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HONG KONG: Some of Asia's top filmmakers screened their new movies to kick off the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival, although the mood was subdued because of Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.
Japan's crisis cast doubt on whether its actors and directors will attend the Hong Kong festival. Popular Japanese director Shunji Iwai, a native of hard-hit Sendai city, has canceled his appearance at the Asian premiere of his first English-language movie, 'Vampire.''.
However, a delegation from the Tokyo International Film Festival attended opening ceremony.
Festival chairman Wilfred Wong expressed solidarity with Japan's people and its film industry.
''Ever since the Hong Kong International Film Festival started 35 years ago, Japanese film has occupied an important place at the event. Our Japanese friends in the film industry have also supported the festival continuously,'' Wong said. ''At this difficult time, I want to deliver our sincere condolences and best wishes to the entire Japanese people, including our many friends in the film industry.''
The Hong Kong event's two opening films were ''Don't Go Breaking My Heart,'' a romantic comedy directed by Hong Kong veteran Johnnie To and regular partner Wai Ka-fai, and ''Quattro Hong Kong 2,'' which combines four shorts set in this southern Chinese financial hub made by filmmakers from Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. The omnibus work was commissioned by the Hong Kong festival.
