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Hong Kong welcomed the filming of the latest Batman sequel, "The Dark Knight" in the city, the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing (TELA), Ms Maisie Cheng, told a press conference today (November 9).
Christian Bale, the actor playing the Caped Crusader, and Chris Nolan, the film's director, were also at the press conference, which attracted more than 100 local and overseas journalists. The filming of "The Dark Knight" in Hong Kong in the past few days has caused excitement in town and drawn extensive media coverage.
In response to a press question, Mr Nolan clarified that the cancellation of a scene in which Batman was to have jumped into Victoria Harbour had nothing to do with pollution. "It was simply a script decision," he said. He thanked the local authorities for their assistance in the film production work.
The TELA chief said that the Hong Kong Government had always been supportive of local and overseas film productions in Hong Kong.
She said, "Over the past year, the Government has been supporting and assisting the Batman crew in the preparatory work for shooting in Hong Kong, including the scouting of filming locations, overcoming numerous logistics challenges, and securing relevant permits for filming, with the help of various extremely supportive government departments.
"This week, we finally have Batman in action here - and all the effort is well worth it for Hong Kong."
Noting that Hong Kong has rich experience in film production, Ms Cheng said she believed that the quality of local film industry professionals was one of the major factors that had attracted the shooting of "The Dark Knight" here. The Batman team would gain first-hand experience of the local crew's efficiency and professionalism, she said.
Responding to media enquiries on the appeal for commercial buildings to turn on their lights to facilitate the shooting, she said, "It is on a voluntary basis and entirely up to the building owners or management to determine whether to support the filming."
The Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, Mr Jack So, said that overseas film productions in Hong Kong might bring in new technology and facilitate exchanges, benefiting the local film industry. Location filming also brought tangible benefits to the economy, such as employment opportunities and the hiring of ancillary services such as equipment rental, catering and transportation, he said.
"Films for international release will also help showcase Hong Kong to an international audience. I am sure Batman will further raise Hong Kong's profile and attract more tourists to come here," Mr So said.
He thanked the Central and Western District Council and the concerned Area Committees, as well as venue owners, local companies and organisations, for their support for the shooting of the film in their community and premises.
On concerns about the inconvenience to the public during the shooting, Mr So said he believed that the overall economic benefits to Hong Kong would be greater than any temporary inconvenience to the public. He said that filming Batman here would help promote Hong Kong's image and development in many respects.
He appealed to residents, shop operators and road users in the Central and Western District for their support for the filming and understanding of any inconvenience caused.
Ends/Friday, November 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:46
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