[2010.04.10] GUESTS AUTOMATICALLY REPORT TO HONG KONG FILM AWARDS

Zhang Jingchu

courtesy of on.cc

Best Actress nominees

courtesy of singtao.com

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lau Kar Leung

Gordon Chan Ka Seung

Professional Spirit Award: Chow Lam

Zhang Jingchu

courtesy of mingpao.com

Fala Chen

courtesy of takungpao.com

The 29th Annual Hong Kong Film Award yesterday held a press conference at the Cultural Center. In attendance were nominees for Best Actress Wai Ying Hung, Zhang Jingchu, director Teddy Chan Tak Sum, new actor Fala Chen, Oceana Zhu Xuan, Aarif Lee Chi Ting and Chung Siu To. Yesterday the event announced the Lifetime Achievement winner to be Lau Kar Leung in honor of his past contribution to martial art films. The Professional Spirit award will go to Hong Kong Cinematography Lighting Association's Chow Lam.

Hong Kong Film Award chair Gordon Chan Ka Seung expressed that this year the event will have a jewelry sponsor that will present a 80,000 RMB jade jewelry to the Best Dressed Man and a gold and diamond pendant to the Best Dressed Woman. He expressed that actually several years ago Lau Kar Leung has been mentioned for the Lifetime Achievement Award, but at the time the award went to someone else. He said, "Lau Kar Leung is an outstanding action director who ventures for Hong Kong film." Was the award presented to Lau Kar Leung due to his health problem? He said no, he was in great shape. He expressed that earlier some co-workers have contacted Master Lau and met with him and his family. As for ceremony to remember Tina Ti (Dik Na), he said, "We will have some ceremony to remind everyone that she has left us."

This year the association will still produce a Hong Kong Film Award program. When asked about the absence of Best Actress nominee Vicki Zhao Wei from the cover, Chan Ka Seung said that it was due to a personal reason. Was it because of her rumored pregnancy? He expressed that he has not officially heard the reason. Did he send anyone to shoot a video with Zhao Wei? He said, "No, this year the government increased its funding from 2 million to 5 million, but our spending has been very cautious." Chan Ka Seung revealed that this year a 200 meter red carpet will be placed at the Cultural Center but he did not know whether Zhao Wei will attend.

Because the Hong Kong Film Award differed from the Asian Film Award's international route, it had fewer attending foreign actors and film professionals. However DEPARTURE's director, Mainland director Lu Chuan and Taiwan stars Ethan Ruan (Yuen King Tin) and Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting) will attend. He said, "This year is special, with half hte guest presenters already confirmed." Was it because of the ATV broadcast? He said, "Maybe, many automatically confirmed." Will Eric Tsang Chi Wai who has a TVB contract attend? Chan Ka Seung pointed out that Chi Wai actually was in a very tough spot. As a TVB artist he has not given up his job, so he hoped everyone give him some space. He said, "Chi Wai is also our close comrade in arms, he will attend." He also revealed that Kay Tse On Kay will sing Ronald Cheng Chung Kei's MR. CINEMA (LO GONG JING JUEN) theme song STARLIGHT ACCOMPANIES MY HEART (SING GUONG BOON NGOR SUM) in honor of artists who passed away this year.