ZFF Reception – DBL remarks

• Welcome! This is the third time we collaborate with the Zurich Film Festival in screening movies. I am particularly happy that a total of four HK productions are selected this year, including an action film (Shock Wave), a drama (Mad World), a romantic comedy (Love of the Cuff), and a tragicomedy (29+1). And more importantly, a leading filmmaker from Hong Kong, Director Mabel Cheung, is joining us tonight.

• Mabel has been an active player in the Hong Kong film industry in the past 30 years. Her films, from “An Autumn’s Tale” in the 80s, to “The Soong Sisters” in the 90s, and the latest production “A Tale of Three Cities”, tell not only stories, but also memories of Hong Kong in a delicate and hearty style. Her participation in this year’s Zurich Film Festival as a jury member for the international feature film category will for sure bring a unique perspective to the selection of films in the festival.

• For long-time movie-goers, Hong Kong productions are no strangers to you. Not only do we have one of the largest and most dynamic film entertainment industries in the world, our film talents and professionals have also managed to make their names known in both Eastern and Western movie markets. The most well-known one perhaps is Jackie Chan; but others like directors Mabel Cheung, and Wong Kar- wai, as well as actors such as Chow Yun-fat and Maggie Cheung have also successfully made their names known in both eastern and western markets.

• Hong Kong is also a popular place for shooting of films, TV programmes and advertisements. In recent years, feature films from various countries that have made Hong Kong their filming locations including “The Dark Knight” of Batman, and the “Transformers 4 - Age of Extinction”.

• Hong Kong, apart from being an international financial and trading hub, is also aspiring to become an arts and cultural hub in Asia. With the closer integration of and Hong Kong since 1997, Hong Kong movies and our players in the film industry now have access to a huge market of 1.3 billion viewers, and the opportunity of co-production with investors and talents from the Mainland of China.

• Later tonight, we will screen the award-winning “Mad World” that tells an intensive story about the hard realities in modern-time society. The director, Wong Chun, won Best New Director in the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards. I hope you will enjoy the film. I wish you an enjoyable evening.

• May I now pass on the Mabel.