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Label... Film Review 4th Asian Film Awards 5th Asian Film Awards Category... Standard Entry Video Information Press Release Event News

• French Cinema explained by World Famous F第36屆香港國際電影節公佈 法國電影資料館節目總監尚法蘭索瓦羅治訪港六天
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  Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 11:56AM / Standard Entry

  10 April, 2012－The Hong Kong International Film Society (HKIFFS) announced today that Jean-Francois Rauger, Programme Director at the world-renowned Cinematheque Francaise (French Cinematheque) will visit Hong Kong from April 8 to 13.

  
  

   

  
  

  During his visit to Hong Kong, Rauger, who is also a well-known film critic (in seminal film magazine “Cahiers du Cinema” from 1992 – 1995, and best-selling daily newspaper “Le Monde” from 1995 onwards) will participate in a panel discussion on Georges Franju on April 9 at the Hong Kong Science Museum as part of the HKIFFS tribute to the late French film master and co-founder of the French Cinematheque.

  
  

   

  
  

  Rauger will also discuss the development of French film culture at seminars organised at Academy for Performing Arts, Baptist University, City University, Lingnan University, and University of Hong Kong. The seminars are being held as part of HKIFFS’ “Cinema Mon Futur”  (“Cinema My Future”) to promote cinema as part of general studies at the tertiary level, and funded by a donation from the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Annual Gala.

  
  

   

  
  

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  About Hong Kong International Film Festival Society

  
  

  The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.

  
  

   

  
  

  Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.

  
  

   

  
  

  Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society presents three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).

  
  

  Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspiring films all year round.

  
  

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• The Story of Film: An Odyssey – Film Critics to join the audience to share their views Classic Movies Convergence - Retrospective of Georges Franju, Kawashima Yuzo and Kurahara Koreyoshi
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  Friday, Apr 6, 2012 6:55PM / Standard Entry

  
  [6th April 2012] – Hong Kong audiences were impressed by Director Mark Cousins who visited Hong Kong for the premiere of his film The Story of Film: An Odyssey last week and post-screening discussions were lively and stimulating. Audiences now have another chance to watch his monumental film this week at the Hong Kong Art Center Agnes b. cinema.  Although Mark Cousins has left Hong Kong, each screening this week will be followed by discussion with a renowned local film critic who will share their views on the film.

  
  

  
  

  Screening schedule as follows:

  Date		Time		Programme		Speaker
  Apr 5 (Thu)		7:15pm		The Story of Film: An Odyssey I (ep. 1-3)		Li Cheuk To, HKIFF Artistic Director
  Apr 6 (Fri)		12:30pm		The Story of Film: An Odyssey II (ep. 4-6)		Chan Ka Ming, HK Film Critics Society committee member
  Apr 7 (Sat)		12:30pm		The Story of Film: An Odyssey III (ep. 7-9)		Long Tin, film critic, artist and author of several books
  Apr 8 (Sun)		12:30pm		The Story of Film: An Odyssey IV (ep. 10-2)		Cheng Cheun Wai, journalist and film lover
  Apr 9 (Mon)		12:30pm		The Story of Film: An Odyssey V (ep. 13-15)		Joyce Yang - HK Film Critics Society committee member

  
  

   

  
  

  In addition, HKIFF continues its tradition of bringing together film masters from around the world including Georges Franju from France, and Japanese directors Kawashima Yuzo and Kurahara Koreyoshi.

  
  

   

  
  

  The Tenderness and Savagery of Georges Franju

  
  

  The late Georges Franju (1912-1987) occupies a pivotal position in the history of French cinema, both as a filmmaker and as one of the founders of the Cinematheque Francaise. His first film was the documentary, The Blood of Beasts (1949) which impressed and shocked audiences with its subject matter (daily life in a Parisian slaughterhouse) and its surreal images. He extended his strong personal aesthetics and style to his later feature films, creating a series of classics including the seminal horror film, Eyes Without a Face.

  
  

  To commemorate the centenary of Franju’s birth, HKIFF has selected two of his feature films and a series of short films, including:

  
  

  -              Head Against the Wall 1959

  
  

  -              Eyes Without a Face 1960

  
  

  -              Georges Franju Shorts Programme 1949-1959
  ( Le sang des bêtes 1949, Hotel des Invalides 1952, La premiere nuit 1958, Le grand Melies 1952)

  
  

   

  
  

  The Aesthetics of Discordance – Kawashima Yuzo

  
  

  Yuzo's aesthetics of "Discordance” was influenced by his growing up in a poor family, and suffering from muscular atrophy just when he became a director. The last scene of his masterpiece The Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate is recognized as the climax of his aesthetic "Discordance". The period film is a part comedy part tragedy set in a brothel with a panorama of characters whose individual struggles to survive create friction in their community. It was considered as one of the best Japanese films of all time and was particularly noteworthy for the comedic performance of the very popular Frankie Sakai.

