The Hong Kong New Wave started in 1979 with the release of numerous notable films.

Film emerged as the most popular form of entertainment in Hong Kong, in part because many Chinese households did not have a TV at the time.

[8] Many of the New Wave directors had a Western-style education and were influenced by western filmmaking and culture.

[9] The films of the Hong Kong New Wave were not stylistically homogenous, rather the term was used to mark the distinction of a new generation of filmmakers.

[13] Directors of the Second New Wave include Stanley Kwan, Wong Kar-wai, Mabel Cheung, Alex Law, Fruit Chan, Peter Chan, and Tammy Cheung.