Monday, September 25, 2023

[2023.09.26] HONG KONG SELECTS A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT FOR THE OSCARS INTERNATIONAL FILM NOMINATION RACE

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Sylvia Chang, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Cecilia Choi Sze Wan and Henick Chou Hon Ning starred, Saville Chan Sum Yiu produced, Anastasia Tsang Hin Ning's directing debut A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT (LAN FOR LAN SHAN) yesterday announced that it would represent Hong Kong in the competition for the Oscar Best International Film nomination. Lead actress Sylvia Chang hoped that this would bring the neon lights back again; Chou Hon Ning was excited and happy to see Hong Kong's beautiful scene making the leap to the international stage; director Tsang Hin Ning was surprised that her directing debut would represent Hong Kong; produce Chan Sum Yiu called for Hong Kong people to continue to support Hong Kong films.

A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT has been invited to participate in international film festivals in Tokyo, Rotterdam, Milan, Udine, Stockholm, Miskolc, Warsaw, New York, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and other cities; it even received nominations at the 16th Asian Film award for Best Actress, Malaysia International Film Festival Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematographer and other international awards. This time it received the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong board of directors' recommendation in accordance of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' film selection standards for Best International Film to represent Hong Kong at the 96th Oscars Best International Film competition. The Oscars Best International Film Hong Kong selection council made the selection from all Hong Kong films released between November 2022 to October 2023. A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT with the majority of votes was nominated to represent Hong Kong in the 96th Oscars Best International Film competition. The team was very surprised upon receiving the news and had difficulty with hiding their excitement. Director Tsang Hin Ning said about the film representing Hong Kong at the Oscars. "I feel a little surprised to hear the news. Ultimately this year had many excellent Hong Kong films. To be able to represent Hong Kong is my honor. I hope even more Hong Kong films would be seen by international viewers." In his first film, Chou Hon Ning was proud to be a part of it. "When I found out A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT would compete for the Oscars Best International Film nomination, I was very excited! I am very honored to be able through the performance, through the video documentation, to display the beauty of Hong Kong on the international stage." Hong Kong culture enthusiast Sylvia Chang said, "Let Hong Kong neon lights return!" Producer Chan Sum Yiu said, "I represent the film team in thanking everyone for their love! For Hong Kong film to go to the world, Hong Kong audience is its strongest backing. Please continue your support."

Currently in England, Brother Wa after getting the good news thanked everyone for the encouragement and congratulated the director, the producers, cinematographers and all of the staff for being able to represent Hong Kong at the Oscars. He hoped through the movie even more people would care about friends, events and things around them in Hong Kong, through the film's humanity, interpersonal stories show Hong Kong's unique nostalgia to the entire world and introduce the taste of Hong Kong film. He also welcomes friends around the world to come to make movies at the unique location of Hong Kong.

He also said, "Although the lights have gone out, the spirit of the people remains. I hope the Travel Development Council or the Art Development Council would hold more exhibits about film, photography or water ink art with Chinese color elements, and through them to promote Hong Kong to the entire world so even more people would be able to see the color of the Hong Kong culture. At the same time I hope the Hong Kong film professionals would make even more good movies for everyone to enjoy."

[2023.09.26] DENISE HO FEELS LIKE A ROOKIE AGAIN WITH NEW SONG

Denise Ho after 7 years releases a new song.  Promoting on the radio, she appears to be excited and describes her feeling like an elementary school student on a field trip
courtesy of mingpao.com

Denise Ho Wan Si yesterday released her new song WILLIAM and promoted it on Commercial Radio, for which she got up early for. She joked that like an elementary school student going on a field trip, she felt like she was a rookie all over again. Ah Si admitted that she felt stressed about releasing a new song. She was a singer, but in recent years she has set this identity aside. She kept looking for ways to return to it, while a lot happened in the general climate; she felt that the previous format was no longer viable, in addition during the pandemic she felt lost for awhile. She needed to explore and muster up the courage to write songs again. She said, "The last time I released a song was already in 2016 with the promoted DEAR COLOR BLACK, even the method at that moment isn't right for the me now."

Ah Si revealed that the journey of becoming a singer again has been tough and long. During the pandemic in 2020, she had no motivation to write songs. Life has come to a stop until she took an online course to learn to write songs, from which she fell in love with writing songs again.