  
  

   

  
  

  Yuzo’s other films which are shown during the festival include:

  
  

   

  
  

  -                      Our Doctor, Our Chief 1952

  
  

  -                      Between Yesterday and Tomorrow 1954

  
  

  -                      Burden of Love 1955

  
  

  -                      The Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate 1957

  
  

  -                      Suzaki Paradise: Red Light 1956

  
  

  -                      Elegant Beast 1962

  
  

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  The Irreverent Genre-Buster KURAHARA KOREYOSHI

  
  

  Internationally acclaimed director Kurahara Koreyoshi (1927-2002) is best-known for his offbeat style, and unbounded imagination that overturned genre conventions and expectations. He was crowned as the “Nikkatsu Trio” along with Nakahira Ko and Imamura Shohei, directing some of the studio’s biggest hits and making cult classics inspired by the film revolution of the French New Wave such as The Warped Ones. Kurahara debuted with I Am Waiting (Ore wa matteru ze) in 1957, and since then pushed film form and content even further than his counterparts in Europe. HKIFF is screening a selection of his work:

  
  

   

  
  

  -     The Third Dead Angle 1959

  
  

  -      Intimidation 1960

  
  

  -     The Warped Ones 1960

  
  

  -     Black Sun  1964

  
  

  -    Glass-Hearted Johnny 1962

  
  

  -    Thirst for Love  1967

  
  

   

  
  

  About Hong Kong International Film Festival Society

  
  

  The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organization dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film.

  
  

  Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.

  
  

  Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society presents three annual flagship events in March and April: The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and the Asian Film Awards (AFA).

  
  

  Passionately believing in the power of films to unite cultures and generations, the HKIFFS is devoted to giving thousands of film lovers around the region direct access to the world’s most inspiring films all year round.

  
  

   

  
  

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• The 36th HKIFF Announces Nine Winners in Five Competitions
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  Wednesday, Apr 4, 2012 12:49PM / Standard Entry

  

  
  

  
  

  3 April 2012 (Hong Kong) – The 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) announced this year’s winning films for the SIGNIS Awards, FIPRESCI Prize, and the Firebird Awards for Short Film Competition, Documentary Competition and Young Cinema Competition. The announcement took place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. (Please refer to list of jurors) The winners of Documentary Competition Award and Young Cinema Competition will receive a camera kit sponsored by Nikon.

  
  

  Co-organised with SIGNIS Hong Kong since 2004, the SIGNIS Awards recognise quality films that express social and humanitarian concerns as well as spiritual values. The SIGNIS Award this year went to Monsieur Lazhar by Philippe Falardeau. The jury’s commented that “Avoiding sentimentality and using subtle humour this sensitive gem speaks to the heart” The film shows how cinema can be a powerful tool to enhance sensational experience. Both I Wish and Declaration of War received Special Mention of this Award. (please refer to the award list).

  
  

  The FIPRESCI Prize has been presented since the 23rd HKIFF with the aim to promote young talent and artistic excellence in Asian filmmaking.  The FIPRESCI prize was presented to The Mirror Never Lies by Kamila Andini.The Jury noted that s beemovie shows us a community's relationship with nature and the personal story of the search of a father that has disappeared. The impressive visual style combines the power of the ocean and the rites of the human beings, the every-day struggle of life and the coming-of-age-story of a young girl.” (Please refer to the award list).

  
  

  Supported by the Jockey Club Cine Academy (JCCA), the Short Film Competition this year received 500 entries from Asia, Europe and theAmericas. Twenty finalists were selected and shown during the festival. this year the Film Festival has added The Special Prize (Hong Kong) for the local film. The Jury Prize was presented to Everyone Says I Love You by Cecile Ducrocq. The new Special Prize (Hong Kong) was conferred to Acid by Lam Suk-ching. Lam’s work has been greatly recognized laying a foundation to local filmmakers and serving as a huge encouragement for them. The top award of Firebird Prize was made to Muybridge’s Strings by Yamamura Koji. Jury members were very moved by its poetic style and its original structure. (please refer to the award list).

  
  

  The Documentary Competition Award is made to documentary filmmakers who address social issues.The Firebird Award was made to Jai Bhim Comradeby Anand Patwardhan. The Jury recognized that "Its subject is compelling but easy to ignore. The film is morally powerful and dignifies the people whose world it reveals. It is lyrical, a musical, a compilation film and a wonderful piece of journalism." The Jury Prize went to Back to the Squareby Petr Lom. The Jury commented that this was "A moving and brave film about a truly relevant topic. The film was made in unstable circumstances yet has a smooth rhythm and is clear-sighted in showing us that the revolution in Egypt is far from over."(please refer to the award list).

  
  

  The Young Cinema Competition aims to encourage young Asian filmmakers and to recognize their efforts. The Firebird Award for Young Cinema went to Song of Silence by Chen Zhuo. The jury commented that this was "A beautiful film with naturalistic acting and great cinematography. The jury looks forward to the director's future works as a dynamic new voice of Chinese cinema." The Jury Prize went to The End of Puberty by Kimura Shoko, which was highly praised for the director’s "creativity with a dynamic point-of-view and unique and effective way of expression, and the film is is a clever and original depiction of sex and sexual relationship."(please refer to the award list).

