Friday, November 30, 2018

[2018.12.01] MODEL LEA T. SEEKS HELP FROM LOUIS KOO WITH SALARY OWED

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Slovakian model Lea T. earlier worked on her first film THE WHITE STORM 2 (SO DUK 2) with Louis Koo Tin Lok, but did not receive her pay! Actually including Lea, 23 people were owed salaries in six figures. She hoped that Koo Tin Lok would be able to lend a helping hand!

This year, Lea at a television commercial shoot met a intermediary named Michael. He revealed that he was looking for foreign models to guest star in a film. Lea learned that the film was a big production and she would work with Koo Tin Lok, thought that the opportunity was rare and agreed. At the end of June, she guest starred for the film and worked from midnight to 8 in the morning. Yet after work the intermediary vanished. She still has not received her pay. "The intermediary couldn't be found after the shoot was over. When I called him he didn't pick up, he didn't reply to any text. so I didn't know what I could do." She said that this was the first time she worked with him. She never expected that she would be owed salary after the movie was made.

Lea revealed that aside from her, models and actors who guest starred in the film also suffered the same fate. "23 people including me, all are foreigners. An intermediary contacted us, but we didn't receive the salary. We set up a facebook ground to communicate with each other." The amount involved was around six figures. Many actors' salaries were low, they worked from morning to night for two days but only got HK$ 5,000.

She said that if the Performing Artists Guild president Koo Tin Lok would lend a hand it would be the best. Because the victims were all foreigners, they were unfamiliar with Hong Kong laws or local filmmakers. They felt helpless. "Everyone at first thought about calling the police, later someone went to the Department of Labor for help. The Department of Labor told us to go to small claims court. Actually I heard that skipping out on paying salary was very common, but this was the first time I ran into it. Although he didn't owe me a lot of money, I feel it's a justice issue. I really want what is fair. I feel that Hong Kong film industry needs improvement to pretend anyone from doing something like this. It shouldn't be because we aren't locals that it would be no problem." She felt that the chance to getting her pay would be slim. She heard that the intermediary already lost all the money on gambling. Thus even if he was found he probably would not be able to pay them back.

The film company executive Alvin Lam Siu Keung admitted that he has already tried to get an understanding of the matter with the team. "We looked for models to perform through an intermediary. We even paid him that day, but whether he paid the models I am not sure. We would go through the managers for artists, we wouldn't directly negotiate with artists. Thus it is impossible for us to know anything abou the intermediary."

Performing Artist Guild secretary general Candy Yu On On said, "I just found out about this and would get an in depth understanding of the actual situation. We would assist if we find out that a helping help is needed, and we also hope that we would be able to help them."

[2018.12.01] VIVIAN HSU REMEMBERS TO BE A GOOD MOTHER WHILE AT WORK

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TAG ALONG: DEVIL FISH yesterday promoted in Hong Kong with Vivian Hsu and director David Chuang. They played games with the audience. Vivian Hsu would stay in Hong Kong for three days but due to the tight schedule she could not bring her three year old son with her. She stated that she missed him very much, but as he grew older she could return to work. She would be responsible for her son and would not only focus on work.

Vivian Hsu said that she has not appear in Hong Kong for seven years, but she has come for series and commercial work. She said that since she got married she has not been to Hong Kong. Yesterday she passed by Nathan Road and really wanted to go shopping, but she did not have time. She might not even have time to see her friends in Hong Kong. At most they might meet for dinner at the hotel.

In TAG she played a divorced mother who was constantly afraid that her son would be taken away, to the point of a mental collapse. Did she have to cry in her performance? She only said that her encounter in the film was not something that an average person would. Everyone would know when they watch the film. However many viewers would be surprised that this horror film would make them cry!

