Press Release - September 30, 2004

The demonstration of food preparation was, in fact, part of the introduction of the series of eight of the best films recently directed by renowned directors - the features of the "Spotlight on Hong Kong" organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) and the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) as an integral part of Calgary's annual spectacle of international films scheduled for September 24 to October 2.

Among the eight are <Magic Kitchen> by Lee Chi-ngai; <The Floating Landscape> by Carol Lai; <Running on Karma> by Johnnie To; <Golden Chicken 2> by Samson Chiu; <Lost in Time> by Derek Yee; <Heroic Duo> by Benny Chan; <Elixir of Love> by Riley Yip and <20,30,40> by Sylvia Chang.

Introducing these eight films at today's press conference were the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, the CIFF Director, Mr David Marrelli, the Regional Manager of Fairchild Media Group, Ms Christine Leung.  The latter is providing full support as the event's producer.

Joining them were Member of the Calgary's Legislative Assembly, Mr Wayne Cao and the Director of "The Floating Landscape" Ms Carol Lai, who specially flew here from Hong Kong to help promote the CIFF "Spotlight on Hong Kong" and her production <The Floating Landscape".

Mr So and Ms Lai will be the speakers at the "Hong Kong - Canada Co-production" seminar on October 2 at 3.00 pm at the Sheraton Hotel, Calgary. Local film practitioners and those interested are welcome to register with the CIFF Festival Office.

Addressing the press conference, the HKETO Director said he was glad that a Hong Kong film director as talented as Ms Carol Lai was able to come to Canada to help promote the Hong Kong film industry and to promote understanding and appreciation of Hong Kong films to the Canadian community.

He said Ms Lai directed her first work <Father's Toys> in 1998, which won The Best Short Film at the first Cinemanlia International Film Festival in the Philippines.

She made her feature film directorial debut in 2001 with <Glass Tears>, which was invited to the Director's Fortnight at Cannes and was selected for the Official Competitions at Filmfest Munchen, Bangkok Film Festival, Oslo 2001 Films from the South, Yubari International Fantastic Adventure Film Festival and Festival Internazionale Cinema Delle Donne. It won the Special Jury Prize for the Young Fantastic Competition at Yubari.

The <Floating Landscape> is her latest film, which was invited to the main competition at the Venice International Film Festival last year.

The CIFF "Spotlight on Hong Kong" will be concluded with a Hong Kong Gala in the evening of October 2 with the screening of the award-winning film <Running on Karma> at Uptown I, 612 - 8th Ave SW, Calgary at 7.00 pm, followed by a Gala reception at Chicago Chophouse at 604 - 8th Ave SW, Calgary.

The event is fully support by CHKF, FM 94.7, Sing Tao Daily and Trend Weekly as its media sponsors.

Tickets of the CIFF "Spotlight on Hong Kong" are available at the CIFF Box Office at Downtown Bay, 6th floor at 200 8th Ave SW. Phone orders to (403) 269-3456 are also welcomed.

Regular screening tickets are at $10 each while concessionary tickets for CIFF members, seniors and students are at $8 each. Tickets for Hong Kong Gala are available at $20 each while tickets for the event for CIFF members are $15 each.

Enquiries about the event program can be directed to the CIFF Box Office at (403) 269-3456; CIFF Festival office at (403) 283-1490 (www.calgaryfilm.com); Fairchild Radio FM 94.7 at (403) 717-1940 and the HKETO in Toronto at (416) 924-5544.

The CIFF "Spotlight on Hong Kong" is organized with the courtesy of Long Shong Group, Applause Pictures Ltd, Universe Entertainment Ltd & Sil-Metropole Organisation Ltd, Filmko Distribution (HK) Ltd, and Columbia Pictures Films Productions & Columbia Tristar Film Distribution International.
 

(Caption)  Picture shows the HKETO Director Mr Bassanio So (left), the CIFF Director Mr David Marrelli (middle), and Ms Carol Lai (right), the film director of <The Floating Landscape>, displaying the "Spotlight on Hong Kong" poster at today's press conference.

(Caption)  Picture shows Ms Carol Lai (left), the film director of <The Floating Landscape>, demonostrating Chinese dim sum making at the CIFF press conference.  Looking on are Mr Bassanio So (middle), HKETO Director, and Mr Wayne Cao (right), Member of Alberta Legislature.

香港電影節變身＜魔幻厨房＞

圖(一)為香港經貿處處長蘇植良(左)與卡加利國際電影節總幹事Mr. David Marrelli(中) 及＜戀之風景＞導演黎妙雪(右)在今日的記者會上展示『香港電影巡禮』海報。

圖(二)為＜戀之風景＞導演黎妙雪(左)在卡加利國際電影節記者會上示範製作中國點心。旁觀者為香港經貿處處長蘇植良(中)及亞省省議員 Mr. Wayne Cao(右)。

Click here to download a Chinese version of this press release in PDF format.

For further information, please contact John Tam, Chief Information Officer at (416) 924-5544, email [email protected] or Elison Chu, Senior Information Officer, [email protected]