[2017.04.10] THE 36TH HONG KONG FILM AWARD

Best Actress Kara Wai trps on the way to the stage

Aaron Kwok presents Best Director

Best Directors Vicky Wong, Frank Hui, Jevons Au, 

Miriam Yeung and Shawn Yue present Best Supporting Actor

Eric Tsang hugs his daughter Bowie Tsang

Hanjin Tan, Shirley Kwan

courtesy of on.cc

Kara Wai wins her third Best Actress

Eric Tsang wins Best Supporting Actor again after 20 years
courtesy of singtao.com

HAPPINESS Best Actress Kara Wai breaks down as she remembers her late mother

First time Best Actor Gordon Lam gets emotional 

Best Supporting Actor Eric Tsang jumps for joy

TRIVISA wins 5 awards including Best Film

Elaine Jin wins her fourth Best Supporting Actress and thanks her daughter as she sheds tears of joy

Leon Lai jokes that every year "big envelopes" are given out to see who is the best

WEEDS ON FIRE's Tony Wu wins Best New Performer

MAD WORLD's Wong Chun wins Best New Director

Michael Hui presents the Professional Spirit Award to the Godfather of Film Posters Yuen Tai-Yung

Fong Yim Fun thanks her mother for her cultivation in a recording

Fong Yim Fun's daughter Yeung Sai Fong accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award from Jackie Chan on her behalf

Host Ronald Cheng salutes classic Hong Kong films

Ronald Cheng as KUNG FU HUSTLE's Landlady

Lam Tsz Chung and Vincent Kok presents Best Visual Effects as "Stephen Chow and Tony Leung"

Shirley Kwan performs the Original Film Song nominees

Andrew Lam loses his mustache
courtesy of mingpao.com

The annual Hong Kong film industry event, the 36th Hong Kong Film Award, took place last night at the Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui. In the end TRIVISA (SHU DAI JIU FUNG)'s Gordon Lam Ka Tung and HAPPINESS (HUNG WON SI NGOR)'s Kara Wai Ying Hung won Best Actor and Best Actress; the film TRIVISA with five awards crushed MAD WORLD (YUT LIM MO MING)'s three. Despite having the most nominations SOUL MATE only got one. This year's award show had the support of many film industry heavyweight elders.

Host Ronald Cheng Chung Kei wrote new lyrics to many film songs with many classic film costumes. The performance expressed the thoughts of different position filmmakers. On the screen the 4D projection effects were marvelous. The entire opening performance was light yet meaningful, the most outstanding opening in recent years. This year's guest presenters included last year's Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Jackie Chan, Cinema City bosses Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Karl Maka, and Dean Shek Tin, Michael Hui Koo Man, Miriam Yeung Chin wa, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Zhang Ziyi, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Andrew Lam Man Chung, Michael Ning (Bak Ji), DaDa Chan Jing, Susan Shaw Yam Yam, Vincent Kok Tak Siu and Jessie Li (Chun Xia). Shirley Kwan Suk Yi performed the Best Original Film Song nominees and presented awards with Hanjin Tan (Chan Woon Yan).

Wai Ying Hung with HAPPINESS won her third Best Actress. She tripped on her way to the stage, either she was too nervous or her dress was too long. She accepted the award from Zhang Zyi and tearfully thanked boss Albert Yeung Sau Sing's support, thank her late mother and also hoped that the outside would pay more attention to the problem of Alzheimer's; she also thanked the director and co-star Carlos Chan Ka Lok.

"My hands are cramping, I have to thank the director, co-star Chan Ka Lok......I am so emotional, I made this film because of Mother. Mother had Alzheimer's for almost 20 years, when I made this film Mother was already paralyzed and bed ridden. I hope through this film even more people would pay attention to and accept Alzheimer's. Thank you to Emperor boss Yeung Sau Sing for being willing to make a movie with a subject that doesn't make money. This time is for Mother, I hope I didn't disappoint her and I have brought glory to the Wai family. I have hoped to share this with my family, but when I won the first time, Father already passed away; this time Mother couldn't see my victory. I really hope Mother could say that she would be 'proud of me'." She said that she did not deliberately try to bring tears with her speech, she also apologized for her lost of composure and voice. She said that she made this film because she wanted to do something for the society, and she hoped that Mommy would understand.

Winning earlier with TRIVISA the Film Critic Society and the Film Directors' Guild Best Actor awards, Lam Ka Tung last night completed the grand slam. When he accepted the award from Leon Lai Ming the applause of the entire audience moved him to tears. The first time Best Actor nominee not only thanked Mommy but also people who have helped him in the past, including Tsang Lai Chun, Alex Man Chi Leung and Andy Lau Tak Wa. He said that he never minded anything. He only wanted to put his effort into playing his characters well. He was proud to be a Hong Kong actor and hoped that in the future he would be able to play even more characters with flesh and blood.

