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Hong Kong cinematic highlights continue in Hamburg (with photos)
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     After a successful start in Berlin from May 21 to 31, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) is continuing its journey to stage Hong Kong Film Festivals in central and eastern Europe. About 180 guests from the government, cultural and business sectors attended the reception in Kommunales Kino Metropolis in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday (June 17, Hamburg time) to celebrate the opening of the Hong Kong Film Festival in Hamburg, which runs from June 17 to 30. Following the reception, the opening film, "Blind Detective", a crime comedy directed by renowned Hong Kong director Johnnie To and starring Hong Kong movie stars Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng, delighted the audience.

     In co-operation with Kommunales Kino Metropolis, HKETO Berlin presents eight contemporary Hong Kong films at this year's Film Festival, including the award-winning drama "Unbeatable", the thrilling crime film "Blind Detective" and the thriller "Infernal Affairs", one of Hong Kong's highest-grossing films in history.

     In his welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Ivan Lee, described the development of the Hong Kong movie scene over the years. "Despite its small size and a population of just around seven million, Hong Kong has produced many actors, actresses, directors, cinematographers and producers who went on to become household names internationally. Our movies have also been inspirational to many outside Hong Kong. In particular, Hong Kong's exciting style of action movie has inspired a number of international blockbusters. Some of you may already have heard that the Oscar-winning film 'The Departed' is an American remake of the Hong Kong thriller 'Infernal Affairs', which is also featured in this Film Festival," he said.

     Mr Lee also promoted Hong Kong as an ideal filming location for international production. "Besides local production, Hong Kong is also becoming a favourite filming location for blockbusters from Hollywood to Bollywood, taking advantage of our unique cityscape and rich cultural tradition. The latest one was 'Transformers 4', which will be released later this week. There was also a German film shot in Hong Kong two years ago called 'Fragrant Harbour', which is the literal meaning of Hong Kong," he said.

     Mr Lee further emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between Hong Kong's film industry and Mainland China's film studios: "Our film industry has recently taken advantage of a unique free trade pact with the Mainland of China, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, to gain access to the film market in the Mainland of China. Overseas film companies incorporated in Hong Kong can reap the same CEPA benefits as local filmmakers in entering the Mainland China market. I encourage German creative talents to use Hong Kong as the gateway to tap the growing business opportunities in China."

     To view the Hamburg programme, please visit:
www.hketoberlin.gov.hk/download/press/press-20140514.pdf .

About Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin

     HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Ends/Thursday, June 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 00:09

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