Chris Kyme’s Postcard from Hong Kong: Welcome to Newviola
Chris Kyme (pictured above) continues his ‘Postcard from Hong Kong’ series finding out legendary director David Tsui and his Hong Kong production house, Moviola, are busier than ever. Kyme asks what keeps him going?
There was a time in a not so distant galaxy far away (well in Asia anyway) when Hong Kong had quite the reputation for producing very lavishly filmed and well crafted TV commercials.
Hong Kong was the home of great production values. And there were a handful of pioneering directors who came, saw and conquered in such a way that it paved the way for the generations who were to follow.
Although quite a few of the directors ruling the roost were expats (the old Hong Kong days) there were some local talents rising up who were to make quite a name for themselves.
One of whom was (the now legendary) David Tsui, who was responsible for some of the finest television and cinema commercials filmed in the 1990s, and whose trademark work it could be said encapsulated the size, scale and beauty of Hong Kong production values at their very best.
Not least from those days were the big cinematic productions for Hong Kong based watch brand, Solvil et Titus, featuring movies stars such as Anita Mui and Chow Yun Fat, or the multi award-winning humorous and beautiful take on the Zhang Yimou movie ‘Raise the Red Lantern for Remy Martin Congnac, shot on the same original movie location.
As well as a series I actually worked with David on myself for the leather brand Satchi Leather Goods (picked up a few gongs back in the day I might add). In fact it’s been said that I was responsible for some of David’s early success (well, said by me actually).
The difference between David Tsui and some of his contemporaries is that, fast forward a couple of decades and he’s still going strong. In fact, he never stopped. Over the years, Moviola has maintained its reputation for producing high-quality films with an emphasis on human stories and emotions. Always David’s forte.
Well I caught up with him recently over an afternoon tea (how quaint) and we naturally both asked each “What keeps you going?”.
David’s answer was simple. “The story of Moviola should not end with me.” His passion for shooting commercials has never wavered over the years, and in fact some of his favourite ever work has been the more recent years. Campaigns for clients like Wrigleys, and UOB, with the stunning ‘Seeing Beyond’ long form (150 seconds) film about a Kazakh eagle hunter, to name but one of many stunning gems shot in remote locations.
But even more recently, the Moviola stable of directors has expanded to now include a new wave of younger talents who have all come under David’s helm and are now following in his footsteps with the same passion and ambition that set David on his way all those years ago. So I was curious what he looks for in a new director.
“Talented, dedicated to commercials (not treat them as stepping stones to movies), hardworking, good at storytelling, modest (at least for now), team worker.”
Given that, what with technology opening up opportunities for any one and everyone to call themselves a director these days (“Hey just last week I was a Grip”), it’s admirable and reassuring to know that the new breed of Moviola directors all come with authentic film-study backgrounds. And given their genuine passion for making great commercials, it’s no surprise that in one way or another, all found their way to David Tsui’s door.
So, without wishing to make this article a Moviola sales pitch, I thought it would be interesting to give you brief look at the work. Might make for some interesting viewing. And you might even find what you’re looking for your next shoot. So here we go:
View Anthony Ng’s 2025 showreel
View Chau Man Kit’s 2025 showreel
View Nelson Ng Jnr’s 2025 showreel
There’s some real talent within these ranks. Who knows, the new look Moviola (‘Newviola) might herald a return to Hong Kong’s reputation as a high-quality production centre within Asia.
As for David, I was curious how his own style has changed over the years. I always remember him as being a brilliant people director. He always had ways of getting reactions out of actors. Little nuances, a look, an emotion. “There’s a lot more dialogue in my films these days, whereas the early Solvil et Titus spots required no dialogue at all, and yet were able to evoke equal amounts of emotions from the viewers.”
The Moviola story might not end with David Tsui, but right now he isn’t going away.
Moviola young guys (with two old ones).
Read Chris Kyme’s 2025 Postcard’s from Hong Kong below:
And the award goes to… some braver clients
A look inside the Beehive
A rocket that landed in Hong Kong
In search of Hong Kong (yet again)