Documentary on Beyond Legend Wong Ka Kui to Headline U.K.’s Odyssey Film Festival

“Because of You Ka Kui,” a poignant documentary focusing on the late Beyond frontman Wong Ka Kui, has been selected as the opening film for the sixth Odyssey Film Festival in the U.K. Additionally, the NGO U.K.-China Film Collab has acquired the Hong Kong production for local distribution.

The partnership was forged during FilMart in Hong Kong this past March, where U.K.-China Film Collab participated via the U.K. Film Pavilion. This marks a continuation of the NGO’s strategy from the previous year, when it successfully brought Robin Lee’s documentary “Four Trails” to the Odyssey festival before expanding its theatrical reach in 2025.

Directed by Rosa Pang, the film offers an intimate look at Wong, the visionary singer-songwriter who served as the creative engine for Beyond and whose music defined a generation of Cantonese speakers across Hong Kong and beyond. The project is produced by Leslie Chan, the manager who originally discovered the group, and Yip Sai Wing, a founding member of Beyond.

The narrative is constructed through interviews with those who knew Wong personally and professionally, interspersed with rare concert footage and previously unreleased archival material from his early career. By tracing his journey from his first musical experiments to the ascent of Beyond, the film examines Wong’s artistic philosophy, his character, and his enduring ideals. Director Pang and Leslie Chan describe the work as a tribute to both a legend and an ordinary man, aiming to rediscover the true essence of Wong Ka Kui.

Wong passed away in a tragic accident in Japan in 1993 at the age of 31, yet his discography continues to attract new listeners decades later. The film also maintains a local connection to the U.K., featuring an interview with founding member William Tang filmed in London.

Following a theatrical release in Asia, “Because of You Ka Kui” will make its U.K. debut as the opening feature of Odyssey, which runs from September 28 to October 10 across various cinemas and online platforms. This year’s festival centers on the theme of #Fashion.

“Beyond did not simply follow the fashion of their generation; in many ways, they helped create it, much like Oasis did for the U.K.,” noted Hiu Man Chan, Odyssey’s artistic director and founder of U.K.-China Film Collab. “Their music, image, and attitude became integral to Hong Kong’s cultural memory. Fashion is not merely about clothing, but about how a generation expresses itself, making this film a meaningful choice for this year’s launch.”

Chan emphasized that the selection reflects the festival’s goal to expand the definition of fashion beyond the catwalk, exploring the intersection of film, music, and pop culture. By highlighting Beyond’s blend of international rock influences and the rapidly evolving landscape of 1980s Hong Kong, the film connects youth culture with visual identity.

The film was launched internationally at FilMart in March by Malaysian company Abnormal Studios as the flagship title for its new international sales division.

“‘Because of You Ka Kui’ is not about nostalgia,” Pang explained. “The honesty of Wong Ka Kui—his thoughts, feelings, and beliefs—continues to resonate today.” Leslie Chan echoed this sentiment, stating that the interviews allowed him to feel as though he had come to know Ka Kui all over again.

The sixth edition of Odyssey will showcase a curated mix of classic and contemporary cinema. The opening and several other program highlights are supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.

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