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A Hong Kong martial arts Film retrospective curated by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFF Society) is being screened as a special weekend programme of the Dublin International Film Festival on September 25 to 27 under the name "DIFF PIX: Hong Kong Kicks". DIFF PIX is the platform the Dublin International Film Festival uses for special events organised alongside the main festival.
The retrospective, an initiative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), has already been screened in Sofia, Amsterdam, Brussels, Udine, Florence, Istanbul, Izmir, Salento and Thessaloniki. "Hong Kong Kicks" in Dublin is supported by The Arts Council, the Dublin City Council and the Light House Cinema.
Dublin audiences will be able to discover or rediscover some all-time classic movies, namely Tsui Hark's "Once Upon a Time in China II", Ching Siu-tung's "Duel to the Death", Sammo Hung's "Spooky Encounters", Corey Yuen's "Righting Wrongs", Jackie Chan's "The Young Master" and Bruce Lee's "The Way of the Dragon".
"Hong Kong Kicks" was launched with a martial arts demonstration in the Irish capital's Smithfield Square with the support of the Dublin City Council, bringing the event right onto the streets of Dublin.
Speaking at the opening reception on September 25 (Dublin time) at the Chester Beatty Library, before a screening of "Once Upon a Time in China II", Acting Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Drew Lai, welcomed this first co-operation between HKETO, Brussels and the Dublin International Film Festival.
She said that while Hong Kong now produces films of many different genres, martial arts films are still firm favourites around the world and the values embodied by Kung Fu - strive for perfection, never give up, and at the same time, be flexible - resonate with the Hong Kong spirit.
"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. This helps create an environment that encourages creativity and diversity," she said, adding that the Government is committed to providing support to the film industry and to promoting film appreciation among young people to build up audiences.
The Executive Director of the HKIFF Society, Mr Roger Garcia, is the Festival's Guest Curator and also officiated at the opening. He will moderate a Q&A session on September 26 after the screening of Ching Siu-tung's "Duel to the Death".
Ends/Saturday, September 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:11
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