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"American Dreams in China", "Bends", and "The Way We Dance" are the three Hong Kong movies featured in the 37th Portland International Film Festival. The Festival, organised by the Northwest Film Center, presents a total of 128 films during the weeks from February 6 to 22 (Oregon time).
"These three Hong Kong movies make an interesting selection, reflecting a few different directions that the Hong Kong film industry is heading," said the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, Ms Subrina Chow, at the Hong Kong Reception before the screening of "The Way We Dance" this evening (February 21, Oregon time).
"American Dreams in China" is directed by veteran producer-director, Mr Peter Chan. The film is shot in Beijing and tells the story of three young men pursing their dreams during the dramatic transformation of the Chinese economy. "Bends" is the directorial debut of Ms Flora Lau on the interwoven Hong Kong-Shenzhen relations, with a cast comprising both Hong Kong and Mainland talents. "The Way We Dance", by young director Mr Adam Wong, is all about Hong Kong and its younger generation. "Almost all of the dancers are home-grown talents. The story has the energy and an East-meets-West flavour that are uniquely Hong Kong," Ms Chow said.
Ms Chow highlighted that both "Bends" and "The Way We Dance" are recent projects financed by the Hong Kong Film Development Fund set up by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to support the long-term development of Hong Kong film industry. The Fund provides 40 per cent funding for small to medium budget films, and has since 2007, supported the production of 29 Hong Kong movies.
"There have been artistic successes such as 'Echoes of the Rainbow' which won the Crystal Bear in Berlin and 'Bends' that was invited to join the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, while 'The Way We Dance' is widely acclaimed as well as a commercial success," she continued.
Hong Kong is a city that values creativity, free flow of information and freedom of expression. "These are also the essential elements that have fostered the growth of our film and other creative industries over the last century. We are proud of our film talents, more and more of whom are gaining recognition around the world. In the past 10 years alone, Hong Kong films and film talents have won over 300 international awards," said Ms Chow.
The Office will continue to promote Hong Kong movies in the western part of the United States. Following the film festival in Portland, Oregon, a few Hong Kong movies will be featured at the CAAMFest in San Francisco Bay Area in March.
Ends/Saturday, February 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:34
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