The Film Festival- recommendations?

Hello board,

I've been only here for a couple of years and the annual HK International Film Festival always seemed like an oh-interesting-i'll-take-a-look-at-it kind of event to me. I'd normally go to one screening or two at most.

But this year I am particularly excited about the Asian premiere of Fritz Lang's Metropolis and I was totally blown away tonight. It was a course material for a sci-fi class I took, and a most impressive one- for the early cinematic techniques, the message, the imagination, the iconic aesthetics, the stories behind, even the almost-unbearable German Expressionist acting style.

Before I had never thought I'd be able to watch the full version (almost, only missing 6 minutes at a 24f/s rate after a recent restoration) in a theatre, with a live orchestra conducted by the guy who scored the film. And the cheerful head of the restoration project showed up in a red shirt and green pants.

When the movie first opened, the editor cut out some 30 minutes. The Festival brought to us what the audience 84 years ago missed out. It's a silly thought but I was genuinely touched. Times like this make me appreciate the beauty of Hong Kong more.

So my real question is, can anyone recommend your personal must-watch from the Festival? There must be more gems but I lack the cultural sensitivity to spot them. And IMDB just doesn't work the same magic.

Here's program list:http://www.hkiff.org/eng/film/title.html

Thanks and Happy Easter!