Restored Treasures – "The Kid" (1999) (4K Digitally Restored Version) (Hong Kong Premiere)
Wing (Leslie Cheung), a bankrupt funds manager, encounters an abandoned child and raises him as his own. Four years later, he meets the child’s birth mother (Qi Qi) and must decide whether to return him.
Facing a depressed economy in the late 1990s, 20 local filmmakers formed the “Creative Alliance” to support each other in their shared commitment to quality film projects, where they had to raise funds and hire actors personally. Leslie Cheung accepted a token fee of $1 to star in The Kid, for which he also sang and composed the theme song. This special collaboration between Leslie Cheung and director Jacob Cheung blends lyricism and realism to portray tender familial love while reflecting Hong Kong’s mood during the financial crisis. Leslie Cheung sheds his glamorous image in a rare paternal role, sharing heartfelt chemistry with child actor Erickson Ip. Ti Lung and Carrie Ng also stand out, each earning Best Supporting Actor and Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The combined efforts of the cast and crew brought this greatly moving story to life—against all odds. More than two decades later, Jacob Cheung self-funded the 4K digital restoration of the film, allowing young audiences to witness Leslie Cheung’s passion for Hong Kong Cinema.
Rooted in genuine emotion and steadfast conviction, The Kid is more than just a film, but an enduring memory of love, responsibility, and growing up.
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