Co-commissioned by M+ and Art Basel, and presented by UBS, artist and filmmaker Yang Fudong’s newest work Sparrow on the Sea was shot in Hong Kong in January 2024. The black-and-white film weaves together scenes from seaside villages and nocturnal city streets. By referencing visual motifs and textures from classic Hong Kong cinema of the 1970s to the 1990s, Yang aims to evoke a sense of nostalgic familiarity. The work is also intended to function as a short poem, blending moments from Hong Kong’s past and present to offer a glimpse into an unpredictable future.

The free screening on 23 March will be followed by a post-screening talk between the artist and M+ Associate Curator for Digital Special Projects, Kate Gu. The talk will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation in English.

There will also be free screenings on 29 and 30 March on a first-come, first-served basis.