[2021.04.03] AARON KWOK: WHERE THE WIND BLOWS PULLED OVER TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

Aaron Kwok spends time with his children not only at play but also at school work.

Ashley Lam and Mimi Kung perform in two different segments
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The Hong Kong International Film Festival opened two nights ago, Sammo Hung, Yuen woo Ping, Patrick Tam Ka Ming, Ann Hui and Johnnie To showed support for their film SEPTET

Ringo Lam directed the SEPTET segment ASTRAY before his passing

Aaron Kwok is the festival ambassador for the third year in a row

The Tony Leung Chiu Wai (second left) and Aaron Kwok (second right) starred WHEN THE WIND BLOWS originally was to be screened at the film festival but was pulled last minute
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The 45th Hong Kong International Film Festival opening ceremony took place at the Cultural Center two nights ago. The film SEPTET: STORIES OF HONG KONG became the opening film. Directors Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Yuen Woo Ping, Johnnie To Kei Fung, Ann Hui On Wa, Patrick Tam Ka Ming, actors Mimi Kung Chi Yan, Ashley Lam Hoi Ling, Yuen Wah, Cheung Tat Ming and Jennifer Yu Heung Ying dressed up to attend. Serving as the film festival ambassador three years in a row, Kwok Fu sing hoped that viewers would go to the cinemas more to support film. As for his and Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred WHERE THE WIND BLOWS (FUNG JOI HEI SI) being pulled last minute, he said that due to technical adjustment it did not make the festival in time. It was not due to sensitive subjects as rumored.

The Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred film WHERE THE WIND BLOWS (FUNG JOI HEI SI) originally was to be screened at the film festival. Some said that due to the film's sensitive subject it was pulled at the last minute. Sing Sing denied that. "No, completely not. WHEN is a commercial film, only due to technical difficulties it had to make adjustments again. I hope when the film would be officially released, viewers would go to the cinema to enjoy it. The film was shot for 3 years so its release probably would be close. I really look forward to it myself."

Due to the global pandemic, Sing Sing had many jobs postponed but also had more time to spend with his family. Earlier his whole family went to the beach. "Under the pandemic many jobs had to be postponed, so I have even more time to spend with the children. Spending time with children is the responsibility of being a Papa and a parent." Did Sing Sing have to help the children with their homework? he said, "Right now the homework isn't too complicated yet, maybe in first grade we would feel the pressure."

Veteran actor Liu Kai Chi earlier passed away from stomach cancer. Having worked with Uncle Chi on many films like C+ DETECTIVE, B+ DETECTIVE, and PROJECT GUTENBERG, Sing Sing admired Uncle Chi's grasp of his roles. "In PROJECT GUTENBERG Uncle Chi played my uncle. One day at work he brought me a portrait, he drew it and asked me if it was pretty. I really admire the focus and the professionalism he put into grasping his character. I really respect Uncle Chi. His passing was very regrettable. I would miss him always."

Shot by 7 top Hong Kong directors, SEPTET: STORIES OF HONG KONG had Ann Hui On Wa shot one of the segment HEADMASTER (HAU JEUNG) with Francis Ng Chun Yu and Sire Choi Ma. Director Hui said, "The film was completed in 2014. At the time To Kei Fung asked me to make a movie, I didn't have other movies yet so I took it. The film was about Hong Kong in different eras, starting in the 50's. Each director drew straw to be responsible for an era. I was responsible for the 60's and was more familiar with this era. The content had no restriction. When I showed To Kei Fung the script, he said fine without me knowing whether he read it or not." To Kei Fung said that the audience had to watch the late director Ringo Lam Lan Tung's work, because it was very different from his past work. It was an all new Lam Lan Tung. He even joked that Lam Lan Tung grew more and more like Hui On Wa.

