If Hong Kong cinema is to stay afloat in a fiercely competitive market, Hong Kong films should maintain the distinctive flavors and character that the city is known for, says the seasoned film and television director Chung Shu-kai.

That, says the Hong Kong born director, has been the secret behind 30 successful years that have made his films big hits here and on the mainland.

Chung's latest film Golden Brothers opened at local cinemas yesterday. The film is based on Sit Ho-Ching's "Men must not be poor," a 15-chapter epic, first published on Hong Kong's online Golden Forum. The story is about the struggles of a wimpy office worker, who is dumped by his girlfriend of three years and then transforms himself into a London gold agent.

The message of the story is plain - men can't be poor, but also, money isn't everything. In time the film's protagonist awakens to the understanding that it was his own weakness and selfishness, and not his lowly standing that contributed to the demise of his relationship.

Golden Brothers is the third online Hong Kong story to be adapted for the cinema following Due West: Our Sex Journey and Lost on a Red Minibus to Tai Po.

"We can't ignore the power of the Internet culture, or subculture," Chung says. "The uniqueness of Golden Forum stories is their local flavor and the emphasis on the character of Hong Kong people."

The local flavor, Chung explains, is the core of Hong Kong movies. Any lack of it would disappoint viewers, he argues. "If you want to focus on a specific market, stick with it and don't try to add a bit of everything. This would only make the film nondescript."

Collaboration on films between Hong Kong and the mainland will keep growing, he says, and themes taken from the online culture will play a big part.

"If a story's background is set against the mainland, you can't grasp the essence of it if you are not a local or haven't lived there for a long time," Chung remarks.

Chung says the SAR government could be more helpful to the local film industry by removing some of the red tape and bureaucracy that often tangles up filmmakers.

"If we apply for a temporary road closure to shoot a movie, it takes months for them to process our application. We don't have the luxury to wait that long," he says.

"As a Hong Kong director, my responsibility is to preserve and carry on Hong Kong movies," Chung says. "This is not about winning or losing. Being a survivor - to be the last one standing is the winner."

mingyeung@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/19/2014 page7)