The Sydney Film Festival celebrates Chinese New Year with 'The Banquet'

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS 'THE BANQUET' TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

The Sydney Film Festival, in conjunction with City of Sydney and with the generous support of Buena Vista International, presents a special preview screening of THE BANQUET to celebrate Chinese New Year, on Saturday 24 February at 6.30pm at George St cinemas. Starring the stunning Ziyi Zhang, Hong Kong fave Daniel Wu and 2006 Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress Zhou Xun, THE BANQUET is a sumptuous epic with a stellar cast, eye-popping design, and superlative wushu sequences choreographed by Yuen Wo-Ping of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame. Set in 10th century China, this tale of troubled love and political treachery recalls a Shakespearean tragedy, but Hamlet never encountered anyone quite like the sword-wielding Empress Wan. "A scintillating experience. This is heart-pounding cinema." Toronto Film Festival.

Clare Stewart, Executive Director of Sydney Film Festival said "We are thrilled to be extending our partnership with City of Sydney to welcome in the Year of the Pig, a period marked by the characteristics of creativity and intelligence. THE BANQUET provides a taste of what is ahead for Sydney Film Festival and we look forward to dishing up more great films in June."

THE BANQUET will have its national release in Australia on June 7, 2007, distributed by Buena Vista International.

Date: 24 February 2007
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Greater Union George Street
Price: $16/$13 concessions
Language: Mandarin with English subtitles
Tickets: On the door or call Sydney Film Festival on 02 9318 0999 to book in advance.
Discover a world of film at the SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL from 8 to 24 June 2007. With over 300 screenings from over 40 countries; special events, retrospectives, filmmaker talks and lots more, we bring Sydney the best new cinema from Australia and around the globe.

Join in at George St, the State Theatre and Dendy Opera Quays, or at www.sydneyfilmfestival.org. Subscriptions on sale 15 March, tickets on sale 10 May.