As star teams of the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival check in, paying tribute to the unsung heroes
Shanghai, June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the officially designated hotels for star guests attending the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival in 2015, The Westin Shanghai has welcomed domestic and international stars and film crew members for the sixth consecutive year. To mark this special six-year connection between the hotel and the festival, The Westin Shanghai has organized a special week-long movie-themed event during the festival (June 13 - June 21). In addition to film-related scene decorations in The Garden Lounge and creative movie-themed afternoon tea, a short video titled "The Invisible Artists" — jointly performed by staff from various hotel departments — was unveiled on June 13, 2015, the opening day of the festival, to pay tribute to both the big screen and the behind-the-scenes heroes of the hotel.
"In our view, a great film is not only defined by the outstanding performances of actors under the spotlight, but also by the hard work of countless crew members behind the scenes. Similarly, the exceptional hotel service that The Westin Shanghai has provided to film festival teams over the past six years is the result of the collective efforts of over 500 staff members, both front and back of house: reservation team members updating check-in times and special requests for each production team in real time; security staff working day and night to ensure the comfort of celebrity guests; housekeeping colleagues going above and beyond to clean rooms to high standards despite full occupancy; F&B team members meticulously meeting every guest's special dietary needs; and chefs putting their heart into preparing creative welcome gifts for festival guests.“I'm truly moved by the silent dedication of these unsung heroes. We hope to use...‘The Invisible Artists’to let more people understand the importance of behind-the-scenes workers in any industry — whether it's film or hospitality," said Mr. Jörg Bader, General Manager of The Westin Shanghai.
Mr. Jörg Bader, General Manager of The Westin Shanghai, joined media and guests to witness the premiere of "The Invisible Artists"
During the event, following the opening speech by Mr. Jörg Bader, General Manager of The Westin Shanghai, all media guests counted down together to witness the premiere of "The Invisible Artists." The video weaves together iconic scenes from classic films with behind-the-scenes footage of hotel staff at work. Its unique sound design approach earned praise from the audience and media alike.
After the event, film festival celebrities walked down the red carpet in glamorous attire from both the Crown Tower and Executive Floor sides into the hotel lobby. Production crews for movies such as "The House That Never Dies II," "Shanghai King," and "Starry Starry Night: Love Again" paused at the event backdrop — “A Tribute toUnsung Heroes” — for photos and autographs before leaving the hotel for the opening ceremony red carpet.
Visit http://westinshanghai.cn/siff-18 to watch the full version of "The Invisible Artists"”video and event highlights.