[2020.05.01] HONG KONG FILM AWARD CLASSICS: CHOW YUN FAT, JOSEPHINE SIAO AND SHAOLIN SOCCER

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"Hong Kong Film Award Classic, Let Me Decide!" Oriental Daily earlier invited 100 artists to vote on past Hong Kong Film Award classics! The "Best Actor of Best Actor" nominees included A BETTER TOMORROW (YING HUNG BOON SIK)'s Chow Yun Fat, DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN)'s Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing, HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT)'s Tony Leung Chiu Wai, BEAST STALKER (JING YUN)'s Nick Cheung Ka Fai and COLD WAR (HONG JIN)'s Tony Leung Ka Fai. Finally Chow Yun Fat won with 45 votes! Fat Gor during the interview humbly said that he was lucky to have run into a good team, otherwise he would not be able to do it alone.

As for "Best Actress of Best Actress", the nominees included SUMMER SNOW (NUI YUN SEI SUP)'s Josephine Siao Fong Fong, ROUGE (YIN JI KAU)'s Anita Mui Yim Fong, C'EST LA VIE MON CHERI (SUN BUT LIU CHING)'s Anita Yuen Wing Yi, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA)'s Maggie Cheung Man Yuk and LOST IN TIME (MONG BUT LIU)'s Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi. Finally Siao Fong Fong ran away with 41 votes. She humorously described her mood with lyrics from ETERNAL LOVE (CHUK CHOI WU BUK GWAI). "My heart is full of joy, my heart is full of panic" and joked that she only won because everyone "respected the elderly".

Chow Yun Fat humbly said that he won completely due to good luck, as he ran into good roles and good teams. "I really want to thank everyone for their love for me. Actually I am lucky, throughout different eras of television and film I have had good characters for me to work with. If I didn't have outstanding screenwriters, directors and on and off camera workers' contribution, I alone couldn't even be scary if I was a ghost!"

From the television series THE BUND (SEUNG HOI TAN)'s Hui Man Keung to the film A BETTER TOMORROW's Mark Gor and AN AUTUMN'S TALE's Bow Ruler, he has played all character tragic and comedic. Which one was his favorite? Chow Yun Fat made a surprise revelation that he has never seen a single episode of THE BUND. "In the early 80s I had to make it to fight for ratings with the rival station, so it aired as we shot. We shot day and night, how would we have a chance to take a glimpse at our own performance? So until now I still haven't seen an episode of THE BUND!" Although working day and night made remember each character in detail difficult for him, some valuable footage would always stay in his mind. "After I finished each role I would toss 'him' out of my mind. what 'he' has done in front of the camera, what line was said, I would completely delete them all. Only beautiful memories with the group of workers remained."

Siao Fong Fong with SUMMER SNOW won "Best Actress of Best Actress" and truly deserved the award. She humorously sang a song from ETERNAL LOVE, then said, "Thank you to so many colleagues for their love for me. You really have embodied the excellent 'traditional Chinese culture'! What culture is it? Right now I can deeply sense it, 'respect the elderly', haha!"

After decades in entertainment, Siao Fong Fong has played countless character. Her favorite and the most memorable was the Patrick Tse Yin starred, Patrick Lung Kong directed THE WINDOW (CHEUNG). She said, "I really like that blind woman role, also because of the way Lung Kong 'directed' my 'performance' I understood that the supreme realm of acting is getting into the spirit and completely forgetting myself, naturally and automatically. However my background was poor, the state was completely beyond my grasp." In recent years many of the younger generation gave brilliant performance, who did she like more? She joked that she did not dare to say, "This question puts me at a little disadvantage, haha! You want me to insult people! Actually who is the best, I believe everyone has their idea because the audience's eyes are crystal clear."

As for Chow Yun Fat winning "Best Actor of Best Actor" and the Stephen Chow Sing Chi directed SHAOLIN SOCCER (SIU LUM JOOK KAU) as the "Hong Kong Film Award Ultimate Film", Siao Fong Fong praised they truly deserved them. "I really enjoy watching A BETTER TOMORROW's Mark Gor Chow Yun Fat, Fat Jai truly is a great actor!" She also praised SHAOLIN SOCCER, "Sing Jai's comedic rhythm really is top notch, I really admire it. I was fortunate enough to work with him on FIST OF FURY 1991 (SUN JING MO MOON 1991) and FIST OF FURY 1991 II (MAN WA WAI LUNG), in the process 'I learned a lot'!"

