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Movie buffs are reminded that counter booking for the 25th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) starts on Thursday (March 22) at all URBTIX outlets.
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the 25th HKIFF will be held from April 6 to 21. It will screen more than 220 newest and archival treasure films from countries worldwide with more than 330 screenings complemented by exhibitions, seminars and outdoor film shows.
Films shown this year will include many that have won awards in Cannes, Venice, Berlin and other Film Festivals. Films that have won awards in Cannes Film Festival include "A One and a Two" (Best Director), "Songs from the Second Floor" (Jury Prize) and "Nurse Betty" (Best Screenplay). Movies that have won awards in Venice Film Festival include "The Wrestlers" (Special Director's Award), "The Circle" (Golden Lion and FIPRESCI Award) and "The Goddess of 1967" (Best Actress) while "The Lady of the House" won the NETPAC Award in the Berlin International Film Festival.
Tickets for "Ritual", "The Isle" and "Scout Man" have already been sold out through postal booking. Tickets for the opening film "Mortal Transfer", closing film "A One and a Two", "City of Sadness" in Actor in Focus, "Interview" in Asian Vision, "Mirror Image" in Age of Independents, "Manhood and other Modern Dilemmas" and "Peppermint" in Global Images, "Betty Blue" in Director in Focus and "World Animation" are selling like hot cakes. Some of the screenings may be full but film buffs can still get tickets for other screenings of the same movie.
In addition to the films listed in the booking folder, three more will be added including "Panic", a black comedy depicting male mid-life crisis; "Tierra Del Fuego", which has drawn considerable attention even before production, is directed by Miguel Littin, one the best known Chilean directors and "Federico Fellini's Autobiography: Clips from His Life" recapturing interviews of the great film master from Moscow to the Oscars.
"Panic" will be shown at 10.30 am on April 13 and "Tierra Del Fuego" at 10:30 am on April 14, both at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Grand Theatre. "Federico Fellini's Autobiography: Clips from His Life" will be shown at 12.30 pm on April 13 at the Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema and at 3 pm on April 15 at the Hong Kong Space Museum Lecture Hall.
An additional screening of "Toyko Trash Baby" will be shown at 12.30 pm on April 15, at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium (not played with "O cm4"). The screening replaces the cancelled screening of "Scout Man".
Other than productions from film masters, films of many budding talents will also be shown , such as "Heroes in Love" in Special Presentation. The film, directed and written by pop idols Nicholas Tse, Stephen Fung, DJ GC goo-Bi and designer Wing Shya, is the brainchild of the four Gen Yers of the new media focusing on the universal language of love.
Some of the films that movie buffs should not miss are: "Faithless" written by film master Ingmar Bergman, semi-autobiography "Little Vilma - The Last Diary", Korean masterpiece "Chunhyang", "Not Forgotten" (Best Actor and Actress, Nantes Film Festival of Three Continents), the riveting psychological thriller "Sexy Beast" starring Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone, "Boesman and Lena" starring Danny Glover, "Now Chinatown" (Grand Jury Prize, New York International Independent Film and Video Festival), the fascinating "Love Torn in Dreams" (FIPRESCI Award, Montreal World Film Festival) and the documentary on unconventional Japanese women "Gaea Girls".
Highlights of this year include 'New Century Women' and 'Latin American Cinema'. With accelerating economic growth and improved political status of Asian countries, will women see changes in their social positions? Films featured in this section include "Glass Tears"- the world of fragile youth by Carol Lai, "The Day I Became a Woman" (New Currents Award, Pusan International Film Festival), the rebellious and courageous "Face", the passionate "Acacia Walk" and "Foreign Sister" (Best Film of the Year, Jerusalem International Film Festival). In addition, a 'Forum on New Century Women' will be held on April 13 with free admission.
Latin American cinema has its unique charming character. The seven fabulous films to be shown include "Such is Life" (Special Jury Prize and FIPRESCI Award, Havana Film Festival), "Brave New Land" which challenges the preconceived notion of Brazilian history, a moving love story "Nuts for Love", "Me You Them" (Crystal Globe & Best Actress, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival), and "Coronation" (Best Director, the 12th International Film Festival of Vina del Mar, Chile and Montreal World Film Festival). Also enjoyable is the free Samba and Latin beat in Latin American Night on the evening of April 12 at the HKCC Piazza and Foyer.
The Hong Kong Film Archive's 'A Century of Chinese Cinema: Look Back in Glory' features 25 Chinese classical treasures of the century. Films like the well-known "Spring River Flows East", the grandest epic "The Beauty of Beauties" and the humorous yet ironical "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" will surely win applause from the audiences.
The screening of "Barking Dogs Never Bite" on April 21 at the Hong Kong City Hall (HKCH) Theatre have been cancelled. Ticket holders can have a refund at the Box Office of HKCH or HKCC or have a ticket exchange for a different screening of "Barking Dogs Never Bite" at all URBTIX outlets. A screening of the film will be added on April 15 at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre at 6 pm (English subtitle only).
Tickets for ordinary shows, weekend and public holidays are priced at $55 while weekday matinee screenings (2.30 pm and 5 pm) are priced at $42. Tickets for 'A Century of Chinese Cinema: Look Back in Glory' are priced at $30. Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. A limited number of Special Pass at a price of $800 (no discount) is also on sale. Internet booking can be made at www.urbtix.com and telephone reservation at 2734 9009.
Enquiries can be made at 2734 2903. Information on HKIFF is also available at web site: www.hkiff.org.hk. Festival newsletter on the latest news of HKIFF will be handed free during the festival period.
End/Tuesday, March 20, 2001
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