Stanley Kwan began his life in cinema as an actor at Hong Kong’s Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) , before crossing over to assist pioneering New Wave directors such as Ann Hui and Patrick Tam in the late-1970s. Honing his craft under their tutelage, he made his directorial debut in the mid-80s, around the same time as newer talents such as Wong Kar-Wai, Mabel Cheung and Fruit Chan. Known as the ‘second wave’, these filmmakers infused commercial and genre sensibilities with socio-political grit, arthouse flourishes and international appeal.
The Asian Film Archive (AFA) is proud to present a humble selection from Kwan’s nearly 40-year career, comprising a combination of his most acclaimed and underseen works, many in newly-restored 2K and 4K resolutions: from his genre-bending romance-thriller Love Unto Waste and the runaway cult hit Rouge, to the ambitious meta-biopic Center Stage his rarely-seen personal documentary Yang ± Yin, and lastly Lan Yu, one of the most recognisable films in the canon of Asian queer cinema.
Widely-recognised for the vivid, yet sensitive explorations of women characters in his films, as an openly gay auteur, Kwan is also the trailblazing voice for LGBTQ+ representation in contemporary Sinophone cinema, earning praise and respect worldwide. As a filmmaker and educator, he continues to empower and inspire new generations of talents.
5 Films by Stanley Kwan will run from 10 – 26 June 2022 at Oldham Theatre. There will be multiple screenings for selected films. Q&A sessions with the director will be held on after the 17 June screening of Rouge, and the 19 June screening of Center Stage.
Programme
Love Unto Waste 地下情 (1986)
Rouge 胭脂扣 (1987)
Center Stage 阮玲玉 (1991)
Yang ± Yin Gender in Chinese Cinema 男生女相:华语电影之性別 (1996)
Lan Yu 蓝宇 (2001)
Tickets will go on sale Monday, 30 May 2022 on AFA’s Peatix Page.
Oldham Theatre’s opening hours
For further assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org
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