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"Chinese Film Panorama 2010: A Feminine Perspective" opened tonight (October 14) at Hong Kong City Hall with films from two female directors.
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 President of the Legislative Council, Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing; 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 Film Script Programming Centre, State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, People's Republic of China, Mr Wu Ke; the Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department, Liaison Office of the Central PeopleĦĤs Government in the HKSAR, Mr Hao Tiechuan; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; 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 Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Mr Chung Ling-hoi. Film celebrities attending the ceremony included Chow Chung, Teddy Robin, Shin Gei-yin, Lam Ka-tung, Chiu Leung-chun and others.
From today until November 7, 10 Mainland films directed by women filmmakers over the past three decades will be screened at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive, and the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Science Museum.
The role women play in society changes by the day. At the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, this year's Chinese Film Panorama features films by female directors which reflect female sentiments and meticulously portray emotions differently from their male counterparts.
Adapted from the popular novel "A Story of Lala's Promotion", the opening film "Go Lala Go!" (2010) features contemporary office politics and love. With no special background, Lala climbs from secretary to HR manager in a few years amid plenty of corporate politics. As the film's director, writer and actor, Xu Jinglei has given the woman's film a new perspective. She won the Silver Shell for Best Director at the 52nd San Sebastihn International Film Festival with "Letter from An Unknown Woman".
The other opening film "Lan" (2009) is actress Jiang Wenli's directorial debut. It reflects not only the absurdity of the times in the 1970s but also the love between a child and her grandfather. Three-year-old Lan stays with her grandfather after her parents are sent to a labour camp. As her surname is Chiang, her classmates label her Chiang Kai-shek's relative. Lan's grandfather shows his love for her by writing her letters in her parents' name, raising her hopes as she waits for her parents to return. The film won the Best Film of Asian New Talent Award at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival and the Audience Award at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival.
Other films to be screened are "The Park" (2007) and "You and Me" (2005) on love and communication between the old and young; the fabulous thriller "The Case" (2007); "Family Feud" (1994) and "The Bloody Morning" (1991) which focus on women's fate in a male-dominated society; "The Savage Land" (1981) starring Liu Xiaoqing; the Chinese feminist classic "WomanĦEDemonĦEHuman" (1987) and the poetic "The Sacrifice of Youth" (1985).
All films are in Putonghua. They all have English subtitles except for "WomanĦEDemonĦEHuman".
Tickets priced at $45 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. There will be a 10% discount for each purchase of six to 10 tickets and a 20% discount for each purchase of 11 or more tickets.
Credit card booking can be made by phone on 2111 5999, or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk . For enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or browse the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp .
Ends/Thursday, October 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:55
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