34^th HKIFF Announces Star-Studded Opening Gala with Crossing Hennessy and Like a Dream

Photos of Press Conference

25 February, 2010 (Hong Kong) – The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) today announced the films that will open the 34^th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF): the World Premiere of Crossing Hennessy by two-time Hong Kong Film Award Winner Ivy Ho; and Gala Premiere Like a Dream directed by internationally acclaimed director Clara Law. Both films will premiere at what is set to be a star-studded Opening Gala on 21 March, 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Today’s highly anticipated announcement was made at the 34^th HKIFF Official Hotel, the W Hong Kong, with the director and cast members of Crossing Hennessy in attendance. The atmosphere at the press conference was electric with the arrival of superstar Jacky Cheung; veteran actress and long-time darling of the Hong Kong film industry, Paw Hee-ching; the popular actress Maggie Cheung Ho-yee; and last but not least the highly acclaimed screenwriter-turned-director Ivy Ho.

Crossing Hennessy takes place in one of Hong Kong’s most colourful districts – Wanchai, where Hennessy Road divides the district into two halves. Crossing Hennessy is a tale of an unlikely friendship between two thirtysomethings, Oi-lin (Tang) and Loy (Cheung), who are set up on a blind date. It features acting and singing sensation Jacky Cheung who takes on an impressive acting challenge with this role. Starring alongside is 29-year old ingénue Tang Wei, who returns to the silver screen with her last memorable performance in Ang Lee’s 2007 Lust, Caution. The film also features Paw Hee-ching, last year’s winner of the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actress; Maggie Cheung Ho-yee, who has won a number of prestigious Hong Kong TV awards; and Ivy Ho (Claustrophobia), who is an award-winning screenwriter finding herself at the directorial helm for the second time.

Like a Dream, directed by acclaimed veteran Clara Law (Autumn Moon, Floating Life) in her long-awaited return to Chinese-language filmmaking, stars heartthrob Daniel Wu and budding actress Yolanda Yuan in a cross-continent love story. The movie is a romantic drama in which a Chinese-American Max (Wu) from New York travels to Shanghai to look for his imagined ideal love. The film received an overwhelming nine nominations at the 2009 Golden Horse Film Awards for Best Feature Film, Director, Actor, Actress, Original Screenplay, Photography, Art, Sound and Music.

Wilfred Wong, Chairman of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, said, “Over the years, the HKIFF has become regarded as a leading platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films. The festival is a particularly valuable vehicle for Hong Kong filmmakers to release new films in Asia and showcase them to the world’s audience. At this year’s HKIFF, we are delighted to present eleven new Hong Kong films, including the two outstanding local films screening at the opening: Crossing Hennessy and Like a Dream.”

Mr Wong also gave special thanks and appreciation to the main sponsors and Official Partners of the 34^th HKIFF, which include Citibank Credit Card, Audi, and W Hong Kong.

Citibank is involved in the Hong Kong International Film Festival again this year. Citibank Credit Cardholders can continue to enjoy priority booking of the 34^th HKIFF film tickets.  In addition, the “Citi Rewards” program will enable cardholders to redeem the very exclusive Red Carpet Gala Premiere tickets to experience the event with celebrities on Red Carpet.

As one of the world’s leading automobile corporate, the core brand value of Audi ’Vorsprung durch Technik’ has contributed not just to automotive development but has also strongly committed untiringly to supporting art, cultural and charitable events. The appearances of Audi in Hollywood action blockbusters like Mission Impossible, I-Robot, Iron Man, Transporter I & II, are just a few to name exemplifying Audi's fame in the film industry worldwide and locally.

As part of the 34^th HKIFF key highlights, the HKIFF is also proud to announce the tribute to the Visionary Master Directors: Greece’s most renowned filmmaker, Theo Angelopoulos; Japan’s star director in cinema history, Shimazu Yasujiro; internationally-acclaimed Polish director, Krzysztof Zanussi; and one of the greatest visionaries in Indian cinema, Guru Dutt. The retrospectives of these four influential directors allow the audiences to experience the extraordinary impact they have created on the history of cinema.

