This film is part of Free
The Streets of Hong Kong - Wintertime 1936
Christmas decorations jostle for attention among thousands of street signs in this amateur exploration of Hong Kong Island’s busy streets.
Overview
If you think your local high street gets busy at Christmas, this striking amateur film is sure to be an eye-opener. Keen amateur filmmaker Edwin G. Phillips spent some time in Hong Kong in the 30s, but his camera retains a tourist's fascination with novelty and difference. Whether it's a curious shop sign or the “picturesque oriental costumes” of Chinese women, little escapes his acquisitive gaze.
Other sights encountered during this amateur travelogue include a newly built Chinese Methodist church, a street market, a lavish wedding procession, and a sword-swallowing street entertainer.
Related
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
Christmas Play Christmas Play
1959 18 mins
Taking the lid off the creative process - of a group of theatrically-minded 11-year-olds as they stage the nativity.
A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol
Fantasy 1914 23 mins Silent
A well-acted early version of Charles Dickens' much loved Christmas story, featuring some impressive ghost sequences.
Wartime Cinema Christmas Greeting Wartime Cinema Christmas Greeting
Announcement 1940 1 mins
A thoughtful Christmas message in hope of peace from early in WWII - the absence of loved ones hit hardest at holiday times.
Shantou, China c.1932 Shantou, China c.1932
Amateur film 1932 11 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Home-movie snapshots of life and work in Shantou in Guangdong Province, South China.
Cine Snapshots - 1937 Cine Snapshots - 1937
Amateur film 1937 32 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Vivid views of pre-war Hong Kong.
Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.
Hong Kong Happenings Hong Kong Happenings
Home movie 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Striking snapshots of life in a colonial outpost in the 1930s.
A Gate of China A Gate of China
Documentary 1927 9 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Staggering views of 1920s Hong Kong capture the contradictory cocktail of East meets West on this outpost island.
Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year
Amateur film 1937 12 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Excitement fills the air as Hong Kong steps out to party.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.