Rarely making Hong Kong movies in recent years, Athena Chu
Yan in the new horror film THE LINGERING (GOO JAT) played mother and son
with Louis Cheung Kai Chung. The story revolved around a century old
house. In it Chu Yan lost her husband and had to raise her son alone.
She even had to play the character from her 20s to her 60s. Aside from
the acting challenge, she also made new attempts in her appearance with
special effect aging make up.
In one scene Ah Chung was determined to leave the farm life and
mother and son thus had an argument. Finally Chu Yan was abandoned by her
"son". This scene was quite memorable for both actors, who were parents
themselves. With one daughter Chu Yan was already teary eyed during the
shoot and cried sentimentally during playback. She explained, "In the
story my son is already grown and kept talking about wanting to leave,
but every time I was able to stop him. However this time I was unable to.
This son was my character's entire world......" Chu Yan shed tears again
and continued, "Losing this pillar as well, as a mother the most
terrifying would be the moment that the child wants to leave."
Speaking of sacrificing her beauty to look older, she did not mind
at all. She explained that she took the film because the script was
attractive, at the same time she also liked this character. "This
character's strength is despite all the strange things that happen in the
house, she still safeguards her son and family. This film is not only a
horror film, but a horror film packaged story of motherly love." With a
son and a daughter, Ah Chung stated that after making THE LINGERING he was
very afraid, so he would treat his children even better.
The film I'M LIVING IT (MAK LO YUN) yesterday held an
appreciation banquet. Actors Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Miriam Yeung Chin Wa,
Alex Man Chi Leung, Cheung Tat Ming and Nina Paw Hee Ching attended.
Lately some claimed that his wife Moka Fang refused to let their daughter
see Sing Sing's mother and put him between a rock and a hard place. Sing
Sing denied the rumor and stressed that the family is very happy and
harmonious.
Kwok Fu Sing has already finished his I'M LIVING IT role, but he
would still make time to see if the director would need to make the film
even better. Sing Sing admitted that he really liked this script because
the subject was very close to Hong Kong life. It was about the housing
problem, a group of people who resides in a 24 hour fast food restaurant.
His character connected the down on their luck group, including singer
Yeung Chin Wa or retired firefighter Man Chi Leung. He was a disillusioned
finance elite and had many scenes with mother Paw Hee Ching.
Sing Sing mentioned that he worked with Man Chi Leung previously
in the television series GENGHIS KHAN. This time they had a lot of
spark. He felt that Man Ji did not change at all from back then. He still
was a very hard working actor and his acting was just as good. He lived
up to being his role model since the training class. Would he not have
time to be with her daughter as he was busy with several movies? Sing
Sing said that now the world is very advanced, as long as there is Wi-Fi
anywhere in the world can be connected. No one should worry for him.
Speaking of Chin Wa because of the film was late to her
television series production WONDER WOMEN and upsetting series co-stars
like Alice Chan Wai, was Chin Wa constantly late? She said, "I don't
have much to say. This type of news constantly appear, actually it's not
really real but a little bit is true. Because production time is not
exact, if it is just one more shot of course I have to finish it first.
Actually I give both sides ample time. Instead I am late to I'M LIVING
IT more, I am more on time with the series. With the series I was late
only two or three times, the notices were too close. I was late for
about 10 minutes. When I knew I would be late I immediately call and
confess to Sister Bo Wa!" Chin Wa said that once she really was late to
I'M because she could hurt her back and needed acupuncture. "Sometimes
we have to wait, why don't those times count? I am better of not mentioning
it though, in the end I am able to make two very happy jobs. This is
the real focus!" Was her relationship with Chan Wai fine? Chin Wa said,
"I don' know why it would be written like this!" Did she feel that Chan
Wai was glaring at her? She said, "After four or five months into the
production? Earlier it might have been a little more useful. In addition
if she only did it now and I just realize it, then I would be a bit
'lame'. Actually I really don't need to respond too much, as long as
Heaven knows what happened then it's fine!"
Teresa Mo Shun Kwan yesterday appeared on a Viu TV program.