The Hong Kong Film Award will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. Each year it would choose a Best Film. To be the best of the best, the film had to be of certain caliber. The nominees included the Mabel Cheung Yuen Ting directed AN AUTUMN's TALE, the John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed A BETTER TOMORROW, the Chow Sing Chi written, directed and starred SHAOLIN SOCCER, the Andrew Lau Wai Keung and Alan Mak Siu Fai directed INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH) and the Wong Kar Wai directed DAY OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN). In the end SHAOLIN SOCCER became the "Hong Kong Film Award Ultimate Film" with 30 votes.

From the film "Third brother" Tin Kai Man and "Sixth brother" Lam Tsz Chung talked about "three big secrets" from the film production. Tin Kai man revealed that the film actually had a "mystery actor" but because Chow Sing Chi in the end switched to another "car repairman" Fung Min Hung's scene, this "mystery actor" was cut out. He was Bob Lam Sing Bun! Tin Kai Man said, "Bob at the time just came back from overseas. We asked him for a soccer scene on sand. Originally it was shot and wrapped, but Sing Yeh changed his mind and cut him off. He changed it to the car repairman scene. This probably was Lam Sing Bun's first film, but no one knew." Chubby Chung added, "Actually we asked him if he would be willing to stay for a few more months and try again, but because he had to work at the radio station he had no way to stay."

Chubby Chung revealed that he had a "flub". "Many people told me that they have seen the film several hundred times, but they couldn't see the flub. During the shoot the wire broke and I injured my leg, so in the finale when all the brothers ran out to kick the ball I didn't run because I couldn't run. However in the next shot I was on the field, suddenly appearing like the magic ball. You really have to pay attention to be able to see it."

Chow Sing Chi was known for being serious about filmmaking. Tin Kai Man and Lam Tsz Chung pointed out that when the movie started production, they first went to Zhuhai to shoot "eldest brother" Wong Yat Fei's bar scene. Then the team flew to Shanghai to start production, but because Chow Sing Chi felt that the bar scene still had room for development the team "turned around" and went back to Zhuhai to build the set again for the shoot. Not only did we spare no expense, his dominance on the set was thoroughly on display. Every detail had to be just right. he was very detail oriented and serious even when making a comedy!

[2020.05.01] "CHAN HO NAM" RETIRES; EKIN CHENG LETS GO

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Dior Cheng Yi Kin in the 90s starred in many YOUNG AND DANGEROUS films that were made on the comic book TEDDY BOY (GOO WAT JAI) and with the role of "Chan Ho Nam" he reached new heights in his career. Yesterday reportedly the comic book would release its final issue and bid farewell officially, ending its 28 years of street life. Cheng Yi Kin wrote, "Let everything go with the wind." "Dai Tin Yee" Michael Tse Tin Wa said, "Of course it is regrettable because it is ultimately a domestically created comic book. As far as I know it really has a lot of readers. Actually it doesn't mean that it would completely end because YOUNG AND DANGEROUS movies are still around."

[2020.04.30] LAM TSZ CHUNG HAS NOT HEARD OF MAINLAND REQUIREMENT FOR DECLARATION OF PATRIOTISM FROM HONG KONG AND TAIWAN ARTISTS

The Mainland in recent years instituted many new policies, yesterday reportedly each major film and television companies received guidance. If any Hong Kong and Taiwan artists or behind the scene did not sign a statement to declare their patriotism they would not be hired. Some pointed out that when the film bureau would demand that during the copyright sale contract signing that a condition would be added, for participating Hong Kong and Taiwan artists to guarantee they would not be banned in the Mainland due to political expression for ten years. If they violate the condition they would be required to make compensation. The report claims that a Mainland company planned to start production on a costume series and wanted Kevin Cheng Ka Wing and Janine Chang for the second leads. During the contract signing the new condition was required to be added.

Despite the rumor, many production companies claimed that they have never heard about such a guidance and that even if stipulated on contracts production companies only set it to protect themselves. They had no official guidance. Lam Tsz Chung said, "I have always been working in the Mainland, I have never heard about requiring to write such a statement. Right now I am in isolation in Shanghai, preparing to start working on a big internet movie. It didn't say I had to sign a statement." Federation of Film Workers president Tin Kai Man also said that such news would require time to confirm. If it was true it would have a huge impact on show business, because ten years would be too long. "If it is true, some Hong Kong and Taiwan artists would lose their jobs because many film and television production companies would avoid using Hong Kong artists to avoid trouble."

