Samuel Jamier, director of the New York Asian Film Festival, told Quartz that the exclusion of Ten Years from the Hong Kong component had to do with timing. The festival submitted a proposal of Hong Kong films to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York in January and the agreement was finalized in February. “At the time, the lineup didn’t include Ten Years,” he said.

The decision to include Ten Years in the festival only came after the title was awarded best film at the Hong Kong Film Awards in April, he said, and the festival didn’t seek additional approval from the Hong Kong economic group.

“We didn’t seek extra funding for this, or re-approach HKETO in New York to re-discuss the agreement that we had already reached with them,” he said.

Ten Years was warmly welcomed by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Japan in March at the Osaka Asian Film Festival, before it was awarded “best film” in Hong Kong.

“I’m a bit disappointed,” said Au, who is in New York for the premiere. “But the media seems to be able to grasp the messages behind the film. I hope audiences will like our film.”

The Hong Kong government’s Information Services Department said the release was issued by the Economic and Trade Office in New York and it had to wait for the New York office’s answers.

Hong Kong star Miriam Yeung, lead actress of She Remembers, He Forgets.
Hong Kong star Miriam Yeung, lead actress of She Remembers, He Forgets.
Image: Hong Kong government Information Services Department

Other Hong Kong films at the New York Asian Film Festival include the romance drama She Remembers, He Forgets, and comedy Mobfathers. The festival runs until July 9. The screening of Ten Years has been sold out.

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