In the last two decades of the 20th century, Hong Kong film industry experienced its golden age. People who love Hong Kong movies often come across a name, Klifton Ko. He is known for I Have a Date with Spring, Chicken and Duck Talk, Who’s the Man, Who’s the Woman, and All’s Well, End’s Well. This year, Ko and his Wonder Mama will attend the US China Co-production Film Summit on November, 2 in Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles. On November 4, Wonder Mama will be the opening film of the 11th Chinese American Film Festival (CAFF) at San Francisco. Director Ko says the movie is dedicated to mothers, and to the love between generations. Come with your family and enjoy the movie, you will also have a chance to talk to Ko in the event.
Ko is a director, producer, and executive producer. He was born in August 6, 1958 in Hong Kong. He studied in Kwun Tong Maryknoll College. From 1999 to 2002, he was a member of Hong Kong Tourism Commission. He also is the honorary president of Hong Kong Screenwritiers’ Guild, advisor and guest professor of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, consultant of Radio Television Hong Kong, member of the Centre for Culture and Development at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and member of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education and the Committee of Performing Arts.
In the late 90s, Hong Kong film industry began to decline, however, I have a Date with Spring still received more than 20 million HK dollars in box office. Soon after, Ko directed another classic, The Legend of Mad Phonix. The movie won the best film editing at the 34th Golden Horse Awards. Ko was nominated for the best director.
Entering the 21st century, Ko shifted his focus to the stage. He says, “A movie ticket is about 10 dollars, but a play ticket is about several hundred. Audiences who watched a bad movie will complain. So I’ve got to think, why should the audiences buy a ticket to my play.”Ko adds that his goal is to satisfy the audiences. And in 2015, he returned to the silver screen and directed Wonder Mama after the release of his last movie which was about 10 years ago. Bo-bo Fung, Hong Kong Film Festival best supporting actress, plays the leading role in Wonder Mama.
The annual CAFF is hosted by Edi Media Inc. and supported by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People’s Republic of China (SAPPRFT), the Embassy of China in the U.S. A., The Consulate-General of P.R. China in Los Angeles, the Consulate-General of P.R. China in San Francisco, and American Film Institution. It has become a memorable party that unites Chinese and American film industry.
From November 1st to 30th, the 11th CAFF will hold a series of events such as the welcome dinner, the Chinese-American film industry summit, the opening ceremony, the award ceremony, and movie screening in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Besides the directors, actors and actresses, producers, and other experts from the film industry will participate, we eagerly welcome you to join us in this unimaginably great party!
Want more details about the 11th CAFF? Please visit our website at www.CAFilmFestival.org or www.CAFilmFestival.cn. Or call Edi Media Inc. at 626-856-3889.