'Good Trip' directors at Golden Rooster festival: A new wave for Hong Kong cinema is coming

Hong Kong director-screenwriter Norris Wong and co-director Wong Hoi spoke to China.org.cn during the 2026 Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov. 9, after their film "Good Trip" screened as part of the Hong Kong film showcase on Nov. 8. The film follows a father and daughter who sneak out of a hospital and embark on a cross-border journey.

Directors Norris Wong and Wong Hoi interact with the audience at a post-screening event for "Good Trip" in Xiamen, Fujian province, Nov. 8, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The film features powerful performances from actors Nick Cheung and Chung Suet-ying. Norris Wong said they were moved by the actors' emotions, and that the crew even cried while watching their deeply emotional scenes.

Norris Wong said that after screening the film as the closing film of the 10th Pingyao International Film Festival in late September, they were eager to see if mainland audiences would connect with the film. Wong Hoi added that the audience in Xiamen was very knowledgeable and that they were looking forward to sharing the film with more audiences.

The project was supported by the Hong Kong Film Development Fund's Directors' Succession Scheme, which pairs emerging filmmakers with experienced industry professionals. Wong Hoi said the fund not only provided crucial financing but also connected them with veteran director Mabel Cheung, an opportunity they likely wouldn't have had on their own. Norris Wong agreed, saying the concept of passing the torch is valuable because it allows two generations of Hong Kong cinema to integrate and learn from each other.

The film posed unique production challenges, Wong Hoi said, because many scenes had to be shot on location. They filmed on a real airplane and in a real Macao casino, and they had to follow many strict rules and requirements during production.

Despite being a character-driven drama, the film still utilized modern technology. Wong Hoi noted that the film has over 200 visual effects shots, some of which relied on AI, including a night aerial shot of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. He said they viewed AI as a useful tool that can stimulate the imagination.

Looking at the broader Hong Kong film landscape, the directing duo see a promising new wave coming, despite current difficulties. Wong Hoi said a group of new directors have made their own films with pretty good results, and he feels quite hopeful about the future.

As for what makes Hong Kong cinema distinct, Norris Wong pointed to its entertainment value. Wong Hoi added that it has vitality and the flexibility of a typical Hong Kong local. He said its perspective remains uniquely Hong Kong, not necessarily catering to global audiences, but feeling intimately familiar to local viewers.

He described current Hong Kong cinema as more grounded. "The production budgets might not be huge, but the money is spent on the actual production. Everyone presents works that are very sincere and solid," he said. "I feel that Hong Kong cinema is starting from a practical foundation and slowly growing again."