The 1st Macau International Comedy Festival (MICF) kicked off yesterday, staging five international dramas and screening 10 comedy films, as well as a series of forums and summits, with the aim of providing a platform for comedians from all over the world to explore and cultivate local comedy talents, as well as introduce “excellent” comedy to develop Macau into a “City of Performing Arts”, according to the organisers.
The opening ceremony of MICF was held at the Macau University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) yesterday, with the attendance of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U, Central People’s Government Liaison Office Deputy Director Yan Zhichan, and Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Leong Wai Man.
Organised by mainland-based comedy production company Mahua FunAge and the cultural communication company Beijing Damai, the nine-day festival has invited dozens of comedians from the mainland and around the world to Macau, aiming to “deliver the power of comedy”, the organisers said at the opening ceremony.
A total of five international performances will be staged, namely, “A Comedy of Operas” from Spain, “A Dance Tribute to the Art of Football” from Norway, “The Crazy Happy Version of “Liaozhai” – Three Lifetimes” from the mainland, “The Robbery” from Taiwan region, as well as a debut Cantonese version of “Shear Madness” that is produced and performed by a local cast.
Leong pointed out during yesterday’s ceremony that Macau is a modern city with a profound Chinese cultural heritage and diverse cultural integration, and “through the universally beloved art form of comedy, this festival will tell the world stories about the Chinese nation’s optimism, confidence, openness, and inclusivity.”
Renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou said that comedy is sophisticated in a way that it not only makes people laugh but also prompts them to reflect on human nature and social phenomena. “And at the same time, it encourages everyone to enjoy the present happiness”, Zhang said in a dialogue session joined by fellow mainland Chinese director Ning Hao and mainland Chinese comedians Shen Teng and Ma Li.
Interested individuals can visit the MICF official website at http://comedyfestival.com.cn/macao/home for tickets and more information.
Internationally renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou (second from left), Chinese director Ning Hao (second from right) and Chinese comedians Shen Teng (right) and Ma Li pose during the opening ceremony of the 1st Macau International Comedy Festival (MICF) yesterday on the Macau University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) campus in Taipa. – Photo by MICF
