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Ms Monica Chen, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETO), hosted a business lunch for internationally renowned Hong Kong director Mr John Woo and prominent film industry people in New York on October 12 (New York Time). HKETO also organised a roundtable media session to help promote "Red Cliff", Mr Woo's first Chinese-language feature in more than 15 years, in the United States.
After the successful U.S. premier of "Red Cliff" at the Chicago International Film Festival, Mr Woo was in New York on a short visit as the film will be released commercially in the U.S. in November.
Held in honour of Mr Woo's achievements and to promote Hong Kong films, the lunch was attended by Mr Richard Pena, Program Director of the Film Society of the Lincoln Centre, and Mr Grady Hendrix and Mr Daniel Craft, co-founders of the New York Asian International Film Festival.
Ms Chen said, "The hard work and talent of Director Woo, together with that of the many Hong Kong actors, directors, producers and cinematographers, have propelled Hong Kong films to international recognition and acclaim. In the past 10 years alone, Hong Kong film talents have won over 300 international awards.
"The success of these Hong Kong films, ranging from crime thrillers to martial arts epics to art-house films, epitomises the creative spirit and imaginative expression of the unique 'East meets West' culture that distinguishes Hong Kong as Asia's world city."
Prior to the lunch, Mr Woo attended a Chinese media roundtable, organised by HKETO, and discussed the making of "Red Cliff". The film will be shown in a director's cut 2.5-hour version in the United States on November 20. In the evening, a special screening of the film was arranged at the Asia Society.
To promote the Hong Kong film industry, HKETO, working with various partners, presented Hong Kong films in a Hong Kong film festival in Chicago in May, the New York International Asian Film Festival in June, the Chicago International Film Festival and the Atlanta Asian Film Festival in October. More exposure is expected in Boston later this year.
Ends/Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:01
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