He was teary eyed when he accepted his award, telling himself to be cool. He thanked the film company, producers, directors. He said that after acting for years, he felt that acting had no age limit. He was proud to be a Hong Kong actor, which made him a lot of nourishment. With the past few decades of changes in society and people, he hoped to play even more human films with flesh and blood in the future. Ka Tung did not forget to thank people who have helped him before, starting with the training class. He also thanked his mother who was in the audience. He wanted to tell Mama that during the training class life was more difficult, now she can relax. Ka Tung later said that many people watch him grow up and often encourage him, he thanked everyone for letting him chase his dream.

Best Director went to the three directors of TRIVISA. Vicky Wong Wai Kit revealed that three days ago he just became a father. At first he was worried that he would not be able to attend the award show, luckily the child was very helpful. Yesterday he was able to pick up his wife and child from the hospital before rushing over.

Best Supporting Actor and Actress went to MAD WORLD's Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling). The latter even shed tears of joy on the stage. After ten Hong Kong Film Award nominations, Kam Yin Ling won her fourth Best Supporting Actress. She excitedly proclaimed, "I am really very happy, I never thought that playing a support role would win me both the Hong Kong Film Award and the Golden Horse Award. This is my dream. For the past few days I thought about whether I really want to win this award a lot? Honestly I did, but I didn't dare to think about it. Actually somebody is always watching over me in this world, thank you Hong Kong Film Award jury for watching over me. I always tell myself, it is very important for a movie for everyone to be together. No matter how much screen time your role would have, if you properly perform someone would see it, I believe in this idea." Finally Kam Yin Ling thanked her daughter, "Sorry, I can't live with you in England. Because you are very good, I can concentrate on making movies. I also have to thank friends who love me, Mrs. Heung......" However she did not thank her beloved Suzie Wong on the stage.

20 years after COMRADES ALMOST A LOVE STORY, Tsang Chi Wai last night again won Best Supporting Actor. He happily held the award high on the stage and said, "I am very nervous, I never thought that I would be this nervous. I always thought since I have already won it before it would be no big deal, then I got more and more nervous because I saw how strong the competition was. Brother Paul, Ng Man Tat and Liu Kai Chi, these three are very tough, Hak Jai (Philip Keung Ho Man) keep going, you are next. This is destiny, the last time I won the award was with a new director. He was Chan Ho Sun. This time again is with new director Wong Chun. Everyone please pay more attention to this director. I thank him and his girlfriend for writing such a good script for me to play. Actually I am very afraid of playing this type of heavy movie, but after reading the script I found it hard to resist." He also thanked his co-star Shawn Yue Man Lok, he never thought that he would perform so well. He joked, "Thank you for not conversing with me on the set, giving me more time to explore. Kam Yin Ling won, I won too, I hope you are next (pointing at Yue Man Lok). I also thank my daughter Tsang Bo Yi, who flew over to support me. I am also grateful for the father and son nominations this time, nothing would top father and son victory together, it's on you now." Bo Yi was moved to tears in the audience. Later he jumped five times back stage for the press to take photos, but when he learned that his son Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung did not win the Best Director, he stated that he was a little disappointed, "It doesn't matter, he still is young. He will win a little later."

Wong Chun won the Best New Director. He thanked fellow new directors on the stage as he was very honored to be a part of this wave. He also thanked the entire team, because he alone could not do anything. Without everyone he would not be able to accomplish anything. "Many people say film has a life, for which everyone take a piece of their lives to put into. All of it has flesh and blood."

Wong Chun was asked would he thank his screen writer girlfriend. He said, "I would, I also thank the government's creativity project. (How would a new director get into the business?) I am not certain which way is the best, of course you have to keep creating. Tonight every director on the stage is very outstanding. Diversity is very important; don't just go with existing ideas like before, you have to innovate. (The outside compares the 70s directors to the new wave?) Don't chase after the past, the past had a glorious performance. Now new directors' duty is to face the future, only by facing the new world order and environment would we be able to keep it going."

This year's Hong Kong Film Award Lifetime Achievement Award winner was "Diva King" Fong Yim Fun. The event arranged for Jackie Chan to present the award to Sister Fong, but because she went to bed early she was unable to accept the award in person. Her daughter Yeung Sai Fong accepted it on her behalf. Sister Fong prepared an acceptance recording. Sister Fong said, "I truly don't deserve this award. Today I have to thank the most Mama for her cultivation, elders for their guidance and opportunities, I hope the film industry will continue to shine and wish everyone good health." Yeung Sai Fong said that Mommy asked her to thank everyone for support and love. "My Mommy's dream is for everyone to lend a hand, take the Cantonese Opera culture a step further. She hopes that in the future not only Chinese people but foreigners would be interested in the Chinese art traditions, so she has to thank the Chinese University for helping her fulfill this dream."

She also said, "Mommy really is to do charity work. Fong Yim Fun is Made in Hong Kong, I hope this special product 'Fong' can endure for generations."

