*********************************************************
Acclaimed young Hong Kong director Edmond Pang's latest film "Isabella" opened the Hong Kong Cinema segment of the 2007 Adelaide Film Festival last night (February 26, Adelaide time).
Speaking at the launch of "Hong Kong Cinema", Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (HKETO) Mrs Jenny Wallis said her office had been associated with the prestigious biennial festival since 2003 and she hoped Hong Kong films would become a regular feature on its calendar.
The launch was part of a Chinese New Year reception in Adelaide jointly hosted by HKETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the South Australia Chapter of the Hong Kong Australia Business Association. Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs and Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts Mr John Hill, officiated at the event.
Isabella Leong, the leading actress in the opening film, arrived yesterday from Hong Kong to attend the launch. Mrs Wallis said "Isabella" had won Miss Leong "Best New Performer" at the 2006 Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Awards, and a nomination for "Best Actress Award" in the Hong Kong Film Awards in April. The film's musical composer, Peter Kam, had won a Silver Bear for "Best Film Music" at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival.
The other two latest Hong Kong releases featured in the Festival this year are Johnnie To's "Exiled", which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in August, and Cheang Soi's "Dog Bite Dog".
Mrs Wallis said that these two movies were equally engrossing and were typical examples of Hong Kong's brand of entertainment cinema that continually pushed the formal artistic experiment to new limits, and attracted the attention of world-renowned directors.
Looking to the New Year, Mrs Wallis said Hong Kong's economy would continue to power ahead with Hong Kong remaining the preferred location for the best and largest Mainland companies and international businesses.
She added that on July 1, Hong Kong would celebrate its 10th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region of China - a very special historical milestone.
"The successful implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems', which gives us our high degree of autonomy, is unique, and the celebrations will be a momentous occasion," Mrs Wallis said.
Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:44
NNNN