and lonely as retirement approaches. She lovingly prepares a lunchbox for her husband to rekindle their spark, only to be accidentally delivered to the widower instead. But this beautiful mistake turns out to be a wakeup call – for his taste buds, and his hopeful heart. Indian director Ritesh Batra weaves together two lonely souls through a lunchbox delivery. Amidst the dreariness of mundane urban life, he uncovers flavours and warmth that touch everyone.

Hong Kong filmmakers and film workers of its golden age formed deep bonds with each other. Kindred spirits often became sworn brothers and sisters as an expression of their friendship and appreciation for each other. Such legendary alliances include ‘The Seven Idles’, a group of elite behind-the-scenes crew in the 1950s; the ‘Eight Peonies’, consisting of celebrated opera performers in the 1960s; and the opera starlets known for playing second female leads erbang huadans, who became the ‘Nine Big Sisters’. In 1965, seven young actresses—who all started out as child actors and were brought together by their shared journey in film—formed a sisterhood known as the famous ‘Seven Princesses’.The Seven Princesses, in order of seniority, were Fung So-bor, Shum Chi-wah, Connie Chan Po-chu, Josephine Siao Fong-fong, Nancy Sit Kar-yin, Wong Oi-ming, and Fung’s younger sibling, Fung Bo-bo. Each a star in her own right, these seven actresses often collaborated onscreen, and have shared an intimate, enduring sisterly bond offscreen for six decades.In commemoration of their 60th anniversary, the Hong Kong Film Archive presents a special programme, ‘Youthful Imprints’, spotlighting the early works of the Seven Princesses, including those made before and after their bond. Fifteen films will be screened across four categories: ‘Commemoration of Sisterhood’, ‘Signature Works’, ‘Youthful Love’, and ‘Shadows of Grace and Intrigue’.Though the seven actresses have appeared in many films in various pairings from a young age, only one film featured all of them together: Seven Princesses. This film, along with its sequel will be screened as part of ‘Commemoration of Sisterhood’. ‘Signature Works’ features one representative film per princess, showcasing defining moments of breakthrough in their careers, such as Connie Chan’s first lead role in a contemporary drama You Do Me Wrong (1966) and Nancy Sit’s debut as leading lady in Bunny Girl (1967). In the late 1960s, as the princesses grew up into young women, they stepped into roles that captured youthful dreams and romantic longing, as befitting their maidenly images. The four films in ‘Youthful Love’ alternate between charming and bittersweet tales of love, highlighting this period in the princesses’ careers. Finally, ‘Shadows of Grace and Intrigue’ captures the princesses’ martial prowess. Connie Chan, Josephine Siao and Shum Chi-wah trained under Peking opera master Fen Ju Hua, and their Northern-style martial arts skills are on full display in the selected action films, where they deliver unforgettable performances as heroines in costumes.The Archive has digitally scanned some selected films, which will be screened for the first time as part of this programme, offering cinephiles enhanced audio-visual quality. Select screenings will also feature post-screening talks with members of the Seven Princesses and film critics.

Europe’s Most Audacious Financial CrimeThe international success The Insider is based on the German State’s crown witness in the real international case of dividend tax fraud. It is told through a young tax lawyer in one of the world’s largest banks. You’ll join him from his starting point as an ambitious freshman with an ingenious interpretation of the tax laws, leading to a bloodbath of state-treasury-looting … At some point he decides to switch sides and help the police catch an extensive network of criminal accomplices. A network of people instrumentalising the criminal methods sucking at least 53 billion Euro out of European treasuries!

2021 | UK | Colour | 95′ | DCPDirector: Philip BarantiniScreenwriters: James Cummings, Philip BarantiniCinematographer: Matthew LewisCast: Stephen Graham, Vinette Robinson, Alice FeethamIn English with Chinese and English subtitlesPost-screening seminar in Cantonese on 27th December at Hong Kong Film ArchiveSpeakers: Irving Cheung, Leung Tsz-yin | Host: Ernest ChanOn the busiest night before Christmas at a fine dining restaurant in London, tables are fully booked, ingredients are running low, and staff are arriving late. Before the doors have even opened, the kitchen is already in chaos. To make things worse, a health inspector arrives for an inspection, deeming the kitchen hygiene substandard. Even the seasoned head chef felt under immense pressure, his nerves taut, seemingly weighed down by deep concerns. As guests stream in, one is planning a marriage proposal, some are deliberately causing trouble, and a celebrity chef unexpectedly hosts a surprise visit of a food critic. Chaos is looming and everything is on the line. A signature work from the creative team behind Adolescence, this film draws on the personal experiences of chef-turned-director Philip Barantini. Originally conceived as a short film of the same name, it was expanded into a 90-minute single-take film. Through the actors’ precise performances, it captures the suffocating tension both inside and outside the kitchen, immersing the audience in an escalating vortex of conflict and pressure.

