- Title: CHINA: Awards are handed out at the 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival
- Date: 22nd March 2007
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (MARCH 20, 2007) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) MIKI NAKATANI, WINNER OF BEST ACTRESS SAYING: "Actually, when the filming was over, I was so tired because of the harsh direction from the director, and I lost my confidence in my acting as an actress so I took a trip to Indian for about 3 months." MIKI NAKATANI SHAKE HANDS WITH SONG KANG-HO (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SONG KANG-HO, WINNER OF BEST ACTOR SAYING: "I think Korean and Asian films have been trying lots different things, and going to new directions, I think that diversity has allow us to become more better." REPORTERS SONG LEAVING
- Embargoed: 6th April 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Reuters ID: LVA62H7HDS117TBLUIFS5W018K3I
- Story Text: The Hong Kong International Film Festival aimed at promoting Asian contribution to world cinema kicks off with an inaugural awards ceremony. Big names such as actress Michelle Yeoh and film director Luc Besson attended the event. The film festival that runs until April 11th offers some 300 films including 16 world premieres. South Korean horror flick "The Host" picked up four awards including best picture at Hong Kong's inaugural Asian film awards on Tuesday (March 20) night in a glitzy ceremony aimed at recognising the region's nascent film talent.
Stars from across Asia including Iran, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and China arrived by limo to tread the red carpet in tuxedos and dazzling gowns in a ceremony partly inspired by Hollywood in Hong Kong's convention centre next to the harbour.
Renowned French director Luc Besson, Actress Michelle Yeoh, Hong Kong stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau, South Korean superstar Rain and director Park Chan-wook were among those who attended.
"The Host" -- a dark, thriller cum horror movie about a mutant squid-like monster, suffused with an undercurrent of anti-Americanism -- picked up awards for best picture, best actor, best cinematographer and best visual effects.
The film's Song Kang-ho picked up the best actor prize.
The best director accolade went to critically acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhangke for his Venice prize winning film "Still Life" about the devastating social impact of the three gorges dam project on a small Sichuan town in China.
Japanese actress Miki Nakatani won best actress for "Memories of Matsuko" whilst other awards went to film talent from a spread of Asian countries including Iran's Mani Haghighi for best screenwriter, Thailand's Lee Chatametikool for best editor and Indonesia's Rahayu Supanggah for best composer.
"It's almost strange that it's the first ceremony," said French director Luc Besson of the inaugural award's self-stated aim of recognising Asian cinematic brilliance: "Good films come from everywhere, artists are like mushrooms, a little sun, a little water and they grow, they don't need passports, visas to create," he added of Asian cinema's growing international reputation.
An "outstanding contribution to Asian cinema" award was awarded to 60 year old Hong Kong screen siren Josephine Siao Fong-fong, a former child star who blossomed into a cinematic icon for close to five decades.
Renowned American film academic David Bordwell, who's written extensively on Asian cinema received a similar award.
The inaugural awards which kick-started the Hong Kong International Film Festival, add a sprinkling of glamour to the annual film fest whilst aiming to bolster and promote both Hong Kong and Asia's contribution to world cinema.
Wilfred Wong is the festival Chairman and hopes to follow in the footsteps of the U.S. and Europe in hosting world-class film festivals.
The Hong Kong International Film Festival runs from March 20th until April 11th and offers some 300 films including 16 world premieres. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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