[2024.01.08] WHEN "GIRLFRIEND" TURNS INTO "MOTHER", SIMON YAM'S ACTING IS TESTED

Simon Yam and Carrie Ng play mother and son in the film

Ron Ng
courtesy of on.cc

Simon Yam praises Carrie Ng's acting has reached god class and should be in textbooks 

Justin Cheung and Angel Tsang's relationship is stable. They publicize their romance and he has been thinking about marriage

Ron Ng earlier attended his niece's wedding.  He does not mind the guests fighting over photo opportunities with him
courtesy of mingpao.com

Simon Yam Tat Wa, Carrie Ng Ka Lai, Anna Ng Yuen Yee, Ron Ng Cheuk Hei, Justin Cheung Kin Sing and others yesterday attended their film DELIVERANCE (YUEN SUN JUI)'s premiere. The actors even wrote postcards to their families. Yam Tat Wa admitted playing mother and son with Ng Ka Lai tested their acting, and revealed that he still would write letters and draw pictures to his daughter even now.

Yam Tat Wa and Ng Cheuk Hei said that in the film they had a lot of scenes together. Both their characters would be able to "go very far" to protect their families. The family man Yam Tat Wa even added that in people should have a sense of responsibility, not only to family but also to society. In particular the elderly contributed a lot in the 50s and the 60s. Everyone should cherish the elderly and friends. Despite technological advances, everyone could try to write letters to communicate with family. He revealed that even now he would still write his daughter letters and draw pictures.

For Yam Tat Wa, the most memorable part of the film was turning from playing a couple with Ng Ka Lai in the past to mother and son this time. Even he as a Best Actor proclaimed it was a challenge to his acting. He said, "Ng Ka Lai is irreplaceable as a sexy goddess. I never would have guessed that she would play my Ma. When I look into her eyes, I would be reminded of playing a couple with her in POLICE CADET 2. Now I don't know how to play the role; I have to let go of a lot of baggage, treat myself like a newcomer, and use another type of love for the family. Actually it was very hard. Everyone in the film would discover her god class acting, which could truly be placed in textbooks."

Ng Cheuk Hei earlier attended his niece's wedding in Zhongshan. He said that he still had connection to his family now, so he did not mind taking around a dozen hours of car ride to attend. However when asked when it would be his turn, he laughed it off. "I would try my best." He originally was scheduled with Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Raymond Lam Fung and others to attend a mainland countdown event and played in a New Year soccer game, but he revealed that the events had to be postponed to maybe March or May. As for the endless jobs for CALL ME BY FIRE 2, he pointed out that he had to thank the television station for giving him the opportunity to promote the Greater Bay Area.

In addition, Cheung Kin Sing recently fell for 24 year old Miss Exhibition Angel Tsang Ka Ching. Was he close to tying the knot? He stated that at age 40 he has thought about life events and whether at 50 he would still have enough energy to raise children. In addition earlier for movies he had to gain and lose weight multiple times, which he worried would affect his health; but he still had to build a good career foundation. When both love and work would be stable and he would have the ability to take care of his wife and child, then he would get married. He did not want to get married for the sake of getting married. With a 16 year age difference, he also joked that it was a "May December" romance and his girlfriend could still wait at her age. He also felt that gender, race and age should not affect a relationship. The most important was the feeling, as long as they did not violate any law they were fine.

[2024.01.08] THE GOLDFINGER HAS BECOME THE HONG KONG FILM BOX OFFICE CHAMPION

Philip Keung grows out his facial hair for THE GOLDFINGER and he says it is very itchy
courtesy of on.cc

Philip Keung gets very emotional in a negotiation scene with Andy Lau. He receives help from the director to guide him into the role
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Andy Lau Tak Wa and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin starred film THE GOLDFINGER (GUM SAU JI) after the simultaneous global release has already exceeded HK$ 23 million after a week at the Hong Kong box office and became the 2023 Christmas and New Year opening box office champion; the mainland also had an enthusiastic response, as its box office surpassed 300 million yuan RMB; Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia already brought good news, as the film has become the Hong Kong film opening box office champion there.

