Grand Opening of Sundance Film Festival - Hong Kong Selects

(September 19, 2014) Sundance Institute and The Metroplex officially unveiled the opening of Sundance Film Festival Hong Kong Selects tonight on September 19, which is a screening series of new American independent films accompanied by a delegation of filmmakers and Festival organizers. The screenings run from today to 28 September, 2014, at the newly opened Cineplex, The Metroplex, in Kowloon Bay in Hong Kong. Drawing on the Sundance Film Festivals 30-year history of discovery and innovation and The Metroplexs commitment to supporting film culture, Sundance Film Festival Hong Kong Selects offers eight new films direct from the 2014 Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A.

The opening was officiated by Mr. John Cooper (Director of Sundance Film Festival), Ms. Sarah Pearce (Co-Managing Director, Sundance Institute) and Mr. Stuart Wang (Director, The Metroplex), together with visiting US directors including Ms. Maya Forbes (Director of the opening film Infinitely Polar Bear), Mr. Craig Johnson (Director of The Skeleton Twins), Mr. Cutter Hodierne and Mr. John Hibey (Director and Producer of Fishing Without Nets), and Mr. Ben Cotner and Ryan White (Directors of The Case Against 8).

Mr. Cooper explained their choice of Hong Kong for the screening series to take place: In our effort to share the best of American independent film with audiences outside the U.S., Hong Kong seemed an excellent location with a rich cinematic history. In partnership with The Metroplex, we look forward to presenting this program of diverse and high quality independent films.

Mr. Stuart Wang commented on this collaboration: We strongly believe that the collaboration with Sundance Institute will further stimulate the creativity of young local independent filmmakers and foster the interest of new upcoming talent.

The Sundance Film Festival Hong Kong Selects features eight films from the Sundance Film Festival, including five award winners. The full lineup is: The Case Against 8, Fishing Without Nets, God Help the Girl, Infinitely Polar Bear, Life After Beth, Skeleton Twins, Whiplash and Wish I Was Here. The screening series has begun with the Hong Kong premiere of Infinitely Polar Bear, a bitter-sweet family tale of how lifes storms can be weathered with creativity and love.

The visiting directors will also participate in a panel discussion on 20 September (4:00 5:30 p.m.), entitled Visions of Independence, sharing their stories of what it takes to make their films. Their experience in realizing their visions is often as intriguing as the films themselves. The panel discussion will be moderated by John Cooper with Bede Cheng, Festival Director and Senior Program Manager of The Metroplex.

The spirit of independence transcends art forms. As a complement to the Sundance Film Festival Hong Kong Selects, The Metroplex has programmed a selection of independent artists who share the spirit of creativity and independence to perform at the Atrium, E-Max on two consecutive weekends during the screening series, 20-21 and 27-28 September. Besides, Musiczone @ E-Max will be transformed into a multi-media art museum showcasing two art pieces namely, An delta and Chance Cinematheque, which further echoes The Metroplexs and Sundance Institutes commitment in promoting creativity and cultural collaboration.

For more details and schedules of screenings and music performance, please visit hk.sundance.org or facebook.com/SundanceFilmFestivalHK

Press release sent by Cultural Connections on behalf of The Metroplex.

For enquiries:

Mr. Siu Heng (siuheng@culturalconnections.hk / 9668-5945)

Ms. Winnie Tam (momstudio.hk@gmail.com / 9199-2553)

Mr. Casey De La Rosa (casey_delarosa@sundance.org / 310-360-1981)

About Opening Film: Infinitely Polar Bear

Infinitely Polar Bear (Director and screenwriter: Maya Forbes) A manic-depressive mess of a father tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters, who dont make the overwhelming task any easier. Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Imogene Wolodarsky, Ashley Aufderheide. OPENING FILM / HONG KONG PREMIERE

About Other Films in the Line-up

The Case Against 8 (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn Californias ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court. Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Documentary at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. HONG KONG PREMIERE

Fishing Without Nets (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim. Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. HONG KONG PREMIERE

God Help the Girl (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett. Winner of a World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. CLOSING FILM / HONG KONG PREMIERE

Life After Beth (Director and screenwriter: Jeff Baena) Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down... Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Paul Reiser. HONG KONG PREMIERE

The Skeleton Twins (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) When estranged twins Maggie and Milo feel that theyre at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion

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