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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the Opening Ceremony of 100th Anniversary of Akira Kurosawa's Birth in Hong Kong at Taikoo Place this afternoon (December 18):
Ambassador (Shigekazu) Sato, Mr (Hisao) Kurosawa, Mr (Kazuhiko) Moriya, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening.
One hundred years ago, about the time when Akira Kurosawa was born, cinema was in its infancy. But even then, no one could dispute the power of the medium and its potential to entertain audiences and break down social and cultural barriers.
Few people have been able to harness the power of film and experiment with its complexities as successfully as Kurosawa did.
I am delighted that Hong Kong audiences have this opportunity to get to know a little more about the life and work of this master director through the AK100 Project.
Long before the days of digital special effects, Kurosawa was tinkering with all the tools available to him at the time. His work with multiple cameras, long lenses and sound effects, and his use of the natural elements inspired other filmmakers to push the boundaries of their trade.
Kurosawa also influenced modern day directors, including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and John Woo. Film enthusiasts here in Hong Kong will, I'm sure, be eager to attend screenings of his much beloved masterpieces.
Kurosawaˇ¦s 1950 film "Rashomon" marked the start of a new era for Japanese cinema. It was the first Japanese film to make a major impact with audiences and critics in the West.
It won him the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and Kurosawa was later acknowledged for his dedication to film when he received the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1989. This was another "first" because no Japanese director had received the accolade before.
Today, Japan ranks third in the world in terms of the number of films produced and has a dedicated fan base around the globe, not least here in Hong Kong. Not least yours truly.
Our city also has a strong cinema tradition and a community that appreciates creative talent from around the world.
I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to celebrate the life and work of Akira Kurosawa and experience classic Japanese cinema at its very best.
I wish the AK100 World Tour every success.
Thank you.
Ends/Friday, December 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:07
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