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A total of 12 quality films by renowned Hong Kong Director, Johnnie To, will be screened in Melbourne from November 6 to 16.
Entitled ：Focus on Johnnie To；, the programme is jointly presented by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO).
：The HKETO is proud to be associated with this magnificent programme. Tonight・s screening of Sparrow marked the opening of ACMI・s ．Focus on Johnnie To・, which is the first ever retrospective by ACMI on the works of Johnnie To,； the Director of HKETO, Ms Lorna Wong, said at the opening reception today (November 6).
Ms Wong gave thanks to ACMI for the brilliant selection of 12 Johnnie To・s movies which spanned three decades of his film-making career.
：I am exceptionally delighted by the choice of Sparrow as the opening movie. In case you are not aware, Sparrow has been nominated in the Asia Pacific Screen Awards to be held in Gold Coast next week for four awards---- best feature film, cinematography, actor and directing. I wish Johnnie and his team all the best.；
As the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Australia, she said HKETO・s mission extended beyond forging closer economic and trade relations between Australia and Hong Kong.
：We are tasked to raise the profile of Hong Kong in Australia and to promote a better understanding of Hong Kong among Australians. And after watching Sparrow, I think you will recognize that movies like those produced by talented Hong Kong directors such as Johnnie To are our most effective ambassadors.；
She said Hong Kong films were more than a vehicle of international image promotion and Hong Kong・s film industry was the flagship of the city・s creative industries.
：As Asia・s world city, Hong Kong does not only position itself as a financial centre but also a creative hub. In this regard, our film industry, an integral part of our cosmopolitan culture, contributes to our vibrant city life and grooms creative talents for Hong Kong and the region.；
The 12 films in the ：Focus on Johnnie To； programme are:
The Enigmatic Case (1980)
Seven Year's Itch (1987)
The Fun, the Luck and the Tycoon (1989)
The Bare Footed Kid (1993)
A Hero Never Dies (1998)
Running out of Time (1999)
Fulltime Killer (2001)
PTU (2003)
Breaking News (2004)
Throw Down (2004)
Exiled (2006)
Sparrow (2008)
More details of this programme are available at the ACMI website at www.acmi.net.au.
Ends/Thursday, November 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:31
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