The 34^th HKIFF runs from 21 March to 6 April, 2010. Over 240 films from over 50 countries will be seen at 11 venues in Hong Kong, of which 65 are world, international or Asian premieres.

A full list of film titles can be viewed online at http://www.hkiff.org. Tickets for the 34^th HKIFF will be available to the public online or by post from 28 February 2010, and from all URBTIX outlets from 11 March, 2010 (please see Appendix).

About HKIFF
The HKIFF is one of Asia’s most reputable platforms for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch new works and experience outstanding films.

Screening over 240 titles from nearly 50 countries in 11 major cultural venues across the territory, the Festival is Hong Kong’s largest cultural event that reaches an audience of over 590,000 including 4,500 business executives who attend Hong Kong Film and Television Market (FILMART), a concurrent event of the HKIFF. The 34^th HKIFF will be held from 21 March to 6 April 2010.

Committed to discovering new talent, the Festival premieres the breadth of Chinese cinema and showcases Asian talent. As a lifestyle event, festival-goers can enjoy world-class films, attend seminars hosted by leading filmmakers from around the world, visit film exhibitions, join celebration parties, and more. For more information, please visit www.hkiff.org

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Please contact for media enquiries, film photo-stills, HKIFF trailer and key-art:

Appendix:

The 34^th HKIFF Screening Venues
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong City Hall
Hong Kong Film Archive
Hong Kong Science Museum
Hong Kong Space Museum
Hong Kong Arts Centre
UA Times Square
UA Cityplaza
UA Langham Place
The Grand Cinema (The Elements)

The 34^th HKIFF Statistics
Number of Screenings: 425
Number of Films: 243
Number of Countries/Regions: 54
Number of World Premieres: 24
Number of International Premieres: 3
Number of Asian Premieres: 38

The 34^th HKIFF Ticketing Information
All HKIFF screening tickets are open to public sales through different channels:
Priority Booking for Citibank Card Holders: 25 – 27 February, 2010
All Citibank Credit Card Cardholders can enjoy 10% off on tickets starting 28 February, 2010
Internet Booking www.hkiff.org/ Postal Booking: Starts from 28 February, 2010 
Counter Booking at URBTIX outlets: Starts from 11 March, 2010
Ordinary and Weekend Public Holiday Screenings: HK$60.
Weekday Matinee Screenings (Mondays - Fridays [except public holidays], film code ends with D) and Confucius (02KG4E1R): HK$40
“Angelopoulos + Zanussi + Shimazu + Dutt” Part II Programme (film code ends with X): HK$55

Hong Kong Film Archive Contribution Programmes (film code ends with R, except Confucius): $30
Matinee Pass: HK$800
Super Value Pass: HK$2,000
VIP Pass: HK$4,200

This year, Citibank is involved in the Hong Kong International Film Festival again. Citibank Credit Cardholders can continue to enjoy priority booking of the 34^th HKIFF film tickets. In addition, the “Citi Rewards” program will enable cardholders to redeem the very exclusive Red Carpet Gala Premiere tickets to experience the event with celebrities on Red Carpet.

Designated Citibank Credit Cardholders can exclusively enjoy priority booking of HKIFF Films tickets in HKIFF official website between 25 – 27 February 2010.

The holders of Citibank Ultima Card and Citibank Platinum Card cardholders can enjoy priority booking from 25 to 27 February 2010 (25 Feb – 10:00 to 23:59 / 26 Feb – 00:00 to 23:59 / 27 Feb – 00:00 to 22:00). The holders of Citibank Gold Card & Citibank Classic Card Cardholders can enjoy priority booking from 26 to 27 February 2010 (26 Feb – 00:00 to 23:59 / 27 Feb – 00:00 to 22:00). Priority booking will extend to all the holders of Citibank Credit Cards and Cobrand Cards on 27 February 2010 (00:00 to 22:00). The holders of Citibank Credit Cards and Cobrand Cards can enjoy 10% off tickets from 28 February 2010.

With 15,000 rewards points and every spending of HK$500 (per maximum 2 sales slips) at Harbour City or Times Square from 28 February to 12 March 2010, Citibank Credit Cardholders can also redeem 1 HKIFF Red Carpet Gala Premiere ticket to experience the event with celebrities on Red Carpet.