Lately she has been busy with the Wong Cho Lam directed Lunar New Year
film I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! (NEI MAI LEI, NGOR OI NEI!),
which would be a musical like the film LA LA LAND.
Sister Mo revealed, "The film has ten stories, I would be in four
and play four different characters from age 40 to 60. (Would you need
aging make up?) No, I am around there. Among the different costumes my
favorite is the long haired, big busted girl. Before in (Stephen) Chow
Sing Chi's THE MAGNIFICENT SCOUNDRELS (CHING SING) I tried big busts and
created a fast drop result. Very obviously it was for laughs. This
time the look would be more realistic, they are somewhat different.
With the long hair and a little fake bust, it's pretty interesting."
Sister Mo already showed this "outstanding" look to her daughters.
She said, "The younger one isn't in Hong Kong. When she saw the picture
she couldn't help but go wow. Both sisters screamed because they have
never seen Mommy like this, they even kept asking how I look like that."
Paul Wong shows his support for his wife Athena Chu's film THE LINGERING
Louis Cheung says Athena Chu is his goddess
Raymond Wong plans to start work on the L STORM sequel with Louis Koo as its star
courtesy of mingpao.com
The Athena Chu Yan, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Bob Cheung Yin
Pok starred horror film THE LINGERING (GOO JAT) two nights ago held its
premiere. Boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Chu Yan and her husband Paul Wong
Koon Chung attended. Reportedly Chu Yan's Mainland variety program has
been postponed, Chu Yan said that she was not sure about the air date
and she was not pay a large sum. The most important was through this
experience her daughter Wong Ngan changed her mind about her father.
Cheung Kai Chung stated that he would not bring his son to see the new
film. He did not want his son to use it as an excuse to skip school and
say that he could not sleep after watching it.
The film THE LINGERING (GOO WAT) took place in a hundred year old
mansion. Chu Yan played child actor Chan Pak Lam and Cheung Kai Chung's
mother. Chu Yan said that during the shoot she often feel chills, thus
she did not dare to look around or nap. Due to her religious belief she
would not attend the worship ceremony, but under certain situation she
would accept lai see. Would she not bring her daughter to watch horror
films? She said, "My daughter saw that I had tickets and asked if she
could go, I told her it's not for children. She still kept asking, if
she found out that I played someone else's mama she would be very upset.
Normally I can't even hold someone else's baby. When she sees me like I
am being bullied on variety show she would cry. I can't just randomly
affect her fragile spirit. (Would you not try for another child?) This
depends on Heaven, fate, I can't plan for it."
Cheung Kai Chung worked with Chu Yan for the first time, she was
even his "goddess". He said, "No one in my generation doesn't like her.
We are Performing Art Academy alumni. When I was there she was already
very famous. During the shoot my fan behavior came out, I would talk
about her work in front of her. I really like her first series ROMANCE
BEYOND, which gave me a lot of room to fantasize about."
Did his wife Kay Tse On Kay visit the set during the shoot? He
said, "No, because the shoot in the remote area would be scary. This
film aside from horror also is about the mother and son relationship,
and brings out the message of cherishing those around you before it's too
late."
The film L STORM (L FUNG BO)'s executive producer Wong Pak Ming
said that the film made over 400 million in the Mainland box office. The
performance was superb. He already prepared for a fourth installment
with Louis Koo Tin Lok continuing to be the lead. He felt that Goo Jai
represented the Hong Kong anti corruption spirit.
As for OPERATION RED SEA representing Hong Kong to vie for the
Oscar Best Foreign Film nomination, he said that he learned about it from
the newspaper. Everyone would have their own opinion about how
representative the film was. As the Hong Kong Movie Producers &
Distributors Association chief director, I don't have a vote so I won't
comment. However it is a good thing that Hong Kong has a representative
to participate.
Famous director Ann Hui On Wa two nights ago held a forum
at the Performing Art Academy to share her 40 year film experience. She
admitted that she had her lows, made films that she was not completely
pleased with, and even agreed that today's Hong Kong film is harder to
make than in the past due to a lack of money. She said, "Before I worked
7 days a week, it was very tough. Now I don't get to even if I want to."