Would she come to make a movie in Hong Kong again? Vivian Hsu said, "I really want to come to make a movie in Hong Kong. My child was too young before. At first as a mother I thought the newborn would be the most troublesome, so I was very busy and had a lot to learn. Now my child's teeth are all grown in, childcare still has a lot of lessons but I rather enjoy it. Because I raised my child, he talks a lot and knows how to communicate his feelings. So I can go back to work. Of course I would be responsible for him, I wouldn't just focus on work!"

Did she take a salary reduction this time? Vivian Hsu said, "This isn't true. Actors would fight for characters for art. I was able to find a character that was very different from me, but this wasn't true. Money isn't important, the most important is to have a great performance!"

[2018.12.01] LEE SINJIE SETS OFF SPARK WITH HIROSHI ABE

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Lee Sinjie two nights ago attended an event. She said that she has not worked in Hong Kong for two years, but because her husband Oxide Pang is from Hong Kong she would often bring their twin sons to visit. Later the whole family would celebrate the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. Lee Sinjie said that she missed her friends in Hong Kong the most. Each time she returned to Hong Kong she would meet with Gigi Leung Wing Kei and Karena Lam Ka Yun. She also missed the food of Hong Kong a lot, as she would eat from morning to night and go out.

Lee Sinjie said that this year in Malaysia she finished a new film based on a novel THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS with Japanese star Hiroshi Abe. She said that she has seen his work and felt very excited and fortunate when she learned that she would work with him.

Lee Sinjie said that she would miss her children very much while at work, fortunately the production in Malaysia. However the location was rather remote, so everyday she would stay in touch with video conferencing. Her older son now speaks very well. She taught him Cantonese and Fujianese. Charlie Yeung Choi Nei also has been in Singapore and Malaysia often, so their twins could play together. However they probably would be too late for any Christmas arrangement. When would she make Hong Kong film again? Lee Sinjie said that she would with the right script. Without any suitable character she would rather spend more time with her sons. Of course she would like to make movies in Hong Kong because she missed Hong Kong.

[2018.12.01] THE NEW KING OF COMEDY WILL CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE PIG

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Hong Kong Lunar New Year films have always been very cheerful. Stephen Chow Sing Chi will bring everyone THE NEW KING OF COMEDY (SUN HEI KET JI WONG) to celebrate the Year of the Pig on the Lunar New Year's Day! 20 years after the classic film KING OF COMEDY, THE NEW KING OF COMEDY will continue its pure comedy format with an all new look to bring the audience wave after wave of laughter and warmth in the New Year.

In recent years Sing Yeh has made many special effect blockbusters, but many still remembered his earlier pure comedy elements. Sing Yeh began creating the script for the new film three years ago and looked for suitable actors at the same time. When everything was ready he began to work on THE NEW KING OF COMEDY.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

[2018.11.30] MAX ZHANG IS TONY JAA'S BABYSITTER?

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Max Zhang Jin and former professional wrestler and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY star Dave Bautista starred in the Yuen Woo Ping directed film MASTER Z: THE IP MAN LEGACY (IP MAN OI JUEN: CHEUNG TIN CHI), which will open in December. Many good fighters like Tony Jaa, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) and Shi Yanneng performed. Tony Jaa stated that he took the role because of Lord Eight and that Zhang Jin took great care of him like a big brother and a caretaker, as they had great chemistry. Dave stated that he was not used to the Hong Kong film production format. "I don't have confidence in myself because every shot takes almost 20 to 30 takes. Yet on the third day a close up shot was done in one take, which surprised me!"

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

[2018.11.29] JENNIFER YU WOULD LIKE A DISTINCTION SEQUEL

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The film DISTINCTION (FEI TUNG FAN HEUNG) has been in released for 7 weeks and made over HK$ 5 million. Two nights ago a celebration was held. Director Au Man Kit, actors Jennifer Yu Heung Yi, Jo Kuk Cho Lam, Kaki Shum Ka Kei, Dominic Lam Ka Wa, Fish Liew Chi Yu attended. Yu Heung Yi was late and explained that she rushed back from an audience appreciation event in Yuen Long. She was stuck in traffic from the rain. She and Kaki Shum have attended over 100 audience appreciation shows.

