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Audiences in Madrid and Barcelona will get a chance to see some of Hong Kong's latest films this month during the Hong Kong Film Panorama. The Film Panorama is organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, in collaboration with the Casa Asia of Spain.
The Hong Kong Film Panorama has become a firm fixture on the cultural calendar of the two Spanish cities. This is the fifth time it is being held in Madrid and the seventh time in Barcelona.
Starting in Madrid from March 7 to 21, seven Hong Kong productions will be screened, namely Alex Law's "Echoes of the Rainbow", Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng's "Gallants", Ann Hui's "All About Love", Freddie Wong's "The Drunkard", Chan Hing-kai and Janet Chun's "La Comé
die Humaine", Barbara Wong's "Break Up Club" and Ivy Ho's "Crossing Hennessy". They will then be screened in Barcelona from March 22 to 28.
Speaking at the opening reception in Madrid on March 7, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, said that films are very close to the heart of Hong Kong people, and it is a particular delight when we can let others share our enthusiasm.
She noted that Hong Kong movies and film talents have won over 300 international awards over the past decade, including John Woo's lifetime achievement award at the 67th Venice International Film Festival in 2010, Deanie Ip's best actress award at the 68th Venice Film Festival in 2011, and Sandra Ng's best actress award at the 9th Asian Film Festival held in Reggio Emilia in 2011.
Alex Law's Echoes of the Rainbow, which won the Crystal Bear for the Best Feature Film in the Generation section of the 60th Berlinale in 2010, was the opening film for this year's Hong Kong Film Panorama in Madrid.
"Creative industries, including the film industry, are one of six new growth economic sectors that the Hong Kong Government has been actively promoting. The Film Development Fund, launched in 2007, has supported 21 productions, and many with directors and producers engaged in commercial productions for the first time," Miss Chow said.
"Beyond sponsorship, the Government also ensures that the right environment is in place for creative industries to flourish. Free speech and the free flow of information, ideas and talent represent key elements of our cherished values and they are guaranteed by our constitution document, the Basic Law."
Madrid and Barcelona are the fifth and sixth stops of the European tour of the 2011-12 Hong Kong Film Panorama, after Brussels, Antwerp, Amsterdam and Lisbon.
Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 03:00
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