Hui On Wa also revealed that earlier she participated in a
Mainland variety program. She thought that it would just be a
conversation with the audience, instead she had to shoot a 15 minute short
film. She worried that due to a lack of preparation it would not be
perfect and people would pick it apart. Speaking of the Mainland actor
in the short film, Wu Xiubo's sex scandal, she felt that work and personal
life did not necessarily have to mix. She also felt that Wu Xiubo was
a professional actor.
10 PEPPERMINT
d. Pierre Morel
Jennifer Garner, John Gallagher Jr., John Ortiz
9 HINDI MEDIUM
Can : Hei Pau Sin
Lit : Starting Line
d. Saket Chaudhary
Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar,
Rating : IIA
Length : 130 mins.
Opening August 30 2018
Trailer: https://youtu.be/0PCZ9G3KmKI
[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
Raj Batra is a rich businessman from Delhi staying with his wife Mita. They studied in a Hindi Medium school but want their 5-year-old daughter, Pia, to be admitted to one of the top schools in Delhi.
Raj and Mita learn from their employee how he got his daughter admission through Right To Education (RTE) quota. In order to get the quota, they have to pretend living in poverty. Could Pia admit to the top school as her parents wish?
8 L STORM
Can : L FUNG BO
d. David Lam Tak Lun
Louis Koo Tin Lok, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Kevin Cheng Ka Wing,
Stephy Tang Lai Yan, Patrick Tam Yiu Man,
Michael Tse Tin Wa, Adam Pak Tin Nam, Toby Chan Ting Yan,
Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Liu Kai Chi, Babyjohn Choi Hong Yik,
Anika Xia Yan (Janelle Sing), Lo Hoi Pang, Helena Law Lan,
Mak Cheung Ching, Deon Cheung Chung Chi, Ding Haifeng
Rating : IIB
Length : 96 mins.
Opening August 23 2018
Trailer : https://youtu.be/eYKfuD1_xfY
[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
The Chief Investigation Officer of ICAC, Hong Kong’s corruption watchdog law enforcement agency, is framed and suspended from work during an investigation of the corruption in Custom Department. As the investigation progressed, he proves himself innocent and the criminals are arrested.
7 CRAZY RICH ASIANS
d. Jon M. Chu
Constance Wu, Henry Golding,
Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Ch King), Gemma Chan
6 THE EQUALIZER 2
d. Antoine Fuqua
Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders,
Bill Pullman, Melisa Leo
5 WHEN I GET HOME, MY WIFE ALWAYS PRETENDS TO BE DEAD
d. Toshio Lee
Nana Eikura, Ken Yasuda, Ryohei Otani, Sumika Nono
Nancy Wu Ting Yan, Jennifer Yu Heung Yi, Jacquelin Chong Sze Man
Rating : IIA
Length : 117 mins.
Opening September 13 2018
Trailer : https://youtu.be/zRRWVkhV0mE
[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
Jun returns home one night after a hard day to find his wife, Chie, collapsed near the door in a pool of blood. Panicking, he rushes to her side, but then notices a bottle of ketchup nearby. "Tee-hee-hee", Chie giggles in a feigned unconscious state. "Did I scare ya?" When Jun, relieved, demands a reason for her foolishness, Chie can only laugh teasingly. And so it begins. From that point on, every time Jun returns home, he finds her "dead" by different and increasingly outlandish causes. Jun begins to worry when she never really gives him a reason.
4 GOLDEN JOB
AKA : GOLDEN BROTHER
Can : Wong Gum Hing Dai
d. Chin Ka Lok
Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Michael Tse Tin Wa,
Chin Ka Lok, Jerry Lamb Hiu Fung, Eric Tsang Chi Wai,
Phil Chang Yu, Yasuaki Kurata
Rating : IIB
Length : 69 mins.
