Century-Old Hong Kong Films and the Chinese Cultural Tradition

Abstract Over the last century, despite the orientation toward superficial entertainment, Hong Kong films have, at different dimensions, been deeply connected with the mainstream Chinese culture. In terms of value orientation, and since the very beginning of their formation, Hong Kong films have upheld Confucian culture and Lingnan culture as their spiritual core, seeking the cultural pursuit of “guiding people to be good and to seek an upward-oriented ethics” while focusing on the presentation of daily civilian life. Some representative Hong Kong filmmakers, deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, have pursued classical images that, for overseas Chinese audiences, stimulate nostalgic thoughts for their motherland. The creative use of traditional Chinese opera elements and folk music also highlights another link between Hong Kong films and Chinese culture. These valuable experiences, inherited from traditional Chinese culture, constitute a unique aesthetic paradigm in Hong Kong films.