The 25th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is pleased to announce that TIFF Special Appreciation Award will be presented to Mr. Raymond Chow at the memorable 25th TIFF to show our appreciation for his continuous support since the TIFF’s inauguration in 1985. He was a jury member for the Young Cinema Competition at the 1st TIFF, and several of his magnificent films, including “Enter the Dragon” (1973), and “Once upon a Time in China” (1991), have been shown at the TIFF.
In commemoration of this special award, a retrospective will be held on October 20. Some of Mr. Chow’s greatest hits will be shown, including “The Connonball Run” (1980). TIFF Special Appreciation Award will be presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 25th TIFF on October 20, 2012.
 
 

photo by Carol Lau
 

Comment from Mr. Raymond Chow on TIFF Special Appreciation Award
I am very humbled at being honored with the Special Appreciation Award at the 25th Tokyo International Film Festival. It means a lot to be recognized by my friends in Japan.
 
Film Festivals are so important in bringing people together. Not only will filmmakers, distributors and friends from all over the world get to meet with one another to renew old ties, film fans will get to watch the best of local and international films, some from far-away countries they may have only heard about.
 
The Tokyo International Film Festival is one of the best examples of this kind of event. Tokyo herself is such a beautiful city, and such a wonderful marriage of East and West, old and new. The TIFF has the same wonderful mixture: from classics to not-yet-released new pictures, from Japanese filmmakers as well as filmmakers from all over the world. I am very happy to be included in this magical mise en scene.
 
One of the most prestigious invitations in my life was to be a jury member at the First Tokyo International Film Festival. I remember it was at the Akasaka Prince Hotel, where I found myself among so many respected filmmakers. Brian de Palma was the Jury Chairman, and all of us, who had of course known of one another, finally had the opportunity to get together to talk about film. What a wonderful experience that was! We were all passionate about film, and about how to nurture “the next generation”, so it was with great pleasure that we launched the Young Directors category of the TIFF. I am being very honest when I say the jury members had very wise insights that opened my eyes and inspired me to make more and better films.
 
I have always been very blessed to have friends in Japan who went through many ups and downs with me. They believed in me, shared my enthusiasm in Bruce Lee, the Hui brothers (Mr. Boo) and Jackie Chan, and brought my films to the Japanese audience. But at the same time, we also became very good friends for many years, and although I am retired now, we continue to get together – at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
 
Congratulations, TIFF, on turning 25. Happy birthday!
 
 
 
Profile

Mr. Chow has over 50 years’ experience in the film industry. He founded the Golden Harvest Group in 1970, and has worked with many producers and directors who are now internationally renowned, such as Tsui Hark, John Woo, Mabel Cheung, Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo Ping. Up till his retirement in 2007, Chow has produced over 800 films and led Hong Kong into the international spotlight with films starring Bruce Lee, the Hui Brothers (the Mr. Boo series of films) and Jackie Chan, and by bringing them to cinemas all over the world. In addition to Hong Kong films and international co-productions Chow also made Hollywood-style films starring international superstars as Burt Reynolds, Charles Bronson, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, and Keanu Reeves. Not only the film industry has honored Chow with numerous awards, but also governments have honored him with tributes. In addition to the Gold Bauhinia Star from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1998, he was also honored in 1987 by Queen Elizabeth II of England with the Order of the British Empire, and in 1996 by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.
 
 
 
Raymond Chow Special All Night Screening
 
The Cannonball Run (1980)

Director: Hal Needham
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Jackie Chan, Farrah Fawcett
 
Police Story (1985)

Director: Jackie Chan
Cast: Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin
 
Mr. Vampire (1985)

Director: Ricky Lau
Cast: Ching-Ying Lam, Siu-hou Chin, Ricky Hui