Ann Hui elated to win Golden Lion Achievement award
11 Sep – Ann Hui was elated to be the first Hong Kong female filmmaker to win the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement award at the Venice Film Festival.
As reported on Mingpao, the director who accepted the honour from the Chairperson of the Jury of the Main Competition, repeatedly emphasised her identity as a Hong Kong citizen, saying, "When the list of winners was announced at the conference, I immediately received many messages of congratulations... I want to give this honour to Hong Kong. A place where I live and grew up."
"[Hong Kong] provided me with educational opportunities, a scholarship to study film in London, and also gave me life experience, job opportunities, and satisfaction... When I return to Hong Kong, I hope to help young filmmakers so that they can also be the future. There is a chance to be awarded a lifetime achievement award."
Aside from the award, Ann also used the opportunity to promote her new movie, "Love After Love", based on Eileen Chang's novel, "Aloeswood Incense: The First Brazier". The filmmaker revealed that the Hong Kong protests were going on while she was working on the movie's post-production work, and that she would often smell tear gas as she left her office.
"When it was time to leave work, you have to find a safe way home to avoid the demonstration," she said.
As for her thoughts on the issue of the National Security Act, Ann stated that she is not a suitable person to be sharing too many opinions.
"This film is invested by a mainland company, and they have provided the greatest help and support, including the freedom of shooting," she said.
(Photo Source: Mingpao)
