The 39th HKIFF to open with Murmur of the Hearts

Festival will close with Port of Call - announced at star-studded press conference

26 February 2015 (Hong Kong) — The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) revealed today the Opening Film of the 39th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), Murmur of the Hearts, directed by Sylvia CHANG.  Murmur of the Hearts will kick off the 39th HKIFF on 23 March 2015 with its World Premiere. The festival will run for 15 days and close on 6 April 2015 with the World premiere of Port of Call, directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Philip YUNG. The highly anticipated announcement was made at the Press Conference at The MOKO, attended by Murmur of the Hearts’ director Sylvia CHANG and Port of Call’s director Philip YUNG.

Murmur of the Hearts is Sylvia CHANG’s latest work. CHANG digs deep into her Taiwanese roots to tell a story about growing up and letting go. The cast includes Isabella LEONG, Joseph CHANG, Lawrence KO and LEE Sinje. The Closing Film Port of Call is the latest production from upcoming director Philip YUNG. The film stars popular leading man Aaron KWOK and looks at the effects of a crime on the families of both the victim and the perpetrator. Directors and casts of each film will attend the world premier presentations at the festival.

With over 260 titles from 56 countries and regions, the lineup is as eclectic as ever, boasting 78 World, International and Asian premieres. “I am pleased that we are opening with Sylvia’s latest film’s World Premiere – Murmur of the Hearts,” said Dr. Wilfred WONG, SBS, JP, Chairman of the HKIFFS. “As one of the most established and largest film festivals in Asia, the HKIFF has dedicated itself to presenting quality works from all over the world, offering audiences many choices beyond mainstream productions and engaging the public in film culture through meet-the-filmmaker sessions and seminars.”

Building on past massive success, the festival is collaborating with Youku again to produce Beautiful 2015 composed of four shorts directed by Iran’s Mohsen MAKHMALBAF, Taiwan’s TSAI Ming-Liang, China’s HUANG Jian-Xin and Hong Kong’s YIM Ho. The HKIFF will present the World Premiere of this omnibus production.

Sylvia CHANG, the internationally recognized director, producer and actress, is the “Filmmaker in Focus” of the 39th Hong Kong International Film Festival. In celebrating her achievements, the Hong Kong International Film Festival will screen 14 of CHANG’s films, including the world premiere of her latest work, Murmur of the Hearts (2015). CHANG will attend the “Face to Face” seminar on 5 April at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, sharing her insights on film, art and life.

Several world-renown directors will visit Hong Kong for screenings of their films and hold public master class sessions. The highlights are internationally respected film director Mohsen MAKHMALBAF(The President); multi-award-winning director Peter GREENAWAY (Eisenstein in Guanajuato; Competition, Berlinale, 2015); and highly acclaimed Portuguese filmmaker Pedro COSTA (Horse Money).

The annual Young Cinema Competition was established to encourage young filmmakers to showcase their work internationally. This year’s panel of judges will be led by award-winning filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and comprise Hong Kong film and television actress Sandra NG, Hollywood producer (Superman, Valkyrie) and founder of Academy of Creative Media at University of Hawaii, Chris Lee, and well-known American film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. Awards Gala night will be capped by the Hong Kong premiere of The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D directed by Tsui Hark.

Several other Hong Kong films will receive world premiere at the 39th HKIFF, including Two Thumbs Up, directed by LAU Ho-Leung, with Francis NG, Simon YAM and Leo KU, and My City – a film about well-known local writer Xi Xi, directed by Fruit CHAN.

This year, 39HKIFF has also set its eyes on Germany. Thirteen German films will receive their International and Asian Premieres, including Victoria which won a Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at Berlinale 2015. The programme will also present Tough Love, The Chambermaid Lynn, Labyrinth of Lies and others. The Germany country-in-focus programme is supported by the Goethe-Institut Hongkong and German Films.

This year marks the 110th birthday anniversary of late great Japanese film maker MIKIO NARUSE and the festival will celebrate his life and work with a programme of four masterpieces: Repast (1951), one of his most famous films Floating Clouds (1955), Daughters, Wives and a Mother (1960), and Scattered Clouds (1967).

The HKIFF continues to build its community outreach and audience development initiatives and will present free “Community Screenings” and “Student Screenings”. These seven free screenings have been made possible by sponsorship and support from Hong Kong Arts Development Council and Hsin Chong Construction Group Limited, aimed at fostering film culture and promoting inspiring films among the community. Each screening will be accompanied by guest speakers.

In addition, CreateHK and The Metroplex will present two brand new community screening programs - ‘Film+’ and ‘Festival+’ this year. Film+ will offer a low-priced Student Ticket Scheme of HKD25 tickets for all festival films and five free screenings for local students. Each screening will be accompanied by a discussion afterwards. Festival+ will offer four free community screenings, and 30 minutes cinema tour before to encourage public to participate in local film events.

A full list of the 39th HKIFF selections is available at www.hkiff.org.hk. The 39th HKIFF will be held from 23 March to 6 April 2015. Tickets for the public can be booked online at www.hkiff.org.hk from 28 February, and at all URBTIX outlets from 6 March.

The 39th HKIFF Statistics

Number of screenings：360

Number of films (including shorts)：264

Number of countries and regions represented：56

Number of world premieres：11

Number of international premieres：11

Number of Asian Premieres：56

The 39th HKIFF Screen Venues

Hong Kong Cultural Centre
   

The Metroplex

Hong Kong Space Museum
   

UA Cine Moko

Hong Kong City Hall
   

UA iSquare

Hong Kong Science Museum
   

UA Cityplaza

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
   

The Grand Cinema

Hong Kong Arts Centre
   

MCL Telford Cinema

The 39th HKIFF Ticketing Information

All tickets are open to public sale via the following channels:

Internet booking ( www.hkiff.org.hk)): from 10am, 28 February 2015

Counter booking at URBTIX outlets: from 10am, 6 March 2015

HK Ticketing: from 10am, 28 February 2015 (Only applicable to screenings at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre)

The 39th HKIFF Ticket Price

HK$100
   

3D Films

HK$75
   

Opening Films

Ordinary, Weekend and Public Holiday Screenings at HK Cultural Centre / UA Cine Moko / UA iSQUARE / The Grand Cinema / MCL Telford Cinema

HK$65
   

Ordinary, Weekend/ Public Holiday Screenings at HK Convention & Exhibition Centre (except Opening Films) / HK City Hall / HK Science Museum / HK Space Museum / HK Arts Centre / UA Cityplaza

HK$45
   

Weekday Matinee Screenings

(Mondays - Fridays [except public holidays] film code ends with “D”)

VIP Pass: HK$5,000

Super Value Pass: HK$3,000