Baraka - Ron Fricke (1992) - Tung Tau Estate, Kowloon

Adjacent to Kowloon Walled City was the former Tung Tau Estate. You can see some of the original resettlement estate buildings in this post, however, by the 1980s much of the original housing stock had been replaced by the buildings still standing today. The two exceptions are blocks 22 and 23 which appear in the image below.

This image basically shows the view looking up Lok Sin Road. Block 23 can be seen on the right with Block 22 on the left. Block 23 was demolished in 2003 and Block 22 in 2014. Both were turned into two parts of a smaller separate estate called the Tung Wui Estate.

Block 22 was the last block of the old estate to be demolished (it was built in 1965) and can still be seen (cleaned up) in historical Streetview imagery between 2009 - 2011 (Streetview took a long break between 2011 - 2016).  The lower image shows a close up of the front of Block 22.

Baraka - Ron Fricke (1992) - Kowloon Walled City

Shot in 1992, this film was able to capture some shots of the (in)famous Kowloon Walled City just prior to its demolition. This was the south facing side of the "city" with the flats here overlooking Carpenter Road bicycle track (itself due to be demolished to make way for a market building...because who really needs all those pesky leisure facilities getting in the way of redevelopment?).

Baraka - Ron Fricke (1992) - Kowloon City

Much in the same vein as Powaqqatsi, Baraka is a "non-narrative" documentary that combines a vast amount of footage shot around the world with small vignettes of many different places combined with music. Not surprisngly, Ron Fricke, the director, worked directly with Powaqqatsi director, Godfrey Reggio on an earlier film called Koyaanisqatsi.

The film credits only give us "Kowloon" as the filming location for this part, but it seems that a few places were included. The first appears early in the film and shows an upward angle of a plane flying over Kowloon City towards Kai Tak. The only clue to the whereabouts is the neon sign covered in scaffolding. I haven't been able to pinpoint this one yet, so please feel free to comment if you know.

The lower images are the last bits of footage featuring Hong Kong and show a plane landing from a different angle. This footage was filmed from the east side of South Wall Road. The building with the dirty yellow external decor is part of South Wall Mansion and the northern end of the street. It's a bit cleaner these days.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Cotton Tree Drive, Central

In our last post for this film, after dealing with Munna, Shivam wanders over to Cotton Tree Drive to nurse his wounds.  In the background of the top image is Fairmont House and the Central Barracks building (formerly Tamar). The next image down shows the now-demolished Murray Road carpark. Replaced only recently with a new monstrosity called "The Henderson". Other images showing various views towards the BOC Tower and Lippo Centre.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Star Ferry Car Park, Edinburgh Place

This place is currently sitting in death row awaiting execution. Built in 1957, it was part of the Star Ferry pier infrastructure that suddenly became orphaned when the pier was demolished in 2006. Sadly, I was in Hong Kong for that debacle and the subsequent porky pies trotted out the the then development secretary who assured everyone the pier's clock was to be preserved (it wasn't). Anyway, I'm pretty sure this will go soon if it hasn't already (you can tell I don't go to the Island much).

Anyway, we've seen this place on numerous occasions before now, including quite a few films shooting scenes on the open top floor.

In Awarapan, this is where Shivam is confronted by his arch enemy, Munna, Malik's spoilt son.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Queen's Road Central

Kabir, now in charge of Shivam's part of the business/responsibilities, has been tasked with tracking down Reema's boyfriend, Bilal, and tracks him down on Queen's Road Central next to the old Queen's Theatre. More or less the same location as in this post. He runs to Duddell Street when they finally catch up with him in the car.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Jumbo Floating Restaurant, Aberdeen

Shivam heads to the Jumbo, which in this film is a nightclub frequented (possibly run) by Rajan, Malik's brother. He goes to confront him about Reema's whereabouts.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Hong Kong Cemetery, Happy Valley

Shivam meets with his right hand man, Kabir (Shaad Randhawa), to explain why he can't kill Reema and her boyfriend. The meeting takes place at the Hong Kong cemetery with the Chapel of Resurrection in the background.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Nathan Road, Mongkok

Once again back on Nathan Road as Shivam continues his introspection. This time we are at the point where Soy Street used to intersect with Nathan Road, however, the junction has been pedestrianised and now a subway allows pedestrians to cross under the road here. Sadly, all the neon you can see in these images has been removed.

Awarapan - Emraan Hashmi (2007) - Queen's Road Central

The next shot shows Shivam crossing the road on Queen's Road Central at the top of Pedder Street.