Hong Kong Film Festival Odyssey 2024 Launches with Chungking Express in UK Cities

London ETO supports Odyssey 2024 film festival

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) supported the Odyssey 2024 film festival which presents 25 screenings of Hong Kong films in six cities across the United Kingdom (UK) from September 16 to October 16, 2024 (London time). A reception was held on September 16 before the opening screening of "Chungking Express (4K restoration)", with the presence of the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor John-Paul Ennis, and over 60 guests from the local cultural and business sectors. The opening screening attracted over 150 supporters of the Hong Kong cinema.

The Director-General of the London ETO, Mr Gilford Law, delivered a virtual speech to kick-start the film festival. Mr Law said, "The Odyssey film festival is one of the largest of its kind supported by the London ETO, featuring 25 screenings of Hong Kong films across six cities - London, Cambridge, Liverpool, Hereford, Farnham, and Sheffield. This year's festival offers a diverse showcase of Hong Kong's cinematic achievements, including the opening film, director Wong Kar-wai's iconic 'Chungking Express', celebrating its 30th anniversary. The festival provides UK audiences with a unique opportunity to explore Hong Kong's vibrant film culture."

"Hong Kong is an international hub for cultural and creative industries with promising development opportunities. With our unique status and strengths under 'one country, two systems', also capitalising on our sophisticated fusion of East and West, we are determined to become a hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan," he added.

Odyssey film festival is an annual event presented by UK-China Film Collab, a non-profit organisation based in the UK. The Odyssey 2024film festival presents over 60 films via cinemas and online platform, as well as other programmes including discussion panels and Q&As.

London ETO supports Odyssey 2024 film festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO supports Odyssey 2024 film festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO supports Odyssey 2024 film festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

London ETO supports Odyssey 2024 film festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hospital Authority appeals to public for baby requiring urgent heart transplant

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following appeal today (October 11) regarding the condition of a patient who requires urgent heart transplant.

A 3-month-old baby girl who requires urgent heart transplant is currently in critical condition at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hong Kong Children's Hospital. In response to an urgent appeal from her parents, the HA appeals to members of the public to actively support organ donations and consider donating the heart of deceased relatives to give new life to others.

Given the critical condition of the patient, in addition to proactively searching for a suitable heart locally, the HA will also seek assistance from the Mainland through relevant procedures as soon as possible. When a patient willing to donate an organ has passed away and no suitable patient is identified on the Mainland, the cross-boundary organ donation and matching mechanism will facilitate a transplant in Hong Kong to bring hope to a critically ill patient.

The spokesperson emphasised that when a suitable heart is found, the HA will strictly follow the relevant organ transplant regulations and make an application with the authorities to ensure that all procedures comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements. The HA will arrange transplant operations with an aim to save the patient's life as soon as possible.

For critically ill patients with organ failure, an organ transplant is often the only hope for extending life. When deceased patients and their families make the selfless decision to donate organs for patients in need of organ transplantation, it not only gives critically ill patients the hope of life but also eases their families' hardships. The HA appeals to the public to extend their compassion, blessings, and care to those still fighting for their lives.