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With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, the Asian Summer Film Festival taking place from July 14 to 19 in Vic, near Barcelona in Spain, is presenting a series of Hong Kong films.
The popular festival, now in its 12th edition, attracts an audience of around 8 000 people and includes indoor and outdoor screenings, a Cantonese dinner and a martial arts exhibition.
It is also a meeting place for Spanish producers and distributors interested in acquiring films shown in the festival's official selection, which includes four Hong Kong films this year. They are Aman Chang and Wong Jing's "From Vegas to Macau II", Lee Po-cheung's "Gangster Payday", Jil Wong's "Guilty" and Teddy Chen's "Kung Fu Jungle". The films are in competition for the Lucky Cat award, which is bestowed by the audience.
Johnnie To's film "Exiled", and Ferris Lin's documentary about To, "Boundless", have also been screened.
Children have been able to watch Hong Kong's first movie made with 3D animation techniques, Antony Szeto's "DragonBlade: The Legend of Lang".
Speaking at a dinner on July 16 (Vic time) attended by local government officials and representatives of the film industry, the Acting Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Drew Lai, said that Hong Kong and Spain enjoy excellent relations.
"We are very excited that Barcelona will be the Partner City of Hong Kong's Business of Design Week from December 1 to 6," she said.
"Business of Design Week is Asia's leading event on design, innovation and brands. Barcelona's design and innovation talents will be the stars of this year's event and they will be able to explore new opportunities for business in Hong Kong and Asia."
She noted that apart from design and innovation, Hong Kong and Barcelona also share a strong interest in sustainable urban planning and regeneration. Many Spanish companies are also seizing opportunities in Hong Kong.
"We are happy, for example, that FC Barcelona opened its regional office in Hong Kong last November."
On films, she said that last year, 51 local films were released in Hong Kong - not bad for a city of only 7 million people.
"In Hong Kong, we safeguard and respect cultural freedom and artistic creation. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are enshrined in our constitutional document, the Basic Law," she said.
"This helps create an environment that encourages creativity and diversity. In addition, the Government is committed to providing support to the film industry and to promoting film appreciation among young people to build up audiences."
Miss Lai also seized the opportunity to recommend the exhibition on Bruce Lee's life and work, which is being held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum until 2018.
Ends/Friday, July 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 06:24
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