Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In — From Screen to Exhibition

When Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In took home Best Picture at the Hong Kong Film Awards, it became more than a cinematic success — it was a cultural moment. The film, set in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, captured worldwide attention for its gritty storytelling and astonishingly detailed sets. Over 5 of these sets, crafted by local Hong Kong professionals, have now been reborn as an exhibition, returning to their spiritual home: Kowloon Walled City Park.

Visitors step through a ceremonial flower board and an iron archway marked “Kowloon Walled City” before immersing themselves in meticulously recreated spaces. From the bustling No. 7 Restaurant to a traditional barbershop, dental clinic, and humble grocery stalls, each vignette reflects everyday life in the once-notorious enclave. A highlight is the rooftop installation, where bamboo chairs, shifting day-to-night skyline projections, and the rumble of planes from the old Kai Tak Airport evoke the city’s dense, chaotic charm.

The exhibition also revisits the film’s story of Chan Lok-kwan, a youth betrayed by his underworld boss who finds refuge under Cyclone, the Walled City’s unlikely guardian. This tale of resilience, loyalty, and survival resonates as both a tribute to Hong Kong’s spirit and a reimagining of its history.

Beyond the exhibition halls, visitors can wander Kowloon Walled City Park itself — a peaceful garden preserving fragments of the old fortress walls — and the surrounding neighbourhoods, filled with authentic Cantonese eateries and market life.

More than an exhibition, this project bridges film, memory, and heritage. It reminds us that cinema is not just storytelling, but also preservation — a way of keeping Hong Kong’s past alive for future generations.