[2022.07.17] FRANCIS NG MAY BE THE HONG KONG FILM AWARD BEST ACTOR DARK HORSE

Francis Ng is drooling over the Hong Kong Film Award 

Cya Liu suffered a lot for LIMBO, but the Best Actress nomination would be worth all of that

Cya Liu prepared for the show

Despite being injured on the set earlier, Gordon Lam would attend the Hong Kong Film Award

Michael Wong was unable to personally accept his first Hong Kong Film Award.  He never expected to wait for decades before he got another one.
courtesy of on.cc

The 40th Hong Kong Film Award will take place tonight. After two years away due to the pandemic, the competition has been rather fierce for this film industry event. Supposedly Francis Ng Chun Yu who was not the top favorite turned the situation around and had hope for his first Best Actor award; Best Actress would be between Cya Liu and Sandra Ng Kwan Yu.

Francis Ng Chun Yu's career is the "same age" as the Hong Kong Film Award. If this year he would win Best Actor, the meaning would be extraordinary. After 40 years in the business he has made around 170 films, but the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor has already brushed by him. Even in THE MISSION (CHEUNG FOR) 22 years ago his acting was described as in its prime, in the end he was only able to win at the Golden Horse Award. This time in DRIFTING (SHOOK SHUI PIU LAU) he played a homeless drug addict "Brother Fai", from the film release, the Hong Kong Film Award nomination to the several rounds of voting, he received praises and recognition from many of the Hong Kong film industry. Some said that his portrayal this time was very convincing, brought freshness to the audience and had hope of a "breakthrough of zero". Chun Yu has been drooling over the prize. When the film was released he stated that the first time he read the script he cried, the reason he took it was because he "obviously wants to win awards."

Lam Ka Tung this time has two Best Actor nominations with the film LIMBO (JI CHI) and HAND-ROLLED CIGARETTE (SAU GUEN YIN), originally he would very likely win, but two nominations had their positive and negative points. The votes would thus be split; after 60 years in film, Patrick Tse Yin with TIME (SAT CHOOK GOR WONG FUN) was a "rookie" nominee. Reportedly, Ka Tung earlier was injured on the set. Currently he is fine and confirmed for the event tonight. He would support the Hong Kong Film Award with action, and his spirit should be commended.

As for Best Actress, first time nominee Cya Liu faced good actors like Gong Li. Without any fear, she in LIMBO played a character with a complex state of mind Wang Tao. Throughout the entire film she was abused at will by others. After being kidnapped Cya struggled to survive in garbage with the rats. On more than one occasion she said that at the time she had a skin reaction all over her body from the shoot. She once worried that the dirty water would make her ill. The character lingered with her for over 3 months. Now that she is the favorite, it was worth all the hardship. Actually Cya has been in Hong Kong since coming from the Mainland in March, stated mainly because she wanted to personally witness this event. "When I made my first movie, I wish for one day when I would have a chance to bring my work to the Hong Kong Film Award." For days she has been busy with trying on what to wear, so she would be able to steal the spotlight on the red carpet first today. As for being the favorite, Cya said, "I don't have any pressure at all. However I feel the people around me have more pressure than I do. (Are you nervous?) Gradually, because I really haven't participated in an event that I would have to see a lot of people. (Are you full of confidence?) Just average, the nomination is already great. Ultimately I want to thank everyone who have enjoyed my performance, because as an actor I am very happy that the movie I am in has been seen."

Due to the pandemic, this year's Hong Kong Film Award has already decided to cancel the event's celebration banquet. However reportedly Koo Tin Lok's film companies would hold a joint celebration with other film companies after the ceremony so the recipients would be able to share the joy with their colleagues.