Hailed as one of the most exciting and innovative voices in Poland’s avant-garde theatre scene, Song of the Goat Theatre reimagines King Lear not as a linear drama but as a powerful oratorio - a theatrical ritual in which music transforms into character, relationship, and event. Directed by the company's co-founder Grzegorz Bral, Songs of Lear unfolds through a sequence of songs shaped as dramatic poem. Each draws on key moments from Shakespeare's tragedy, interweaving text fragments, vocal expression, and physical movement to reveal the emotional and spiritual core of Lear - minimalist in form yet profound and far-reaching in emotion.Following a triple award sweep at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including the Scotsman Fringe First, Herald Archangel and Musical Theatre Matters awards, and acclaimed tours across Europe and Asia, it now arrives in Hong Kong for its long-awaited debut.Narration in English with Chinese and English surtitles. Songs performed in multiple languages.

1987 | Denmark | Colour | 103′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Gabriel AxelCinematographer: Henning KristiansenCast: Stephane Audran, Bodil Kjer, Birgitte FederspielIn Danish, French, Swedish, Italian and English with Chinese and English subtitles1987 Prize of the Ecumenical Jury – Special Mention, Cannes Film Festival1988 Best Foreign Language Film, Academy AwardsPost-screening talk in CantoneseSpeaker: Joyce YangIn a remote Danish village lived a pair of devout and unassuming sisters. Though once courted by many suitors, they ultimately chose to stay with their father for life. One stormy evening, Babette arrived bearing a letter of recommendation, knocking on the door and pleading to be taken in as housekeeper. Babette’s family had perished during the fall of the Paris Commune; she fled alone, her sole link to home was a lottery ticket, which she had won. Her wish was to prepare an authentic French dinner for the sisters and their guests. Turtle soup, Blinis Demidoff, Cailles en Sarcophage – dish after dish of exquisite creations paired with fine wines, lingered on the palate while melting barriers and warming hearts. Adapted from Danish author Karen Blixen’s novel of the same title, director Gabriel Axel crafted a classic among culinary films. Through food, she embodies beauty, goodness, and grace, elevating gastronomy to a captivating art form.

1987 | Denmark | Colour | 103' | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Gabriel AxelCinematographer: Henning KristiansenCast: Stephane Audran, Bodil Kjer, Birgitte FederspielIn Danish, French, Swedish, Italian and English with Chinese and English subtitles1987 Prize of the Ecumenical Jury – Special Mention, Cannes Film Festival1988 Best Foreign Language Film, Academy AwardsIn a remote Danish village lived a pair of devout and unassuming sisters. Though once courted by many suitors, they ultimately chose to stay with their father for life. One stormy evening, Babette arrived bearing a letter of recommendation, knocking on the door and pleading to be taken in as housekeeper. Babette’s family had perished during the fall of the Paris Commune; she fled alone, her sole link to home was a lottery ticket, which she had won. Her wish was to prepare an authentic French dinner for the sisters and their guests. Turtle soup, Blinis Demidoff, Cailles en Sarcophage – dish after dish of exquisite creations paired with fine wines, lingered on the palate while melting barriers and warming hearts. Adapted from Danish author Karen Blixen’s novel of the same title, director Gabriel Axel crafted a classic among culinary films. Through food, she embodies beauty, goodness, and grace, elevating gastronomy to a captivating art form.

2019 | USA | Colour | 122′ | DCPDirector: Kelly ReichardtScreenwriters: Jon Raymond, Kelly ReichardtCinematographer: Christopher BlauveltCast: John Magaro, Orion LeeIn English with Chinese and English subtitles2021 Best Film, Cahiers du CinémaPost-screening talk in Cantonese on 14th December at Hong Kong Film ArchiveSpeaker: Dr Derek LamThe river of time flows silently, and tales buried along its banks are eventually unearthed. In the early 19th century American West, people ventured into the wilderness of mountains and forests, dreaming of sudden riches. A gentle, meticulous chef meets a sharp, resourceful Chinese labourer, and the two bond instantly, sharing hardships and forging a partnership. Exceling at baking pastries, the chef begins selling fresh oily cakes with the help of the Chinese, who possesses a keen business sense. However, their recipe requires milk, compelling them to steal it from the landowner’s milking cow under cover of night. This clandestine ingredient made their cakes legendary, drawing even the dairy owner’s attention. Would their secret be exposed? The acclaimed American independent filmmaker Kelly Reichardt revisits the desire-driven origins of the capitalist American dream through mouthwatering pastries, depicting a tender male friendship that subverts the rugged masculinity of traditional Westerns with understated warmth.

