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SPECIAL PROGRAM

Coming of Age Fest 2024

Growing up is an undulating journey. In our lives, childhood and adolescence are both vital phases of human development. Not only our values and core beliefs are being formed, but every detail of our personality, behaviours, and interpersonal relationships will begin to take shape. Our hope and joy of becoming an adult, as well as our feelings of uncertainty, loss and surprises, will accompany us as we go through the rite of passage to explore the unknown world, humanity and future. Family, school, friendship, love and relationship, matters of life and death – these are unique obstacles designed to test each one of us. Whether we choose to take the bull by the horns or withhold our steps out of fear, it is all part of the process and allow us to grow up rapidly, preparing us for the adult world. Presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the ‘Coming of Age Fest’ invites the audience to experience stories of struggles and breakthroughs from the perspectives of children and youngsters, relive and reflect on the important phases in our lives, and once again discover, explore and heal ourselves. Whether it’s full of joy or sadness, sweetness or sorrow, hope or fear and loss, these feelings will always accompany us through our journey of growing up, inspire us, give us the power to carry on, and enable us to bravely embrace the unknown future. Just as the key visual design of the festival, the child on the poster is jumping across the storm and thunder, and soaring in the limitless blue sky.

Growing up is an undulating journey. In our lives, childhood and adolescence are both vital phases of human development. Not only our values and core beliefs are being formed, but every detail of our personality, behaviours, and interpersonal relationships will begin to take shape. Our hope and joy of becoming an adult, as well as our feelings of uncertainty, loss and surprises, will accompany us as we go through the rite of passage to explore the unknown world, humanity and future. Family, school, friendship, love and relationship, matters of life and death – these are unique obstacles designed to test each one of us. Whether we choose to take the bull by the horns or withhold our steps out of fear, it is all part of the process and allow us to grow up rapidly, preparing us for the adult world. Presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the ‘Coming of Age Fest’ invites the audience to experience stories of struggles and breakthroughs from the perspectives of children and youngsters, relive and reflect on the important phases in our lives, and once again discover, explore and heal ourselves. Whether it’s full of joy or sadness, sweetness or sorrow, hope or fear and loss, these feelings will always accompany us through our journey of growing up, inspire us, give us the power to carry on, and enable us to bravely embrace the unknown future. Just as the key visual design of the festival, the child on the poster is jumping across the storm and thunder, and soaring in the limitless blue sky.
Cinema Paradiso (Coming of Age Fest 2024)
125 Minutes
After the World War II, six-year-old boy Salvatore moves to a small Sicilian town with his mother. Smart, lively, and has a love for films, Salvatore spends every free moment at the local Cinema Paradiso, where he develops a father and son like friendship with the middle-aged projectionist Alfredo. Alfredo often lets Salvatore watch movies from the projection booth, and even teaches him how to operate the projector. One day, a fire breaks out at the cinema, Alfredo’s face is burnt, and he loses his sight permanently. The cinema is eventually renovated and reopens for screenings. Young Salvatore, though still a child, becomes the only person in the town who knows how to run the projector, and is hired as the new projectionist. Later, Salvatore enters high school and has fallen in love with a girl. However, the budding relationship is terminated as Salvatore leaves for conscription. Upon returning from the military, Salvatore takes Alfredo’s advice and departs again to pursue his dreams.

Director Giuseppe Tornatore projected his love for cinema onto Alfredo and Salvatore. Through their father and son like friendship, the film demonstrates the importance and influence of a father-like figure to the growth of little boys.
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Dead Poets Society (Coming of Age Fest)
128 Minutes
Welton Academy is a prestigious all-male preparatory boarding school with old-fashioned school rules. John Keating, a new teacher, surprises his students with unconventional teaching methods that encourage them to think out of the box and “seize the day” to enjoy the meaning of life and discover their true interests and goals. Under Keating’s supportive wings, the students are introduced into the world of humanities and poetry with a fresh perspective. They secretly revive the unsanctioned Dead Poets Society which Keating was once a member of, and they read poetry about love and life in a cave off-campus. The school’s authoritative and conservative figures find Keating’s teaching methods deviating, and disapprove of the secretly formed Society. As the opposition and oppression from the parents and the school intensifies, one of the students chooses to end his life as resistance, while other students are forced to betray Keating, resulting in his termination from the position.
Teachers who provide compassionate guidance can leave long-lasting and inspirational influences on the minds of young students as they grow. Director Peter Weir tells a reflective and powerful story of the struggles between the traditional education system, a teacher using unorthodox methods and his group of young students in the process of individuation – interrogating the very nature of education.
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I Wish (Coming of Age Fest 2024)
128 Minutes
As the new Kyushu Shinkansen railway is about to launch, sixth-grader Koichi learns that a wish could be miraculously granted by the immense energy triggered when the south bound train from Hakata and the north bound train from Kagoshima converge. Koichi and his little brother Ryunosuke have been separated ever since their parents divorced. Living with the mother in Kagoshima, Koichi has always longed for his family to reunite. So, he asks Ryunosuke, who lives with the father in Fukuoka, to yell out their dream together at where the two trains first meet during the launch of the Shinkansen, hoping for a miracle to happen. The brothers and their friends embark on a “journey of miracle” where surprising events and interesting people awaits. Before their wish could come true, wonders have already happened on them as they grow and mature in the process.

Director Hirokazu Kore-eda transforms a sorrowful story of a broken family into a heartwarming journey of growth and sibling love. The film delicately captures the children’s innocence and pure longing for a miracle to happen, touching the hearts of many.
Post-screening talk in Cantonese│Guest Speaker: Wing Mo│Host: Cecilia Wong
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The Met: Live in HD

The Met: Live in HD presents high-definition screenings of opera performances in the Metropolitan Opera House, one of the best opera houses in the world. Its dazzling productions are filmed by 14 different cameras in high definition format and transmitted to cinemas across the world. The Metropolitan Opera pioneered live HD movie-theater simulcasts in 2006. The acclaimed performances now reach over 2,000 venues in 70 countries and receive rave reviews. The impact of the live performance remains spectacular on screen. For The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 season, Emperor Cinemas brings the Hong Kong premieres of Jake Heggie’s contemporary masterpiece Dead Man Walking with brand new production by Tony Award winner Ivo van Hove, Verdi’s Nabucco that shows ancient Babylon in classic biblical staging, and Bizet’s Carmen in modern setting. Gounod’s love tragedy Roméo et Juliette, Puccini’s bittersweet La Rondine, and Puccini’s devastating Madama Butterfly will be presented at Emperor Cinemas as well.

The Met: Live in HD presents high-definition screenings of opera performances in the Metropolitan Opera House, one of the best opera houses in the world. Its dazzling productions are filmed by 14 different cameras in high definition format and transmitted to cinemas across the world. The Metropolitan Opera pioneered live HD movie-theater simulcasts in 2006. The acclaimed performances now reach over 2,000 venues in 70 countries and receive rave reviews. The impact of the live performance remains spectacular on screen. For The Met: Live in HD 2023-24 season, Emperor Cinemas brings the Hong Kong premieres of Jake Heggie’s contemporary masterpiece Dead Man Walking with brand new production by Tony Award winner Ivo van Hove, Verdi’s Nabucco that shows ancient Babylon in classic biblical staging, and Bizet’s Carmen in modern setting. Gounod’s love tragedy Roméo et Juliette, Puccini’s bittersweet La Rondine, and Puccini’s devastating Madama Butterfly will be presented at Emperor Cinemas as well.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (The Met 2024)
202 Minutes
Extraordinary soprano Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman stars as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong reprises the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang takes the podium to conduct Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.
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