Mimi Kung Chi Yan and daughter Ashley Lam Hoi Ling took part in SEPTET. Kung Chi Yan performed in the Lam Lan Tung segment ASTRAY (MAI LO), a story about relationships between three generations with Chung King Fai as her father in law and Simon Yam Tat Wa her husband. She said, "It probably was Director Lam's final film. I have never worked with him before so I learned a lot. I always thought because Director Lam made many men's films he would be very mean, but actually he was very nice. He constantly talked to me about the script and was very detailed, so the film had a very heavy Hong Kong nostalgia."

Lam Hoi Ling performed in the Yuen Woo Ping directed segment HOMECOMING (WUI GUAI). She said that the story revolved around the Hong Kong Handover, with Yuen Wah as her grandfather. "It was about before and after 97 everyone emigrated, depicting the adapting to change, smart and strong side of Hong Kong people. Although I was born then, my experience was very deep. During the shoot everyone took great care of me. I was very honored to be able to sing the theme song for the first time." Kung Chi Yan said that her daughter's performance was clueless, because during the shoot she ate the prop fish. Lam Hoi Ling explained that because after the shot, she did not want to waste it so she ate the prop fish.

[2021.04.04] WONG KAR WAI CREATES A HALF A HOUR SHORT FILM TO CELEBRATE JET TONE'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Tony Leung Chiu Wai's mustache look that appeared at the end of the short film was rumored to be removed from IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE

The Hong Kong International Film Festival in celebration of  Jet Tone's 30th anniversary screened a secret short film after the screening of HAPPY TOGETHER
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The 45th Hong Kong Film Festival earlier officially opened. After the Jet Tone 30th anniversary screening of HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT), director Wong Kar Wai led Jet Tone to bring the audience a secret 30 minute short film. This special short film displayed Jet Tone's step by step development over 30 years, including HAPPY TOGETHER, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA), ASHES OF TIME (DUNG CHE SAI DUK), CHUNG KING EXPRESS (CHUNG YING SUM LUM), FALLEN ANGELS (DOR LOK TIN SI), 2046, AND THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI). Viewers were surprised to be able to catch a glimpse of these on and off screen stories that few knew about and never before seen footage, as well as Jet Tone's growth in this special short film.

[2021.04.04] JO KUK CULTIVATES HER DAUGHTERS' PERFORMING ART TALENTS

Jo Kuk praises her younger daughter for her ability to learn her lines
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Jo Kuk Cho Lam yesterday attended a children dance school opening. She said that her 8 and 6 year old daughters took ballet and jazz dance lessons, but all academic interest classes were cancelled. Siu Kuk joked, "My two daughters in math class were like they were dreaming, so I would rather cultivate their performance art sides. The older one loves singing, the younger one loves acting. Both have a strong desire to perform!"

Siu Kuk pointed out that her daughters recently went to learn behind the scene production technique. Normally they would secretly take her phone to make their own funny videos. They would play small guitars and sing. They even created their own music and lyrics. Sometimes they would shoot her in secret and post it in the family group. Siu Kuk said that her daughters might have inherited her performance talent. Earlier her young daughter guest starred in the pandemic charity film ALL U NEED IS LOVE (JUNG SI YAU OI JOI GAK LEI). Siu Kuk said that one of the directors Gordon Chan Ka Seung asked for a girl to play a tomboy role, but could not find the right choice despite looking for a long time. "This is exactly what my younger daughter looks like. When she went to see the director she didn't need to audition. At first I was afraid that she would be scared to meet people, I would be really embarrassed if she hindered others. However I was very surprised that my daughter was very calm. She is going to an international school and is used to speaking English. I taught her the Chinese dialogue and she was able to remember it all." Siu Kuk also pointed out that her younger daughter was very focused. She would face the camera and act. As soon as the production yelled cut she would put away her smile and went to watch the playback with (Fiona) Sit Hoi Kei and (Carlos) Chan Ka Lok. She followed what the adults did exactly and thought that it was a required part of filmmaking. Siu Kuk also said that she would not hinder her chance to learn if another suitable opportunity would arise. She still would let her younger daughter try to act again, but she did not deliberately want her to be a star. "I am an actor too, I would treat acting as a job!"

