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The "Chinese Film Panorama 2009 - Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" opened tonight (October 5) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, with the spectacular film "Tian An Men".
The event is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and South China Film Industry Workers Union, in association with Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd and Southern Film Co Ltd.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; the Deputy Director of the Basic Law Committee of the HKSAR, Ms Elsie Leung Oi-sie; the Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Hao Tiechuan; the General Manager of the China Film Group Film Production Corporation, Mr Zhao Haicheng; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Jack So Chak-kwong; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; the Chairman of the Federation of the Hong Kong Filmmakers, Mr Ng See-yuen, the Chairman of the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Mr Yu Lun; the Chairman and General Manager of the Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Mr Song Dai and the Chairman and General Manager of the Southern Film Co Ltd, Ms Ren Yue.
Other guests included the Vice-president of the Motion Picture Association of China, Mr Li Shuihe; director of "Tian An Men" Ye Ying; leading actor and actress Pan Yueming and Guo Keyu and producer Wang Jun; director of "The End of Year" Wang Jing and local film celebrities.
From today until November 1, 10 new Mainland films reflecting the development of Chinese cinema in recent years will be screened at the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive, and the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Science Museum.
The opening film "Tian An Men" (2009) is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. In September 1949, the head of an army drama troupe received an urgent command that Tiananmen Square and the facilities had to be repaired in 28 days for the celebration at Tiananmen. More than 10,000 workers and citizens were mobilised. To recreate the historic and spectacular scene of 160,000 people joining the celebration, the film has combined documentary footage with computer graphics.
Other films to be screened are the love story "Red River" (2008) starring Nick Cheung and Zhang Jingchu, the entertaining "Crazy Racer" (2009), bittersweet "The End of Year" (2008), urban comedy "Set Off" (2008), lives of the ethnic minorities "Shiqi" (2007) and "Nima's Women" (2007), the touching "Walking to School" (2008), farm youth striving for the university places in "Examination 1977" (2009) and the effort and sacrifice depicted by "Deng Jiaxian" (2009) - Father of the Bombs in China.
All films are in Putonghua with English and Chinese subtitles.
Tickets priced at $45 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.
Programme details can be obtained in the programme brochures distributed at all performing venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Reservations can be made by phone on 2734 9009 or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk. For enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.
Ends/Monday, October 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:54
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