HKETO, Brussels promotes Hong Kong films in Florence (English only)
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     The Hong Kong Film Panorama, a film festival which tours some of the main European cities every year at the initiative of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels), opened in Florence, one of Italy’s most famous historic cities for art and culture, on April 4 (Italian time).

     Speaking at the opening reception, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, said this was the second consecutive year that the HKETO, Brussels was bringing Hong Kong films to Florence audiences, in cooperation with the Tuscany Film Commission.  

     Seven Hong Kong films produced in 2009 will be screened at the Florence Odeon from April 4 to 6 inclusive, namely Ms Ann Hui’s Night and Fog, Mr Brian Tse and Ms Alice Mak’s McDull Kungfu Ding Ding Dong, Mr Wai Ka-fai’s Written By, Mr Herman Yau’s Rebellion, Mr Danny and Mr Oxide Pang’s The Storm Warriors 2, Mr Kit Hung’s Soundless Windchime and Mr Felix Chong and Mr Alan Mak’s Overheard.

     “Among the six new growth economic sectors that the Hong Kong Government has been promoting, the creative industry including the film industry is one of them”, Miss Chow said.  “In the past decade, Hong Kong movies and film talents have won over 300 international awards.  Many Hong Kong film stars have excelled in Hollywood and some Hollywood blockbusters are reproductions of successful Hong Kong movies”.  
 
     “Apart from providing financial assistance through the Film Development Fund, the Government also ensures that the right environment is in place for the creative industry to flourish.  Freedom of speech and expression and free flow of information is one of Hong Kong’s core values and protected by the Basic Law, our constitutional document”, she added.

     Noting that several Italian films featured at the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival that is just coming to a close, Miss Chow said that apart from film appreciation, there are many other opportunities for cultural collaboration between Hong Kong and Italy, not least in view of the construction of the West Kowloon Cultural District. “We would welcome Italian arts and cultural groups to perform there,” she said.

     After Florence, Greece’s capital Athens will be the next city on the Hong Kong Film Panorama’s European tour.

Ends/Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:00

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