XN000022-1996-06-10 — Page 2

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HK-USA promotion travels on to California

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, and members of the HK-USA delegation arrived in Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas, on Saturday evening (June 8, US West coast time) to launch the third and final leg of the HK-USA promotion. The promotional tour had kicked off in New York at the beginning of the week.

The highlight of the weekend in Los Angles was the opening of the Hong Kong Film Festival entitled "American Film Institute Tribute to Hong Kong Cinema" today (Sunday, June 9) at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The festival, co-organised by the American Film Institute and the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association, and supported by Mr Raymond Chow of Golden Harvest, presents eight movies to the American audience, with Stage Door (Hu-Du-Men) as the featured film for the opening production.

President of the American Film Institute, actor Charlton Heston, introducing the Chief Secretary, said movies were the international language and it is important to honour the Asian film community. "Hong Kong for some time has been a major centre of film production," Mr Heston said. "This creative exchange is very important for film makers. We are pleased to celebrate the international connection," he added.

Mrs Anson Chan told the audience that Hong Kong is the world's second largest exporter of films, second only to the USA itself. "Dubbed the 'Hollywood of the East' the territory has been responsible for titles such as "Farewell to My Concubine" and "Summer Snow" which have claimed top awards at prestigious international festivals. At the same time, other action adventures, like "Cannonball Run" and "Rumble in the Bronx" are proving box office smashes," Mrs Chan said.

The ceremony, attended by many members of the Hollywood film community, also featured appearances by actresses Josephine Siao and Anita Yuen and director Shu Kei. Other guests included Mr Raymond Chow of Golden Harvest, film directors John Woo, King Hu, Kirk Wong and Stanley Tong, and artists Chow Yun Fat, Jenny Woo, Dragonson Yin, Christy Chung and Lisa Lu. Screenwriter Raymond To, choreographer Bruce Law and producer Terence Chang were also present.

The programme in Los Angeles will continue on Monday, June 10, with several calls by Mrs Chan on business and civic leaders and a gala dinner to celebrate the Hong Kong-USA promotion in Los Angeles.

Prior to leaving Texas, Mrs Chan officiated at the first in a series of Hong Kong Trade Development Council fashion shows entitled "Hong Kong salutes Fashionable Dallas", held in conjunction with Market Week at the Dallas International Apparel Mart.