[2009.05.18] SHU QI AVOIDS JOHNNIE TO OUT OF FAIRNESS

Photos courtesy of orientaldaily.com.hk

This year is the 100th anniversary of Hong Kong film's birth. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council moved the celebration to the beach of Cannes. Cannes film festival jury member Shu Qi, director in competition Johnnie To Kei Fung, Hong Kong Entertainment Expo ambassador Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Chen Kun, Vicki Zhao Wei, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Simon Yam Tat Wa attended. In a different role, Leung Chiu Wai changed the content and style of his speech. He kept saying "he wanted to meet more producers and recommend the Hong Kong film", which was truy professional.

100 years ago, the first Hong Kong film STEALING ROAST DUCK was born. After 100 years, Hong Kong film has already become a major driving force for the economy. At the Hong Kong film 100th anniversary celebration, almost all Cannes film festival attending Chinese appeared. Shu Qi was a film festival jury member. She was in meetings all day and was very busy, but she still made an appearance in red. To Kei Fung whose film VENGEANCE is in competition and the film's actors Yam Tat Wa and Wong Chau Sun also attended.

Hong Kong Entertainment Expo ambassador Leung Chiu Wai talked and behaved professionally, which surprised some. "I hope to be able to chat with different filmmakers from everywhere and exchange some ideas." As the ambassador Leung Chiu Wai even talked about and analyzed Hong Kong film and co-production's future. Ambassador Leung Chiu Wai succeeded dueto his respect for the industry.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government business and economic development council chief Lau Ng Wai Lan also attended the event and shared the Hong Kong film industry's glorious past with international film professionals. She expressed, by now many Hong Kong actors, directors, directors of photography, producers have become homehold names. Their unique styles, excellent direction and creative ideas have received recognition from their colleagues worldwide. In the past ten years alone, Hong Kong film and industry professionals have won over 300 international awards. Thus, the Hong Kong film chamber of commerce and the Hong Kong trade development council teamed up with China film overseas marketing company to organize the China Film Night -- Hong Kong Film 100th anniversary celebration during the Cannes Film Festival. This event even received support from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and Hong Kong film development council.

Shu Qi is on this year's Cannes film festival jury, but she caught the flu as soon as she arrived. In addition she had to watch two movies a day for ten days, she felt a little tired; however she felt the chance to experience so many masters' work was a good experience. Originally jury members did not need to get in touch with the competing film directors and actors, but Shu Qi attended Hong Kong film 100th anniversary event as an exception.

Shu Qi knew that this event was Hong Kong government organized, as a part of the Hong Kong film industry she naturally had to attend in support. Earlier she she applied to the Cannese jury committee and finally was approved to appear. However, Shu Qi watched herself at the event and did not come in close contact with To Kei Fung, the director of the film in competition VENGEANCE.

This year is also Hong Kong film's 100th anniversary. Shu Qi expressed that in the past she had the honor to work with many big directors like Andrew Lau Wai Keung and Feng Xiaogang. As for roles thatshe would like to play, she said that actually she could play the deranged, killer or heroine, but she would like to make a love story. However boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok claimed that no one would watch her as a love story female lead.