MAKING WAVES MONTREAL 2025 : DISCOVER THE FULL PROGRAMMING NOW
Montréal, Monday August 25th - After two highly successful editions, MAKING WAVES MONTREAL is back for a third edition. From September 18 to 20, six of the best of Hong Kong’s latest releases will be presented at the Cinéma Cineplex Forum et VIP. Numerous artists will be in town to showcase their films for the occasion.
Kicking off the opening night festivities on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 PM is THE LAST DANCE: EXTENDED VERSION (破·地獄:加長版) directed by Anselm Chan Mou Yin, Hong Kong’s biggest box office hit and cultural phenomenon of the year, now with additional scenes and deeper storytelling. In this genre-blending hit, a traditional Taoist priest (comedy legend Michael Hui) is reluctantly paired with a down-on-his-luck wedding planner (the ever-iconic Dayo Wong, A GUILTY CONSCIENCE) whose modern methods upend centuries-old rituals at a prestigious funeral home. The award-winning leading actress of the film Michelle Wai (衛詩雅)will attend the screening and post-screening Q&A.
On Friday, September 19 at 6:30 PM, is the screening of a powerful and emotionally gripping film PAPA (爸爸), the latest work from award-winning director Philip Yung (PORT OF CALL, Fantasia 2015). Veteran actor Sean Lau (MAD DETECTIVE) stars in this haunting true story of a shattered father’s desperate attempt to reconnect with his teenage son who murders his mother and sister during a schizophrenic episode. The film features a breakout performance by newcomer Dylan So (蘇文濤), who will be joining us in person for an introduction and post-screening Q&A.
At 9:30 p.m., cinephiles can catch FIGHT FOR TOMORROW (拼命三郎), directed by Chan Tai-lee, longtime collaborator of Wilson Yip and prolific screenwriter behind TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN and the IP MAN series. This gripping drama follows two generations of Muay Thai fighters in a violent, post-pandemic world, where the choices of the fathers reverberate through the lives of their sons. Director Chan Tai-lee (陳大利) will be present for an introduction and Q&A.
LAST SONG FOR YOU (久別重逢), the feature debut of director Jill Leung will be screened on Saturday, September 20 at 4:30 p.m.. The film was nominated for seven Hong Kong Film Awards and selected to compete in several prestigious festivals. It tells the enchanting story of a couple of young star-crossed lovers bonded by a shared passion for music, who reunite many years later.
BEHIND THE SHADOWS (私家偵探) follows at 6:45 p.m. Louis Koo (TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN, ELECTION) plays a jaded detective who is tasked to investigate a client's girlfriend, who also happens to be his wife! To add an extra level of intrigue, he gets caught in the crossfire of another case involving adultery and murder. The film is directed by Jonathan Li, who was nominated for his actioner THE BRINK (Fantasia 2017), and Chou Man Yu.
At 9:00 p.m., festival-goers will have the opportunity to discover MY FIRST OF MAY (無名指). Fresh from Hong Kong, this heartfelt family drama makes its North American debut at Making Waves Montreal. Award-winning superstar Aaron Kwok (seen last year in ROB N ROLL) stars as a father who, after sacrificing his career to care for his ailing daughter (Nathalie Hsu, also featured in LAST SONG FOR YOU), comes to realize the profound impact they have on each other's lives.
MAKING WAVES MONTREAL (MWM) is presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, in collaboration with Chicago Asian Pop-Up Cinema, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto. MWM25 highlights a new generation of award-winning, talented, and committed filmmakers with distinct voices.
TICKETING
Admission is free. RSVPs are required to attend the screenings, and registration is now open.
More info: https://www.asianpopupcinema.org/mwm25
About The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Limited (HKIFFS)
HKIFFS is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to discovering and promoting creativity in film art and culture. It organizes the annual Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). Another highlight is the Cine Fan Summer International Film Festival (SummerIFF), held every August. In 2021, HKIFFS restructured its film industry services and set up HKIFF Industry to promote and support non-mainstream film industry development through co-production, festival strategies, and overseas distribution (HKIFF Collection).
About Sophia’s Choice/Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC)
Asian Pop-Up Cinema, an annual Pan-Asian Film Festival, is the brainchild of Sophia Wong Boccio, founder of Sophia’s Choice, a Chicago-based 501 C (3) not-for-profit incorporated in 2015 with the multi-pronged mission of cultivating an interest in and understanding of Asian cultures via a diverse offering of Asian films; connecting the Asian film industry with local Chicago film professionals, educators, and students; and promoting Chicago as a destination for international visitors.
About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA)
Under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) (formerly known as Create Hong Kong) is a dedicated office, aiming to spearhead the development of cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong. Its mission is to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong and further promote the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle.
About The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO)
HKETO Toronto is the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Canada. Since the office’s establishment in October 1991, they have been actively fostering closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Canada.
Media contact:
Geneviève Lefebvre | Rugicomm
genevieve.lefebvre@rugicomm.ca | 438 888-1981
Zoé Verdier | Rugicomm
zoe@rugicomm.ca | 514 617-3472
Isabelle Boies | Rugicomm
isabelle@rugicomm.ca | 418 809-0368