Hollywood east: hong kong cinema shines in chicago
Hong Kong films highlighted the closing weekend (April 19 to 21, Chicago time) of Season 18 of Chicago's Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC).
Supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), the boutique film festival presented nine Hong Kong films in the theatre and online under the Hong Kong Cinema Showcase banner.
Two Hong Kong film talents were honoured on the closing night on April 20 (Chicago time) - legendary actress and singer Rebecca Pan was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while actor Carlos Chan received the Bright Star Award.
In addition, APUC screened the documentary "Pai Niang Niang: The Last Osmanthus Blossom", which incorporates lost recordings of Pan's 1972 musical, "Pai Niang Niang", which has been regarded as Hong Kong's first musical production in the Chinese language. Chan's "We Are Family" was chosen as the closing-night feature.
Apart from Chan, four directors whose works were featured in the Hong Kong Cinema Showcase, namely Isabel Wong ("Pai Niang Niang: The Last Osmanthus Blossom"), Benny Lau ("We Are Family"), Lai Yan-chi ("Band Four") and Kelvin Shum ("It Remains"), were also invited to attend APUC's closing night.
Paying tribute, the Director of HKETONY, Ms Maisie Ho, said that Pan is a trailblazer and a Hong Kong icon whose illustrious and prolific career in the world of music, film and the arts spans over six decades.
"I'm pleased that the Chicago audience has a chance to watch the United States premiere of the documentary, 'Pai Niang Niang: The Last Osmanthus Blossom', that captures an important piece of history of Hong Kong art and culture," she said.
She added Hong Kong's dynamic film and entertainment industry, with its storied history, has an abundance of talent, from pioneers like Pan to emerging talent like Chan. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to support the city's creative industries, including the film industry, and nurture talent.
Hong Kong films and talent celebrated in Chicago Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong films and talent celebrated in Chicago Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong films and talent celebrated in Chicago Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Stay safe: electrical safety tips for employers, contractors, and employees during rainstorms
As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.
A spokesman for the LD said today (May 4) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (like electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.
Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by the rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:
(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;
(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;
(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;
(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and
(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.
In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.
The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).
Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.
Source: AI-generated images
