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HKETO, Brussels celebrates 50th anniversary with martial arts retrospective at Sofia International Film Festival (English only) (with photo)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) presented the premiere of a special Hong Kong Martial Arts Film Programme at the 19th Sofia International Film Festival in Bulgaria on March 21 (Bulgaria time).

     The film retrospective, curated by the HKETO, Brussels' partner, the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, is one of the golden jubilee events the HKETO, Brussels is organising around Europe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment at the heart of the European Union.

     The programme includes such classics as Bruce Lee's "The Way of the Dragon", Sammo Hung's "Spooky Encounters", Ching Siu-tung's "Duel to the Death", Jackie Chan's "The Young Master", Corey Yuen's "Righting Wrongs" and Tsui Hark's "Once Upon a Time in China 2".

     Speaking at a reception, the Deputy Representative of the HKETO,  Brussels, Miss Drew Lai, said that apart from promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in Europe, the office was also keen to promote cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Europe.

     This is the first time that the HKETO, Brussels has taken part in the Sofia International Film Festival, one of the most important film festivals in Europe, which attracted 70 000 visitors in 2014. The Festival, which is being held from March 5 to 29, is attracting particular attention this year as it celebrates Sofia's recognition as one of UNESCO's Creative Cities of Film.

     "We are very grateful to the Sofia International Film Festival for hosting the 'premiere' of this retrospective, which will later be held in several European cities," Miss Lai told guests, who included officials from Bulgaria's Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Sofia, the Bulgarian National Film Center, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the media and the film industry as well as members of martial arts clubs and communities.

     Miss Lai said that with an environment that encourages creativity and diversity upheld by the Basic Law, Hong Kong movies embrace many different genres, from psychological dramas and thrillers to comedy and art-house films.

     "Last year, 51 Hong Kong films were released - not bad for a city of only 7.2 million people. Of course, among all the movies we make, the most famous and some of the best-loved around the world are still our kung-fu movies. This is why we are bringing some of the classics of the genre to Sofia."

     Miss Lai seized the opportunity to recommend the major exhibition on the life and work of Bruce Lee which is being held at Hong Kong Heritage Museum until 2018. She also suggested that fans visit the life-size statue of Bruce Lee on the Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront.

     "From there, you will have a panoramic view of our city's most iconic sight - our glorious skyline dramatically set against The Peak."

     The special Hong Kong Martial Arts Films Programme will next feature at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, to be held at the Centre for Fine Arts in the Belgian capital city from April 7 to 19.

Ends/Sunday, March 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:00

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