Macao film lovers would not have to go to Hong Kong to enjoy internationally-acclaimed movies this year, as the 27th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) has for the first time extended parts of its movie shows to the Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Starting from Thursday, over 20 films will be on show for a week in theaters in the Macao Tourist Tower, which include productions from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Spain, Hong Kong and Macao.
Launched in 1977, HKIFF has become a heavy-weight cinematic event of the Asia Pacific region, which takes place every Easter offering a 16-day feast of films from around the globe and showcasing the historical development of Hong Kong cinema.
Despite the shadow of viral pneumonia, the 27th HKIFF was opened as scheduled on April 8 to screen nearly 300 movies from more than 40 countries and regions in a line-up.
The opening film of the Macao-addition of HKIFF Thursday night is PTU, the latest production by reputed Hong Kong director Johnnie To, which took two years in the making.
(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2003)