PRESS, PUBLIC RELATIONS, BROADCASTING AND FILMS
films are of a higher standard of production and em- ploy better known actors. There are seven major pro- ducing studios, but there is also a large number of small production companies renting studio space as and when required. Films made in Hong Kong are shown throughout the countries of South East Asia wherever there are large Chinese communities. Some are also shown in the United States of America.
In the Colony itself there are now 64 cinemas in operation and more are under construction. Most of the large modern theatres are air-conditioned and are equipped to show "Cinemascope" on the new wide
screen.
Apart from locally produced films, a prepondence of American films is shown. British films are third, averaging about 50 a year in comparison with 400 American. A few Japanese, French, Indian and Italian films are also shown occasionally. First and second run cinemas are required under quota law to show British films at least seven days out of seventy.
All films must be submitted for censorship before exhibition to the public. But any owner or distributor of a film who is aggrieved by any decision of the Panel of Censors may appeal to a Board of Review, the decision of which is final. Provision is also made whereby any person who objects to a film being shown may appeal to the Colonial Secretary for its examination by the Board of Review. All films passed by the censors are released for general exhibition. There is no system of special certificates limiting the audience to certain categories as in the United Kingdom.
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