Film Programmes Office to present "Fest of Belles & Queens: Actresses European and Hollywood" (with photo)
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Under the theme of European belles, 10 European movies spanning from the 1950s to the 2000s have been selected to explore the ways that European men look on women. The first film, "...And God Created Woman" (1956), tells the story of an emotional entanglement between three men and a woman. Directed by Roger Vadim, the movie features leading actress Brigitte Bardot as a modern goddess of liberation and candidness.
In "A Woman Is a Woman" (1961), French actress Anna Karina plays the role of a dancer in her mid-20s having affairs with two men at the same time. Karina won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1961 based on her performance in the film. In "The Soft Skin" (1964), through the camera lens under director François Truffaut, sensuality and the desire of men were revealed.
"Marriage Italian Style" (1964) reveals the dark side of love in Italian style, with the beauty and signature personality of lead actress Sophia Loren embodying the Italian feminine allure. The film won multiple awards, including Best Foreign Film in the Golden Globe Awards in 1965.
"Queen Margot" (1994) is adapted from a history-based novel by Alexandre Dumas and is set in 16th century France. The costumes, settings and images in the film are gorgeous.
The remaining five European films in the selection feature the beauty of European belles in different dimensions. In "Repulsion" (1965), the "most beautiful French woman" Catherine Deneuve lays aside the weight of being a goddess and plays an ordinary manicurist, while "The Innocent" (1976) depicts the complexity and conflicts in gender, aristocracy and individuals. Juliette Binoche, one of the most accomplished French actors of her generation, in "Rendez-vous" (1985) played the role of a young girl who leaves her hometown and tries to achieve her dream of becoming an actress in Paris. In "The Beautiful Troublemaker" (1991), Emmanuelle Béart plays a young artist's lover, who involuntarily becomes a nude model for an older famous painter. Monica Bellucci plays a woman of exquisite beauty and naturally radiant sexuality in the title character of "Malèna" (2000).
Under the theme of strong American women, six works have been selected from Hollywood. They are all significant films directed by male directors and about strong women. "Gun Crazy" (1950) depicts a love story between a gun-loving young man and a female sharpshooter. The film mixes a romantic plot with violent scenes and remains fondly remembered by movie enthusiasts for a 10-minute-long take executed with calibrated precision.
In the film "Johnny Guitar" (1954), a war is on between two strong women while the men in the film are just a motley crew. The film turns the gender roles of the western genre upside down, subverting conventions to generate brand-new meaning.
"Forty Guns" (1957) starts with 40 gunmen galloping across the glorious landscape of the American west, led by a commanding woman dressed in black. The film shows the strength of a woman and questions contemporary civilisation while touching the hearts of the audience.
The remaining three selected films also reveal various dark sides of society through the stories of women who were at the centre of the films. "Detour" (1945) follows the nightmarish journey of a strong woman and a musician on the road. "Boxcar Bertha" (1972) is a story of a woman, living on the fringe of society, who robs trains and banks. "Caged Heat" (1974) is set in a female prison and reflects on the issue of oppression against women and sexual inequality.
"…And God Created Woman", "The Soft Skin, "Repulsion", "Rendez-vous", "The Beautiful Troublemaker" and "Malèna" have English subtitles. The other films have Chinese and English subtitles. "The Innocent", "Rendez-vous", "Queen Margot" and "Malèna" are classified as Category III and only persons aged 18 or above will be admitted.
Tickets for screenings at the Cinema of the HKFA are priced at $60 and are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and the "My URBTIX" mobile app. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For screenings at Emperor Cinemas iSquare, tickets are priced at $90 and are now available at Emperor Cinemas iSquare, the Emperor Cinemas website (www.emperorcinemas.com) and the Emperor Cinemas mobile app. For programme details, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=46.
In order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, members of the public are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code with their mobile phones/other mobile devices before being allowed to enter the HKFA. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass. According to the latest requirements on the Vaccine Pass announced by the Government, all persons whose Vaccine Pass QR code is displayed in red or amber are not allowed into the cinema of the HKFA.
Ends/Thursday, November 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:45
Issued at HKT 19:45
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