Spotlight on Hong Kong films

THE 34TH Hong Kong Film Festival (HKFF) is back with a showcase of eight movies shot in 2010 and 2011 that have yet to be released here.

The movies premiered at the GSC International Screens in GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion KL and GSC 1Utama on March 15 and will be screened till March 18.

Then, for the first time, Penang moviegoers will also be able to enjoy this film festival from March 22 to March 25 at GSC Gurney Plaza.

The HKFF 2012 (www.gsc.com.my) is organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) based in Singapore and co-organised by FM 988, with the support of Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn Bhd (GSC).

The eight Hong Kong movies featured in this film festival are A Simple Life, Big Blue Lake, Mr and Mrs Single, Quattro Hong Kong I & II, Merry-Go-Round, The Road Less Travelled, Frozen and The Drunkard.

Tickets to all movies are priced at RM5 each, except for A Simple Life, which is selling at prevailing ticket prices as this movie opened in selected cinemas on March 15.

A Simple Life, directed by Ann Hui and starring Andy Lau and Deanie Ip, is based on a true story of a heartwarming relationship between a young master of a wealthy family, Roger (Lau), and the servant who raised him, Tou Jie (Ip).

Ip took home the best actress award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival last year for her role as Tou Jie.

The film also swept three of the top awards at the 48th Taipei Golden Horse Awards, winning best director for Hui, best actor for Lau and best actress for Ip.

So far, A Simple Life has won a total of 15 awards in five international film festivals and is currently competing in the upcoming 31st Hong Kong Film Awards in eight categories, including best film, best director, best actress and best actor.

Hui and Ip were in Kuala Lumpur recently to attend the gala premiere of A Simple Life at GSC Pavilion KL. They also held a meet-and-greet session with members of the media and fans.

Hui also conducted a workshop for students interested in filmmaking and Hong Kong films.

At a press conference, when asked if she was feeling nervous about her prospects at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards, Hui said: “I don’t feel particularly nervous because I don’t have much confidence in winning. ... To me it’s more important to make movies for people and, hopefully, Malaysian audiences will enjoy this movie.”

When asked about her chances, 64-year-old Ip said cheekily: “Everyone and every film nominated stand a fair chance of winning. To me, it would be great if I can get hold of the statue because I think this may be my last chance at getting nominated in my category. Good roles don’t come so easily, you know? Especially at my age!”

Also present at the press conference were HKETO (Asean) director Fong Ngai, FM 988 marketing director Victor Gu and GSC senior manager of distribution Tung Yow Kong.

Fong said: “Since 2009, HKETO has been introducing Hong Kong films of different genres to Malaysians through the HKFF. Over the past three years, we have introduced 37 films.”

Fong thanked Malaysian audiences for supporting the festival, adding that the organisers decided to take the festival to Penang this year due to popular demand.

“Hopefully, the festival attracts the many local fans of Hong Kong films in Penang and we might take the HKFF there annually,” he said.