M+ and Chanel Launches Inaugural Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival

The M+ museum in Hong Kong is set to host the inaugural Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival from May 30 to June 2, 2024. This four-day event, sponsored by Chanel, aims to celebrate the vibrant and diverse independent art and filmmaking communities across Asia. 

The festival will feature a mix of screenings, exhibitions, performances, talks, and workshops, showcasing key works from the M+ Collections and new creations by contemporary artists and filmmakers.

Suhanya Raffel, Museum Director of M+, expressed her excitement about the festival, saying, “M+ is thrilled to expand our groundbreaking work as a global museum of visual culture to pioneer moving image curation and presentation. Moving image is a cornerstone of our institution, and it will come alive with the Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival, where we celebrate avant-garde, transregional moving image practices that reshape how we see the world. It is an honour to welcome distinguished pioneers in film to make their mark on M+ as we pay homage to their trailblazing work and the power of avant-garde cinema.”

The festival’s Art Director, Wing Shya, a renowned Hong Kong photographer, designer, and filmmaker, has crafted the festival's visual identity and contributed never-before-seen photography for the event. Shya's work will be highlighted in "Phantom Frequencies: An Audiovisual Experience," a live cinema event that merges film, music, and technology, with audio-reactive visuals responding to the music in real-time.

Another highlight of the festival is "LuYang Illusory World," a performance featuring digital avatars inspired by religious philosophy, video games, and anime. The performance includes live music and real-time virtual effects, creating an intense audio-visual experience that prompts reflection on the human condition.

Highlights

The festival also includes several intriguing programs, such as "Touch Me, Touch Me Not," which explores themes of desire, violence, and emancipation through a series of films that examine the physicality of the body. Films like "The Pleasure of the Glove" by Ellen Pau and "Fly, Fly" by Jiang Zhi will be part of this program.

"Fearless & Fierce: The Female Gaze" showcases works from the 1970s to the present, addressing the evolving conditions and struggles of women in Asia. Films in this program include "Geu Nu Gei" by Fion Ng and "I Have" by Cao Yu, offering perspectives on the female experience.

In addition, the "Art and Friendship" program celebrates the transformative power of collaboration in art and filmmaking. It features short films like "Merce by Merce by Paik" and "Modern Poetry Exhibition," highlighting the creativity and bonds formed through artistic partnerships.

The festival extends to M+ Cinema House 1 with programs such as "Self × Society," which explores the relationship between individuals and society, and "Watch and Learn," which scrutinises media and education systems through films like Wong Chi-fai’s "Educational TV" and Bong Joon-ho’s "Incoherence."

A spotlight on film culture

“The Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival is a wonderful platform for examining the multifaceted nature of moving image practices across the region," Silke Schmickl, Chanel Lead Curator for Moving Image at M+ elaborates when asked about the significance of the festival. "We invite our distinguished guests and audience to unexpected encounters with this medium, exploring the networks and resonances between masterpieces that offer new perspectives on our past and present. We look forward to offering an empowering experience that reignites passion for creation, craft, and innovation.”

Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at Chanel, added, “Hong Kong has made a singular contribution to arthouse and avant-garde cinema. Films like Wong Kar-wai’s ‘In the Mood for Love,’ Andrew Lau’s ‘Infernal Affairs,’ and Johnnie To’s ‘Sparrow’ summon up the unique history and kaleidoscope character of the city, its warmth, ambiance, and ethos. I am excited to see the inaugural Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival shine a spotlight on the city’s unique and unparalleled film culture, and so pleased that Chanel can support M+, our valued partner, in such an important cultural endeavour.”

The festival promises to be a unique celebration of avant-garde cinema, highlighting the innovative and cross-cultural dialogues within Asia's independent art and filmmaking communities.

For more details and ticketing information, visit the M+ website.