Speaking of the inspiration of creating WILLIAM, Ah Si said, "Where did WILLIAM come from? It's somewhat wonderful, I don't want to explain too clearly. The most wonderful part I would give everyone space to experience. Th whole thing is very personal, a very long experience. I can say it's my most naked (the song). The subject and the experience, I hope everyone won't need me to tell everyone."

Ah Si invited good friend Anthony Wong Yiu Ming for their first collaboration. She remembered extending the invitation to him over two years ago. He said, "Let's not." They did not officially begin until after awhile. Wong Yiu Ming, Lee Shui Han and she produced WILLIAM. Ah Si said, "I am working on 3 songs, Ming Jai is the mastermind. I guess I would work with new comers I haven't worked with before, I can say who yet."

Saturday, September 23, 2023

[2023.09.24] EDDIE CHEUNG STEALS THE SHOW WITH HIS COSTUME

The team prays for a smooth production

The internet calls Eddie Cheung's look refreshing
courtesy of on.cc

Best Actor Louis Koo Tin Lok, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Chrissie Chau Sau Na and Raymond Wong Ho Yin starred film MEI CHUI (PIGGYBACKING) began production in Malaysia. Earlier Cheung Siu Fai met up with the team for the roast pig cutting ceremony. With a hair of curly hair, his look stole as much spotlight as Koo Tin Lok's geeky glasses look. Some online praised Cheung Siu Fai's appearance and even said that he was almost unrecognizable. Cheung Siu Fai also shared the production start photos on social media. "Does everyone feel this look would work?" He revealed that in the film he would have motorcycle scenes and admitted that he would be able to handle them. He even revealed that next month he would have the chance to work on another film there.

Friday, September 22, 2023

[2023.09.23] DANIEL WU'S DAUGHTER MAKES FUN OF HIM FOR NOT BEING FAMOUS ENOUGH

Due to the pandemic Daniel Wu has been unable to come to Hong Kong for four years
courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

ViuTV's POPCORN SHOW invited Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), who has not appeared in Hong Kong for a very long time, as its guests. Due to the pandemic he has not returned to Hong Kong in four years. He said that he missed Hong Kong very much and was grateful to Hong Kong for cultivating him. He remembered when he was 21 and came to Hong Kong alone with US$ 1,000. He planned to spend several months in Asia, but the money went very quickly and he welcomed the first opportunity to make a commercial. He pointed out that the then salary of HK$ 30,000 to him was already a lot of Hong Kong. Later he evolved into the film industry and began his movie career.

Ng Yin Cho said that now work to him was not the most important, as family would always come first. During the pandemic he took care of his daughter everyday. Originally he worried that he would feel frustrated, but actually he really liked this life. Now he rather cherishes the father daughter time, because he knows that his daughter might not be close to him after growing up. He said that his 10 year old daughter would always make fun of her parents and said that Papa wasn't famous anymore as no one asked him for autograph at the airport. He did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

[2023.09.22] TEDDY ROBIN KWAN LAMENTS THE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING INVESTOR FOR MUSIC MOVIE

Chan Lok, Hanjin Tan, Kay Tse, Teddy Robin Kwan, Anna hsibbuR and Manson Cheung promote BAND FOUR and perform live
courtesy of mingpao.com

Kay Tse On Kay, Teddy Robin Kwan, Rondi Chan Lok Ting, Anna hisbbuR, Mason Cheung Chun Hiu, Hanjin Tan (Chan Woon Yan), director Mo Lai Yan Chi yesterday promoted their film BAND FOUR (4 PAK 4 GA JOOK) at the Lantau Island Ngong Ping Village. Kay and Anna performed the movie theme song, while the 10 year old Chan Lok Ting played the drum. Also the producer, Teddy revealed that BAND FOUR took 8 years before finding 4 companies to finance the production. Because music movies in the past 30 years have not performed as expected, many investors have been scared off. Teddy and Kay hoped that the new film would have a box office breakthrough and blaze a trail for music movies. Kay said, "Many directors and music makers have watched the advanced screenings and praised the story as touching, which increased my confidence."

Kay and Teddy in the film played father and daughter, the relationship of which turned from bad to good. Then the entire family formed a band to play rock music. The production process was very pleasant. Kay created a song for the film for the first time and thought it was a lot of fun. "I have thought that the song I wrote would pair with how touching the story was. When I watched the video I cried, I felt a little narcissistic." Would she form a band with her family? She said, "My family has the right people, the children have a little talent."