  
  

  Screenings of the following award-winning films are still available at the 36th HKIFF:

  
  

   

  
  

  l   Muybridge’s Strings - 4 April, 10:30am, Science Museum

  
  

  l   Everyone Says I Love You - 4 April, 12:15pm, Science Museum

  
  

  l   Jai Bhim Comrade – 4 April, 2:45pm, Hong Kong Space Museum

  
  

  l   Monsieur Lazhar - 8 April, 3:00pm, Science Museum

  
  

   

  
  

  Details of these screenings can be found at www.hkiff.org.hk

  
  

   

  
  

  List of Awards

  
  

   

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Young Cinema Competition
  Firebird Award		Song of Silence
  Jury Prize		The End of Puberty
  Documentary Competition
  Firebird Award		Jai Bhim Comrade
  Jury Prize		Back to the Squar
  Short Film Competition
  Firebird Award		Muybridge’s Strings
  Jury Prize		Everyone Says I Love You
  Special Prize (Hong Kong)		Acid
  FIPRESCI
  FIPRESCI Prize		The Mirror Never Lies
  SIGNIS Award
  SIGNIS Award		Monsieur Lazhar
  Special Mention		I Wish Declaration of War

  
  

   

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• The 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival Gala Premiere 10+10
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  Friday, Mar 30, 2012 11:14AM / Standard Entry

  PRESS INVITATION 
  
  The 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival 
  Gala Premiere 10+10 
  
  You are cordially invited to attend the 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) Gala Premiere 10+10 on 3 April 2012 (Tuesday) from 7:00PM to 7:30PM at Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Two of directors will be present and share with the media the experience in filmmaking before the premiere. 
  
  Details are as follows: 
  
  Date： 3 April 2012 (Tue) 
  Time： 7PM - 7:30PM （ Media Reception Time: 6:30PM） 
  Venue： Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre 
  Screening Time： 7:30 PM 
  Guests： Director - Hou Hsiao - Hsien, Sylvia Chang 
  
  Note to Editors: 
  10+10 
  Dir: Various Mandarin 2011 Colour 120min 
  Cast: Shu Qi, Mei Fang, Joseph Chang et al. 
  What makes Taiwan so unique? In 10+10, twenty local filmmakers are allotted five minutes and are given total freedom to express cinematically how they feel about this subject. Commissioned by the Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival, the shorts featured here run the gamut from a war epic to personal dramas to documentary short subject. The filmmakers, consisting of some of the biggest names in Taiwanese cinema, include: Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Sylvia Chang, Wei Te-Sheng, Wu Nien-Jen, Chang Tso-Chi, Arvin Chen, Chen Kuo-Fu, Chung Mong-Hong, Leon Dai, Wi Ding Ho, Wang Shau-Di, Wang Tung, Chu Yen-Ping, Shen Ko-Shang, Hou Chi-Jan, Chen Yu-Hsun, Yang Ya-Che, Cheng Wen-Tang, Cheng Yu-Chieh and Hsiao Ya-Chuan. 
  

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• The 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival Gala Premiere Vulgaria Casts Sharing
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  Wednesday, Mar 28, 2012 12:42PM / Standard Entry

  PRESS INVITATION 
  
  You are cordially invited to attend the casts sharing and interview of 36th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) Gala Premiere Vulgaria on 27 March 2012 (Tuesday) from 6:45PM to 7:15PM at Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Casts will be present and share with the media the experience in filmmaking. 
  
  Details are as follows: 
  
  Date ： March 27, 2012 (Tue) 
  Time ： 6:45PM - 7:15PM （ Media Reception Time: 6:15PM） 
  Venue ： Hong Kong Cultural Centre 
  Screening Time ： 7:15 PM 
  Guests : Cast - Chapman To, Jim Chim, Lawrence Cheng, Dada Chan, Kristal Tin, Susan Siu, 
  Hiro Hayama, Matt Chow, Vincent Chiu, Mak Ling Ling, Isabel Chan and Lawrence Chou etc. 
  
  Note to Editors: 
  Vulgaria 
  Dir: Pang Ho-cheung 
  2012 Cantonese/Putonghua Colour 90min 
  Cast: Chapman To, Dada Chan, Jim Chim 
  Pang Ho-cheung brings his many years of experience as director and producer to craft this ode to today's Hong Kong film industry. Like Pang, producer To Wai-cheung, our protagonist, must go north to find his funding, even if it means getting involved with a Guangxi triad head named Tyrannosaurus and experiencing "the ultimate sex". Another investment precondition: convincing 1970s star Susan Shaw to act in a classic porno remake named Darling, I Want It Too. Despite all the hardships, To is determined to make his film. With the uproarious, taboo-breaking Vulgaria, Pang gleefully exorcises all the restraints he has been bottling up with this bona fide, censorship-free Hong Kong movie. 

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