**************************************

"The Chinese Film Classics" which is jointly presented by the Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd and Southern Film Co. Ltd, opened tonight at the Hong Kong Science Museum.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony were the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Miss Choi Suk-kuen, the Chairman & General Manager of Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Mr. Dou Shofang and the director of "My Memories of Old Beijing", Mr Wu Yigong.

Other guests present included the leading actor of "Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy", Mr Tong Xiangling, the leading actress of "Third Sister Liu", Ms Huang Wanqiu, the leading actress of "Yellow Earth", Ms XueBai and others.

Twelve prominent film classics from the 50s to the 80s will be screened from tonight until October 27 at the Hong Kong Science Museum Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Film Archive Cinema and the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre.

The opening film "Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy" is the first modern Beijing opera film. Other reputable works include the graceful "My Memories of Old Beijing" which is adapted from Lin Haiyin's novel of the same title, director Chen Kaige's masterpiece "Yellow Earth", director Zhang Yimou's "Red Sorghum", folk song film "Third Sister Liu", the Shanghai Yue Opera version "Liang Shanpo and Chi Yingtai" and Cantonese opera "Search the College".

Not to be missed are "Early Spring" which was hailed as the "most beautiful Chinese film", "Hibiscus Town" by director Xie Jin, "The Lin Family Shop" which is one of the best examples of film adaptation of short stories, and historical war films "The Naval Battle of 1894" and "The Xi'an Incident".

All films are in Putonghua with Chinese subtitles except "Search the College" which is in Cantonese. "My Memories of Old Beijing", "Red Sorghum" and "Yellow Earth" also have English subtitles.

Tickets for the "Chinese Film Classics" are priced at $40 each and are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessionary tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients.

Reservations can be made at 2734 9009 with internet booking at www.urbtix.gov.hk. and programme enquiries at 2734 2900/ 2527 7284/ 2780 5355. Details can also be obtained at www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp.

End/Friday, October 11, 2002

NNNN