Opening September 20 2018
Trailer : https://youtu.be/jBkYbC8Ibp0
[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
Five years ago, a group of mercenaries disbanded after failing to protect a tech tycoon from assassination. The team, led by Commander Rice, consisted of sniper Lion King, explosives expert Volcano, intelligence officer Bill, getaway driver Serene, and computer hacker Mouse. Lion King is now a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing medicine to supply Dr. Zhou's European refugee camp. But a life-saving drug is held by the CIA. Lion King reunites his team in Budapest to challenge to stage the heist-of-all-heists. They are joined by Mr. Cao, their long-time mentor, and his daughter Lulu. The CIA will transport the medicine under the protection of Rice and his new mercenary team. Mouse hacks the city's traffic control systems forcing the van carrying the medicine into a tunnel where they can intercept it out of sight of the CIA's eyes in the sky. But the van contains gold, not medicine! Bill tricked them into staging a heist of stolen CIA gold in collusion with Rice, who arrives with his mercenaries to wipe them out! The team escapes on the motorway in a thrilling car chase; Lion King sacrifices himself as a decoy, getting arrested and sentenced to a year in prison. Bill kills Rice and flees with the gold. A year later, the four remaining team members track down Bill and his mercenaries at an auto show, stealing fast cars for a chase through the streets of Tokyo. But Bill escapes, kidnapping Lulu to his Black Mountain fortress home on an artificial island...
3 THE PREDATOR
d. Shane Black
Boyd Holbrook, Trevane Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key,
Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen,
Jake Busey, Yvonne Strahovski
2 THE NUN
d. Corin Hardy
Demian Bichir, Taissa Farmiga
1 JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN
d. David Kerr
Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko
The film PROJECT GUTENBERG (MO SEUNG) will open on October
4th. The film was a collaboration of the OVERHEARD (SIT TING FUNG WON)
golden team Felix Chong Man Keung and Alan Mak Siu Fai. Chong Man Keung
wrote and directed this time, while Mak Siu Fai was the art director. Kwan
Chi Yiu joined as the director of photography and Hong Kong Film Award
Best Actors Chow Yun Fat and Aaron Kwok Fu Sing starred along with other
good actors Zhang Jingchu, Liu Kai Chi, Katherine Chau Ka Yi and others.
Two days ago, Aaron with director Chong Man Keung, Mainland star Feng
Wenjuan promoted in Zhengzhou and the crowd filled a shopping center.
Aaron in the film played Lee Man. "Lee Man is a very poor
painter but very talented; this character has a good side but also an
evil side. This is a character I have never played before in my show
business career." Aaron said that PROJECT GUTENBERG exceeded his Hong
Kong Film Award winning performance in PORT OF CALL (DAP HUET CHUM MUI).
"I have never seen the script and the story structure like this before.
I read the script seven times before I understood this character. On a
certain level, PROJECT GUTENBERG is a new attempt for me. I look forward
very much to everyone seeing a very excellent film after the film's
release."
Aaron was very happy to be able to work with Fat Gor and Zhang
Jingchu again. "This time I have many scenes with Fat Gor, from the
beginning to the end I am at a tug of war with him. Each time in each
scene is different. Zhang Jingchu is a very excellent actress. Although
I have intimate performance with Jingchu this time, we very quickly got
into character. It wouldn't feel awkward at all and I was able to perform
at ease."
Working with director Chong Man Keung for the first time, Aaron
had nothing but praise for this director. "Chong Man Keung is a very
excellent screenwriter. Anything I don't understand in shaping the
character, he would explain every clearly during the shoot. Although a
first I had difficulty with getting into character, but in the process of
communicating with the director I slowly grasped the character and
understood what the director wanted, what kind of condition he hoped to
bring about."