Teddy praised Kay's performance in the film was better than before, and also said that the father role in the film for him was a tremendous challenge. In order to get into the estranged father and daughter relationship, he had to ask people all for research. Kay said that in real life her relationship with her father was close. During the production she projected certain real feelings into the film. "I am prepared to bring Father to see the movie, I believe it would make him cry."

[2023.09.22] BROTHERHOOD OF REBEL OPENS LATE SHOWS TO REVITALIZE THE NIGHT ECONOMY

Carlos Chan is much thinner due to stomach infection

Bosco Wong has a lot of interest in smoking cuttlefish

Carlos Chan, Kenny Wong and Bosco remembers shivering from shooting in the cold
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Kenny Wong, Carlos Chan, Bosco Wong and German Cheung attend the BROTHERHOOD OF REBEL late show promotion
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Ng Kin Hung produced, Ng Ka Wai directed, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Carlos Chan Ka Lok, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Niki Chow Lai Kei, Michelle Wai Sze Nga starred film BROTHERHOOD OF REBEL (JAT JIK 2) would be a Hong Kong film that has been missing for a long time, focusing on brotherhood and authentic local flavor. In coordination with the film subject and in response to the government's most recent push for night economy, North Point's Sunbeam Theater did its part to revitalize the night business held a special late show of BROTHERHOOD OF REBEL. Several retro snacks like sugarcane, smoked cuttlefish, steamed corn, salted baked quail eggs were available. Wong Chung Chak even personally smoked the cuttlefish and relive the cheer from the late show peak in the past with the audience, as all the collective memories returned.

Wong Chung Chak, Chan Ka Lok and Wong Tak Bun two nights ago attended the film BROTHERHOOD OF REBEL's late show. Playing the mob boss in the film, Tak Bun said that he did not just order subordinates to fight. He too got into the water and had a very tough shoot, because it took place in the chill of December. During the shoot he had hot water poured on him to keep warm.

As for Bosco and Ka Lok on the first day of work they already had to fight a big group of people on the rocky beach. Bosco said that the director had more and more fun as the shoot went on, wanting them to fight in the water and made them all soaking wet. They shot from the 6 AM notice to the afternoon. He thought that the sun would come out in the afternoon and warm him up, but he did not expect to get sunburn.

None of the three has seen the new film yet, but Bosco's friends felt that it probably would capture the YOUNG AND DANGEROUS film flavors and emotions. He also planned to go to the movies for audience appreciation events, and would even book shows with Ka Lok then invite "Big Brother" Tak Bun to watch. Ka Lok said that the first film was over ten years ago, William Chan Wai Ting at the time has yet to work in the mainland. At the end of the first film Ka Lok went to "chop" Chan Wai Ting to move up. This time he finally truly has been promoted; as for TRIAD 3 actually it was completed at the same time, but the trio only revealed that it would be with the original team but in an all new story.

Bosco revealed that he would have to perform in the mainland. In November he would return to Hong Kong to shoot FORENSIC HEROES IV and form the iron triangle of case solving with Jacky Cai Jie and Benjamin Yuen Wai Ho. Ka Lok appeared to be obviously thinner. He pointed out that in January next year he would have to participate in a film, and the director asked him to be very thin to match the character. Thus now he has been dieting and exercising to lose weight, in less than two weeks he has already lost almost 10 pounds. He never imagined that he would be so thin so fast. Has his wife Shiga Lin been a weight loss obstacle? Ka Lok joked, "I have many meals in a day, one of which she cooks for me. I got thinner perhaps due to a stomach intestinal infection earlier." Would the illness be related to his wife? Ka Lok rushed to clarify, "Definitely not her fault, it has to be a problem with the take out! Mrs. Chan's cooking is the most delicious!"

[2023.09.21] KEUNG TO'S NEW FILM REACHES SUCCESS

Keung To and Vivian Sung's new film has been selected for an international film festival
courtesy of on.cc

The popular MIRROR member Keung To and Taiwan star Vivian Sung starred film MY HEAVENLY CITY would open in Hong Kong next month. The film earlier opened in Taiwan and became the new film box office champion. The film company yesterday also released the poster of the five characters in the film. They even personally wrote about their character. Keung To played a top student who loved to dance. He wrote for his character, "When I dance, the world is in my hands." In addition, the film was invited to participate in the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival. Direcor Yu Sen-I excited said, This was the first international film festival that selected the film. Hawaii is a place where cultures mix, which is very suitable for this film. We would hold the state of mind of overseas wanderer as we go international, may this Taiwan story touch the heart of the world."