*************************************************
A total of four Hong Kong films will be screened in the annual Sydney Film Festival this year.
The "Hong Kong Cinema" segment was officially opened by "Trivial Matters" this evening (June 12). Welcoming the audience before the screening, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Ms Lorna Wong, said the four films were selected for their diversity, film-making flair and entertainment value.
"The line-up includes two movies from maestros - one is a new release and another back in the 1960s. The first one is Johnnie To's latest gangster thriller, 'Sparrow'. It was nominated for this year's Golden Bear in Berlin. The second one is King Hu's 1966 feature,'Come Drink with Me'. The movie took the martial arts genre far beyond its traditional format and was acclaimed as one of the best Hong Kong movies ever made," she said.
"We also take the opportunity to showcase the productions of some new film talent - Kenneth Bi and Jaycee Chan in 'The Drummer', as well as Chapman To and Pang Ho-cheung in 'Trivial Matters'", she added.
Mr Chapman To, actor and producer of "Trivial Matters", was invited from Hong Kong to the launch as a special guest. He took some questions from the audience after the screening.
Ms Wong said that Hong Kong films were a very effective cultural ambassador and the film industry was the flagship of Hong Kong's creative industry.
"As Asia's world city, Hong Kong does not only position itself as a financial centre but also as a creative hub. In this regard, our film industry contributes to our vibrant city life and grooms creative talent for Hong Kong and the region," Ms Wong said.
Ms Wong added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government was committed to providing a favourable environment conducive to the development of the Hong Kong film industry. The new high-level Film Development Council was established last year. Also, a sum of HK$300 million was injected into the Film Development Fund, with its scope expanded to assist in the sustainable development of the film industry.
Ends/Thursday, June 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:44
NNNN