THE GOLDFINGER assembled many Hong Kong Film Award winners. In the film Philip Keung Ho Man played a bank vice president and had many scenes with three master class Best Actors Wai Jai, Wa Jai and Simon Yam Tat Wa and spark off a lot of spark. Brother Hak for his prison negotiation scene with Wa jai even changed his look completely and grew out 20 some days of facial hair.

In the film the Brother Hak played banker became of the financial backer of Ka Man Group founder and chair Ching Yat Yin (Leung Chiu Wai played). First they had a conversation at a travel agency, then Brother Wa joined them in another. In the film Ching and the banker put on an act in order to con the Brother Wa played partner Tsang Kim Kiu. Later because he had an important evidence on Ching, the always merciless Ching thoroughly sold him out and even put his life in danger. He helplessly ran to England and went to prison. Brother Hak pointed out that the character had big mood swings and required numerous layers of emotional changes in the performance. The role was very difficult, luckily he and Wa Jai have worked together many times. With Director Chong's guidance and suggestion of many performance methods, he and Wa Jai coordinated the ideas in the film. "A lot of the speech tone, emotions, Mr. Lau and the director have been great help to me."

The film span over 15 years. Brother Hak appeared in costumes of many different eras, from the bank vice president to the unlucky prisoner. Aside from relying on the team's costume designs, Brother Hak himself also put in a lot of thought. He said, "This character early on would stand closer, and look like an intellectual. Once in prison I had to grow out my facial hair. I didn't shave for 20 some days, which I have never done in my film career. In the past it was mostly glued on. This time growing it out felt very interesting. Maybe because I wasn't used to it it felt itchy all day. During shower I would apply some conditioner, which actually was able to make the facial hair softer and more comfortable, haha."

[2024.01.06] ANDY LAU HOPES TO DIRECT IN TWO YEARS

Andy Lau aims to direct before 2026

Gordon Lam after 10 years works with Andy Lau again and says that their chemistry has only increased

Cya Liu praises Andy Lau for keeping an eye in every detail, an all purpose producer

Andy Lau in I DID IT MY WAY plays a cold-blooded drug lord

Cya Liu plays Andy Lau's wife in the film
courtesy of mingpao.com

Andy Lau Tak Wa and Gordon Lam Ka Tung after 10 years reunited for a film, their chemistry was even better than before. Ka Tung even revealed that as a producer as well Wa Jai after his shoot was reluctant to leave, which terrified the team; however at the same time, he and Wa Jai's on screen wife Cya Liu both praised this producer for fitting the role. The actor turned producer Wa Jai even revealed that he hoped within two years he would head to directing as well. Concerned for the film industry, Ka Tung and Wa Jai even studied together whether AI would threaten the future development of film actors.

Wa Jai produced and starred with Gordon Lam Ka Tung and Cya Liu in the crime action film I DID IT MY WAY (CHIM HUNG) made over 235 million yuan RMB in 5 days in its mainland release and received raves from the audience; in Hong Kong the film has been slated for an opening next Thursday (the 11th). The three leads recently promoted the film heavily. This time was Wa Jai and Ka Tung's 17th collaboration. Even though their previous one was 10 years ago, their chemistry increased instead. The bridge scene in which they went back and forth was full of tension. Ka Tung admitted that before working together he had pressure. He kept saying to himself, 10 years have passed. Working with Wa Jai he could not be worse than before, so he must perform even better; Wa Jai also praised Ka Tung's performance as much more mature, with layers that had more variety. Working with Wa Jai for the second time, Cya Liu this time has been promoted to play Wa Jai's "wife". She declared, "it was the most relaxing and happiest time in my film career." Wa Ja also appreciated Cya Liu in the wedding gun fight and the tense hospital scenes for using a very light performance method. He sensed that this "wife" was able to grasp the fate of his life, but also able to choose the journey with the best environment for him so he would not need to worry. Cya Liu also commended Wa Jai, "Aside from acting, he is also the most well rounded producer I have seen. He was able to keep an eye on every detail."

