SDC Paper No. 100/2012 (For discussion on 15.11.2012) Southern District Council Application for SDC Fund: Promotion of Southern District Literary Trail Purpose This paper aims to seek Members’ approval of an allocation of funds for promotion of the Southern District Literary Trail. The funds are intended to be used to, inter alia, produce publicity materials for six literary figures, produce a short film on Eileen CHANG and organise publicity projects on public arts education and literature in respect of the works of Eileen CHANG and XIAO Hong. Background 2. With a view to fostering literary education and creation in Hong Kong and promoting local tourism, the Southern District Council (SDC) initiated in late 2009 the development of a Southern District Literary Trail by connecting footprints of several contemporary literary figures and constructing landmarks along the way. At its 6th meeting held on 13 September 2012, the SDC endorsed the revised work targets, which include giving priority to the construction of the two landmarks at Repulse Bay (i.e. those for Eileen CHANG and XIAO Hong, two notable female writers). The construction works is expected to complete in 2014. Proposals Production of a Short Film on Eileen CHANG 3. Eileen CHANG’s life was intricately entwined with movies. She was fond of watching movies and had written a number of screenplays for the Motion Picture & General Investment Co. Ltd. at the request of SONG Qi. Her novels such as “Love in a Fallen City”, “Rouge of the North”, “Red Rose White Rose”, “Eighteen Springs”, “The Golden Cangue” and “Lust, Caution” have been adapted into movies or 1 television dramas. Her story with HU Lan-cheng has also been adapted into the movie “Red Dust”. 4. To promote the section of the Southern District Literary Trail which is related to Eileen CHANG, we propose producing a short film on CHANG in collaboration with the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA). The film will incorporate excerpts of the aforesaid movies and the actual views of the respective shooting locations (e.g. Repulse Bay) over and above little anecdotes about CHANG’s everyday life in Hong Kong (e.g. SONG Qi’s former residence where CHANG has stayed and composed a number of her works). The HKFA will offer technical assistance and provide venues and equipment for reproduction of footage clippings for free, as well as recommending the author of its publication “Eileen CHANG: MP & GI Screenplays” to be the producer of the film. 5. Members are invited to consider endorsing an allocation of $220,000 for the production of the short film with details as follows: Item Estimated Expenditure Research and screenplay writing $53,000 Shooting and production of the film (including $140,000 emoluments of director(s), assistant(s) and worker(s); expenditures on leasing photographic equipment, composing music, narration, etc.) Royalty of excerpts $10,000 Miscellaneous $7,000 “Literature Gala at Sunset” + “Love & Spring” Public Arts Project 6. To further promote the Southern District Literary Trail, encourage local literary creation and publicise the two landmarks (namely “Eileen CHANG’s Hong Kong Journeys” and “Stray Birds 31”) to be constructed at Repulse Bay in 2013, we propose that a literature gala should be staged at the small garden next to the seaside pavilion at Repulse Bay in the evening on 23 March 2013, and a public arts project featuring the two female writers be implemented in collaboration with the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF), and thereby revealing the construction schedules of the two landmarks. 2 7. We also suggest inviting famous poets and writers to the event to share the stories of the two female writers and read classic quotes from love poems/letters at the sunset. When the night falls, an open-air cinema will be set up to play the short film on Eileen CHANG and the dance scenes of the coming performance in May 2013 about XIAO Hong. The audience may enjoy the love stories and literary works of these two great writers under the starry sky, feeling the breeze of arts and culture of Repulse Bay. 8. On the other hand, the HKYAF will be asked to put up a series of interactive public arts pieces which are designed with reference to the 30 classic quotes from love poems/letters of the east and west at the lookout pavilion and along the Seaview Promenade connecting to Deep Water Bay. Details of the project are at Annex. 9. The estimate for the project is $450,000 (including the amount of $250,000 to be paid in 2013-14) with details as follows: Item Estimated Expenditure Invitation of famous poets to compile 30 classic $30,000 quotes from love poems/letters of the east and west, and famous writers to attend the event Venue decoration, video and audio equipment, $115,000 backdrop, master of ceremony and live recital, etc. Public arts project $300,000 Miscellaneous $5,000 Production of Promotional Items for Southern District Literary Trail 10. To complement the above activities and promote Southern District Literary Trail at Hong Kong Book Fair 2013, we propose to produce handkerchiefs for the six literary figures. The handkerchiefs may include a regular version with graphic prints and a deluxe version with embroidery. We propose to invite the designer of the Southern District Literary Trail postcards to design the handkerchiefs to maintain consistency in style. 11. Subject to Members’ agreement to the production of handkerchiefs for Southern District Literary Trail, we would like to request Members to advise on the quantity of the handkerchiefs to be produced and whether the handkerchiefs for the 3 six literary figures should be packed separately or together. The Secretariat will invite quotation with respect to the resolution of SDC and apply for the necessary funding in January 2013. Advice Sought 12. Members are invited to consider supporting the proposals mentioned in paragraphs 3 to 11 and endorse the funding applications. Southern District Council Secretariat November 2012 4.