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The 67th Venice International Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica - la Biennale di Venezia) presented director John Woo with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award yesterday (September 3, Venice time).
Earlier in the evening, Deputy Representative, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (Brussels ETO), Ms Wong Yuet-wah, welcomed Mr Woo and other guests to a reception co-hosted by the Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Film Development Council.
"This is a proud day for Hong Kong and I extend my warmest congratulations to John Woo", she said.
Cinema is an art that is very close to the hearts of Hong Kong people and they will be delighted to see one of the worldˇ¦s most prestigious film awards bestowed on one of our greatest home-grown talents. Hong Kong is a city rich in culture and tradition, an open, tolerant and pluralistic community attached to freedom of speech and expression.
"The Government is doing its part to maintain and foster an environment that is conducive to creativity. We also endeavour to support the film industry, such as helping small to medium budget films via the Hong Kong Film Development Fund."
Hong Kong Film Development Council Chairman, Mr Jack So, said, "I am proud to share the joy of director John Woo, recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award in the 67th Venice International Film Festival.
"This is a special Harvest Year for Hong Kong Cinema, because six films made by Hong Kong directors have the honour to be selected to participate in various activities in this fabulous film festival. I would like to take this opportunity to salute all the filmmakers behind and in front of the screen for these six outstanding movies," Mr So added.
The award ceremony was followed by the world premiere gala screening, out of competition, of Jianyu (Reign of Assassins), an epic martial arts thriller co-directed by Su Chao-Pin and John Woo, produced by Terence Chang and starring Michelle Yeoh and Jung Woo Sung.
The Hong Kong Film Development Council was established by the Hong Kong Government on April 15, 2007. Its role is to advise the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development on the policy, strategy and institutional arrangements for the promotion and development of the film industry, as well as the use of public funds to plan and implement various film related activities, including manpower training, Mainland and overseas promotion, and filming support.
The Brussels ETO is the representation of the HKSAR Government to the European Union and 13 of its Member States, as well as to EU candidate countries Croatia and Turkey. One of its tasks is to promote different facets of Hong Kong in Europe, including its art and culture. Apart from organising the Hong Kong Film Panorama to a number of European cities, the Brussels ETO also seeks other opportunities to promote Hong Kong films, such as taking part in the Udine Far East Film Festival in 2008, and the Asian Film Festival in Rome and the Venice Film Festival this year.
Ends/Saturday, September 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:05
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