A Macau-born film director and screenwriter, a leading figure of the Hong Kong New Wave's second generation who later settled in Australia. Her Autumn Moon won the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 1992, Floating Life was Australia's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and she won Best Director at the 2021 Golden Horse Awards for Drifting Petals — among the most internationally recognised filmmakers from Macau.

From Macau to Hong Kong and on to Australia — Clara Law's films have always questioned drift, diaspora and identity.

Clara Law is a Macau-born film director and screenwriter, a leading figure of the Hong Kong New Wave's second generation.

Profile

  • Chinese Name: 羅卓瑤
  • English Name: Clara Law
  • Born: 29 May 1957 (Macau)
  • Domains: Culture · Film
  • Subject type: Film director · Screenwriter

Background

Clara Law was born in Macau in 1957 and moved to Hong Kong with her family at the age of ten. She later studied at the National Film and Television School in Britain and, on returning, entered the film industry, frequently collaborating with her screenwriter husband Eddie Fong — becoming a leading figure of the Hong Kong New Wave's second generation.

Career

I. Hong Kong years and international festivals

Law's films are known for their delicate portrayal of drift and diaspora. Farewell China, Autumn Moon and others won repeated festival recognition; Autumn Moon took the Golden Leopard at Locarno in 1992, placing her among international auteurs.

II. Australia and the Golden Horse

In the mid-1990s Law settled in Australia. Her Floating Life was chosen as Australia's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film; and in 2021 she won Best Director at the Golden Horse Awards for Drifting Petals, proving her creative power undimmed.

Key Achievements

  • Autumn Moon won the Golden Leopard at Locarno, 1992
  • Floating Life was Australia's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar
  • Best Director, Golden Horse Awards 2021 (Drifting Petals)
  • A leading second-generation Hong Kong New Wave director

Information compiled from publicly available sources (Wikipedia and international festival records). If anything is inaccurate or needs updating, please contact us — we aim to respond within 48 hours.