The funny part was that after just exchanging compliments, Ka Tung suddenly joked with Wa Jai, "I spent 10 years just to see how you would produce this time." He also revealed that Wa Jai each time after the shoot would be reluctant to leave. When he removed his costumes to be the producer, he would seem like another Lau Tak Wa again. Everyone would think "crap, more over time". The director and others would immediately say turn around and run! Ka Tung explained further, "Actually Wa Jai and I have both been producers, so I understand that this time is very large scale and has a lot to take care of. In addition this time had almost 100 units, Wa Jai was still able to handle them very well." Wa Jai also admitted that as a producer he would be very mean, but argued that with him there he could reduce overtime. Because also with additional shoots the shoots reached over 90 units, he admitted that he also had to watch the budget. He hoped to be able to complete the film within control. "This time didn't go over budget, we actually had some left. However after the additional shoots it was pretty close." Ka Tung even joked that Wa Jai's acting hindered his producing; Wa Jai cracked up and revealed that he had another dream. "Clint Eastwood is still a great producer, director and actor. I hope to be able to that too. As early as the film DANCE OF A DREAM (OI GUAN YU MUNG) (22 years ago) I already really wanted to direct, but before 2026 I probably wouldn't be able to do it. Because I have already been dragged down by my own delay disorder for many years, I don't want to postpone any longer." Wa Jai said that actually he already had three scripts on hand, a small budget social issue film, a big budget epic, and the one he would most like to direct was RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES (SUN DIU HUP LUI). Just from the first film he invested in, SAVIOR OF THE SOUL (91 SUN DIU HUP LUI), anyone could tell that he had an emotional connection to this subject. As for the actor position, Wa Jai also continued to look for breakthrough. This time in the film he played the villain drug lord, which flashed the rare vicious look. He said that he has already "pocketed" this look from working on RUNNING OUT OF TIME (UM JIN), but at the time (Johnnie) To Kei Fung did not feel it was time yet. Thus this time he considered making a small attempt and hoped that in the future he would be able to play a good guy or a bad guy who could go to the extremes.

In order to play the character well, Wa Jai went to get an understanding of crypto currency. He joked that he used to be a "caveman". He did not know how to go online, play with social media, because he felt the internet problems were everywhere. Personal privacy leaks have been severe. Everyone in the internet world seemed to be naked and had no sense of security. Ka Tung not only agreed but also revealed that someone opened an account to pretend to be him and his friend lost 1,400 Canadian dollars.

Speaking of how realistic the AI generated baby was in the film, it was also the most expensive part of the entire film production. Would AI technology become more and more common in future film development? Wa Jai felt that it would, especially in terms of data collection like for film genre and budget. Perhaps it would be able to shorten the time in pre production work, but it still needed to be amended. AI had no way to replace human in story structure, character and other creative level. Speaking of Wa Jai having suffered to play characters like a fat guy and an elderly man, would AI help with that? Wa Jai stated that indeed it would be able to help a lot, for example playing bald would no longer need a skull cap. He also said, "On the other hand, in the future whether we would want real human or AI, it would depend on what would be needed. If a 90 year old Lau Tak Wa would be needed, then I would still be working at 90. I believed the human parts would definitely be there, the difference would be the ratio between human and I. Ultimately it is a society of choices." Ka Tung felt that although AI singers have already appeared, they seemed to be all virtual and not at all physical.

[2024.01.06] JEFFREY NGAI GIVES THE "MAGIC CRANE NEEDLE" TO IVANA WONG

courtesy of on.cc

The Lunar New Year film TABLE FOR SIX 2 (FAN HEI GUNG SUM 2)'s actors Ivana Wong Yuen Chi and Gardner Tse Kwan Ho recently performed in the play SKYLIGHT. Continuing the "TABLE" traditional of supporting each other, their film co-stars Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Peter Chan Charm Man, Fish Liew Chi Yu, Dee Ho Kai Wa, Jeffrey Ngai Chun Sun and others all visited them together. They prepared the signature dish of the Ivana played "Fiery Kitchen God" in the film, "Magic Crane Needle" to congratulate them. Actually the 'Magic Crane Needle" was a mock squab cake.