[2020.04.30] STEPHY TANG, EMAN LAM CREATE MY PRINCE EDWARD THEME SONG

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The film MY PRINCE EDWARD (GUM DOH) at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards received 8 nominations. The film's titular theme song and music video were also officially released at midnight last night at major music platforms.

Returning to singing 5 years later, Stephy Tang Lai Yun sang the song that was Eman Lam written and produced, with lyrics by Norris Wong Yi Lam and song arrangement by Law Kin Bong. Director Wong Yi Lam said that originally she only wanted Eman to play the role of Ah Yi, but Eman after reading the MY PRINCE EDWARD script really liked this subject and volunteered to participate in composing the score and the theme song!

Other actors also praised the theme song. Lead actor Chu Pak Hong posted on social media, "If MY PRINCE EDWARD didn't have the Eman and Norris created theme song, I think it probably would be like a rainbow with the orange part." Actor Kaki Shum said on social media, "Thank you Eman and Director Norris for thoughtfully creating a good song, with Stephy's singing it truly is flawless."

[2020.04.29] ROY CHOW, CHRISTINE TO SEEK FILM RELEASE CHANGE DURING THE PANDEMIC

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The Han Geng starred, Roy Chow Hin Yeung directed, Christine To Chi Long produced film KNOCKOUT due to the novel coronavirus closing cinemas nationwide cancelled its March release. Its investor Media Asia changed its strategy and arranged for the film to be released last week (April 20th) on iQiyi video network, finding a new way out during the pandemic.

The Mainland film LOST IN RUSSIA was the earliest in switching to internet release, which led to debates among cinema owners as they worried that it would affect the film operation ecology. To Chi Long Said that the film industry needed metabolism. Now that cinemas are closed, increasing the number of channels to release movies is a good thing. More formats of showing movies do not meant they cannot coexist.

With 20 years in film, Chow Hin Yeung looked at both sides of the matter. He said, "I deeply love movie, I have affection for cinemas. Of course I hope everyone would go to the movies, but the world is changing. During the pandemic, even the Olympic Games can't open. Concerts have all become online. I agree with the need to adjust. Some movies have been made for several years, having the channels would cycle film operation and grass root film workers would have jobs." He also said, "I heard a big pile of movies are scheduling for online release. Indeed cinemas have some changes. In the U.S. many dramatic films have been released on the internet. The genre at the movies are all big movies that stimulate the senses like super hero, animation and horror films."

He saw the potential in Hong Kong cinema development. "Hong Kong is different from the U.S. The U.S. is big data driven, Hong Kong can't make the Marvel genre. Instead it would have space for the new generation, anyone who has enough creativity and talent can win."

Some once brutally predicted the Hong Kong film's march toward death. Chow and To strongly supported that Hong Kong film would never die. Chow Hin Yeung said, "I would die before Hong Kong film would. Back then with the invention of television, film was already said to be dying. When the internet began to thrive in 97 film was said to be dying again, but it still hasn't. Many young people have many ideas, the audience also like to watch different flavors. After cinemas open up again it would slowly revive." To Chi Long firmly believed that good things would not disappear. Now the film industry has rises and falls, everyone would learn to adjust and digest to create.

[2020.04.27] NINA LI MAKES A RARE APPEARANCE FOR JET LI'S BIRTHDAY

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The sexy goddess of a generation Nina Li Chi after marrying martial art star Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) retired and rarely made a public appearance. Yesterday Lee Nin Kit turned 57 and a rare family photo was shown. Recently staying at home during the pandemic, their younger daughter Jada posted a father and daughter photo on social media. "Papa Happy Birthday! I am very grateful for your patience and support, even thought I am reluctant to express it. Thank you for endlessly expressing your love for me in order to make me happy."

