[2026.04.18] FISH LIEW WORRIES ABOUT THE BEST ACTRESS CURSE

Fish Liew states that she longs to win the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress

Fish Liew feels that each of her strong opponents' work has its own merits

Amy Lo and Natalie Hsu
courtesy of on.cc

For this year's Hong Kong Film Awards, the Best Actress competition has been called the "category of death". First time nominee Fish Liew Chi Yu although won the Directors' Guild award and took the lead, in the face of strong competition from Zhang Ziyi, Fala Chen, etc. she humbly said that she was not in control of the victory. Once out of work, she was also worried about the "curse" of no job for 3 years. Her thinking was wandering between victory and defeat from time to time like she had schizophrenia!

The "44th Hong Kong Film Awards" will be held tomorrow. The competition for "Best Actress" has been very fierce. Liew Chi Yu (Fish) would "arm wrestle" with the SHE'S GOT NO NAME "triple golden Best Actress" nominee Zhang Ziyi, the DUMPLING QUEEN nominee Ma Li, PEG O' MY HEART (SHOOK MUNG)'s Fala Chen and MY FIRST OF MAY (MO MING JI)'s Natalie Hsu (Hui Yan Yi). Earlier awarded the "Best Actress" at the Film Directors' Guild Awards ceremony earlier and finally got a shot in the arm for the Hong Kong Film Awards, she was a Best Actress favorite online. Seen as the Best Actress favorite, Fish humbly said, "Even the favorite would have the chance to be upset. Frankly speaking, I definitely want to win the award, because I may not have another chance. I may have to wait 20 years next time? However it doesn't matter if I really can't get it, I care more about whether I would have a movie to make or not."

As a film enthusiast, she has appreciated the works of several rivals and said with a smile, "Everyone have things worth appreciating, especially Zhang Ziyi with her natural born movie face; when she appears, she tells everyone what a big production is. I remember very well that I was nominated for "Best New Performer" in my early years, and Zhang Ziyi won the Best Actress that year. I didn't expect that I would have the opportunity to compete with her for the award this year. (Tony) Leung Chiu Wai, (Louis) Koo Tin Lok and (Aaron) Kwok Fu Sing all attended that year, and the scene was still vivid in my mind! At that time I thought it was shocking to see so many big stars at once, haha!"

Looking back on her past acting career, Fish revealed that she has gone through a period of unemployment. On days with no job she would pay attention to the trends of various teams, then recommend herself for audition. "Yu Heung Ying won the Hong Kong Film Award with IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (BAK YUT JI HA), which actually I also auditioned for. Later Yu Heung Ying was chosen, and I was very happy for her!"

Originally from Malaysia, she has a deep affection for Hong Kong, chose to cross the ocean to come to Hong Kong 14 years ago and seek development opportunities. Today this Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress to be in others' eyes actually had a dark side and pressure that few knew about, on a certain level she still lacked self confidence. No wonder when talking about the odds of winning this "Best Actress" crown, she said frankly, "As the Hong Kong Film Awards are getting closer and closer, my anxiety and pressure appear and I seem to have two selves in my heart. The first one would say 'What should I do if I don't have a movie to make for 3 years after winning the award?' The other would retort, 'Are you going to win it for sure?' It's like schizophrenia, but I understand that many things are beyond my control."

Actually Fish's experience in the industry is a bit similar to Shu Qi's, she also came to Hong Kong alone to make a name for herself. In order to get the opportunity, she could only let go, take a gamble and made a nude performance. Looking back suddenly, she described herself at that time, "It's like a raging fire was in front of me. There is something I really want in the fire, so I choose to reach into the fire and pick up the key. I made such a big decision, which should probably prove my absolute sincerity! Actually now people still talk about it (nude scene), and some people even sent me private messages of the stills from that time. I really don't understand what they are thinking, do they want to hurt me? To be honest, I was just looking for an opportunity at the time. Actors should try to meet the needs of the role and try to tell a good story the best they can!"

Recognized for her acting skills in recent years, Fala Chen competed for the "Best Actress" at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards for the first time. When asked if she was confident that she would win the actress at first try, she stated that she was full of confidence in her performance. "When I perform I am fully prepared, coupled with trust in the script and the director. This time (Nick) Cheung Ka Fai personally wrote the script and directed it himself. He played a role opposite me, and grasped the role very precisely. He was a good actor too. He explained the role to me very clearly, so I act with a lot of accuracy and clarity; knowing how I want to act, and letting go and trusting the guidance given to me by the director." However she believed that winning the award was not within her control. "Every award has many factors, every role is difficult to compare, every actor must do a very good job to have a chance to be nominated. I am confident in my performance, but winning the award is beyond my control and understanding."

Speaking of the performances of other opponents Fala said that because she was overseas, she did not have the opportunity to watch the works of other nominees. Thus evaluating them would be difficult. However she praised them for their own merits. "It seems that Zhang Ziyi is a very experience actress, and there are young actresses who can on their own; so that there is no gap among the actresses in the Hong Kong film industry. I am already very please with the appearance of such rich women's subject films, I am very happy for the Hong Kong film industry."
br>Regarding the great sacrifice of having to wear ugly makeup and interpreting mental disorder in the film, Fala joked that someone finally asked her to be herself. Then she said seriously, "If it weren't for the insanity having such a big span, I might not have taken it. Finally I had to give it a try, not just playing someone else's wife or an ordinary officer worker. Acting in this role is more comfortable for me, suits me very well, I have a lot of fun and enjoyment of acting. The uglier I am, the crazier I am, and the happier I am." She said that she had a pleasure working with Cheung Ka Fai, praised him for having ideas and unique aesthetics, and looked forward to working together again. "Maybe next time I will be the director, he will be an actor."

Natalie Hsu (Hui Yan Yi) is nominated for Best Actress. Yesterday when she attended the event with Amy Lo Wai Man, she said that she was calm about the awards. However she would be very happy to see everyone then, and revealed that she has already chosen what to wear -- a different sexy style from last year. Would Mama be present to support her? She said no, and said with a smile, "Because sitting for two hours is a long time, I think she would rather stay at home comfortably and watch TV in her pajamas."

As for Amy Lo's role in NIGHT KING (YEH WONG), it finally saw the light of day in the director's cut a few days ago. Some viewers praised her for despite not having many scenes, her aura is quite powerful. She said with a smile, "Actually I had a bit of pressure to hold down the scene at that moment, because everyone was staring right at me!"