HONG KONG – This spring, Hong Kong’s cultural calendar gets a cinematic glow-up. From April to June, M+, the city’s powerhouse of contemporary visual culture, invites audiences into a thoughtfully curated film season that blends restoration, nostalgia, and experimental storytelling.

The M+ Cinema Spring Edition 2026 isn’t just a screening programme, but also a sensory journey through time, sound, and image, where classic films meet avant-garde experimentation and legendary artists are reintroduced to a new generation.

The highlight of the season is the world premiere of the newly restored Cageman, directed by Jacob Cheung. Presented in collaboration with the Hong Kong International Film Festival, this marks the fourth title in the M+ Restored initiative—an ongoing effort to preserve Hong Kong’s cinematic heritage. Once a defining portrait of grassroots life in the city, Cageman returns with renewed clarity, offering both longtime fans and first-time viewers a chance to rediscover its raw humanity.

Alongside it, selections from the M+ Asian Avant-Garde Film Collection spotlight boundary-pushing works by artists like Han Okhi and Chen Chieh-Jen—a reminder that Asian cinema has long been a site of radical experimentation.

Few artists have shaped the emotional texture of cinema like Ryuichi Sakamoto. In tandem with the exhibition seeing sound, hearing time, M+ turns the spotlight on his cinematic legacy. Expect intimate glimpses into his creative world through documentaries and films he scored, including a rare 35mm screening of The Adventures of Chatran and High Heels. These works reveal the breadth of Sakamoto’s artistry—from whimsical storytelling to emotionally charged drama—anchored by a soundscape that continues to resonate long after the credits roll.

For those drawn to contemplative storytelling, the Rediscoveries programme offers a return to two poetic classics. In A Summer at Grandpa’s by Hou Hsiao-hsien, childhood unfolds slowly against the rhythms of rural Taiwan, capturing fleeting moments of innocence. Meanwhile, Syndromes and a Century by Apichatpong Weerasethakul drifts between memory and reality, offering a meditative reflection on family, space, and time.

The programme also steps beyond cinema into the realm of performance art with a rare look at early works by Lee Bul. Screened free of charge, four documentaries trace her provocative late-80s and early-90s performances—works that challenged societal norms and redefined the boundaries between body, identity, and spectacle. It’s a compelling prelude (or companion) to her major exhibition at M+.

For a touch of romance, A Summer’s Tale offers sun-drenched escapism. Set along the French coast, the film follows a young man entangled in a trio of romantic possibilities, capturing the awkward beauty of youth with signature lightness. The screening comes with a special post-film talk by editor Mary Stephen, adding a rare behind-the-scenes perspective to this quietly beloved classic.

From psychological horror to philosophical sci-fi, the “Stair in the Dark” section dives into films that challenge perception and control. There’s Saw by James Wan, which redefined modern horror, alongside Battle Royale by Kinji Fukasaku—still as shocking and influential as ever. Rounding it out is The Truman Show, where Peter Weir explores the unsettling edges of reality and media in a story that feels more relevant than ever.

For those curious about where moving image culture is heading, Avant-Garde Now: Wayfinding offers a glimpse into the future. Featuring artists like HeeSue Kwon and Tulapop Saenjaroen, the programme blends screenings, performances, and discussions that explore how we navigate space—physically and conceptually. It’s also a lead-up to the Asian Avant-Garde Film Festival in May, making it the perfect entry point for adventurous viewers.

M+ Cinema Spring Edition 2026 reflects a broader cultural moment: one where preservation meets innovation, and where cinema becomes a bridge between disciplines—music, art, memory, and identity.

Whether you’re a devoted cinephile or simply looking for a different kind of night out, this season offers something rare: the chance to slow down, look closer, and experience film not just as entertainment, but as a living, evolving art form.

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