With the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) and Create Hong Kong, Hong Kong films are enjoying a strong presence at the 21st Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy from April 26 to May 4. The FEFF is the largest film festival in Europe focusing on films from the Far East, and attracts over 60 000 visitors each year.
A total of 77 films are being screened at this year's FEFF, including eight Hong Kong films, namely "A Home with a View" by Herman Yau (international festival premiere); "Hotel Soul Good" by Yan Pak-wing, "Missbehavior" by Pang Ho-cheung, "Three Husbands" by Fruit Chan, and "Still Human" by Oliver Chan (all European premieres); "Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy" by Yuen Woo-ping (European festival premiere); and "Bodies at Rest" by Renny Harlin and "Project Gutenberg" by Felix Chong (both Italian premieres). "Still Human" is also still in competition for the White Mulberry Award for First Time Director.
Two other Hong Kong films were screened in "The Odd Couple" section of this year's FEFF, in which an iconic western film faces off with its eastern counterpart. The two pairs of "cinematographic twins" are Angie Chen's "My Name Ain't Suzie" from Hong Kong as a response to Richard Quine's "The World of Suzie Wong" from the United States (US), and Ringo Lam's "City on Fire" from Hong Kong, which was paired with Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" from the US.
To highlight the participation of Hong Kong films in the FEFF, the HKETO, Brussels hosted a reception on May 2, (Udine time) followed by a screening of "Missbehavior". Speaking at the reception, the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Fiona Chau, said that cinema is an art that has always been highly appreciated and close to the hearts of Hong Kong people, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) is committed to providing support to Hong Kong film industry.
Miss Chau also noted that "Still Human" is a winning project under the HKSARG's First Feature Film Initiative, which was launched in 2013 to nurture talent by providing funding for young directors to make their first commercial feature films. The film won awards for Best Actor, Best New Performer and Best New Director at the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards. She added that the HKSARG will continue to support and promote the Hong Kong film industry worldwide, including nurturing young film talents.
One of the highlights of this year's FEFF was a tribute to Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang, who received the Golden Mulberry for Outstanding Achievement Award. The FEFF screened Anthony Wong's debut in "My Name Ain't Suzie" and his most recent film, "Still Human".
Other film industry members from Hong Kong attending this year's FEFF are director Yan Pak-wing, writer Yim Ka-yee and producer Yvonne Chuang for "Hotel Soul Good"; director Oliver Chan and actress Crisel Consunji for "Still Human"; actresses June Lam and Yanki Ting for "Missbehavior"; director Angie Chen for "My Name Ain’t Suzie"; and actress Chloe Maayan for "Three Husbands".
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