EXCLUSIVE: Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) is presenting a trio of upcoming titles at Busan’s ACFM, including Herman Yau’s Nemesis In The Dark, Chinese New Year comedy Taste Of Joy, and period drama 1971 from The Last Dance director Anselm Chan.
Nemesis In The Dark stars Lau Ching Wan from award-winning drama Papa. It is an adaptation of Second Sister, an acclaimed novel by award-winning mystery novelist Chan Ho-kei.
The story follows a woman who refuses to accept her younger sister’s death as suicide and engages a hacker to track down her cyber-bullies, uncovering a complex web of lies.
Elizabeth Tang, winner of best new performer at this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards for Girlfriends, and Catherine Chau (Bird Of Paradise) co-star. Key backers are EMP and Linmon Media International.
Taste Of Joy is scheduled for a high-profile release over Chinese New Year 2027. The comedy follows a sharp-tongued, celebrated food critic who loses her sense of taste. On her journey to reclaim her taste buds, she discovers that a perfect meal is also about the connection between people.
The ensemble cast comprises Charlene Choi, Raymond Lam, Tommy Chu and Nancy Wu. It is produced by The Last Dance filmmaker Chan and directed by Andy Lo whose My Best Bet was a box-office hit this Chinese New Year and also starred Choi. EMP and AMTD Pictures are among the main backers.
In addition, 1971 reunites director Chan with stars Dayo Wong, Michael Hui and Michelle Wai, following the mega-success of 2025’s The Last Dance – Hong Kong’s biggest local film of all time with earnings of $21.7m (HK$170m).
Set against a historic turning point, the film revolves around the introduction of marriage reform that transitioned British colonial Hong Kong into a monogamous society. When the law took effect in 1971, no man could take more than one wife, effectively abolishing the age-old practice of concubinage and polygamy.
The cast also includes Karena Lam and UK actor Iain Glen from HBO series Game Of Thrones. EMP, Maoyan Entertainment and AMTD Pictures back the project.
No comments yet