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In co-operation with Arteria Art Foundation for the second year in a row, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO Berlin) is presenting "Made in Hong Kong" at the 8th Five Flavours Film Festival (FFFF) in Warsaw, Poland, from November 12 to 20. Around 200 guests from the government, cultural and business sectors attended the premiere of "The Golden Era", an epic drama directed by renowned Hong Kong director Ann Hui, in Kino Muranów and the post-screening reception on November 14.
"Made in Hong Kong" features major films including "The Golden Era", which was screened as the closing movie at the 2014 Venice Film Festival and has been selected as Hong Kong's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. Also screening is Johnnie To's action drama "Exiled", the bloody "Rigor Mortis" by Juno Mak and Jiang Wen's stunning "Let the Bullets Fly".
This year's FFFF is also presenting a set of the best short features made by the youngest generation of filmmakers from the Fragrant Harbour. The films were chosen from among the laureates of the Fresh Wave project, organised since 2005 and under the wings of Johnnie To and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Five short features have made it to the programme: "The Killers" by Lo Wai-lun, "Reparation" by Ma Man-nang, "Mirari" by Wong Chi-wai, "Guilty" by Wan King-fai and "Mrs Pong" by Ho Cheuk-tin. The screenings present a great opportunity to appreciate the works of talented young artists from Hong Kong as they launch their careers in cinema.
Hong Kong has one of the largest and most dynamic film entertainment industries in the world. In recent years, the local film industry has diversified and broken fresh ground. Hong Kong's films, film talents and professionals have gained increasing recognition from the international film industry over the years. In her welcome remarks, the Director of HKETO Berlin, Ms Betty Ho, encouraged Polish film production companies and filmmakers to take advantage of the unique opportunities in Hong Kong. "Film is indeed a good medium for cultural exchanges as good movies can transcend cultural or language barriers. Like Poland, Hong Kong has a long history in filmmaking. I encourage Polish creative talents to use Hong Kong as the gateway to tap the growing business opportunities in China," she said.
Ms Ho further emphasised the importance of the strengthening collaboration between Hong Kong's film industry and Mainland China's film studios. "Hong Kong also acts as the bridge between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world. Our film industry has in recent years taken advantage of a unique free trade pact with the Mainland of China, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, to gain access to the film market in the Mainland," she said. Hong Kong also regularly hosts important film-related events such as the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market. They are usually held in March or April every year.
HKETO Berlin will also support the "Hong Kong Day" of Filmasia in Prague (December 1 to 7) this year.
Link to the Warsaw programme: www.piecsmakow.pl/aktualnosc.do?id=125 .
About Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Poland, as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Ends/Monday, November 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:04
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