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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada today (October 3, Vancouver time) hosted a "Hong Kong Film Night" at the Vancouver International Film Centre with a special screening of Ann Hui's new film "The Post Modern Life of My Aunt", which is featured at this year's Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
Officiating at the "Hong Kong Film Night" celebration were the HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So; Chairman of the Board of VIFF, Mr Michael Francis, and the Executive Director of the VIFF, Mr Alan Franey.
Mr So encouraged the Canadian film makers to partner with Hong Kong for co-production, and make use of Hong Kong's talented film directors, actors, and its post-production facilities for their film production, as well as its proximity to China for location shooting. He said there would be more and more collaboration between Hong Kong and mainland China on film production, and "The Post Modern Life of My Aunt" was a typical example.
"Hong Kong is among the world's largest film exporters and it has entered the American markets," Mr So said. "Hong Kong films have been recognised by the international film industry. Hollywood is interested in acquiring rights to remake some Hong Kong movies. Renowned US director Martin Scorsese has plans to remake the popular Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs.
"In addition, Hong Kong has a unique advantage in bridging the Mainland Chinese audiences with their Western counterparts, and opening a window on the world for Chinese people. Hong Kong's film industry has preferential and quota-free access to the huge Chinese Mainland market under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with China," he said.
Mr So also briefed the guests about the film-related activities organised by the HKETO in Canada, including featuring Hong Kong films at different film festivals in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal, and organising film seminars for people in the film industry.
"Participating in film festivals is a useful vehicle to demonstrate the vibrancy and creativity of the Hong Kong's film industry. It'll help foster the already strong cultural ties between Hong Kong and Canada."
This evening's event was attended by 200 guests, including film critics, media members, people from Vancouver's film industry and business community. A video on the Hong Kong Filmart was shown before the feature film. A photo exhibition entitled The Sparkling Stars of Hong Kong in the Last 30 Years, jointly organised by the VIFF and Ming Pao Daily, was on display at the "Hong Kong Film Night".
Following its premiere at this year's Toronto International Film Festival last month, and the "Hong Kong Night" screening, "The Post-Modern Life of My Aunt", starring Chow Yun-Fat, Siqin Gaowa, Lisa Lu, Shi Ke and Vicky Zhao Wei, will be shown at VIFF tomorrow (October 4) and Thursday (October 5).
The VIFF will last until October 13. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend 550 screenings of more than 300 films from more than 50 countries. The VIFF hotline is 604-683-FILM, and its website is www.viff.org.
Ends/Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 09:46
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