Yu Heung Yi revealed that a male viewer watched the film 39 times and said that the film was meaningful. He was moved each time; a pair of brothers watched it 10 times and thought it was great. They took their father to watch it. On their birthday they even booked a show to treat their friends. A viewer asked if they would make a sequel. They would like to and have heard that the director had intention to make a sequel.

Kuk Cho Lam has not heard about a sequel, but knew that the story could continue on. Earlier she booked a show to treat her friends and herself to watch again. She has seen the film 5 times and each time she has been moved to tears.

Kuk Cho Lam also brought her 3 and 5 year old daughters to see the movie. She did not expect them to be able to watch the film from the beginning to the end. At home they even asked her about the special needed people in the film. She took the chance to teach her daughters. Kuk Cho Lam said, "They turned nice and learned to cherish what they have."

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

[2018.11.28] FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 25 2018

For the week ending Sunday November 25 2018
Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong



10 SUNNY
    d. Hitoshi Ohne
    Ryoko Shinohara, Suzu Hirose, Naomi Watanabe, Rie Tomosaka, Eiko Koike
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 119 mins.
  Opening November 22 2018
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/C2B2_VBPABc

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    6 friends from a girl's high school, call themselves as 'SUNNY', enjoying their youth in the 1990's. At that time, their lives were glowing brightly, girls wearing white loose socks in an unprecedented 'gyaru' boom.

    After 22 years, the girls grew up as adults, dealing with their own problems. Nami, a girl from 'SUNNY', who is now a full-time housewife, is living a life without any inconvenience. One day, Nami accidentally sees her former best friend from 'SUNNY', Serika, at the hospital. Nami then finds out that Serika is suffering from a terminal cancer. Reunited, Serika asks Nami a favor, saying she wants to meet the 4 other girls from 'SUNNY' again before her death, and Nami starts to fulfill Serika’s wish. Members from 'SUNNY' are: Nami, Serika, Yuko, Shin, Ume, and Nana. Can they all reunite again while Serika is alive?


  9 HUNTER KILLER
    d. Donovan Marsh
    Gary Oldman, Gerard Butler


  8 HICHKI
    d. Siddharth P Malhotratiqua
    Rani Mukerji
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 116 mins.
  Opening November 8 2018
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/cuWtXLfflVE

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Hichki is a story about a woman who turns her most daunting weakness into her biggest strength. Naina Mathur is an aspiring teacher who suffers from Tourette Syndrome. After several interviews and numerous rejections, she lands her dream job as a full-time teacher in one of the most elite schools in the city. However, she soon realises that the class she has been assigned comprises of defiant and impish students who can't seem to keep out of trouble. Despite a few initial hiccups, Naina must do whatever she can to ensure that her students realise their true potential, and defy all the odds against them.


  7 A STAR IS BORN
    d. Bradley Cooper
    Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott


  6 OVERLORD
    d. Julius Avery
    Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, Mathilde Ollivier, Pilou Asbaek


  5 ONE CUT OF THE DEAD
  Can : Si Sak Pin Cheung
  Lit : Corpse Killing Studio
    d. Shinichirou Ueda
    Yuzuki Akyama, Takayuki Hamatsu, Mao, Harumi Syuhama
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 96 mins.
  Opening September 24 2018 (Preview)
  Opening October 25 2018
  https://youtu.be/SzhZ68Acr_c

[ THE GRAND CINEMA ]
    The film opens in a run-down, abandoned warehouse where a film crew are making a zombie film...Yet, this is no ordinary warehouse. It’s been said that it’s the site of where military experiments took place...Out of nowhere, real zombies arrive and terrorize the crew!


