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In celebration of the 10th Year of the Asian Heritage Month, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) today (May 25, Toronto time) presented the Hong Kong thriller "Overheard 2" at the Isabel Bader Theatre, in association with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) and the Asian Institute of the University of Toronto.
Speaking at the special screening of "Overheard 2", the Director of HKETO, Miss Gloria Lo, recalled that the Asian Heritage Month was initiated by Canadian Senator Vivienne Poy, a member of Hong Kong's Richard Charles Lee family, 10 years ago to give recognition to the important contributions of Asian Canadians to the growth and development of Canada.
The film industry also helps bridge Canada and Hong Kong, according to Miss Lo, with some latest Hong Kong film productions screened in major Canadian film festivals. "Hong Kong's film industry is a big business and the showcase of the creativity in Hong Kong," she said. "Over the years, Hong Kong films have gained considerable acclaims worldwide, with over 300 international awards received by our actors, directors, cinematographers and producers in the past decade. Some Hong Kong film idols have established in Hollywood and become household names not only in Asia but around the world."
She discussed the current trend of film production, saying that the number of Hong Kong-Mainland co-productions has reached around 30 a year since CEPA (Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) was launched in 2003, and many of them enjoyed tremendous box-office success. Last year, six out of the top 10 box-office hits on the Mainland were Hong Kong-Mainland co-productions.
"The success of our film industry makes Hong Kong one of the greatest meeting places for film producers and movie professionals," Miss Lo further said. "Our annual Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market have attracted movie talents, professionals and producers worldwide for professional exchanges, information sharing, business networking, movie screening etc."
"We would strongly encourage the participation of Canadians in these events and we look forward to further collaboration between Canada and Hong Kong in film art," Miss Lo added.
After the successful film "Overheard", Directors Alan Mak and Felix Chong, alongside actors Lau Ching-wan, Louis Koo and Daniel Wu, return in "Overheard 2", which recently won a Film of Merit Award 2011 from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.
Ends/Saturday, May 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:58
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