Abstract: Over the last century, despite the superficial entertainment orientation, Hong Kong films have always been internally connected with the mainstream Chinese culture in many dimensions. In terms of value orientation, Hong Kong films, since the very beginning of its formation, have upheld Confucian culture and Lingnan culture as the spiritual core, seeking the cultural pursuit of “guiding people to be good and upward” while focusing on the presentation of daily civilian life; some representative Hong Kong filmmakers, deeply influenced by traditional Chinese culture, have pursued classical images that stimulate nostalgic thoughts about their motherland among overseas Chinese audiences; the creative use of traditional Chinese opera elements and folk music also highlights another link between Hong Kong films and Chinese culture. These valuable experiences inherited from traditional Chinese culture constitute a unique aesthetic paradigm of Hong Kong films.

Key words: Hong Kong films, nationality, traditional Chinese culture