  4 THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB
    d. Fede Alvarez
    Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason


  3 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
    d. Bryan Singer
    Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee


  2 TRACEY
  Can : Chui Si
  Lit : Tracy
    d. Jun Lee Chun Shek
    Philip Keung Ho Man, Kara Wai Ying Hung,
      Eric Kot Man Fai, River Huang (Wong Ho), Jennifer Yu Heung Yi,
      Ng Siu Hin, Aaron Chow Chi Kwan, Ben Yuen Fu Wa
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 119 mins.
  Opening November 22 2018
  Opening November 6 2018 at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/4rZO01w8vgw

[ HONG KONG ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2018 ]
    On the surface, Travis is a typical middle-aged man -- a small business owner, a good husband and a responsible father. But he's also been living with a secret for many years. When an old friend from his past dies, Travis realizes that his secret can no longer be contained.



  1 FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD
    d. David Yates
    Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterson, Dan Fogler, Johnny Depp,

[2018.11.28] FOR THE WEEK STARTING NOVEMBER 24 2018

GLOBAL CHINESE MUSIC CHART
For the week starting November 24 2018


15 STAY OPEN
  ZTAO (Huang Zitao), Diplo & MO

14 DON'T CRY
  Can : Buk Hook
  Sunnee Yang Yunqing

13 YOU NEVER FORGET
  Can : Nei Chung Mei Mong Gei
  Reno Wang (Wong Jung Leung)

12 PEACE FOR YOUNG AND OLD
  Can : Lo Siu Ping On
  Pakho Chau

11 CAN BE AGAIN
  Can : Hor Yut Hor Joi
  Eason Chan Yik Shun

10 IF I WERE YOUNG
  Can : Nin Siu Yau Wai
  Li Ronghao

 9 BAMBOO
  Jason Zhang (Cheung Kit)

 8 OH
  Can : Ai Ya
  Mo Buyi

 7 THE BOY NAMED CROW
  Can : Hong Nga Siu Nin
  Hua Chenyu (Wa Sun Yu)

 6 LONELY SPACE
  Can : Chuen Sai Gai Pui Ngor Suk Min
  Wang Sulong

 5 BETRAYED YOUTH
  Can : Wai Bui Dik Ching Chun
  Joker Xue (Sit Ji Him)

 4 TEACH ME TO KEEP LOVING LIKE THIS
  Can : Gau Ngor Jeh Mor Oi Ha Hui
  Andy Hui Chi On

 3 CLEAR SKY
  Can : Ching Hung
  Nicholas Tse Ting Fung

 2 UNTIMELY RAIN
  Can : Buk Cup Yu
  Diamond Zhang Bichen


 1 TIME STOPPED
  Can : Si Gan Ting Liu
  Luhan

[2018.11.28] KEVIN CHENG IS HAPPIER ABOUT BEING A FATHER THAN WINNING AN AWARD OR LOTTERY

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Soon to be a father Kevin Cheng Ka Wing yesterday promoted MASTER Z: THE IP MAN LEGACY (IP MAN OI JUEN: CHEUNG TIN CHI). Reporters congratulated him and he joked, "Gung Hei Fat Choi!" Speaking of his impending fatherhood, Ka Wing admitted that he was more happy than nervous. "I am happier than winning any award, any lottery, anything! The feeling is hard to describe, the joy inside can't be described in writing! However my wife (Grace Chan Hoi Lam) told me not to talk too much about the baby, she was afraid that I would say something wrong so I would wait for her to say it!" Was his wife very nervous? Ka Wing stated that his wife was nervous, which was normal. Actually the entire family from his own mother to his in laws could not be more nervous.

[2018.11.28] AARON KWOK GETS HIS ABS BACK IN A WEEK

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Aaron Kwok Fu Sing worked on a new advertising campaign for an insurance company. Yesterday he promoted. Sing Sing revealed that currently aside from his concert tour he also has been busy with his advertising obligations. No matter how bush he has been he still took three or four days a week to run and a day to swim. For the tour he would even run and work out everyday. He said that he was only after getting in shape and not deliberately achieve a multiple pack of abdominal muscles. However he said that last year he made the film THEORY OF AMBITION (FUNG JOI HEI SI) he played Lui Lok. "For the character I lost all the abdominal muscles, because in middle age he gained weight and had to show his belly. The story required it, but I got back into shape in a week!"