[2021.04.03] JUSTIN CHEUNG ALMOST FAINTED FROM THE HEAT ON THE DYNASTY WARRIORS SET

Zhang Fei's weapon once stumped Justin Cheung
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Justin Cheung Kin Sing and Ng Bo Ling yesterday attended the film DYNASTY WARRIORS (JUN SAM GOK MO SEUNG)'s costume exhibit. In the film Cheung Kin Sing played Zhang Fei. He said that the shoot was very tough because most of the film was shot on location in Xiangshan under 40 or 50 degrees heat, and the costume was like a jumpsuit -- stuffy and difficult to relieve himself in; not to mention all the action scenes, as many horses and extras truly fainted. In a drunk scene, the director asked him to pour whisky into his mouth to get more into the role. After the shoot he not only lost his head gear, but also had a fever, went into shock and required medication.

In another scene he had to wield the over a dozen pound Serpent Blade. Without a martial art background he had to study all night outside the hotel with a Hong Kong stunt coordinator. Tourists almost mistook them for street performers and he had a lot of pressure; the screw in his right wrist from injury also stuck out from carrying the weapon. The doctor suggested surgery to remove it to avoid any accident, but he did not want to.

[2021.04.03] ANTHONY CHAN RUSHES TO HIS FILM PREMIERE AFTER HIS SECOND VACCINE SHOT

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Becky Lee, Anthony Chan and Karen Kong
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Anthony Chan stands on one leg to show that he is fine after his shot

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Anthony Chan Yau, Becky Lee Bik Kei, Karen Kong (Kung Or Won), Ho Kei Yau, To Yin Gor and his wife Mary Hon two nights ago attended the gospel film EMBRACE (DUN YUT GOR YUNG PO) premiere at Kowloon Bay.

In the film Chan Yau, Lee Bik Kei and Kung Or Won played father and daughters. His character had to abandon his wife and daughters. He said, "Because I don't have any friend who abandoned their wives and daughters, I don't have any case to study from." Earlier when Lee Bik Kei talked about her own single parent experience and the film's touching parts, Chan Yau said, "I just had the second shot of SinoVac at 6PM, please don't get me emotional." Earlier while posing for photos he stood on one leg and joked, "No problem, I can take it."

Chan Yau after receiving the vaccine did not follow the suggestion to rest more before rushing to the premiere. He said that originally he wanted to schedule his shot again, but because a close friend recommended the doctor he did not want to miss the appointment. In addition he could not be absent from the premiere either, so he could only do both on the same day. He said, "I had my shot at 5:30 PM, then rested for half a hour and came over at 6 PM. I have no problem, I ate, slept and had two big bottles of water before the shot, after the shot I had another bottle of water. After work I would go home and rest. The doctor was afraid that I would have muscle pain and gave me a prescription for pain killers. I haven't had negative response to either shot." If

In the film Chan Yau's character had Alzheimer's disease in his later years. His Mama also passed away due to the disease, thus during the shoot his experience was particularly deep. He said, "At the time I did something wrong, I told Mama not to do anything at all. However actually she would be very bored that way, slowly she would forget a lot of things and have this disease."

Due to the relaxation of social distance measures, the cinema capacity upper limit was raised to 75%. Becky and Karen both were very happy, because they had friends who wanted to book shows. They wished the film would be a box office hit. Karen said that the film ONE SECOND CHAMPION (YUT MIU KUEN WONG) earlier with 50% admission rate made over HK$ 10 million at the box office. She hoped that EMBRACE would also perform well at the box office. She also asked Becky what she would do if the box office went over HK$ 10 million. Becky said, "I don't have anything to show anyone. (A real bed scene?) Karen is more well endowed than I am." Karen promised that if the box office would go over HK$ 10 million, she would just like the film title embrace everyone one by one.

