Shinjuku Incident and Night and Fog to open the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival

Shinjuku Incident and Night and Fog to open
the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival

[February 26, 2009] The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) today announced that Shinjuku Incident, starring global superstar Jackie Chan and directed by Derek Yee Tung-shing, and Night and Fog, from acclaimed director Ann Hui, will open the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival. The World Premiere of both films will take place on March 22, 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The announcement was made at the 33rd HKIFF Official Hotel, the W Hong Kong, in front of a star-studded assembly of invited guests, which included Shinjuku Incident Director Derek Yee and cast members Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu, Xu Jinglei, Fan Bingbing and Chin Kar-lok. Night and Fog director Ann Hui, cast Simon Yam and Zhang Jingchu were also in attendance.

Produced by Dragon Emperor Movies, a subsidiary of Emperor Motion Pictures, Shinjuku Incident is a harrowing portrayal of the lives of illegal Chinese immigrants in the dark underbelly of Tokyo’s gangland. The film is a departure for Jackie Chan, marking a darker dramatic role for the action star.

Directed by acclaimed New Wave helmer Ann Hui, Night and Fog is an intimate exploration of domestic violence in Hong Kong. The film stars celebrated character actor Simon Yam, and co-stars actress Zhang Jingchu in a career defining role.

The HKIFFS also unveiled new key art icon for the 33rd HKIFF, featuring the mascot ‘BAUFA’ (which means exploding fireworks) set against a background of blue skies and white clouds. Designed by renowned Hong Kong multi-media practitioner Jan Lamb, the symbolism of the key art aims to deliver on the festival’s promise of hope and fantasy, and to engage future generations in the art and creativity of film.

“We have launched a number of new initiatives at this year’s HKIFF. The launch of our new brand is aimed at positioning the Festival within the global film calendar, as well as highlighting our mission to discover and introduce new creative film talent to the world. In this way, we hope to form a stronger bond with a new generation of viewers,” said Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society.

Mr Wong added, “In this time of global financial crisis, the role of the Festival is more important than ever. Films have the ability to inspire, uplift and bring hope to people, allowing us to believe again in our lives.”

Mr Wong also gave special thanks and appreciation to the main sponsors and Official Partners of the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival, which include Citibank Credit Card, W Hong Kong, Lexus and Grey Goose vodka, for their support and sponsorship. Mr Wong added that this partnership highlighted their social activism and their commitment in the continual development of Hong Kong’s art and film culture.

The 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival will be held from March 22 – April 13, 2009. Some 300 films from over 50 countries will be screened at the Festival, including 20 world premieres, 17 international premieres and 30 Asian premieres.

These gala premiere events include the following:
March 23 Asian Premiere of “The Yellow Handkerchief” with Academy Award-winners, producer Arthur Cohn and actor William Hurt in attendance.
March 24 World Premiere of “Sniper”
March 24 Asian Premiere of “I’ve Loved You So Long”
March 24 Asian Premiere of Dream Work’s Animation’s 3-D adventure “Monsters VS Aliens”
March 24 Asian Premiere of “W.” with director Oliver Stone in attendance
March 30 Gala Asian Premiere of “Ashes of Time: Redux” with director Wong Kar-wai and cast in attendance

Internationally acclaimed directors and filmmakers of the above films will come to Hong Kong and participate in the question and answer sessions with audiences. Other guests include:
1. Master Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski, who will introduce his latest work, Four Nights With Anna.
2. Uli Edel, director of the Academy Award-nominated German film, The Baader Meinhof Complex.

Other special programmes and sidebars include “Italian Landscape 2008,” “Finnish New Talents,” and “25th Anniversary of Film Workshop,” as well as tributes to the filmmakers Ichikawa Jun, Hans Richter, Ingmar Bergman (plus the Ingmar Berman multi-media installation exhibition – The Man Who Asked Hard Questions) and Michelangelo Antonioni.

Tickets for the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival will be available to the public online at http://www.hkiff.org.hk or by post from March 1, 2009, and from all URBTIX outlets from March 12, 2009.

Citibank Ultima Card and Citibank Platinum Card cardholders can enjoy priority booking on February 27 and 28 while Citibank Gold Card & Citibank Silver Card Cardholders can enjoy priority booking on February 28. All Citibank Credit Cardholders will also enjoy 10% off ticket prices from the March 1, 2009.

140 Citibank Credit Card Cardholders who spend the highest amount on tickets booked between the February 27-28, 2009 will also automatically receive two tickets to the 33rd HKIFF Red Carpet Premiere while among them the top 1st -65th cardholders would be invited to the cocktail reception for meeting A-list celebrities from local and international film industries. Besides, from February 23 to March 15, for those who apply online for a designated Citibank Credit Card can join the lucky draw to win two tickets as well to the Red Carpet Premiere and celebrity cocktail reception.

For further details, please visit www.citibank.com.hk

For enquiries, please contact HKIFFS PR Department
Ms. Maggie Ip Tel: +852-2102-7365 E-mail: Maggie_Ip@hkiff.org.hk
Mr. David Woo Tel: +852-2102-7363 E-mail: David_Woo@hkiff.org.hk

News source: Shinjuku Incident and Night and Fog to open the 33rd Hong Kong International Film Festival (Hong Kong International Film Festival)

News tag: HKIFF Shinjuku Incident Night and Fog Ann Hui Simon Yam Zhang Jingchu Derek Yee Jackie Chan Daniel Wu Xu Jinglei Fan Bingbing Jan Lamb Wilfred Wong Wong Kar-wai Chin Kar-lok

Related titles: Night and Fog (2009) Shinjuku Incident (2009) Ashes of Time Redux (2008) Twenty-Four City (2008) Yang Yang (2009) Somewhere I Have Never Travelled (2009) A Place of One's Own (2009) No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti (2008) A Tale of Two Donkeys (2008) Knitting (2008) Jalainur (2008) Silver Medalist (2009) Tactical Unit - Comrades in Arms (2009) True Women for Sale (2008) The Beast Stalker (2008) Sparrow (2008) Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (2008) End of Love (2008) Election (2008) Soundless Wind Chime (2009) Citizen King (2008) Permanent Residence (2009) Cry Me a River (2008) Confucius (1940) The Transition Period (2009) Survival Song (2008) Before the Flood 2 - Gong Tan (2008) Chandni Chowk to China (2009) The Sniper (2008)

Related persons: Ann HUI On-Wah Simon YAM Tat-Wah ZHANG Jingchu Derek YEE Tung-Sing Jackie CHAN Daniel WU Kar Lok CHIN XU Jinglei Naoto TAKENAKA Fan Bingbing WONG Kar Wai