BBC World Service - Asia Specific, Is Hong Kong cinema’s golden age over? Homepage Accessibility links * Skip to content * Accessibility Help Close menu BBC World Service Asia Specific * Home * Episodes * Podcast Main content Listen now Is Hong Kong cinema’s golden age over? Asia Specific The city was once one of Asia’s great filmmaking capitals but that creative energy is drying up Show more From Jackie Chan and Wong Kar-wai to the city’s gritty crime thrillers and romantic dramas, there was a time when Hong Kong cinema was everywhere. The city was once one of Asia’s great filmmaking capitals, producing movies and stars that became cultural icons around the world. But today, that creative energy is looking increasingly hard to find. The national security law, tighter censorship and the growing influence of mainland China have made it harder for filmmakers to tell the kinds of stories that once defined Hong Kong. And funding for movies is also drying up at the same time as the pull of Beijing is reshaping the industry. On this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to Phoebe Kong, a video journalist with the BBC based in Hong Kong who has spoken to a slew of people from the industry. Also on the show is Jun Li, an award-winning director from the financial city who made his debut in 2018. Together, they unpack Hong Kong’s now complex movie scene and opine on where the industry is heading. Asia Pacific, unpacked by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, just search Asia Specific. Get in touch: [email protected] Show less Download Choose your file * Higher quality (128kbps) * Lower quality (64kbps) Available now 21 minutes Last on Today 04:32 GMT BBC World Service except Australasia & East and Southern Africa More episodes Previous Are more youths in Asia becoming antisocial? Next Asia Specific See all episodes from Asia Specific Featured * . Broadcasts * Yesterday 23:32 GMT BBC World Service Australasia * Today 03:32 GMT BBC World Service East and Southern Africa * Today 04:32 GMT BBC World Service except Australasia & East and Southern Africa Podcast * Asia Specific Asia Pacific stories - unpacked by those who know them best Related Content Similar programmes By genre: * News By format: * Podcasts * Online schedule * Help & FAQs * Contact us * News in more than 40 languages * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Make an editorial complaint * Careers * BBC emails for you * Advertise with us Copyright (c) 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.