This year's Professional Spirit Award went to famous Hong Kong film poster illustrator Yuen Tai-Yung. In 1976 with his hand drawn THE PRIVATE EYES poster he rose to fame, thus the PRIVATE star Michael Hui Koon Man presented the award. Yuen Tai-Yung said, "I am not much of a talker, I would rather draw a few more drawing. That wouldn't be as tough. In 1957 I came to Hong Kong, this year would be the 60th years. This award is the greatest honor." He also thanked Sam Hui Koon Kit, Hui Koon Man, Karl Maka, Dean Shek Tin, Eric Tsang Chi Wai and other filmmakers as well as hs wife in Heaven.

Baseball player turned actor Tony Wu Tsz Tung won Best New Performer with WEEDS ON FIRE. On the stage he thanked the film team, baseball team coaches, members and parents. The only one he did not thank was his fellow athlete girlfriend Stephanie Au Hoi Shun.

Later Wu Tsz Tung said that his girlfriend told him not to mention her on the stage. Speaking of earlier rumor that their relationship changed, Tsz Tung said, "Let's see what you guys get, you write whatever you get. We have no problem. (Would you celebrate with your girlfriend?) It would depend on how she would want to celebrate, maybe she doesn't want to celebrate with me!"

Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) and Gordon Lam Ka Tung presented the Best Art Direction award, Siu Chai asked Ka Tung would the budget affect art directors? Ka Tung answered no because the budget had nothing to do with creativity. Finally Ka Tung said, "Many Hong Kong films don't have much of a budget, would all the bosses here please add more!"

Ronald Cheng Chung Kei in coordination with this year's theme "Magic Moment" showed off his skills at the opening as he rapidly changed into different film costumes, including Invincible East, KUNG FU HUSTLE's Landlady, SHAOLIN SOCCER's monk, A BETTER TOMORROW, INFERNAL AFFAIRS and others as a salute to classic films. Cheng Chung Kei said that because he was not a good boy back then, he lost a job. The film industry gave him a job back. Film also enabled him to see people he wanted to see, the Hong Kong he wanted to see.

During the commercial break, his former wife Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and Pakho Chau starred film 77 HEARTBREAK's trailer was screened. However Cheng Chung Kei was preparing to read his script and did not look up.

Vincent Kok Tak Siu and Lam Tsz Chung presented Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Designs. They messed around when they said that they were responsible for introducing the two real guests, Stephen Chow Sing Chi and Tony Leung Chiu Wai. The crowd went into an uproar. They revealed that they "went too far" as they put on green masks with Wai Jai and Sing Yeh's faces on the screen, indeed bringing with them the Best Visual Effects.

Shirley Kwan Suk Yi was the guest performer. She garnered attention recently as she was arrested due to her problem with a hotel. She performed MERMAID's theme and SEE YOU TOMORROW's theme songs.

Andrew Lam Man Chung and Michael Ning (Bak Ji) teamed up to present Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. Lam Man Chung plugged his concert and made fun of Bak Ji, asking him if his parents were named "Bak Lan Si" (Brand's) and Bak Lan Doh (Brando), or his uncle was "Bak Gau Jeung" (white paste). Ah Chung got excited and his fake mustache fell off, cracking up the audience; host Cheng Chung Kei ran up to him and ripped it off at once. THE 36TH HONG KONG FILM AWARDS
http://hkfaa.com/winnerlist.html

BEST FILM
• TRIVISA

BEST DIRECTOR
• Frank Hui, Jevons Au, Vicky Wong (TRIVISA)

BEST SCREENPLAY
• Loong Man Hong, Thomas Ng, Mak Tin Shu (TRIVISA)

BEST ACTOR
• Lam Ka Tung (TRIVISA)

BEST ACTRESS
• Kara Wai (HAPPINESS)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
• Eric Tsang (MAD WORLD)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
• Elaine Jin (MAD WORLD)

BEST NEW PERFORMER
• Wu Tsz Tung Tony (WEEDS ON FIRE)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
• Peter Pau, Cao Yu (SEE YOU TOMORROW)

BEST FILM EDITING
• Allen Leung, David Richardson (TRIVISA)

BEST ART DIRECTION
• Alfred Yau (SEE YOU TOMORROW)

BEST COSTUME AND MAKE UP DESIGN
• Kenneth Yee Chung Man, Dora Ng (THE MONKEY KING 2)

BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY
• Tung Wai (OPERATION MEKONG)

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
• Peter Kam, Yusuke Hatano (SOUL MATE)

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SONG
• Anthem Of Shatin Martins (WEEDS ON FIRE)
  Composer: Day Tai
  Lyric: Saville Chan
  Sung by: Supper Moment

BEST SOUND DESIGN
• Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu Keung (COLD WAR II)

BEST NEW DIRECTOR
• Wong Chun (MAD WORLD)

BEST FILM FROM MAINLAND AND TAIWAN
• GODSPEED

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• Fong Yim Fun

PROFESSONAL SPIRIT AWARD
• Yuen Tai-Yung

BEST DRESSED
• Shawn Yue, Elaine Jin