[2020.04.26] HONG KONG PERFORMING ARTIST GUILD ENCOURAGES HONG KONG TO STAY HOME

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Leo Ku instead of singing shares parenthood advice with the father of two Sammy and even demonstrates how to burp a baby on a doll

The baby's foot makes a cameo

Michael Ning, Chu Pak Hong and Louis Cheung 

Michael Ning impersonates Wilson from the movie CAST AWAY

Coffee Lam and Alex Lam's yoga demonstration 

Remus Choy says that after making a feast he usually is too tired to eat 

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With the novel coronavirus Hong Kong still had a "gathering restriction order". Everyone was united in staying home to fight the pandemic. YouTube started the "Global Stay Home #WithMe" event, which received the support of the Hong Kong Performing Artist Guild yesterday. The event from 1 to 9 PM broadcast live online purely to provide entertainment, spread positive energy, in hopes that everyone would unit to improve now and wait for a beautiful tomorrow. Remus Choy Yat Kit and YouTuber Martin opened with a cooking demonstration and shared the joy of cooking.

The fight against pandemic show continued with Alex Lam Tak Shun and Coffee Lam Chin Yu's yoga class to help everyone stretch at home. Then Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Michael Ning (Bak Ji), Chu Pak Hong did a talk show. At 7PM Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Sukie Chung Shu Kei, Donny Summer (Ha Siu Sing), Cheung Kai Chung and others shared their music. Ha Siu Sing mentioned that if everyone is united in improving now, we would have a beautiful tomorrow. In the finale, new father Leo Ku Kui Kei and Sammy shared their child rearing experience as fathers.

"Grasshopper" Choy Yat Kit during the pandemic already started his own cooking channel to teach everyone how to cook simple dishes. Yesterday he went live with YouTubers Martin to teach "Thai style mince meat rice" and souffle. Choy Yat Kit even wore a Doraemon mask. During the live broadcast some online requested for him to cook while performing SENSELESS SAMBA but he did not comply.

Choy Yat Kit during the interview pointed out that during the New Year he went to work in Thailand and stayed to learn to cook for half a month, which he would be able to put to use this time. Was he nervous about cooking live? He said, "No, I am used to large scale concerts. I constantly have to face tens of thousands of people and perform, why would I be nervous!" As for not dancing while cooking, Choy Yat Kit said that the most important part of cooking was communication with the food. He had to respect the food and could not be sloppy. Has he thought about opening a restaurant? He said that if he did he would let everyone now. Would he take a blue ribbon course? He said that Teresa Mo Shun Kwan said that it was very tough, so he would first share some everyday dishes. Many friends wanted to try his cooking, but "gathering restriction" has not yet been lifted. He had less chance to eat with friends. He could only wait until after the pandemic. "At most I can cook for 30 people, but after that I would be very tired. I wouldn't even have the interest to eat the food. However the crew around me all got fat. I lost quite a few pounds!" As for the Grasshoppers' August Taiwan concert, it has been postponed due to the pandemic. Choy Yat Kit would like the pandemic to pas soon and for everyone to return to the right track.

In addition, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Michael Ning (Bak Ji) and Chu Pak Hong in the "Stay Home and Hang Out" segment improvised with their acting. The three actors talked about "stop working but not stop doing" during the pandemic, as they continued to hone their acting. At this moment Cheung Kai Chung revealed that he and his wife Kay Tse On Kay had some problems but stopped himself. As the two hosts worried for him, Cheung Kai Chung expressed that he was joking as he was acting. He joked that he might have a lot of aftermath to deal with for doing this, perhaps he would hurt his wife and friends. Actually Tse On Kay watched the broadcast live and posted that she supported her husband, and did not get mad for his casual talk.

Around 7PM "Music Night - Sing" began. Fiona Sit Hoi Kei said that everyone probably was a little bored from staying at home, so she would sing to keep everyone company. Then she performed the rarely sung MOYUNG SUET, but she stopped after two verses. She joked that because the air conditioning was blowing at her back she could not continue. Finally she stopped and started over.

Sit Hoi Kei sat and said that earlier she was busy with a television series production and song recordings, soon she would release a love song with a similar melody to Faye Wong's EASILY HURT WOMAN. She also revealed that during the pandemic she has been very good. She did not meet her friends, even her parents she rarely saw. She would only take Mommy's cuisine from a distance. As a germaphobe she washed her hands and clean her food even more. "I am very positive now, during the pandemic I don't want to waste time. I learn to play guitar and piano anew. I hope when I look back I wouldn't feel I have wasted my time. Lately I gained 8 pounds from eating like crazy, because at night I would have instant noodles whenever I am watching a movie."

