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Irish audiences will get a taste of Hong Kong's creativity and the diversity of Hong Kong cinema thanks to the 2010-2011 season of the Hong Kong Film Panorama, launched in Dublin for the first time yesterday (August 3, Irish time).
Initiated by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels, the Hong Kong Film Panorama is a film festival that tours some of the main European cities every year since 2004. It presents a selection of Hong Kong's latest productions as well as some of its classic movies, chosen with the assistance of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society. The aim is to bring Hong Kong films to new audiences and showcase the creativity and diversity of genres in Hong Kong's present-day cinema, ranging from the ever-popular action films to whimsical fantasy, and from gritty contemporary drama to quirky animation.
The Irish Film Institute, which is hosting the Hong Kong Film Panorama from August 3 to 22, 2010 in Dublin, will be showing Wai Ka-Fai's Written by, Johnnie To's Running out of Time, Johnny Mak's The Long Arm of the Law, Oxide & Danny Pang's Storm Warriors, Ann Hui's Night and Fog, Bennie Chan's Invisible Target, and, at a special screening for families, Brian Tse & Alice Mak's McDull Kungfu Ding Ding Dong.
Speaking at the opening reception, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, said that over the years, actions stars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan have brought international attention to action films from Hong Kong.
"Whilst these films are still very popular, film producers and directors also work on all kinds of film projects with more intricate plots and complex characterisation thanks to the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed to Hong Kong under the Basic Law, our constitutional document. These have helped our film industry to evolve and develop a reputation for innovation, creativity and diversity."
Adding that the Government will continue to support the development of the local film industry and the wider art and cultural scene in Hong Kong, Miss Chow said that it had now embarked on an ambitious project to develop artistic and cultural life in our city, namely the development of the West Kowloon Cultural District.
"This project is just one of the many opportunities for cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Ireland. We welcome Irish artists and performing groups to come and perform in Hong Kong. Irish filmmakers who wish to use Hong Kong as a spectacular shooting location can rely on the assistance of our Film Services Office. And of course the Irish general public is welcome to visit Hong Kong to experience its unique culture."
The 2009-2010 edition of the Hong Kong Film Panorama was held in nine European cities – Antwerp, Lisbon, Brussels, Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, Florence, Malta and Barcelona. This year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels will continue to widen the festival's reach to different European cities, including Dublin for the first time.
Ends/Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:58
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