[2021.04.01] STARS PERFORM AT IN LOVING MEMORY OF LESLIE CHEUNG CONCERT

Leslie Cheung has been gone for 18 years

Hacken Lee performs MISSING YOU and FALLING FOR YOU

Daffy Tang remembers Leslie Cheung online

Andy Lau worked with Leslie Cheung on SHANGHAI GRAND in 1995

Overseas fans send flowers and gifts to remember Leslie Cheung
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Karen Mok performs SEASONS and BLAMING YOU FOR EXCESSIVE BEAUTY

Daffy Tong and Chan Suk Fun 

Julian Cheung sings in memory of Leslie Cheung

Hacken Lee 

Sam Hui before performing CHERISH urges everyone to cherish Leslie Cheung
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Daffy Tong posts a photo of Leslie Cheung on the deck of a yacht and writes, "MISSING YOU!"

Sam Hui changes a verse in WHO CAN RELATE to remember Leslie Cheung

Karen Mok opens the show with SEASONS

When Julian Cheung performs WIND CONTINUES TO BLOW and WHEN THE WIND RISES AGAIN, an online war of words breaks out between those who oppose his political views and those who defend him.

Chan Suk Fun brings flowers and offering from fans around the world for Gor Gor

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The superstar of a generation "Gor Gor" Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing passed away on April 1st. Seasons came and went for 18 years, but everyone's love for "Gor Gor" never subsided. Only their endless memories of him increased. The IN THE LOVING MEMORY OF LESLIE CHEUNG concert was broadcast for free on over 80 television stations and online platforms simultaneously around the world. Aside from remembering Gor Gor together, the concert also through the music cheered for everyone around the world in the fight against the pandemic and raised fund for Food Angel. In addition, Gor Gor's beloved Daffy Tong Hok Tak and various artists also remembered "Gor Gor" on social media.

The IN LOVING MEMORY OF LESLIE CHEUNG concert took place at the Ocean Terminal outdoors performance venue in Tsim Sha Tsui, last night over 80 television stations and online platforms broadcast the show for free simultaneously around the world. Aside from remembering Gor Gor together, the show also through Gor Gor's song cheered for everyone around the world in the fight against the pandemic and performed charity work. The concert invited "Song God" Sam Hui Koon Kit, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Hacken Lee Hak Kun, Karen Mok Man Wai took turns to perform Gor Gor's classic songs. The event event put together Gor Gor's valuable videos over the years for "Gor" fans to reminisce the glory of their idol.

The concert opened with the orchestral performance of Gor Gor's STAR. Karen opened the show with SEASONS, BLAMING YOU FOR EXCESSIVE BEAUTY; Lee Hak Kun followed with MISSING YOU, FALLING FOR YOU. MISSING YOU was also this time's title song. The foreign quartet Metro Vocal Group performed Cheung Kwok Wing's hit CHASE. Later Cheung Chi Lam performed WIND CONTINUES TO BLOW and WHEN THE WIND RISES AGAIN. Chan Suk Fun asked Cheung Chi Lam to perform WIND CONTINUEs TO BLOW. Although Ku Kui Ke did not attend, he made a music video DEAR LESLIE to salute his idol.

Wrapping up the show was "Song God" Sam Hui Koon Kit, he first performed SILENCE IS GOLD. When he performed WHO CAN RELATE, he in the end changed a verse to "May Gor Gor be able to feel it". Sam finally performed his own farewell to the music scene CHERISH and sentimentally said, "As a good friend of Cheung Kwok Wing, the following song I hope to represent him in dedicating it to all the 'Gor' fans who liked Leslie around the world. I hope everyone would cherish this lucky land of Hong Kong, and cherish Leslie this both handsome and talented singer even more. I dedicate CHERISH to everyone."

All the donation that this online concert received on YouTube Superchat would be donated in its entirety to LOVE ANGEL for the purchase of rice to create meals for those in need of assistance. Tong Tong and Gor Gor's former manager Chan Suk Fun earlier also visited the concert rehearsal. They posed for photos with several performers.