Donny Summer (Ha Siu Sing) played and sang two songs. He encouraged everyone to be like his song NEVER GIVE UP. "What we saved up yesterday is here today, and tomorrow would depend on what we do today to change tomorrow. So the enormous difficulty we run into today is also a problem for the entire world. If everyone is united in improve now, we will have a beautiful tomorrow. The sun would always be here, just waiting for the dark clouds to pass."

Sherman Chung Shu Kei, Sukie Chung Shu Kei and her husband performed in hopes of bringing everyone positive energy. They even sang two different versions of LETTER TO MYSELF, so everyone could release their negative energy with them.

In the "parent with me" segment, Leo Ku Kui Ke at his dinner table said that when the Performing Artist Guild president Louis Koo Tin Lok asked him to perform he revealed that he wanted to find some artists to cheer on everyone to stay home and fight the pandemic. He replied to Goo Jai that aside from singing he would like to enjoy his experience of child rearing in a pandemic. Gei Jai revealed that the baby was constantly making noise, screaming in "dolphin sound" to get picked up. Maybe now he already felt that he was no longer a baby, he was already a little boy and wanted to get to know the world. Gei Jai joked that one day when he told the baby "I love you", he sensed that the baby said it back to him. It was the baby's first words. Gei Jai after becoming a parent felt that he needed to take care of his parents even more and give them even more patience. Before the program ended, Gei Jai's baby performed his "dolphin sound" live and kept screaming.

[2020.04.26] AARON KWOK GETS TOO DEEP IN HIS ROLE

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Best Actor Aaron Kwok Fu Sing two nights ago promoted the film. He said that during the shoot he was so focused on the character that he worried that he was terminally ill like the character. he rushed to get a physical examination!

Sing Sing with his new film I'M LIVIN' IT was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor. The film due to the pandemic has postponed its release. Two nights ago he and director Wong Hing Fan went live to talk about the production. In the film he played a financial talent who embezzled. After his prison release he "resided" at a fast food restaurant and finally became seriously ill.

He revealed that at the time he was so focused on his performance that he once suspected he was terminally ill. "The character was never without a cigarette in his hand, so I smoked until I couldn't stop coughing. The crew was worried and even suggested for me to see a Chinese medicine practitioner. After the shoot I always felt ill, I thought I messed up and had terminal illness. I saw a doctor for a physical examination, after the report confirmed that I was in great health I finally was at ease!"

Nina Paw Hee Ching played Sing Sing's mother in a tear jerking fashion. Speaking of his mother and son relationship, Sing Sing was rather sentimental. When he recalled his mother, who passed away earlier, he inevitably got choked up. "The character left me with a very deep experience, because at the time Mama just passed." He also said that as he grew older he became even more sentimental. "Many scenes in the film would give me a heartache now when I watched them again." Director Wong gave me a light pat to comfort him.

Sing Sing revealed that he came up with a good idea 5 or 6 years ago in the bathroom. Later he asked someone to write the story and prepared to make it into a movie. He wanted to fulfill his directing dream at anytime. "However my personality is very nitpicking. As a director, I think I would due to the wrong location or poor condition stop the production. I wouldn't know how long it would take me to finish it! If I both direct and act I would be distracted. Right now I want to act a little more, later I may start directing."

[2020.04.24] CARRIE NG COMPLANS ABOUT KISS SCENES

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The ViuTV program HER FILM HER STORY's host Susanne Ho Kar Lai spoke with the Golden Horse Award Best Actress Carrie Ng Ka Lai. They did the interview at a studio with several decades of history. Ka Lai also liked the 30's and 40's Shanghai femininity the most. Mainland actors have guessed tha she was of Shanghai descend. "They say my eyebrows and the corners of my eyes look like it. Actually I am a very tough Chaozhou girl!"

