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An event entitled "The 65th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Film Panorama 2014" was held tonight (October 9) at Hong Kong City Hall. The launch event was followed by the screening of the award-winning ethnic film "Phurbu & Tenzin" (2014), directed by Fu Dongyu, as the opening film of "Chinese Film Panorama 2014".
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, "Chinese Film Panorama 2014" is screening nine outstanding ethnic films from today to November 8 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive, and the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum, to showcase the lives and customs of various ethnic groups from different angles.
The officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Yang Jian; the President of the China Film Foundation, Mr Zhang Pimin; the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Betty Fung; and the Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Zhu Wen. Other officiating guests included the Chairman of the Committee of Hong Kong Entertainment Industry, Mr Peter Lam; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; the President of the Shanghai Film Group, Mr Ren Zhonglun; and the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Mr Ng See-yuen. The director of "Phurbu & Tenzin", Mr Fu Dongyu, and the director of "Migration" and "Lala's Gun", Mr Ning Jingwu, as well as other film personalities, also attended.
The continuous interaction between different ethnic groups throughout China's long history has developed a rich and diverse culture, which in turn has been reflected in Chinese movies, including many classic ethnic films. Among them are romantic love stories, exciting youth films and relaxing comedies, as well as serious historical movies.
The opening film "Phurbu & Tenzin" tells the tale of a young Tibetan master in a feudal land and his serf, and their mutual love and hate oscillate in a changing era. Set against such a background and tracing the long Tibetan history, the film is filled with blood and tears, struggles and fights, and portrays people's awakening to freedom and self-identity. With a dramatic storyline, the film won the Outstanding Minority Theme Film prize at the 15th Chinese Huabiao Film Awards, as well as several other awards at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival.
Other selected films in "Chinese Film Panorama 2014" include "Deep in the Clouds" (2010), a vivid portrayal of the generational conflicts in the Lisu ethnic group of Guangxi Province; the 63rd Venice International Film Festival Horizon Prize winner "Courthouse on the Horseback" (2006), reflecting conflicts between laws and tradition through a roving courthouse along the remote areas of northwest Yunnan; "When Ruoma was Seventeen" (2002), about a Hani girl growing up; and "Lala's Gun" (2008), introducing the tribal customs of the Miao ethnic group. Also selected for the programme are "The Red Jacket" (2006), filmed in the beautiful landscape of Fenghuang County and full of family affection; "Migration" (2013), adapted from the novel of the same title by ethnic Qiang author Gu Yunlong, which traces the migration of the Qiang tribe after the Wenchuan earthquake; the Uyghur comedy "Money on the Road" (2013), a breakthrough work among ethnic movies; and "Thangka" (2012), which depicts a Thangka painting master's piety and devotion in arts against a backdrop of the marvellous scenery in Tibet.
"Phurbu & Tenzin" is in Tibetan, English and Putonghua; "Thangka" is in Tibetan; and "Lala's Gun" is in the Miao dialect. "Courthouse on the Horseback" is in Putonghua only, and the remaining films are in their respective ethnic dialects and Putonghua. All films have Chinese and English subtitles.
Tickets priced at $55 are now available at URBTIX. Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999, or on the Internet at www.urbtix.hk.
For enquiries, please call 2734 2900. For ticketing details, please see the programme booklets, distributed at all URBTIX outlets, or browse the webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/2014cfp/index.html.
Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 21:11
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