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Hong Kong Panorama, sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), is showcasing nine distinguished Hong Kong films in New York. The programme is an integral part of the current New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
The Director of the HKETONY, Mr Steve Barclay, speaking at a reception at Lincoln Center this evening (June 29, New York time), welcomed Hong Kong actress Miriam Yeung and film director Adam Wong to help launch the Hong Kong film series.
Mr Barclay said that Hong Kong's film industry remains dynamic and the Government is committed to supporting and nurturing Hong Kong film talents through various measures and funding programmes.
Making its North American debut in the NYAFF, "Weeds on Fire" (2016), the directorial debut of Chan Chi-fat, was supported by the Hong Kong Government's funding that encourages young filmmakers to make their first feature film.
Mr Barclay also said that the Hong Kong Government co-funded "The Way We Dance", which became the summer box office hit in 2013. The film catapulted director Adam Wong to fame and earned him the Best New Director titles at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and Hong Kong Directors' Guild Award in 2014. Wong will conduct a workshop at the New York Film Academy to share his filmmaking journey with students on June 30.
Mr Barclay said star actress Miriam Yeung has enjoyed an acclaimed acting career in addition to her singing success. She won Best Actress in the 2011 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards and in the 2013 Hong Kong Film Awards. She was also ranked the Most Charismatic Actress by the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers in 2011.
She received the prestigious NYAFF Star Asia Award before the screening of her film "She Remembers, He Forgets" (2015) in recognition of her charismatic girl-next-door persona that epitomises the anything-is-possible spirit of Hong Kong.
After the screening, she was joined by director Wong in a question-and-answer session.
Besides "Weeds on Fire" and "She Remembers, He Forgets", the other seven Hong Kong films featured in Hong Kong Panorama are "Love in the Buff" (2012), "The Mobfathers" (2016), "Lazy Hazy Crazy" (2015), "The Mermaid" (2016), "The Bodyguard" (2016), "Trivisa" (2016) and "Keeper of Darkness" (2015). The screenings will end on July 9.
The HKETONY has brought distinguished directors and actors as well as Hong Kong films to New York since first partnering with the NYAFF in 2009. They include directors Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Herman Yau and Pang Ho-cheung; director-actors Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung; director-screenwriters Alan Mak, Felix Chong and Wai Ka-fai; actors Donnie Yen, Simon Yam and Aaron Kwok; actress Sandra Ng; and screenwriter Erica Li.
The HKETONY also collaborates with other film festivals to bring Hong Kong films and talents to the US. A special preview screening of "Happiness" (2016) will be held at the Asia Society in New York on July 19. It will be presented by the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF). Lead actress Kara Wai (joined by co-star Carlos Chan) will attend and receive the 2016 Asian Media Humanitarian Award. The AAIFF will also host a Centerpiece Presentation of "A Tale of Three Cities" (2015) at Cinema Village East in New York on July 23. Hong Kong director duo Mabel Cheung and Alex Law may attend the screening.
Ends/Thursday, June 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:35
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