28/06/2012:

HK15 Festival Announces Full Guest Line Up

HK15 Film Festival, organised to by Terracotta Far East Film Festival in conjunction with the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office to mark fifteen years since the handover, has just confirmed its full line up and special guests. The Festival will take place at the Odeon Covent Garden in London from the 2nd to the 14th of July and will feature films old and new in celebration of Hong Kong's rich cinematic tradition. Full details of the all the featured films can be found on the festival's website http://hk15filmfestival.com/ and the full line up and details of the special guests can be found in the full press release below.

A screen legend, a veteran film producer and talented fresh gems of Hong Kong filmmaking, all brought together in London for the highly anticipated ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ from 2nd – 14th July 2012.

The Festival is thrilled to introduce new emerging talent, first-time and established filmmakers reflecting the vibrancy and energy of Hong Kong cinema. For this special occasion, world renowned star Jimmy Wang Yu and producer Roger Lee will be appearing in their respective film screenings, along with acclaimed directors Fung Chih Chiang and Jessey Tsang.

Famed in both Hong Kong and international film circles, Jimmy Wang Yu is widely credited as being the first Hong Kong Kung Fu star and this veteran of over 80 films has been a vital part of the evolution of Hong Kong action films since he joined Shaw Brothers studio in 1963.
He is still actively acting four decades later and ‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’ is extremely proud to screen his latest film, Wu Xia made in 2011, as well as the classic that shot him to fame in 1967, One Armed Swordsman directed by famed director Chang Cheh; he will be making a personal appearance at both screenings for an audience Q&A session on the 7th and 8th of July.

Producer Roger Lee will present his autobiographical feature, A Simple Life, at the festival Opening Gala on July 2nd. The film, which stars Andy Lau and Deanie Ip, was directed by Ann Hui and earned Ip the Best Actress award at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.

In support of emerging talent, Hong Kong independent director Jessey Tsang will hold a post screening Q&A to introduce her new film, Big Blue Lake on July 9th. This moving story is based on her own experiences and depicts a less explored side of the Hong Kong New Territories.

Another highlight is the attendance of a new fresh talent in Hong Kong cinema: Fung Chih Chiang, who will present his directorial debut, The Bounty on July 12th. He has had great success as a scriptwriter with hits such as Shaolin Soccer and Sparrow, and the festival is proud to introduce his quirky new comedy as a premiere to the UK audience.

Other UK premieres include White Vengeance, sword fighting historical epic; The Detective 2, serial killer thriller; mad-cap fantasy comedy East Meets West 2011 and touching coming of age comedy drama When Beckham Met Owen.

Mrs Agnes Allcock, Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, says: ''The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London is delighted to be supporting the Hong Kong 15 Film Festival to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong film industry has been thrilling and entertaining people around the world for many decades, and highlights the talent, creativity and competitiveness of Hong Kong, with its famous‘can-do’ spirit and our continued striving for excellence.”

Talent attending the event will travel courtesy of Sponsor-in-Kind, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's flagship carrier'.
“As Hong Kong’s official airline, we are delighted to be a part of the Hong Kong 15 Film Festival to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the handover.” Says Cathay Pacific “This is a unique and exciting event to participate in to further our brand’.

‘Hong Kong 15 Film Festival’is presented by the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office, London, in association with Terracotta Festival, to mark the 15 year anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.
All screenings will be hosted at the Odeon Covent Garden, 135 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, from July 2nd to 14th 2012.

The programme features 15 carefully selected films, grouped in three themed sections: ‘Currents’ will showcase the best of what Hong Kong cinema has had to offer over the past year while the‘15 Years Review’ will look back on some significant films since the handover, and finally, ‘Shaw Brothers Classics’will show a rare double-bill treat of two of the legendary martial arts films that sparked international interest in Hong Kong cinema.

Full details and descriptions of the films featured in the programme and tickets prices can be found on the festival website at: http://hk15filmfestival.com/

CURRENTS
A Simple Life - 2011 by Ann Hui
Opening Film Q&A with Roger Lee, producer and writer - 2nd July 2012, 19:00
Life Without Principle - 2011 by Johnnie To – Closing Film 14th July 2012, 18:30
White Vengeance – 2011 UK Premiere by Daniel Lee - 4th July 2012 18:15
The Detective 2 – 2011 UK Premiere by Oxide Pang - 5th July 2012 18:15
East Meets West 2011- 2011 UK Premiere by Jeffrey Lau - 7th July 2012, 14:15
Wu Xia - 2011 by Peter Chan / Q&A with actor Jimmy Wang Yu – 8th July 2012, 14:15
Big Blue Lake – 2011 by Jessey Tsang/ Q&A with director - 9th July 2012, 18:15
The Bounty – 2012 by Fung Chih Chiang / Q&A with director - 12th July 2012, 18:15

15 YEARS REVIEW
Made In Hong Kong - 1997 by Fruit Chan - 6th July 2012, 18:15
Infernal Affairs – 2002 by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak - 3rd July 20112, 18:15
When Beckham Met Owen - 2004 UK Premiere by Adam Wong - 10th July 2012, 18:15
Sparrow – 2008 by Johnnie To - 11th July 2012, 18:15
Dream Home - 2010 by Pang Ho-cheung - 13th July 2012, 20:45

SHAW BROTHERS CLASSIC
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin – 1978 by Liu Chia-Liang - 7th July 2012, 18:15
One Armed Swordsman – 1967 by Chang Cheh/ Q&A with actor Jimmy Wang Yu - 7th July 2012, 20:45