Breaking from tradition, the SAR’s premier art show has handed over its film programming reins to Para Site – marking the first time an organisation will be in charge of curating the section.
“We’re almost thinking of this programme like a film festival,” said Para Site’s executive director Billy Tang.
“There’s something about that gesture that is very collective and collaborative. So we really wanted to use that to mark the difference of our approach as well.”
Tang and three others curated the film programme themed “In Space, It’s Always Night”, which includes feature films, videos and moving images by 30 artists from around the world.
The centrepiece is “Vampires in Space” by Portuguese filmmaker Isadora Neves Marques, which tells the story of a family of vampires travelling through the cosmos.
Tang told RTHK that he wants to bring new perspectives and create dialogue between local and international artists.
“For an outsider, maybe people think a lot about Wong Kar-wai, and it’s such a powerful legacy and becomes synonymous with the city,” he said.
“When we chose Isadora’s film, we thought long and hard about that as well, because I think they represent a potential of something that could potentially in the future speak a lot about Hong Kong issues.”
One of the videos in the programme titled “The Pixelated You” also features works by six Hong Kong-based artists, exploring the act of imagining others through imagery.
Tang said the project aims to support the local art ecosystem.
“We’re trying to think within the visibility of the art fair, how to channel that to focus on different communities that represent the city, how also it can draw attention to the wider city as well,” he said.
Art enthusiasts can experience these otherworldly screenings at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai from March 28 to 30.
