Go to main content
 
Chinese Film Panorama 2017 to showcase recent highlights of Chinese cinema (with photos)
****************************************************************************************
     Chinese Film Panorama 2017, to be held from September 18 to October 22, will showcase 16 recent Chinese movies at venues including the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive and the Lecture Halls of the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum. Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, the Chinese Film Panorama has been witnessing the thriving development and achievements of Chinese cinema since its first edition in 1997.

     The opening film "Born in China" (2016) is an animal story directed by Lu Chuan, and made in association with Disneynature and narrated by noted actress Zhou Xun. Incredible animals like the snow leopard, the golden monkey, the giant panda and the chiru move across places in China according to the season in order to survive in the spectacular yet brutal nature. The film won Best Documentary at the 3rd Silk Road International Film Festival.

     In "The Blood Hound" (2017), Zhu, a forest ranger, takes in a stray dog named Rambo and trains it for work. Rambo also becomes the companion of Zhu's daughters and seems to have human attributes, going as far as saving the Zhu family from a poacher's evil scheme. The film won Best Feature Film at the 3rd Silk Road International Film Festival. "Knife in the Clear Water" (2016) features a farmer preparing to sacrifice his old loyal cow for his deceased wife and the days in which the farmer and the cow live together before the ceremony. Based on a novel by Shi Shuqing, the film uses a simple plot and slow movements to suggest solemnity and unwillingness in life. The film won the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival 2016 as well as the NETPAC Award and the Special Mention (Cinematography) at the Hawaii International Film Festival 2016.

     "The Master" (2015), scripted and directed by acclaimed martial arts novel writer Xu Haofeng, depicts the increasing influence of warlords in martial arts societies, triggering disunion in the martial world. Xu also served as the action choreographer of the film, creating breathtaking moves and fight sequences. The film won Best Action Choreography at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards and Best Supporting Actor at the Beijing International Film Festival 2016. Starring Wallace Huo and Qin Hailu, the suspense thriller "Hide and Seek" (2016) is adapted from a Korean film of the same title. The film tells of a series of shocking twists and scary moments stemming from the disappearance of Huo's brother. 

     An adaptation of the Italian film "Stanno Tutti Bene" (1990), "Everybody's Fine" (2016) follows a retired geologist (Zhang Guoli) who lives alone in Beijing and decides to travel to Tianjin, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Macau to visit his children. He then discovers that his children have their own difficulties and are not enjoying the perfect lives that they reported on the phone. "The Song of Cotton" (2016), based on a novel by Ha Jin, focuses on an elderly man with dementia, Mr Sheng (Wang Deshun), as well as his daughter (Ai Liya) and a care attendant (Yan Bingyan), and through their story explores the social issues arising from an ageing population. The film won Best Film, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best New Director at the China Movie Channel Media Awards of the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival.

     In "Kaili Blues" (2016), doctor Chen Sheng travels to a rural town to find his brother's abandoned son to fulfil a request of his late mother. The plot weaves in trivial daily matters while the otherworldly scenes and music help present a dreamy odyssey to audiences. The film won Best New Director and the FIPRESCI Prize at the 52nd Golden Horse Awards as well as Best Emerging Director and Best First Feature - Special Mention at the 68th Locarno International Film Festival. "Paths of the Soul" (2017) follows the journey of a Tibetan holy pilgrimage to Lhasa and Mount Kailash. The group of 11, including one person fulfilling his father's last wish, face many hardships along the way until they can reach their destination. The film won the Special Jury Award at the China Film Directors' Guild Awards 2015.

     Adapted from a novel by Lu Nei, "Young Love Lost" (2017) depicts laughter and tears along the journey of growing up. The original novel is popular among youngsters and the film highlights the rebellion, inspiration and romance of the coming-of-age story in a vibrant way. The film won Best Directorial Debut at the Beijing College Student Film Festival 2016. In "The Summer is Gone" (2017), a boy who is going to secondary school after summer experiences an unusual vacation as his parents are anxious about their livelihood. The film was the debut work for the director and all the actors, and it won Best Feature Film, Best New Performer and the FIPRESCI Prize at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards.

     The magical romance "Crosscurrent" (2016) features a young captain (Qin Hao) who makes a courier trip from Shanghai up the Yangtze River following the route on a map left by his father. In the journey, he keeps meeting a mysterious woman (Xin Zhilei) along the river. The images and score complement well to showcase the magnificent Yangtze River in the fullest. The film won Best Sound at the Asian Film Awards 2017 and the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the Berlin International Film Festival 2016 as well as Best Cinematography and Best Sound Effects at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards. "When Larry Met Mary" (2016) is a romantic comedy about two lifelong friends, Larry and Mary. Mary has many men chasing her while Larry likes her but is always too scared to go a step further in the relationship. The film won the 2nd Prize of the Special Chinese Film Festival in the 40th Montreal World Film Festival.  

     "Distance" (2016) consists of three short melodramas directed by filmmakers from the Mainland, Singapore and Thailand and all starring Chen Bolin. The stories feature the weakening relationships of family, friends and lovers due to geographic and psychological distances.
 
     In addition, "The Warriors" (2016) and "The Spirits of the Drum" (2016) will be screened at the Rayson Huang Theatre of the University of Hong Kong, Cine-Art House, the Auditorium of North District Town Hall and the Sunbeam Theatre with free admission. "The Warriors" is themed on the Battle of Luding Bridge of the Red Army while "The Spirits of the Drum" tells of a search for revenge that culminates in a drumming competition.

     "Kaili Blues" is in the Guizhou dialect and Putonghua, "Paths of the Soul" is in Tibetan, "Crosscurrent" is in Tibetan and Putonghua and the other films are in Putonghua. All films have Chinese and English subtitles.
 
     Tickets priced at $55 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. Tickets for free screenings will be distributed at the respective venues of the free screenings from September 1 onwards. Each person can receive up to two tickets per screening on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. For programme details, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en_US/web/fpo/programmes/2017cfp/index.html.
 
Ends/Friday, August 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:10
NNNN
Archives   Yesterday's Press Releases   Back to Index Page Back to top
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "Born in China" (2016).
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "Young Love Lost" (2017).
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "Knife in the Clear Water" (2016).
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "When Larry Met Mary" (2016).
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "Distance" (2016).
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Chinese Film Panorama 2017 will be held from September 18 to October 22, showcasing 16 recent Chinese movies. Picture shows a film still of "The Spirits of the Drum" (2016).