[2012.09.06] NG SEE YUEN URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE FILM PRODUCTION FUND

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers president Ng See Yuen, Baptist University professor Cheuk Pak Tong and the Sil-Metropole representative Stephen Shin yesterday attended the Baptist University "Hong Kong Film New Power Project" press conference in hopes of promoting Hong Kong film development and cultivation of a generation of film workers. This time the project even landed support from veteran directors Benny Chan Muk Sing, Dante Lam Chiu Yin, Wilson Yip Wai Shun, Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung and others as professional consultants.

Ng See Yuen said that he will present a recommendation report to the government in hopes of the government adding 40% of fund allocation from the original 4 million to around 7 million to make a movie. Only this way will new comers be able to make movies. Ng See Yuen said, "Now with 4 million it is very hard to make a commercial film, if it won't be able to be released at the cinema it will only be a wasted opportunity." He said that on the 11th he will along with over 20 directors head to Beijing for some film bureau forums to discuss how to put Hong Kong film excellence in use and how to fend off Hollywood films.

Ng See Yuen also mentioned that Hong Kong film right now is mainly shot in the Mainland and workers are mostly Mainlanders. In another 5 or 10 years there will be no Hong Kong film workers, thus they need to cultivate even more new comers. He also said that he had the intention to suggest set construction locations in Hong Kong to the government, like constructing some old Hong Kong street sets for the convenience of filmmakers location shoots. In addition, speaking of the national education noises, Ng See Yuen said that for now he would not express an opinion because the issue was heated. He would like both sides to take a step back. Anything could come to a compromise. He said, "Actually we filmmakers usually don't want to participate in politics. The film industry already has many difficulties. Hopefully this matter will be resolved soon."