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The Japan premiere screening of the Hong Kong film "The Way We Dance" marked the opening of the Focus on Asia International Film Festival Fukuoka 2013 (IFFF) today (September 13).
Supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Tokyo, the IFFF this year is placing a special focus on Hong Kong cinema, naming its Opening Screening and Opening Reception "Hong Kong Night".
A total of six Hong Kong films of diverse genres are being featured in the IFFF, running through to September 23, and the IFFF-sponsored East Asian Film Festival from September 19 to 24. In addition to "The Way We Dance", the films "A Simple Life", "Life Without Principle", "Nightfall", "The Great Magician" and "Overheard 2" are also lined up to entertain the Japanese audience.
Addressing some 350 movie fans at the Opening Screening and "Hong Kong Night", the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Ms Sally Wong, said while many people know Hong Kong as a business and financial centre, the city is much more than that.
"Arts and culture are flourishing in our free and vibrant city," she said. "We have long been a place of open borders and open minds. Freedom of speech and expression is enshrined in our constitutional document, the Basic Law."
Pointing out that the movie "The Way We Dance", directed by Adam Wong, was supported by the Film Development Fund, Ms Wong highlighted that the Government, keen to nurture the creative industries, has made great efforts in providing an environment conducive to filmmaking and promoting Hong Kong films overseas.
She added that Hong Kong's film industry and the creativity and innovation of our film talents have gained remarkable acclaim worldwide. "Our actors, directors, cinematographers and producers have won over 300 international awards in the past decade," she explained.
She said she hopes that "The Way We Dance" and the other Hong Kong movies shown in the Festival will stimulate the Japanese audience's interest in knowing more about Hong Kong and in visiting the city to experience first-hand what this energetic, cosmopolitan city has to offer.
The collaboration with the IFFF is one of the programmes to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the HKETO, which was established in Tokyo in 1988.
Ends/Friday, September 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:27
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