Ka Lai has been in the business for many years and truly is a total tough Chaozhou girl. Starting from minor roles with only few lines after graduating from training class to finally receiving the heavenly book (script), she remembered that she cried at the time. She did so not because she was too happy, but because the role got heavier and so did the stress! Jumping from television to the big screen, she took her first role in Cinema City's CITY ON FIRE (LUNG FU FUNG WON) and caught people's attention. She said, "At the time Fat Jai turned from box office poison to box office heavenly king because of this film! Although I played an indecent character, I still was the female lead." The film CITY ON FIRE made Ka Lai the rising star in film. Her portrayal of the mistress was even more memorable. When she switched from television to film, actually elder Chor Yuen gave her a shot of confidence. "At the time my contract just ended with the television station, I was dragging my feet about making a decision. However Uncle Chor Yuen told me not to renew the contract and to go out and make movies! You are suitable for movies! At the time not too many actresses competed with me, (Maggie) Cheung Man Yuk, (Cherie) Chung Chor Hung, and Cheung Man were all lead actresses. I got approached for any exotic or sexy roles. At the time no actress played this type of characters, without any competition I didn't have to worry about not having a job! (Carol) Cheng Yui Ling was Cheng nine units, (Sandra) Ng Kwan Yu was Ng nine unit, I was Ng nine units too!" She remembered back then she was so busy that she did not have time to sleep. She would fall asleep even while walking. She had to keep slapping herself. Once driving home she ran into the curb at the parking lot.

Over the years she has worked with many actors in the business, like Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Alex Man Chi Leung, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Alex Fong Chung Shun, Bowie Lam Bo Yi and others. She has performed many intimate scenes with them, but Ka Lai said intimate scenes were not enjoyable at all. "The audience enjoys the male and female leads' romantic passion, which is nothing but tears for the actors!" Once while making a movie in the U.S., her co-star was a foreign actor with very long stubble. During the 3 minute long kiss scenes, her face was scratched all red and swollen. She was in so much pain that she could not make any noise. Thus whenever she saw co-stars with stubble she would be very afraid, as she was very afraid of getting hurt.

Ka Lai in recent years not only continued to perform on screen, but also directed, planned, created stories. She felt that the film industry lacked films for women. last year she worked with a female director on PRISON FLOWERS (NUI JI GAM YUK). However she understood that making movies for women would have certain difficulties, since everything was market driven. Box office hits remained mainly action films. Thus she wanted to make movies for women but still was in the consideration stage.

[2020.04.24] MISS HONG KONG IS "RESURRECTED" ONLINE

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Fei Wong, Carmaney Wong and Kelly Gu feel that an online Miss Hong Kong pageant will be innovative

Lai Lok Yi and Hera Chan cook more at home now due to the pandemic

TVB assistant general maanger (non drama production) Yu Wing Shan says that Miss Hong Kong 2020 will not be an "oddball" show
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Chris Lai Lok Yi, Mayanne Mak Mei Yan, Hera Chan Hiu Wa, current Miss Hong Kong Carmaney Wong Ka Man, first runner up Fei Wong, and second runner up Kelly Gu yesterday attended the "2020 TVB internet platform innovation during pandemic" press conference to announce the release of Home Chef, Classic Television Series Online Edition and 2020 Miss Hong Kong Pageant. About the Miss Hong Kong pageant going from suspending for a year to an online beauty pageant, TVB assistant general manager (non drama production) Yu Wing Shan said that the Miss Hong Kong pageant will not be an "oddball show". The competition qualifications will be the same as past Miss Hong Kongs, the orders will also be officially recognized.

Bringing back Miss Hong Kong this year, Hera said that nothing could be done about the format during the pandemic. She also looked forward to the Miss Hong Kong pageant after the innovation. She believed that the difficulty of winning would definitely be even higher than before. Was she worried that it would lower Miss Hong Kong's elegant image? She said, "Instead it would be even more challenging, online you have to have talent and ability to speak in order to attract other people's attention. Thus personal talent is very important."

Current Miss Hong Kong Wong Ka Man felt that the online Miss Hong Kong pageant was very innovative, because in the past the audience mostly would not get to know the candidates until the finals. Now through the internet they can understand the real side of candidate even earlier. She said, "I heard about a lot of new ideas, so it should be a lot of fun. I want to compete again, perhaps I can be an instructor and have fun with them." Wong Ka Man was not worried that taking Miss Hong Kong online would affect the elegant image. She agreed that television programs needed to innovate and have break through so even more people would be able to watch the program. Did she breathe a sigh of relief for not having to be Miss Hong Kong for another term? Wong Ka Man said that having more new members to join the Miss Hong Kong big family would be a good thing too. First runner up Wong Fei said that the internet could show the audience segments and visuals that the audience normally would not see on television. New elements could be added as well, aside from beauty candidates would be able to demonstrate their strong suit.

