[2009.11.21] ERIC TSANG, JACKY CHEUNG SWAP ROLES

courtesy of singtao.com

Linda Chung Ka Yun

Stephy Tang Lai Yun

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Shaw movie 72 TENANTS OF PROSPERITY (72 GA JO HAT) yesterday held a worship ceremony at the Shaw Film City. This 1 to 1 ratio scale Mongkok Sai Yeung Choi Street South studio set alone cost 6 million. No wonder the entire film's budget reached 30 million. As the producer and the director, Eric Tsang Chi Wai yesterday led 30 artists in attendance. They included Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Linda Chung Ka Yun, Ron Ng Cheuk Hei, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Wong Cho Nam, Koni Lui Wai Yi and others.

Only 1/3 of the nearly 100 member cast were present yesterday. Lead actress Anita Yuen Wing Yi was absent due to illness. Once linked in rumors Michael Tse Tin Wa and Joey Mak Ho Yee appeared but did not have any exchange. The Sai Yeung Choi Street South set was 20,000 feet and over 70 feet tall. The street was filled with many famous Hong Kong stores and Mongkok MTR station, which made it more realistic. The street was even "concrete".

Chi Wai expressed that the set took over a month to build and occupied 1/3 of the film. His other film BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING) also had an enormous street set. Chi Wai said that the difference was BODYGUARDS was a street set and this was a studio set, the biggest of his production so far. Chi Wai pointed out that with numerous actors, scheduling was the most difficult. On December 3 they will shoot an over 100 people choreography and Lunar New Year greeting scene, which will be extremely difficult. Chi Wai said that the positions would not be harder than the anniversary show. With him in charge no one would be able to say anything or need to kiss up to him.

Chi Wai and Hok Yau now switched characters. He honestly said that he never tried playing a serious dramatic actor before, while Hok Yau had to play the "jerk" for laughs and even let go of his singer image. Reportedly Yuen Wing Yi crushed Charmaine Sheh Si Man and reduced her role. Chi Wai pointed out that Ah Sheh's part was in the 70s and did not have a lot of screen time. Hok Yau yesterday appeared in costume. As for playing a "jerk" he joked that it absolutely was not natural for him. If Chi Wai was playing the role then he would be playing himself. He said that his role was an ill tempered senior. Sometimes he would be hoarse from all the yelling. Because Yuen Wing Yi chose Chi Wai and not him, he was mentally unstable.  Hok Yau pointed out that this time he truly played a comedy. He did not mind playing old and he was the happiest that he was able to work with Lam Suet. Speaking of Tang Lai Yun being one of his fans, Hok Yau expressed that he knew. When she first appeared on the scene she took a picture with him. As for Tang Lai Yun's singing, Hok Yau pointed out that actually it depended on practicies and physical condition also had an effect. Earlier Tang Lai Yun wanted to give Hok Yau her book. He expressed that he would gladly accept it, but if it had too many words he would easily fall asleep. He joked that his daughter also had half his genes and now did not like to read too much.

Chung Ka Yun and Tang Lai Yun yesterday attended the ceremony. Chung Ka Yun expressed that in the film she played an Wing Chun expert. In the film she had a fight against over a dozen stunt professionals like in IP MAN. Was Ka Yun injured? She said, "It hasn't been shot yet.  However earlier during practice I injured my left shoulder. After resting it is fine." Ka Yun expressed that Tony Leung Chiu Wai spent nine months to train for THE GRAND MASTER, but she only used four to five days and four to five hours everyday. Did she feel that she was a natural? She said, "That's right, after practice I felt I was thinner and firmer." Ka Yun expressed that in the film she was paired with Wong Cho Nam. As for intimate scene, she honestly said yes, but since they have known each other for a long time they would not be embarrassed. They have not worked together in five years. Ka Yun expressed that she has never dated anyone shorter than her in real life. Most importantly was the feeling was right. She did not look at the exterior.

Tang Lai Yun in the film played Wong Cho Nam's sister who was an adult video assistant director in Japan. Stephy expressed that earlier they shot a scene in which the room was filled with adult video nude photos, posters and toys. It was her first encounter and with all the men on the set she felt rather embarrassed. Did Stephy have a poster of any adult video stars who looked like her? She expressed that she did not see any, but she heard that photos of Sora Aoi who supposedly resembled Myolie Wu Hung Yi would appear in the film. Stephy said, "I asked whether the director had his own collection, since everything there looked so complete." Stephy said that in the film she and Hok Yau played father and daughter. She expressed that she was already very nervous on her first day with Hok Yau because he was her idol. She said, "When I first got into the business, I asked someone to send a record to Hok Yau and ask him for an autograph and a photo together. Last time at work I didn't dare to ask him for a photo. Maybe next time." Will she send her new book to Hok Yau? Stephy expressed that not yet but she will consider it later.