1967 | USA | Colour | 108′ | DCPDirector: Stanley KramerScreenwriter: William RoseCinematographer: Sam LeavittCast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Katharine HoughtonIn English with Chinese and English subtitles1968 Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress, Academy AwardsPost-screening talk in CantoneseSpeaker: Dr Stephanie NgWho you eat with is sometimes more important than what is on the menu. A meal is most tasty when you share the time with your family, and whoever you dine with may well be accepted as such. A white girl falls head over heels for an African American young man, pledges her life to him, and can’t wait to bring him home for dinner, hoping to win her parents’ blessing. Though her parents are open-minded, the sudden news of their engagement—especially in an era when interracial marriage remains a taboo—inevitably comes as a shock. The young man’s parents are also invited to the dinner. This simple home-cooked meal became a symbol of the era’s concerns and hopes for racial integration. Stanley Kramer’s groundbreaking film which he directed and produced, not only dared to address sensitive issues but also captured a deeply touching power. The scoop of fresh Oregon boysenberry ice cream in the film symbolises people’s resistance to and acceptance of change, resonating deeply with the film’s theme and carrying profound meaning.

2009 | Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic | Colour | 88′ | DCPDirector: Peter KerekesCinematographer: Martin KollárIn Slovak, Hungarian, Czech, German and Russian with Chinese and English subtitles2009 Special Jury Award, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival2009 Best Documentary, Vienna Internation Film FestivalPost-screening talk in CantoneseSpeaker: Wong Siu-pong | Host: Ernest ChanTen recipes spanning six wars and military crackdowns, featuring dishes from Russian Shashlik to French Coq au Vin, even arsenic bread as retribution against the Nazis. From the WWII to the Yugoslav Wars and the Chechen conflicts, examining history through cuisine while witnessing the history through food. In times of turmoil, sustenance becomes paramount; food is the people’s heaven. Soldiers must not only fight but also eat. The aggressors eat, and so do those who are defending their homeland. Peter Kerekes, director of Wishing on a Star, blends documentary with re-enactment, employing a refreshingly humorous approach to revisit war through the chefs’ perspectives. By inviting them to recreate wartime dishes, he unearths the forgotten memories of ordinary people lost within grand historical moments. Tito’s personal nutritionist shares the menus served during the negotiations between the Yugoslav ethnic leaders, as if foreshadowing the nation’s fragmentation and strife.

2009 | USA | Colour | 123′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Nora EphronCinematographer: Stephen GoldblattCast: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris MessinaIn English with Chinese and English subtitles2010 Best Actress, Golden Globe AwardsPost-war, Julia Child moved to France with her diplomat husband. Remaining idle at home against her wish, Julia enrolled in the Le Cordon Bleu cooking course, which at the time admitted only male students. This led her to discover her life’s calling: introducing French cuisine to her compatriots. She appeared on television as a culinary teacher and collaborated with friends to publish the first French cookbook written for Americans. In present day half a century apart, Julie Powell, approaching thirty, grew weary of her current job. She rediscovered her passion for writing online and resolved to recreate every dish found in Julia’s cookbook, sharing her experiences and insights through a blog. Director Nora Ephron, renowned for her romantic comedies, draws inspiration from the true stories of these two women. Through a cookbook, she connects two eras and two lives, contrasting past and present to illustrate how one life can inspire another, finding fulfilment through the act of cooking. Meryl Streep’s masterful portrayal elevates the emotional depth of this culinary journey.

2010 | UK | Colour | 96′ | Digital FileDirector: S. J. ClarksonScreenwriter: Lee HallCinematographer: Balazs BolygoCast: Helena Bonham Carter, Ken Stott, Victoria Hamilton, Freddie Highmore, Oscar KennedyIn English with Chinese and English subtitlesNigel Slater, the renowned chef and food writer, was not only awarded the Order of the British Empire but also hailed as a British national treasure. His culinary talent became apparent in his teens, despite his mother being a poor cook who disdained fresh ingredients, but favouring tinned vegetables instead. When meals went wrong, she would simply serve toasts for supper. In spite of this, maternal love proved irreplaceable and ignited Nigel’s desire to cook for himself. After his mother’s passing, the arrival of the exquisitely skilled and alluring Mrs Potter spurred him to compete with her for his father’s affection and appetite. Adapted from Slater’s memoir, director Clarkson transforms these intimate childhood recollections into a drama. Food injects colours into bleak realities: toasts symbolise longing for his deceased mother, the pork pie evokes his first same-sex attraction, while the textured lemon meringue pie becomes the battleground in his rivalry with his stepmother.

