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Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETO), Miss Monica Chen today (October 3, New York time) attended the 46th New York Film Festival premiere screening and press conference of the film "Ashes of Time Redux", a production by internationally-renowned Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wei.
The film festival was organised by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. HKETO has always been a staunch supporter of the festival. Last year, Hong Kong's contribution was "Chinese Modern: A Tribute to Cathay Studio" and a special event, "10 Years and Running - Recent Hong Kong Cinema", featuring 11 Hong Kong films.
Miss Chen said, "Hong Kong has always played an important role in promoting Hong Kong films in the US.
"Over the years, we have worked tirelessly with various film institutes in the US. Last year in July, in addition to the contributions to the New York Film Festival, HKETO presented Patrick Tam's 'After This Our Exile' at Lincoln Center.
"Other works included Tony Leung's retrospective and a Wong Kar-wei retrospective in the Rose Cinemas of Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and a martial art film retrospective and a Shaw Brothers retrospective, respectively, in 2003 and 2004 at Lincoln Center.
"Our efforts are not confined to New York City. We have been bringing Hong Kong films to other cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Florida. Just last month (September), Hong Kong entered the 3rd Asian Animation Film Festival held in Chicago with the film 'My Life as McDull'.
"Hong Kong's movie industry has always been a beacon light for the Asian industry. The Hong Kong Government's commitment to promoting the development of the film industry is evident by the establishment of the Film Development Council, which is to advise on the overall policy and strategy for the short-and long-term development of the Hong Kong film industry", Miss Chen said.
Ends/Saturday, October 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:31
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