'HK films unencumbered by censorship’
Hong Kong filmmakers are still making quality movies that are a hit with the public and they haven't been hindered by changes to censorship rules, culture minister Kevin Yeung said on Sunday. At a Policy Address-related press briefing, Yeung rebuffed a claim by action movie star Chow Yun-fat at this month's Busan Film Festival that Hong Kong filmmakers face a lot of restrictions these days. Yeung said Hong Kong's film industry has continued to flourish, even though officials got new powers in 2021 to censor any movies they deem to be contrary to the interests of national security. "We did see many good films being produced in the past two years, and actually they attracted quite good box receipts. So, I do not think that the change we put in two years ago has any direct impact on the quality of films that we are seeing," said Yeung. The minister also encouraged the local industry to produce more movies aimed at mainland audiences. Yeung said the government's new Filming Financing Scheme for Mainland Market will help filmmakers increase their chances of getting their movies released across the border.