In addition, Tong Tong every year on this day would post to remember his "beloved". As usual, at midnight he posted an old photo of Gor Gor on social media and wrote "Thinking of you". Those words were already able to express his endless memories of Gor Gor! Tong Tong yesterday posted a photo in which Gor Gor was on the deck of a yacht and showed a brilliant and mesmerizing smile. It was the carefree feeling that Gor Gor longed for the most.

Gor Gor's HE IS A WOMAN SHE IS A MAN (GUM JI YUK YIP)'s co-star Anita Yuen wing Yi yesterday posted late at night, "Gor Gor, yesterday I spoke about you with my son. My son asked me, 'Mama, are you thinking of him?' 'Yes, I miss him.'" Remus Choy Yat Kit posted a photo with Gor Gor and a kangaroo while they performed in Australia in 1986.

Having never worked with Gor Gor, Zhang Ziyi never forgot her idol. "Today is here again. If there is if how great would it be...... On April 1st, I was working on JASMINE WOMEN in Shanghai, at the time the SARS pandemic was very severe. We were the only ones left in the studio. I heard the news on way to the set. I kept sticking my head outside on the way, tears kept streaming as the wind continued to blow. This year another pandemic came, would you in Heaven pray for everyone to get over the hard times? Missing you!" At the same time I also posted her eulogy 7 years ago.

Leo Ku Kui Ke posted a photo of Gor Gor and Tony Leung Chiu Wai from the film HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT). "Tonight, the ceiling has this scene. After 18 years, you still are my Ho Bo Wing." Vivian Chow Wai Man posted videos of working with Gor Gor in remembrance. Other artists who remembered Gor Gor included Shu Qi, Candy Yu On On, Law Kar Ying, Anne Heung Hoi Lan, Patrick Tam Yiu Man, James Yuen Sai Sun and others.

In addition, Chan Suk Fun and her son Ka Ho yesterday arrived early at the Po Fook Hill zen hall with "Gor Gor's" favorite sweets and food as well as "Gor Gor's" favorite roses with phalaenopsis that is like dancing butterfly. They brought everyone's love and blessing to the faraway "Gor Gor".

Due to the global novel coronavirus pandemic, Chan Suk Fun continued to suspend her meeting with "Gor" fans at Po Fook Hill to ensure everyone's health and safety. However "Gor Gor's" friends Lin Yim Fai, former assistant Kenneth, and Hong Kong "Gor" fans still remembered this important day and went to visit "Gor Gor" on Pok Fook Hill. Overseas "Gor" fans were unable to come to Hong Kong but still sent flowers and origami cranes from Chongqing, Beijing, Jiangxi, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Nanning, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other places.

[2021.04.02] LESLIE CHEUNG FANS REMEMBER HIM OUTSIDE THE ORIENTAL MANDARIN HOTEL

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Around 6:43 PM fans stared at the location and held a moment of silence for Leslie Cheung

In the afternoon fans bring their children to present flowers

18 years ago on April 1st, "Gor Gor" Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing jumped from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at Central and ended his legendary life. Since then,

Due to the pandemic, this year "Gor" fans did not have any large scale public memorial event for a second year in a row. However many fans still went outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to remember him. Yesterday the traffic flow outside the hotel was endless. Around the evening around 50 fans were present. Some parents even brought their children. They all peacefully came to present flowers and offerings to Gor Gor, took photos and sang Gor Gor's songs. The most special was a moon shaped floral arrangement made from baby's breath with the words "Because of you, the galaxy is even more brilliant". Another floral arrangement had a 1990 Gor Gor autographed letter for a Korean fan. Many also said "missing you" and "remembering you".

Last night at 6:34 PM, the moment when Gor Gor passed away, fans stared at where Gor Gor jumped and mourned in silence. The square across the street from the hotel did not have any memorial event.