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HOLLYWOOD SAYS
THANKS TO HONG KONG
Copyright 2003 Hong Kong Government Press Release
[ January 18th 2003 ]
Ms Angelina
Jolie, female lead of feature film Tomb Raider
2 currently being shot on location in Hong Kong,
has presented a cheque of HK$ 200,000 on behalf
of Paramount Pictures and herself to Ms Veronica
Li, Chairman of Po Leung Kuk. The cheque presentation
ceremony was witnessed by the Acting Commissioner
for Television and Entertainment Licensing, Mr
P L Po. Paramount Pictures made the donation to
a charitable organisation of Hong Kong as a gesture
of appreciation to the support and facilitation
the HK Government had given on the filming of
Tomb Raider 2 in Hong Kong.
The Secretary
for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry
Tang, welcomed their donation. Mr Tang said, "We
are glad that the filming has been carried out
smoothly. The Film Services Office (FSO) of the
Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority,
together with the Civil Aviation Department, the
Police, the Transport Department, the Marine Department,
the Lands Department, the Home Affairs Department
and the Tourism Commission, have made good efforts
to ensure the safe and smooth filming of Tomb
Raider 2 in Hong Kong."
"We would
like to thank the organisations concerned for
their support by making available their premises
for filming. We are also grateful for the understanding
of those members of the public who may have experienced
some inconvenience during filming. This shows
that Hong Kong is a friendly city and we welcome
parties from all over the world to come here for
location shooting," Mr Tang added. "Tomb Raider
2" has a budget of over US$100 million. Around
30% of the location filming is carried out in
Hong Kong. Around 70 overseas film talents and
crew have flown in for the filming. In addition,
around 200 local talents and crew members are
employed during the 8-days location filming here.
"Hong
Kong benefits a lot from filming activities. As
highlighted by the Chief Executive in the Policy
Address, creative industries are important elements
of a knowledge-based economy. We will continue
with our efforts to promoting and facilitating
the development of the film industry in Hong Kong,"
Mr Tang said. Expenses in conducting an 8-day's
location filming in Hong Kong is estimated to
stand at around US$2 million.
According
to an international study, for every $1 spent
on film production, $2.5 goes into the economy.
The filming of "Tomb Raider 2" in Hong Kong would
bring about HK$40 million into the local economy.
More importantly, Hong Kong will be showcased
to the world when the film is released worldwide
and will attract more tourists to this vibrant
city.
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