Kani Releasing Picks Up Five Classic Hong Kong Pics for North America

Mar 17, 2026 7:19pm PT Kani Releasing Picks Up Five Classic Hong Kong Pics for North American Screens By Lin Ying-Hsuan Plus Icon Lin Ying-Hsuan Latest Taiwan Rolls Out Film, TV Projects at Hong Kong FilMart as Its Creative Content Agency Courts Global Partners 2 hours ago AI, Cross-Border Collaboration and Global Content Strategies Explored at FilMart Forum: ‘As Long as the Story Is Strong, AI Can Support Creators in Connecting With Audiences’ 18 hours ago Lu Po-Shun Seeks Financing for Feature Debut ‘Will You Still Be My Friend’ at Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum 1 day ago See All Kani North American distributor Kani Releasing has selected five classic Hong Kong films for its upcoming catalog rollout, spotlighting socially minded works from the 1980s and early 1990s by filmmakers including Jacob Cheung, Johnnie To, Allen Fong and Lawrence Ah Mon. The deal was unveiled at Hong Kong Filmart. The lineup is led by “Cageman” (1992), directed by Jacob Cheung and starring Roy Chiao, Liu Kai-chi and Teddy Robin. The drama centers on the lives of Hong Kong’s so-called “cagemen,” single middle-aged men living in cramped wire-mesh sleeping cubicles inside overcrowded apartments. Through its ensemble of marginalized residents, the film exposes the poverty and social tensions that existed beneath the city’s economic boom. Related Stories 'Bridgerton' Star Yerin Ha on Sophie and Benedict's Two Very Different Sex Scenes, Hoping for 'Benophie Babies' in Future Seasons 'Running Point' Sets Season 2 Release Date, Kate Hudson Returns as Basketball Franchise Boss in First Look Photos “Cageman” was one of the most acclaimed Hong Kong films of its era, winning best film, best director and best screenplay at the Hong Kong Film Awards, with Liu Kai-chi also taking best supporting actor. The film further received recognition at festivals including the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, the Singapore Intl. Film Festival and the Shanghai Intl. Film Festival. Popular on Variety “The Enigmatic Case” (1980), an early feature directed by To, is also part of the selection. Set against mountainous landscapes and rural lakes, the story follows a wandering swordsman who is falsely accused of stealing a shipment of gold and must unravel a web of intrigue involving bandits, palace guards and corrupt officials while attempting to clear his name. The slate also includes Fong’s “Just Like Weather” (1986), a hybrid drama that blends documentary elements with fiction to portray a young Hong Kong couple navigating marriage, economic pressure and the question of emigration. Two films from director Ah Mon round out the package. “Gangs” (1988) focuses on teenagers living in public housing estates who become entangled in triad-organized crime, depicting the pressures that draw young people into Hong Kong’s underworld. Also included is “Queen of Temple Street” (1990), starring Sylvia Chang as a woman struggling to support her family while navigating the criminal networks surrounding the Temple Street district. The film earned multiple Hong Kong Film Award honors, including best screenplay and acting prizes for Rain Lau.Together, the five titles offer a portrait of Hong Kong society during a period of rapid change, reflecting the socially engaged filmmaking that defined much of the territory’s cinema in the late 20th century. Jump to Comments ‘Marty Supreme’ Cinematographer Darius Khondji Used Haze Machines to Create a 1950s New York Look ‘A CNN & Variety Town Hall Event: Timothée Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey’ Reaches 8.35 Million People on All Platforms ‘SNL’ Weekend Update Tackles Timothée Chalamet’s Ballet and Opera Flap, Trump, RFK Jr. and Kristi Noem Kylie Jenner ‘100% Wants to Do’ More Acting and Says ‘Of Course’ It’s Fun When Timothée Chalamet Says ‘I Love You’ During Awards Speeches Timothée Chalamet Says Netflix Wants the ‘Biggest Action Set Pieces Up Front’ as Matthew McConaughey Mourns the Loss of Act One in Movies: ‘The First Thing That Gets Cut’ Box Office: ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Scares ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Off Top Spot Friday With $5.6 Million JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...