1996 | USA | Colour | 109′ | 35mmDirectors: Campbell Scott, Stanley TucciScreenwriters: Joseph Tropiano, Stanley TucciCinematographer: Ken KelschCast: Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Minnie Driver, Isabella RosselliniIn English and Italian with Chinese and English subtitlesA pair of Italian brothers emigrate to America to start a business, opening a restaurant named Paradise. The elder brother, also the perfectionist chef, refuses to compromise his standards to pander to customers’ tastes. The younger one is the manager, who aspires to make his mark in the culinary world, dreaming for Italian cuisine to win acclaim. Yet realising their dream proved difficult; customers’ response is lukewarm, tensions begin to surface between the brothers, and their frustration deepens witnessing competitors draw crowds without prioritising food quality. To save the restaurant, they stage a lavish VIP banquet, determined to turn their fortunes around. Directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci, with the latter also starring as the younger brother, this low-budget production became a food film classic. Risotto tricolore, timpano, and Fiorentina sauce – the dishes left diners spellbound. Even a simple fried egg carries the weight of unspoken emotions.

1989 | UK, France | Colour | 124′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Peter GreenawayCinematographer: Sacha ViernyCast: Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, Alan HowardIn English with Chinese and English subtitles1990 Best Foreign Film, Annual Chicago Film Critics AwardsPost-screening talk in Cantonese on 28th December at Hong Kong Film ArchiveSpeaker: Horace ChanThe vulgar tycoon, insatiable in his greed, bullies the weak with his brute force. He buys up a restaurant to flaunt his wealth, indulging his gluttonous appetite. His neglected wife, lonely and yearning, watches silently as the scholarly gentleman never puts down his books. The kitchen and washrooms become their secret dating places. This lover, surrounded by mountains of books, seeks not only to satisfy his stomach but also to nourish his soul. The French chef observes it all, busily crafting exquisite dishes while helping the lovers find hiding places. Director Peter Greenaway uses food as a conduit to paint with films. He masterfully arranges distinct colour palettes across each scene, interweaving appetite with lust, passion with vengeance. This ultimate visual feast challenges the audience’s senses. The meticulously designed restaurant serves as both a stage for love and hatred, and a metaphor for social power structures, even offering a sharp critique of the wealth inequality exacerbated by the Thatcher era.

Over a century ago, when the Lumière Brothers first screened films for the public, alongside the renowned The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat, there was also Le Repas de bébé, capturing footage of Auguste Lumière feeding his daughter. In that forty seconds, it recorded not only food consumption, but also a precious moment of parent-child bonding. From this short film onwards, countless films centred on food have been produced, with various suggestions readily available online. The finest among them explore more than mere chewing and digestion. Food transcends from being a source of nutrition; it connects to emotions, culture, history, identity, and belonging. It has the power to bring people together and evoke our feelings and memories.If one were to transform a food movie playlist into a cuisine menu, the light-hearted Kamome Diner would make an ideal starter. Serving up delectable bites, it draws strangers closer, fostering unexpected friendships in the homeland of the Moomins. The Lunchbox is another touching tale, where a misdelivered lunchbox sparks heartful exchange between two strangers. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner tells a pre-meal story itself, tackling serious themes with light-hearted humour. Toast also serves as an appetiser, as the son traces the origins of his culinary passion through his childhood recollections.As for main course, Babette’s Feast and Big Night could hardly be more fitting. Both depict individuals in foreign lands preparing lavish feasts originating from their homeland, treating culinary delights as divine blessings. Julie & Julia and Cooking History both use cookbooks as conduits to explore deeper themes. The former uses a cookbook to bridge two eras, invoking a dialogue between women across generation and time; the latter employs recipes to weave together six historical segments, tracing the stories of military cooks and soldiers to observe shifting tides through kitchen windows. First Cow also delves into history, tracing back to the American frontier era to depict two men’s culinary entrepreneurial dreams.For dessert, comedies may offer some light-hearted delights. Tampopo indulges in dark humour, brimming with exaggerated satire that remains rich without being overpowering, sweet at an amount that is just right. The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover could also be viewed as a black comedy on the absurd side while masterfully blending cuisine with love and hatred. The Chinese Feast not only fulfils the requirements of a festive comedy but also combines culinary themes with kung fu and wuxia elements. Though not a comedy, Boiling Point features a seamless single-take rhythm, making it a delightful after-dinner treat that lingers in the memory.Today’s special selection features Master Cheng, starring Chu Pak-hong. Like Kamome Diner, it was also filmed in Finland, setting against the soothing landscapes of Scandinavia. It will be screened at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC). Concurrently, the enrichment programme “Bon Cinéppétit!” invites audiences to share memorable flavours remind them of these fourteen films, which will be compiled into a display at the EKCC and online. Participating viewers could earn free tickets to a delectable “Grand Finale”, a multi-sensory screening of Ratatouille and An. The former, a family-friendly animation, conveys the universal aspiration that anyone can cook; the latter, through the story of a dorayaki shop, captures insights into life, mutual understanding, and care between people.Special thanks to the four art directors for taking time to attend the seminars, and heartfelt gratitude to all guest speakers for agreeing to participate in the post-screening talks. We hope this diverse menu of film genres and styles invites audiences to join us for a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds. Let’s embark on a soul-stirring journey of flavours.Curator｜Ernest Chan