Sister Lai and Wu Fung attended the wedding of Nancy Sit's son, her final public appearance
Sister Lai was the White Peony of the Eight Peonies
Sister Lai valued friends, like Lydia Shum, Nancy Sit, Connie Chan and Lee Heung Kam
Sister Lai worked with Joyce Cheng on OFF PEDDER in 2008
Tang Kung Pik was heartbroken when she broke the news
courtesy of mingpao.com
The Cantonese opera star known as the "Jade Throated
Diva", Ng Kwan Lai (originally named Ng Yin Wan) passed away from illness
yesterday at age 84. Former co-star Wu Fung visited Sister Lai before her
passing at the hospital. He said that Sister Lai was still conscious on
the hospital bed and knew that he came to visit. When he left he kissed
Sister Lai farewell. Ng Kwan Lai's final public appearance on in June
at the wedding banquet of Nancy Sit Ka Yin's son, at the time she was
still very spirited. Sister Ka Yin found the news of Sister Lai's passing
hard to accept.
The rumor of Ng Kwan Lai's passing began last night on Tsui Yung
Yung Culture Office facebook page, a video of Tang Kung Pik talking about
Ng Kwan Lai's passing at dusk on the stage appeared. She said, "(Sister
Lai) has already passed away. We here sent our condolences to her
family and wished that Sister Lai peace in another space. I believe even
those who have not seen Sister Lai's performance on the stage, everyone
has enjoyed her Cantonese films." Tang Kung Pik made this announcement
at opera fans at a Cantonese Opera event.
Wu Fung was a frequent co-star with Sister Lai. Brother Sau said
that he just heard about Sister Lai's passing. A few days ago he paid her
a hospital visit. He said that he saw Sister Lai at the wedding banquet
of Sister Ka Yin's son, later he wanted to visit her again but was turned
away. Then before the Mid Autumn Festival, Sister Lai's family contacted
him, said that she was seriously ill and the doctor said that she only had
a few days left. Brother Sau visited on Sunday and said that Sister Lai
still recognized him and knew he visited; the next time on Mid Autumn
Festival he visited again. Did he said anything to Sister Lai? He said,
"I told her I wanted to kiss her, later I really gave her a few kisses
before leaving the hospital." Brother Sau believed that Sister Lai did
not suffer and was very peaceful when she passed. He did not know what
illness she had because her family was very low key.
Sister Ka Yin learned about Sister Lai's passing from the press
and did not dare to believe it. "Several days ago I wished her a Happy
Mid Autumn Festival on WhatsApp, she still replied to me. Maybe Mimi
(Sister Lai's friend) replied for her." Sister Ka Yin said that she has
been trying to contact Mimi but has not received a reply yet.
Ng Kwan Lai was born in Zhongshan and grew up in Shanghai. Later
she came to Hong Kong with her parents. After getting into the business,
she with Yu Lai Chun, Nam Hung, Law Yim Hing, Yu So Chau, Fung Wong Nui,
Lam Fung and Tang Bik Wan became the "Eight Peonies". Sister Lai was the
"White Peony". Sister Lai studied Cantonese opera under Wan Chi Chung,
later joined Chen Fei Nung's Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Academy and became
Chen Fei Nung's disciple. Known as the "Jaded Throated Diva", she
excelled in playing action roles. She participated in over 150 films
including Cantonese opera films and modern films.
In 1962 she formed the "Sun Lai Sing film company" and
participated in film production. From the 1970s to the 1980s she
participated in Lam Ka Shing's "Chung Sun Sing Opera Troupe". From 1987
to 1993, she, Chen Kim Sing and Sun Hoi Chuen formed Sun Lai Sing
Cantonese Opera Troupe and participated in Cantonese opera performance.
After her retirement, she lived in Australia and Singapore. In 2008 she
participated in the TVB situation series OFF PEDDER. At the time already
78 year old, Sister Lai's still 25 inch waist impressed many.
In an interview in 2008, she talked about the love triangle that
went on for over 50 years as she became someone else's third party. She
said, "I have never wed in my life. My man was married......at the time I
never thought about sharing someone else's husband. His wife hurt, I
hurt and he hurt, but we couldn't break up." Sister Lai also had a son
with her "husband". She said that mother and son had generation gap and
claimed that she was a "failed mother".
