Anak - Vilma Santos (2000) - Victoria Park

Some more of the opening scenes as we see a bunch of Hong Kongers doing their morning exercises in Victoria Park with the Central Library (note, Central Library is not located in Central, but in Causeway Bay in Wanchai District) in the background.

Anak - Vilma Santos (2000) - Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui

Another scene from the opening montage includes a shot of the ferries at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier. It's a brief glimpse, but thankfully later in the film there is also some footage of the same area as Josie's friends wait for her on her day off not knowing she has been locked inside the apartment by her employers whilst they go on a jolly (lower images).

Anak - Vilma Santos (2000) - View from The Peak

How about a Filipino film for a change? I've been on the lookout for an old Filipino film called Hongkong Honeymoon for many many years. It stars Zaldy Zshornack and (from some clips I have seen) features some nice 1960 B&W scenery from around Hong Kong. Sadly, it appears to be completely out of existence and I've had no luck. If anyone knows where a copy might be found, please feel free to comment.

In the meantime, here is another Filipino film of more recent vintage and one that is perhaps more relatable to the many Filipino domestic helpers who work and live in Hong Kong. Anak tells the story of Josie (Vilma Santos) who leaves the Philippines to come to Hong Kong to earn more money, but it's at the expense of the relationship with her children who resent her absence and misunderstand why she has left them. Things are made worse when her husband dies and she is unable to return for his funeral - let's just say that her Hong Kong employers aren't the nicest of people. Much of the story is set back in the Philippines where Josie returns after several years to reunite with her children. However, there are still a few scenes shot in Hong Kong that make it worthy of including on the blog.

The film was available to watch on Youtube via the official channel of Star Cinema who also produced it, but since I watched it just a few weeks ago it has been removed. You may get more luck searching their channel directly.

The film opens with Josie narrating about her life in Hong Kong over a variety of images of the place starting with this one taken from Lugard Road around the top of the Peak.

Heisser Hafen Hongkong - Horst Frank (1962) - Far East Mansion, Middle Road

Another pandemic find that never made the blog is this image from Heisser Hafen Hongkong. It shows a shop facade decorated like a Chinese temple and the misleading name of Plaza House had me scratching my head for where it could be. Luckily, regular Gwulo'er Moddsey was able to identify this location courtesy of his huge catalogue of old Hong Kong photos and he told me this was a tailor business located on the ground floor of Far East Mansions on Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. It's a while since I watched this film but I think it was supposed to be the business run by the film's antagonist, Marek (Horst Frank).

Flatfoot in Hong Kong - Bud Spencer (1975) - Junction of Johnston and Luard Roads, Wanchai

A result of a recent rewatch is this post. To be honest, I'm not sure why I didn't post it first time around (back in 2012!) so I guess it was just missed.

This is where Rizzo wanders to whilst looking for an address. He asks a pedicab driver for directions but then reluctantly accepts a ride. As far as I am aware, Hong Kong never had pedicabs, only rickshaws, but I could by wrong. Pedicabs were used in Macau though. They also appear to be a thing in London these days, replete with full volume music being blasted into your ears as you travel (can you tell I don't like them?).

7 Aum Arivu - Suriya (2011) - Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui

The final location from this mid-film song is the Avenue of Stars - or at least the previous version of it because it was "upgraded" (in HK terms, this usually means made worse) around the time Covid hit. New World development closed it down to allow access to the site works where the New World Centre was being demolished. As usual the google marker is snapping to nearby buildings rather than the "avenue" but I figure most people will know where it is.

7 Aum Arivu - Suriya (2011) - Cyberport 3, Pokfulam

I've covered exactly two Indian films on this blog and both have filmed around Cyberport. Aegan filmed outside, but this film included some shots within Tower 3 as part of the ongoing song. I don't recall seeing this as a location prior to these films. I've got more locations out of this one song in this film than I have for some complete movies.