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| Director Philip Yung says Michael Hui is the only choice for the grandpa in the film and thanks the group of guest starring actors including Nina Paw |
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| Louis Koo and Charlene Choi guest star in the Lunar New Year film THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY |
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Jessica Hsuan accepts an interview with Stephen Chan and emphasizes that she and Louis Koo "do not connect".
courtesy of mingpao.com |
Director Philip Yung Tsz Kwong's first Lunar New Year comedy
film THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY (GUM DOR BO) would open on February
13th (the Lunar 26th), gathering Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Chung Suet
Ying, MIRROR members Edan Lui Cheuk On, Jiro Lee Seung Ching, Harriet
Yeung Sze Man (Shrimp Head) and others to star and even inviting
Michael Hui Koon Man, Louis Koo Tin Lok (Goo Jai), Nina Paw Hee Ching,
Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin (Ah Sa), Chan Fai Hung and other surprise
helpers.
Director Yung shared the casting philosophy, saying that the
film was family-centered. He hoped to create a sense of intimacy
through actors familiar to the audience, while responding to the current
situation of the Hong Kong film industry. Kam Yin Ling played the role
of the mother, so the role of the husband also needed to have weight
and familiarity. Director Yung believed that Hui Koon Man was the best
choice to play the role of the "hidden big boss" grandpa of the Lam
family in the film. They worked together again after WHERE THE WIND
BLOWS (FUNG JOI HEI SI). Director Yung believed that since THE LAST
DANCE (POR. DEI YUK), Hui Koon Man has already become a representative
of Hong Kong's "drama pillar" in the hearts of the new generation of
audiences, "Even though the younger generation may not be familiar
with his earlier work PRIVATE EYE BLUES (BOON GUNG BAK LEUNG) or
SECURITY UNLIMITED (MOR DUN BO BIU). Today as soon as Hui Koon
Man is mentioned, everyone would immediately think of the 'this is
Grandpa' feeling. He is definitely a symbol of Hong Kong actors".
Even though Hui Koon Man was guest starring, he cared a lot about
the production. Before the production began he and Yung Tsz Kwong
discussed the script many times. "The warm, touching and
surprising ending of the movie now is Hui Koon Man's suggestion.
I really enjoy talking with him."
Director Yung said that he often discussed the current situation
of Hong Kong films with Goo Jai in private, describing himself as
"running after him" and looking forward to working hard for Hong Kong
films together. Previously the "Mr. K" who funded Director Yung's THE
SPARRING PARTNER (JING YI WUI LONG) production was rumored to be Goo
Jai. This time Goo Jai also readily agreed to make a cameo appearance,
which Director Yung regarded as the mutual assistance and support spirit
of Hong Kong cinema. It was also the first time that the two
officially worked on a film together. "Goo Jai isn't just an actor, but
an all around filmmaker. If THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY would make a
profit, I would definitely spend it on my own film company's movies to
keep Hong Kong movies hot and bright."
Ah Sa was also the comedy target that Director Yung has been
looking forward to working with. She took time out of her busy schedule
to make a cameo appearance and deeply impressed Director Yung. Friends
such as Nina Paw Hee Ching and Chan Fai Hung joined in, adding a sense
of familiarity to the movie. Director Yung said that the casting
process was unexpectedly smooth, and these actors were all people
the audience "has feelings for".
Referring to self-funding this production, Director Yung did not
shy away from saying that Hong Kong films are at a low point at the
moment. The audience has become used to watching short dramas rather
than feature films, but his idea has been "shooting even if it can't get
any worse". He did not want to sing high-profile slogans, "Hong Kong
audiences always like to watch Hong Kong films. As long as they are
well made, they will come to support them. Movies such as THE LAST
DANCE (POR. DEI YUK) and TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU
LUNG SING JAI) have proven this." The film has been packaged as a
comedy with a relaxed pace, but has hidden the worries, memories
and longing of the times. The goal is for the audience to easily
go to the movies, enjoy watching it, and feel the creator's
intentions at the same time.
In addition, Koo Tin Lok and Jessica Hester Hsuan (Suen Huen)
were dubbed the "dream couple" due to their movie BACK TO THE PAST (CHUM
CHUN EI). Earlier Suen Huen appeared on Stephen Chan Chi Wun's
Commercial Radio program and was asked why being with Koo Tin Lok would
be impossible. Suen Huen said, "He and I started with HAPPY HARMONY
and have known each other for 30 some years. We really don't have any
(romantic) feeling, we are like brothers. My personality resembles a
guy's, and he doesn't treat me like a woman. He wouldn't spoil me."
Suen Huen said that Koo Tin Lok was a man of his word and understood her
very well. "If I am in trouble he would definitely help."
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