About the Miss Hong Kong pageant going from suspending for a year to an online pageant, TVB assistant general manager (non drama production) Yu Wing Shan said that the 2020 Miss Hong Kong pageant will not be an "oddball" show. The competition qualifications are the same as past Miss Hong Kongs, the order will be officially recognized. However the detailed pageant format was still in conception, the addition of new elements like a reality show segment would not be eliminated so candidates would be able to wear different swimsuits and do their own make up. People would be able to vote online throughout the entire process. Yu Wing Shan revealed that the recruitment would begin at the end of May, the entire pageant process would take two to three months. As for whether a finals would take place it would depend of the pandemic development.

[2020.04.22] MANY ONLINE RELATE TO THE HONG KONG FILM AWARD TRAILER

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Due to the novel coronavirus, the 39th Hong Kong Film Award that was originally scheduled to be held in April cancelled its actual award show and postponed to the Association chair Derek Yee Tung Sing's live announcement of winners on May 6th on three platforms of facebook, YouTube and Instagram. The event two days ago released an almost 3 minute long trailer, which led to hot debate online. The short film that was made with the 14 nominated films' visuals and lines, editing and sound mixing echoed with people online. Some felt that the content was full of metaphors and turned the film into a story of Hong Kong in recent years. Director Shu Kei strongly recommended this film with "Wow! Wow! Wow! You can't miss it!" Some praised the outstanding editing and strongly recommended it for the Best Editing award.

The 39th Hong Kong Film Award trailer was edited by Hong Kong fesh Wave director and writer Lo Wai Lun and Lee Kai Ho, and sound mixed by Tang Hok Lun.

Lo Wai Lun in 2017 directed ZOMBIOLOGY: ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT (GUM MAN DA SONG SI). Lee Kai Ho came from the Hong Kong Art School and won the Fresh Wave short film Best Film award with EPILEPSY. The trailer was posted on YouTube for one day and had over 270,000 views. The social platform also was bombarded with praises for its "god class editing".

The trailer opened with the FATAL VISIT (SAI HOR SAI MAU SAK ONG) dialogues, "Some things could be understood, very differently by each individuals, with various meanings." Then from BETTER DAYS, "This used to be our playground. This was our playground. This is our playground." The wise lines coordinated with different film images, with "Have you seen people turning into animals?", "Humans, aren't we all born to be free?" "But it's time, we wake from our dreams."

Inbetween was a scene from THE WHITE STORM 2 DRUG LORDS (SO DUK 2 TIN DEI DUI KUET) had a car with license plate GM831 running rampant inside a MTR station, which led some to make other connections. From IP MAN 4 Donnie Yen Chi Tan said, "When facing injustice, I must stand up and fight."

FAGARA (FA SUK JI MEI)'s "What if we have tried our best and the world doesn't become better, what do we do?" BETTER DAYS' "If you succeed I won't be a total loser." In the end was SUK SUK's line "How's it going, buddy?" A scene from BAMBOO THEATRE became the final shot, as a banner was raised on top of the completed bamboo theater with the words, "Good weather".

Some online turned the lines into quotes to relive over and over. Some posted, "How is this a trailer? This is reality. It's very sad to watch." Some even asked, "Why did I cry form watching an award show trailer?" Some said, "I can really relate to the sights and sound." Some felt that the short film led to other connections, as if it was a metaphor for the Hong Kong social movement experience.

Director Shu Kei posted the short film and wrote, "Wow! Wow! Wow! You can't miss it! You can't miss it! You can't miss it! See, this is the Hong Kong film spirit! The strongest editing! This film alone can already win the Hong Kong Film Award!" However, some also felt that those comments read too much into it.

[2020.04.21] THE HONG KONG FILM AWARDS WILL ANNOUNCE ITS WINNER ONLINE ON MAY 6TH

Derek Yee will personally announce the results 

Best Actor nominees Louis Koo (A WITNESS OUT OF THE BLUE) and Tai Bo (SUK SUK)

FAGARA is only second in nominations to BETTER DAYS, including Sammi Cheng for Best Actress.  However she is also nominated for FATAL VISIT in the same category, which made split her own votes

I'M LIVIN' IT has 10 nominations including Best Actor for Aaron Kwok

The Derek Tsang directed BETTER DAYS has 12 nominations
courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

The Hong Kong Film Award chair Derek Yee Tung Sing yesterday announced to the media that due to the pandemic, after the board of director meeting they have decided against holding an actual award show for the 39th Hong Kong Film Award. Instead on May 6th at 3PM it will be stream live on 3 online platforms facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Yee Tung Sing would announce all 19th category winners of the 39th Hong Kong Film Award during the live broadcast. This would also be the first time that the Hong Kong Film Award suspended its award ceremony.

