A Classic Hong Kong Comes to Auckland this August

14 July 2011

A classic Hong Kong is coming to Auckland this August for the third Hong Kong Festival in New Zealand.

Starting from 4 August, the Hong Kong Festival will bring Aucklanders through a journey of 60’s, present and future of the city through a string of events covering photo exhibition, movies, trade and career seminar and business networking banquet.

Cinema Hong Kong will showcase 13 titles from Hong Kong covering two from the Shaw Brother’s era in the 60’s, and four short movies from the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Festival Director Raymond Suen said the classic titles will show us what the Hong Kong entertainment industry used to be, and how it evolved to becoming what it is like now.

“The classic titles, featured in the 60’s and 70’s, covered musical and action genre, some of the most popular characteristic that makes Hong Kong movies world famous.

“Hong Kong was well known as the movie hub of South East Asia, and that was why movies at that time were made in Mandarin Chinese instead of the local Cantonese dialect.

“As the movie industry evolves, they did not just rely on their infamous martial arts movies, but also picked up a variety of genre catering to different audience, expanding further around the world.”

Looking forward to the future, the Hong Kong Festival also presents a modern side of the city through two trade seminars addressing industry specific topic and career opportunities.

“This year we will connect New Zealand’s bio-technology and green energy forefront with Invest Hong Kong at the Connect Hong Kong seminar.

“Bio-technology is one of the seven key area the Hong Kong government is set to develop, which in lines with the New Zealand and Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement”

“Professionals from both cities will discuss biotech, clean energy and environmental technology focusing on capital raising opportunities and potential for joint ventures” says Raymond.

“We will also focus on the free trade agreements between New Zealand, Hong Kong and China, the economic landscape and potential for New Zealand businesses in Hong Kong.”

For the professionals looking at exploring their opportunities in Hong Kong, Career Hong Kong will enlighten Aucklanders the working life in Hong Kong and career prospects.

“People often only know Hong Kong as a financial and commerce hub of Asia, and is a great place to trade, but there are many more other industries and opportunities in Hong Kong than we already know. The seminars will address just that.

The Festival will conclude with a banquet dinner celebrating the relationship of New Zealand and Hong Kong culture and businesses. Felix Lee, the President of the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, said that the banquet will focus on Hong Kong closer to New Zealand more than ever.

“In 2010 the Closer Economic Partnership between Hong Kong and New Zealand was signed, but not until 2011 when it comes to effect. We would like New Zealand to fully utilise the trade agreement and allow businesses to take this opportunity to share valuable insight.

“This year, in recognising the NZ$1 million donated by the Hong Kong Government towards New Zealand’s Canterbury Earthquake appeal, we are going to auction three photos of Hong Kong from the 80’s to current times, keeping to the theme of classic to contemporary Hong Kong. Other auction items include Scottie Dog from Agatha, return ticket to Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific, wine and many more.

“We hope that the fund raised will bring a bit of warmth to the Canterbury community in the midst of New Zealand winter.”

The Festival officially opens on 4 August at the Art Gallery, with the Brian Blake Photo Exhibition as the backdrop. Hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, it is supported by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Invest Hong Kong, Hantec New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, The Langham Auckland, Auckland Council, Skykiwi, Rialto Cinema, Rialto Shopping Centre, Film Auckland, University of Auckland Business School, New Zealand Asia Institute, Multi-Media Systems, Agatha, Lee Kum Kee, Kea Auckland and our media partners.

For event details and movie synopsis please visit www.hkfestival.org.nz

ENDS

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