The opening ceremony for Chinese Film Panorama 2022 was held tonight (October 18) at Hong Kong City Hall, followed by the screening of the opening film "I am What I am" (2021) directed by Sun Haipeng.
 
     Chinese Film Panorama 2022 is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the South China Film Industry Workers Union in association with Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Southern Film Co Ltd and the China Film Foundation, and supported by the Bauhinia Culture Group. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) as well as that of Chinese Film Panorama. To commemorate the two silver jubilees, 10 distinguished films produced in the Mainland are being showcased in the Panorama under the theme of "Joyous 25th" and with a focus on comedies. These 10 films are being screened from today until November 26 at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall, the Cinema of the Hong Kong Film Archive, the lecture halls of the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum, the Auditorium of North District Town Hall and Cine-Art House (Maritime Square).
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "The hosting of Chinese Film Panorama in Hong Kong, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, can enhance exchanges between audiences of Chinese people and those from overseas backgrounds through the art of film. Through the Mainland movies, good stories and voices of China can also be shared."
 
     Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Board Member of the Bauhinia Culture Group Mr Wu Baoan; Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Zhang Guoyi; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairman of the South China Film Industry Workers Union, Mr Cheung Hong-tat; and the Chairman of Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Mr Ding Kai.
 
     Directed by Sun Haipeng, the opening animated film "I am What I am" depicts the challenges facing a village teenager and his friends who compete for a lion dance championship. The film demonstrates the art of lion dance and the passion of youth through the characters. It won the Audience Award and the Critics' Choice Award at the 19th Asian Summer Film Festival in Vic, Spain.
 
     Other selected films include "Too Cool to Kill" (2022) directed by Xing Wenxiong, "Water Boys" (2021) directed by Song Haolin, "B for Busy" (2021) directed by Shao Yihui, "Be Somebody" (2021) directed by Liu Xunzimo, "Dying to Survive" (2018) directed by Wen Muye, "Love is Not Blind" (2011) directed by Teng Huatao, "Getting Home" (2007) directed by Zhang Yang, "Crazy Stone" (2006) directed by Ning Hao and "Stand Up, Don't Bend Over" (1993) directed by Huang Jianxin.
 
     "I am What I am" is dubbed in Cantonese, "B for Busy" is in Putonghua and the Shanghai dialect, "Crazy Stone" is in the Chongqing and Sichuan dialects, and the other films are in Putonghua. All films have Chinese and English subtitles.
 
     "Be Somebody", "Love Is Not Blind" and "Dying to Survive" will be screened at North District Town Hall and Cine-Art House (Maritime Square) for free. The free-admission tickets have been available at the respective screening venues since October 13. Each person can obtain up to two tickets per screening on a first-come, first-served basis. Other film tickets priced at $60 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2900 (LCSD) or 2780 5355 (Cine-Art House (Maritime Square)) or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=40.
 
     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 indoor venues under the management of the LCSD and relevant cinemas for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. 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 and relevant cinemas must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass. According to the latest requirement on the Vaccine Pass announced by the Government, all persons with their Vaccine Pass QR code displayed in red or amber are not allowed to enter the indoor venues managed by the LCSD and relevant cinemas.

Ends/Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:55

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