BISHONEN
dir. Yonfan, 1998, Hong Kong, 111 min., 35mm, Japanese premiere

Jet is a star among Hong Kong gigolos, arrogant, sexy and too smart ever to fall in love. When he meets Sam, a hot young policeman, however, all reserve and self-protection fall aside. Sam's unspoken past is all too much a part of Jet's present, and everything spins out of control. Movingly acted and beautifully filmed, BISHONEN ("beautiful young boy" in Japanese) is a series of gorgeously filmed emotional knots, irreparably tangled and impossible to undo.

Based on a real-life scandal from some years ago, BISHONEN is the second film in a trilogy of transgender-gay-lesbian features by director Yonfan. The film, which played to high acclaim at the 1999 Berlin International Film Festival, features some of Hong Kong's hottest young actors, including rising star Daniel Wu, nominated for the Hong Kong Academy Award for Best New Actor for his performance as Sam, idol Stephen Fon and top actress Shu Qi, also seen in PORTLAND STREET BLUES.

PORTLAND STREET BLUES
dir. Yip Wai-man, 1998, Hong Kong, 122 min., 35mm, Japanese premiere

Cool and stylish as any gang leader to walk the streets of Kowloon, Sister Thirteen is a kickass lesbian triad branch leader who finds herself in hot water when threatened by a rival gang. This award-winning spin-off from the hit Hong Kong action Young and Dangerous series delves into Thirteen's past, from early self-realizations, family memories and experiences on the street to her unrequited love for Yun, her beautiful first girlfriend. "Best of all is the figure of Thirteen herself: a plausible, non-iconic dyke at the centre of a realistic, mainstream thriller." (Tony Rayns)A box office smash in Hong Kong and cult favourite with Hong Kong movie fans worldwide (check out the number of websites devoted to the film!), PORTLAND STREET BLUES stars Sandra Ng and Shu Qi, both of whom won Hong Kong Academy Awards ( Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively) for their performances.