The film GOLDEN JOB (WONG GUM HING DAI) since its opening
made over 240 million RMB in Mainland and Hong Kong. Producer Eric Tsang
Chi Wai, director Chin Ka Lok, actors Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Jordan Chan Siu
Chun, Michael Tse Tin Wa and Jerry Lamb Hiu Fung two nights ago attended a
celebration. Charmaine Sheh Sze Man rushed over as soon as she got off
the plane and Chi Wai immediately told her to take out money for the
lucky drawing. Ah Sheh said that she prepared cash for everyone. Siu Chun
was unable to attend the audience appreciation events due to work, the
brothers demanded commission and an European vacation. Even Chi Wai joked
that Siu Chun had more money than he knew what to do with. Siu Chun asked
everyone not to be all about money like this.
The film GOLDEN JOB made over 240 million. Since both Ekin and
Lam Hiu Fung celebrated their birthday in September. Two nights ago
the celebration brought out cake for them and sang the birthday song.
Cheng Yi Kin gave away his jacket to the audience earlier and showed off
his muscles. Ekn said that it was not deliberate. Because the viewer
spoke from the heart very well, he gave him the jacket. What if another
viewer would be even better? He sad, "First I didn't deliberately take
off my clothes, but I really was very happy because the audience spoke
too well!"
Speaking of Siu Chun being unable to attend audience appreciation
events due to work, he stressed that he was not just money hungry. He
was busy with song rehearsals for his November concert. Would he invite
the brothers to be his guess? He said, "No chance, now I am working on
the schedule to see how to stuff them in!" Ekin pretended to be angry and
said, "He wants to 'stuff' us in!" Siu Chun explained, "'Stuff' doesn't
mean anything bad, just that everyone have different managers and everyone
is very busy."
How would he thank the brothers for going to thank the audience?
Ekin suggested for Siu Chun to strip, Chin Ka Lok wanted to take a
commission. Siu Chun asked everyone not to make it all about money. Some
suggested for Siu Chun to take the brothers on an European vacation.
Everyone asked producer Tsang Chi Wai for his opinion. Chi Wai said,
"For Siu Chun, he has so much money he doesn't know how to spend it." He
even imitated what Siu Chun's son Jasper said to Siu Chun. "Don't
angry!" Siu Chun helplessly replied, "What does the Euro trip have to do
with me?"
Tsang Chi Wai said about the box office success, "I am very
happy, not because how much it made at the box office but because the box
office grew everyday. It represents good word of mouth, word of mouth
beats everything. I also thank the five of them to go to the moves
everyday for audience appreciation. We just went to Yuen Long. Each
time our audience appreciation event is a surprise. The audience response
is they never imagine it would be so entertaining. They said that they
haven't seen such an entertaining large scale Hong Kong film in a long
time. They felt that Hong Kong film is back, so each time they were very
happy at the audience appreciation events. After that everyone would go
for late night snacks together." Speaking of Ekin taking off his clothes
for audience appreciation, what would Chi Wai do? He said, "I would take
off my pants too, not really!"
Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Yuen Woo Ping and Yuen Biao
praised Chin Ka Lok as their successor, Chin Ka Lok happily said, "I
really didn't expect that. For the four of them to praise the same person
at once, the pressure is enormous. It was my Mid Autumn Festival, maybe
the best gift in my life, I don't know if Chi Wai made that happen?"
Tsang Chi Wai said, "The four of them are very tight lipped, it came from
them. This prove that they really love you!" As for a sequel, Ka Lok
said that Chi Wai would have to be the producer again.
Babyjohn Choi Hong Yik earlier received a 14th Changchun
Film Festival Best Young Supporting Actor award nomination, which he was
happy to receive. He even thanked the Changchun Film Festival,
unfortunately he was unable to experience the atmosphere in person. He
hoped to have another chance in the future. He revealed that in October
he will work on the Adam Wong Sau Ping directed new film, "I realize that
the director and I both have hearts of young girls. When we met to talk
about the script, we both ordered strawberry win and cake. That night we
talked for six or seven hours but we weren't done. I believe we will talk
again soon."
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