Monday, November 26, 2018

[2018.11.27] SEAN LAU FEARS VENGEANCE FROM DIRECTOR NICK CHEUNG





Alan Mak praises Anita Yuen as a real actor, as she agrees to perform right away


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courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

The film INTEGRITY (LIM JING FUNG WON YIK MOK) yesterday promoted in Beijing. Emperor Group chief Dr. Albert Yeung Sau Sing led leads Sean Lau Ching Wan, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Karena Lam Ka Yun and directors Alan Mak Siu Fai and Felix Chong Man Keung to announce the film will land in Hong Kong and the Mainland for the Lunar New Year. Ka Fai and Ching Wan worked together again after five years. Ching Wan praised Ka Fai for great improvements as he rose from actor to director. However, when asked if Ching Wan would be interested in working on a Ka Fai directed film, he shook his head vehemently and said that he was afraid Ka Fai would seek revenge.

Five years since THE WHITE STORM (SO DUK), Ka Fai and Ching Wan worked together again. Ching Wai praised Ka Fai for making the great leap from acting to directing. Would he be interested in working on Ka Fai's film? Ching Wan shook his head and said, "No, he definitely would seek revenge!" Ka Fai humorously replied, "In previous life I stole someone's money, in this life I become a director!" Then he looked at Directors Mak and Chong and said, "They are already very guilty for a long time!"

Dr. Yeung Sau Sing very confidently said that he was full of confidence in this film with the Lunar New Year slot. "Spring Festival is the good slot that we film companies and filmmakers dream of, of course we will have a lot of competition. Without any self confidence we wouldn't dare to open in this slot, so I am very confident in this film. Mainly director Mak Siu Fai and producers Chong Man Keung and Wong Bun's previous films INFERNAL AFFAIRS, OVERHEARD and PROJECT GUTENBERG were all commercial and critical hits. INTEGRITY in addition has two Best Actors and one Best Actress. This year's Mainland Spring Festival week made almost 6 billion (RMB) at the box office. We should have a good box office performance."

Ching Wan, Ka Fai and Ka Yun said that the film's Lunar New Year release would be a very special arrangement for them. Because usually Lunar New Year would be flooded with comedies, Ching Wan joked that he did not know whether it was a "smoke screen" (the film's Chinese title) and if it would truly open on the Lunar New Year's Day. He said that the last time he had a Lunar New Year film release was probably THE SHOPAHOLICS (JUI OI NUI YUN KAU MUK KONG). Ka Yun happily said that she had her first Lunar New Year film release thanks to her two co-stars.

Ka Fai's recent Lunar New Year was FROM VEGAS TO MACAU (DOH SING FUNG WON). Would they appear at the movies for audience appreciation in the New Year? Ka Yun said, "If the two of them would I would follow them!" Ka Fai revealed that he would support himself, perhaps he would have a chance to run into the audience and wish them a Happy New Year. Despite being a couple with Ching wan in the film, Ka Yun did not have as many scenes with him as she did with Ka Fai. Ching Wan said, "Director Mak Siu Fai arranged for Ka Fai and Ka Yun's scenes to be without romance, they wouldn't be as exciting and loving as mine with Ka Yun."

Director Mak Siu Fai said that the film's theme was anti corruption. In INTEGRITY an important witness in a corruption case ran to England. Investigators in charge of the case try everything to bring him back, but as he is about to return to Hong Kong something unexpected happens.

