The original Cantonese musical performances of “Button of Love” brought an extra-ordinary enjoyment to Canadian audience on the summer weekend.
The play had its maiden stage in Toronto on August 12, to be followed by its next stops at Calgary in September and Vancouver in November.
Written by noted Hong Kong Canadian director Peter Poon, the musical drama featured a number of Hong Kong talents, including famous singer Andrew Cheung. It integrates Cantonese into the performance mode of Western musicals, bringing drama enthusiasts a brand-new experience of East-meets-West.
Co-presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) and a Canadian cultural group, DramaOne Canada, the musical is one of the highlights of the 2023 Hong Kong Week programme. The HKETO is currently hosting the 2023 Hong Kong Week themed “Hello Hong Kong” until the end of September to feature Hong Kong’s new strengths, promising economic prospects and fresh cultural vision.
Another signature event of the 2023 Hong Kong Week is the screening of Hong Kong productions at film festivals, including award-winning Hong Kong movie “The Sunny Side of the Street”, which had its premiere in Toronto on August 11 at the opening night of the 4th Mulan International Film Festival.
The movie, directed by Hong Kong Director Lau Kok-rui, earned wide recognition from international film festivals for its leading actor, new performer and original screenplay, etc.
Supported by the HKETO, the festival also presents six other Hong Kong productions, including Boat People, Dragon Inn, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, A Touch of Zen, Ashes of Time Redux (35mm Film) and Havana Divas (World Premiere) from August 11 to August 20 to Canadian movie-goers.
A virtual photography exhibition on the beautiful landscapes of Canada is also being held online, featuring Hong Kong young award-winning photographer Kelvin Yuen. The HKETO supported Mr Yuen’s photography journey last year with an aim to enhance the cultural exchanges between Canada and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is determined to be an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a spokesman for the HKETO said. “The selection of cultural programmes of the 2023 Hong Kong Week showcases Hong Kong’s special privileges as an international hub for cultural and creative industries with enormous opportunities,” he added.
“With its unique status and strengths under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong will continue to be a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures with extensive international connections.”
Other activities of the 2023 Hong Kong Week include art exhibition and national business conference to be held in different Canadian cities. Details of the 2023 Hong Kong Week can be found on the event’s dedicated webpage at hongkongweek2023.hketo.ca.
「2023香港周」呈獻廣東話音樂劇及香港電影
原創廣東話音樂劇《龍鳳扣》為加拿大觀眾增添夏日周末的非凡樂趣。
音樂劇於八月十二日首次在多倫多上演，並會於九月及十一月分別在卡加里及溫哥華演出。
《龍鳳扣》由知名加籍香港導演潘煒強編寫，並由多位香港演藝人士主演，包括著名歌手張崇基。音樂劇糅合廣東話與西方音樂劇表演元素，為話劇迷帶來前所未有的中西文化交匯體驗。
該音樂劇由香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處（香港經貿處）及加拿大文化團體一劇場聯合呈獻，為「2023香港周」的焦點活動。香港經貿處由現在起至九月底舉辦以「你好﹗香港」為題的「2023香港周」活動，介紹香港的最新優勢、經濟強項和嶄新文化視野。
「2023香港周」的另一焦點活動是於電影節放映香港電影，包括在第四屆木蘭國際電影節作開幕電影的港產片《白日青春》，該片屢獲殊榮，並於八月十一日電影節開幕日在多倫多首度公映。
《白日青春》由香港導演劉國瑞執導，在國際電影節獲得廣泛肯定，贏得最佳男主角、最佳新演員及最佳原著劇本等殊榮。
電影節獲香港經貿處支持，由八月十一日至二十日向加拿大影迷呈獻另外六齣香港電影，包括《投奔怒海》、《龍門客棧》、《臥虎藏龍》、《俠女》、《東邪西毒終極版》及《古巴花旦》。
此外，香港經貿處亦舉辦網上攝影展覽，展出由獲獎無數的香港年輕攝影師袁斯樂拍攝的加拿大極美地貌作品。香港經貿處去年支持袁氏的攝影之旅，促進加港兩地的文化交流。
香港經貿處發言人表示，香港銳意成為中外文化藝術交流中心。他說：「『2023香港周』的文化節目展現香港作為文化及創意產業國際樞紐的獨特優勢和無限機遇。」
「在『一國兩制』下，香港獨享特殊地位和優勢，並將繼續善用廣泛國際脈絡，發揮多元文化活動大熔爐的角色。」
2023香港周的其他活動在加拿大不同城市舉行，當中包括藝術展覽及國際商務會議。詳情請瀏覽「2023香港周」活動專屬網頁 hongkongweek2023.hketo.ca。