Yee Tung Sing pointed out that earlier they planned to hold a large scale award show online. Because 112 people were nominated and all over China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, if the live stream would have to keep so many people waiting, it would be very hard to arrange. Many professional have been consulted about network stability and other problems, which made such a move highly difficult. Because the vote counts would already be out at the end of the month, the results would be announced first.

Due to the pandemic, hopefully everyone would understand that the award ceremony would have to be delayed to next year. Yee Tung Sing said, "We have already come up with a period. Next year would be the 40th Hong Kong Film Award, maybe we would present the awards at next year's Hong Kong Film Award press conference, or hold an award ceremony on the red carpet on the Saturday before the award ceremony next year. However right now we have no way to decide, we can only hope that we will be able to before the 40th year." Yee Tung Sing regretted the most that the winners would not be able to receive the applause for their colleagues live. However, he felt no matter the format, everyone should understand that the award that they would receive would not any less deserved.

Yee Tung Sing stressed that over the years the accountants would bring the ballot box o the Cultural Center on the day of the award show, thus this year this format would remain. They would not open the box until the moment before the announcement to keep confidentiality until that day. Without an award show how much did they lose on broadcast rights and sponsorship? Yee Tung Sing said that this year sponsorship has been already very few to begin with, thus the event was not too affected. In the past every year the award show would require over HK$ 10 million in expenses. This year it received HK$ 9 million form the Hong Kong film development fund. Every year the Hong Kong Film Award would need to hire a lot of contract employees for the preparation. To avoid spending public fund the preparation has already stopped months ago.

As for the program, the publication would also be postponed. They planned to including the winners' interviews in the program after the awards were announced. As for when the awards would reach the winners' hands? Yee Tung Sing said that this question would be handled with flexibility. If any winner would like to take the award home first, the event could arrange for it to be mailed. If anyone needed for photos the event would also be able to provide one.

[2020.04.19] ANDY LAU'S INFINITUS FILMS DENIES STARTING PRODUCTION ON THE DEFECTED FILM

courtesy of singtao.com

Recently someone impersonated an employee of Infinitus Films under the Andy Lau Tak Wa created Focus Group's banner to rent a restaurant for location shoot. Infinitus Films issued a statement, saying, "Recently a man named Gan falsely claimed to be an Infinitus Films employee who was responsible for production and location rental for the already in production film THE DEFECTED (TEET TAM). Infinitus Films has never participated in the production of the film version of THE DEFECTED and has not assigned any employee to rent locations. The behavior of the aforementioned person is completely fraudulent and has other intention. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and prevent fraud. If anyone continues with this false narrative or fraudulent behavior, Infinitus Films will plea a complaint with law enforcement agencies and hold the party accountable."

[2020.04.18] PERFORMING ARTIST GUILD PERFORMS AN ONLINE SHOW TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC ON APRIL 25TH

Guild president Louis Koo has been busy with inviting artists to participate

Leo Ku, Fiona Sit will take part

Coffee Lam and Alex Lam will demonstrate yoga

Remus Choy will share his culinary art
courtesy of mingpao.com

As the novel coronavirus continued, after "Song God" Sam Hui Koon Kit's hour long 2020 Sam Hui In the Same Boat Online Concerts cheered for Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild will work with YouTube on #StayHome #WithMe all day live broadcast next Saturday (April 25th) to again encourage Hong Kong to stay home and fight the pandemic.

Reportedly YouTube started this online live broadcast, the Artist Guild was responsible for arranging for artist online performance. With president Louis Koo Tin Lok's help they were able to get in touch with Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Suki Chung Shu Kei, J.Arie and others. The online live broadcast will start at 1PM. First Remus Choy Yat Kit would share his culinary art, then Alex Lam Tak Shun and Coffee Lam Chin Yu would teach yoga, Donny Summer (Ha Siu Sing) would perform. Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Leo Ku Kui Ke and Michael Ning (Bak Ji) would have a talk segment. Then from 7PM to 9PM, Hong Kong Night of Music would feature Sit Hoi Kei, Chung Shu Man, Chung Shu Kei, J.Arie and others to share music with the audience.