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by Jian Ping
CHICAGO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Film fans crowded the lobby of the AMC River East Theater in Chicago on Thursday night to welcome the arrival of filmmakers, stars, and special guests at the opening of the 52nd Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF).
Those walking the red carpet included actors Michael Rooker and Andre Royo, actress Rosemarie DeWitt, filmmakers Claude Lelouch and Damien Chazelle, jury president Geraldine Chaplin, and Chin Han, a Singaporean actor and jury member.
"There's something quite special about how this year's program has come together," said Michael Kutza, founder and artistic director of the festival.
"We're extremely proud of the diversity of programming," he said.
Spotlight on musicals is new this year, showcasing new musicals from the United States, Britain, Brazil, Poland, and Israel. The opening night featured Damien Chazelle's "La La Land," starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling.
Rooker, who played "Henry in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" that premiered at CIFF 30 years ago, came to attend the special screening of the film.
"I've attended CIFF several times," Rooker told Xinhua. "Twice for films I played a role in, and other times, to see films."
He added that he wouldn't be surprised if some of the films such as "Cliffhanger," "The Walking Dead" and "Mississippi Burning" in which he had performed are shown in China.
"There will be a lot of joint film productions with China," he said. "I hope to be there."
More than 140 features from 50 countries around the world will be shown at the festival. Among them, 25 films will have their North American premiere, and 30 their American premiere.
The festival also features Asian films from China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
Chin Han said that since he broke into Hollywood in 2007, he has witnessed a lot of changes for Asian characters, gradually moving from supporting roles to main characters.
"With Asia emerging as a vibrant film market and major Chinese entertainment companies acquiring Hollywood production companies, there will be more Chinese getting into the filmmaking decision process and more opportunities for Asians," Han added.
The film festival will run till Oct. 27.