[2018.11.27] YEUNG PAN PAN THANKS HEAVEN FOR BLESSING HER AFTER THE FIRE

courtesy of singtao.com
Yeung Pan Pan shows her burn on the right wrist
Toby Chan
Eva Lai, Vincci Wong and Belinda Hamnett
courtesy of mingpao.com

Yeung Pan Pan earlier was injured in a fire while working on the film THE AMAZING SPRING (DAI DEI WUI CHUN) in Malaysia. Yesterday she attended a press conference and had no burn on her face. Sister Pan Pan said that the recovery has been great, she rested for a dozen or so days after the injury and enjoyed her time with friends thoroughly. The film company also took great care of her. Sister Pan Pan recalled the accident, "At the time we were working on a scene in which my on screen husband Law Kar Ying pulled me out of the fire but he was burnt to death. Yet during the shoot the floor was flooded with rain water, my pants and shoes were all soaked through. Behind me were over 20 seniors without any acting experience!" Sister Pan Pan continued, "I have to praise myself for my kindness. Heaven made arrangements. Since I have been a stunt person and knew that the director would take a very long time to shoot the three scenes, I reminded everyone if they got hot from the fire not to back up, otherwise they would step on others. The best would be scattering to the sides. During the shoot, I was cultivating my emotions and crying. Everyone saw someone falling into the fire, the one covered in fire was me. You also saw a blue flame surrounding the seniors and burnt two stories high. The seniors scattered to the sides. When the fire reached me I turned around, but because my hip was already in necrosis, I couldn't turn around and fell. I thought this would be a disaster. Luckily my onscreen brother came back to pull me out. It was only in the matter of seconds!" Sister Pan Pan was fortunate that her pants and shoes were all wet, as she only suffered ankle burns. "However my 30% of my right arm was burn, my mouth, eyes, nose, eyebrows and eyelashes were burnt. During therapy, my right arm was folded up from the burn, I could forced it open but it would not stop bleeding! At the hospital the doctor saw that I would need three weeks before I would be presentable, but I took care of myself. After a week or two I was already able to see people, and I didn't have any scar!"

Sister Pan Pan gratefully said, "This disaster actually was a big deal for me, I almost couldn't come back. Heaven blessed me!" As for compensation, she sad that she did not ask for anything because this time the film company thoughtfully gave a chance to a new comer. However over 30 seniors were injured, the film company fully supported their treatment and recovery care. After the injury, Sister Pan Pan still remembered to ask the director if he could enough shots. The director said that the scenes came out great and would not need any additional shoot. The film has been scheduled for a January Lunar New Year release in Malaysia. Without any scar now, would she need any beauty therapy? Sister Pan Pan said, "The beautician saw me and saw I didn't need to do anything!" Would she perform any dangerous stunts at the Tung Wah charity show? She said that this time she would only instruct everyone on some highly difficult stunts. "Actually any performance would have its danger, I was working on a dramatic scene earlier but I still got burnt!"

Saturday, November 24, 2018

[2018.11.25] EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES SPREADS ITS WING THIS MONTH

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courtesy of singtao.com

Deep Ng
courtesy of mingpao.com

Yesterday Albert Yeung Sau Sing attended the Emperor Motion Picture ROBIN HOOD premiere and shared his joy as a "father in law" as he would cover Gillian Chung Yun Tung and her husband Michael Lai's wedding banquet. He revealed that he would ask Ah Gil and her husband to present tea but they would not need to kneel. He also said that he would give a speech. Not only was he afraid of being old fashioned but also of being moved to tears.

Emperor Group chair Yeung Sau Sing, director Kearen Pang Sau Wai and Deep Ng Ho Hong yesterday attended the premiere. Yeung Sau Sing revealed that Emperor Motion Pictures this month will officially start production on many films, including GUNG GUP GAU WOON (EMERGENCY RESCUE), 77 HEARTBURNS (GUM DUNG TA 77 CHI), HAN KEI POR ON (DEADLINE CASE RESOLUTION) and SEI YUN MO HOR YI (UNSUSPICIOUS CAUSE OF DEATH). He said that lately he signed Teresa Mo Shun Kwan and Pang Sau Wai. Sister Mo w would even have a script tailored for her.