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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore today (September 22) launched the inaugural Hong Kong Film Festival in Singapore featuring nine block-buster Hong Kong movies over four days.
The event began with the gala premiere of Hong Kong's latest action comedy, "Rob-B-Hood", directed by Benny Chan, who made a special appearance today at the festival's opening reception to introduce his production and to promote Hong Kong's film industry.
HKETO Director Mr KK Lam said at the opening reception that the festival provided a marvellous opportunity to demonstrate the vibrancy and innovative flair of Hong Kong's movie industry, at a time when both Hong Kong and Singapore were placing strong emphasis on nurturing creativity and on promoting their individuality as global cities where a rich array of cultures met.
"This event is also one of our activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the HKETO in Singapore," Mr Lam said. "Our office is delighted that it could play a bridging role between Hong Kong and Singapore in the past decade, and we look forward to expanding our role to benefit both places in the future. Without doubt, culture and the arts provide a fertile field to foster greater harmony and friendship," he added.
Also officiating at the opening of the festival was the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing, Ms Lorna Wong. She told the Singaporean guests and media representatives who were present that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attached great importance to maintaining a thriving film industry in Hong Kong.
"To this end, we have introduced a package of measures to promote the further development of the film industry. These include a firm commitment to the protection of intellectual property, promotion of Hong Kong films in overseas markets, training of film workers, promoting Hong Kong as a choice filming location to overseas film producers and encouraging film financing," Ms Wong said.
"The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Hong Kong and Mainland China has also opened up enormous opportunities for Hong Kong-based film-makers to co-produce with their Mainland counterparts. The premiere film 'Rob-B-Hood' is a good example of Hong Kong-Mainland co-production. We stand ready to collaborate with our Singaporean counterparts in co-production initiatives, capitalising on Hong Kong's advantages under CEPA for the China market, and making use of Hong Kongˇ¦s film talent," she said.
The reception was followed by the screening of "Rob-B-Hood", which features a strong cast of Hong Kong actors including Jackie Chan. Chan presented the movie at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival on September 8.
Other films featured in the Hong Kong Film Festival are "Infernal Affairs" directed by Andrew Lau Wai Keung and Alan Mak Shiu Fai; "SPL" directed by Wilson Yip Wai San; "Yesterday Once More" directed by Johnnie To; "The Heavenly Kings" directed by Daniel Wu; "Crazy N' the City" directed by James Yuen; "My Life as McDull" directed by Toe Yuen Kin To; "McDull, the Alumni" directed by Samson Chiu; and "Beyond Our Ken" directed by Edmond Pang Ho Cheung. Some of these movies have never been publicly screened in Singapore.
Ends/Friday, September 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 23:55
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