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MV's Arrival of film stars (2 shots)
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SV's Stars seated (4 shots)
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SCU FPA sign PAN TO Official
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MV Film stars applaud
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MV Opening speech
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Initials ESP/1905 ESP/1929



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Film stars from all over Asia gathered in Singapore on Monday (14 May) for the opening of the 19th Asian Film Festival. 44 films from 9 countries will be competing for the first prize during the five days of the festival.

The Taiwanese film industry is the best represented, with ten productions entered. South Korea has six, while Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore all have five entered.

All the films are being shown in local cinemas in Singapore and bookings are expected to be heavy. The productions from Taiwan and Hong Kong are expected to attract particularly large audiences on account of Singapore's predominantly Chinese-speaking population.

One of the most spectacular entries comes from Hong Kong -- a multi-million dollar production entitled "Fourteen Amazons". The film, produced by Asian film-maker, Run Shaw, stars most of the Shaw studio's top names. Set in ancient China, "Fourteen Amazons" tells the story of a long and bitter clan fight.

More than two-thirds of the films on view at the festival have been classified by the organisers as "dramatic".