2006 | Japan | Colour | 102′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Ogigami NaokoCinematographer: Tuomo VirtanenCast: Kobayashi Satomi, Katagiri Hairi, Motai MasakoIn Japanese and Finnish with Chinese and English subtitlesJourneying from Japan to Finland, Sachie opens a restaurant of her home cuisine specialising in onigiri. A month into business, the food is still strange to the Finns. As salmon is a delicacy for both nations, Sachie believes that simple and good food always connects people. The diner is soon joined by Midori, who has taken an ad hoc trip to Finland, and Masako, a lady who lost her luggage in the airport. As the aroma of cinnamon rolls stirs appetites and soothes lost souls, the three Japanese ladies bridge cultural divides with humanity’s universal language of good food. Shooting the film in Helsinki, director Ogigami Naoko captures the subtle human connections regardless of geographic boundaries through gentle and humorous touches, bringing on screen a Finnish young man who adores the Japanese anime series Gatchaman, as well as Markku Peltola, a long-time collaborator of acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, to share the secrets of coffee brewing.

2006 | Japan | Colour | 102′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Ogigami NaokoCinematographer: Tuomo VirtanenCast: Kobayashi Satomi, Katagiri Hairi, Motai MasakoIn Japanese and Finnish with Chinese and English subtitlesPost-screening talk in CantoneseSpeaker: Dr Fiona LawJourneying from Japan to Finland, Sachie opens a restaurant of her home cuisine specialising in onigiri. A month into business, the food is still strange to the Finns. As salmon is a delicacy for both nations, Sachie believes that simple and good food always connects people. The diner is soon joined by Midori, who has taken an ad hoc trip to Finland, and Masako, a lady who lost her luggage in the airport. As the aroma of cinnamon rolls stirs appetites and soothes lost souls, the three Japanese ladies bridge cultural divides with humanity’s universal language of good food. Shooting the film in Helsinki, director Ogigami Naoko captures the subtle human connections regardless of geographic boundaries through gentle and humorous touches, bringing on screen a Finnish young man who adores the Japanese anime series Gatchaman, as well as Markku Peltola, a long-time collaborator of acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, to share the secrets of coffee brewing.

2013 | India | Colour | 105′ | DCPDirector／Screenwriter: Ritesh BatraCinematographer: Michael SimmondsCast: Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin SiddquiIn Hindi and English with Chinese and English subtitles2014 Best Screenplay and Best Actor, Asian Film AwardsPost-screening talk in Cantonese Speaker: Dr Wong Kim-fan | Host: Ernest ChanThe one and only, century-old home-cooking delivery service in Mumbai operates rain or shine. A fateful lunchbox mix-up brings together a man and a woman, who become pen pals and eventually confidants. She is a capable housewife and a good cook, but her husband fails to appreciate her talents, leaving their marriage growing stale; while he is a diligent and devoted civil servant, who is widowed and lonely as retirement approaches. She lovingly prepares a lunchbox for her husband to rekindle their spark, only to be accidentally delivered to the widower instead. But this beautiful mistake turns out to be a wakeup call – for his taste buds, and his hopeful heart. Indian director Ritesh Batra weaves together two lonely souls through a lunchbox delivery. Amidst the dreariness of mundane urban life, he uncovers flavours and warmth that touch everyone.