When everyone presented the cake to Ivana, she was obviously extra happy. She also repeated her classic line from the film. "The ingredients are the truth, the taste is an image. Cooking is a cake that pretends to be soy sauce chicken." She also thanked the Table team for the support. Jeffrey recently won the "Ultimate Rookie Male Singer" gold prize and received everyone's congratulation. Ivana asked him who wrote one of his songs on the chart. He smartly answered, "Ivana composed the music of MY WORLD MAP, very great to listen to."

[2024.01.05] ANDY LAU VISITS THE SET TO CHEER ON COLLEAGUES OF 40 YEARS

Andy Lau visits the set to cheer on his colleagues of 40 years

"Brother Condor" remembers while working on THE RETURN OF CONDOR HEROES he and Andy Lau ate by the roadside
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Andy Lau Tak Wa produced and starred I DID IT MY WAY (CHIM HUNG) invited stunt people he has known over many years, including "Brother Condor" from the TVB series RETURN OF CONDOR HEROES 40 years old Ma Dai, from the 1994 film THREE SWORDSMEN (DOH GIM SIU) Ah Choi and from working on commercials Cheung Wa. When the three worked on I DID IT MY WAY, Wa Jai did not have any scene but came to the set to cheer them on. When he introduced the stunt team and action actors he said, "No matter what I have to come over to see my colleagues, they are still just as young."

Ma Dai recalled working with Wa Jai on RETURN OF CONDOR HEROES. "At the time he wasn't famous yet. When we were working we would eat together by the roadside. I remember working on RETURN OF CONDOR HEROES at the television station the most. I played the Condor. In the day I worked on location, fighting our share on the wires. At night we worked in the studio together on dramatic scenes."

Ah Choi joked that he has not worked with Wa Jai for too long, and did not understand why he constantly took a beating from Wa Jai in movies. The most memorable was the THREE SWORDSMEN production being the most difficult and the toughest. He also praised Wa Jai's good memory. He would remember 90% of the action.

Cheung Wa talked about Wa Jai's wire work while working on commercials. "While working on commercials he had to be on the wire. On the set were the director and the wire director. I remember Mr. Lau said to me, 'If you don't understanding anything just tell me'. I was very embarrassed because my boss was there. I couldn't say anything out of turn, so I didn't answer him. Very regrettable."

[2024.01.05] DAYO WONG AND MICHAEL HUI REUNITE FOR NEW FILM AFTER 32 YEARS

Two comedy stars work on the Emperor Motion Picture POR DEI YUK
courtesy of singtao.com

Dayo Wong says working with Michael Hui again after 32 years is a miracle

The film team participates in the production start ceremony

Michelle Wai plays a Taoist priest and cuts her hair short.  Catherine Chau plays Dayo Wong's girlfriend
courtesy of mingpao.com

Comedy stars of two generations Michael Hui Koon Man and Dayo Wong Tze Wa starred in the film POR DEI YUK (BREAKING HELL), which held a production start ceremony yesterday. At the worship ceremony, aside from them were also actors Michelle Wai Sze Nga, Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Chu Pak Hong, Paul Chun Pui, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling) and Emperor boss Albert Yeung Sau Sing. Hui Koo Man and Wong Tze Wa teamed up again 32 years after the film THE MAGIC TOUCH (SUN SUEN), which Tze Wa felt was a miracle and even believed that Hui Koo Man would be able to reach new heights.

Hui Koon Man revealed since WHERE THE WIND BLOWS (FUNG JOI HEI SI) he has not made a movie in over 4 years, until he ran into this "unrivaled" POR DEI YUK script. In addition he and Tze Wa have always had chemistry, finally 32 years since THE MAGIC TOUCH (SUN SUEN) they have reunited. "We actually wanted to make a movie together as soon as possible, but we are after perfection. Waiting for the right script has been very hard." Tze Wa complimented Hui Koon Man. "After last year's peak, when I presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to him, this time would be another peak."

Tze Wa stated that he never thought over 30 years ago Hui Koon Man would personally call him. At the time he has considered that it might have been a scam, until today they were able to act together gain. He felt like it was a miracle. Hui Koon Man explained that back then he squeezed every last drop of himself onto THE MAGIC TOUCH script and almost wanted to kill himself, then he heard people say that Wong Tze Wa's stand up comedy was powerful and had a lot of ideas. So he called him. Tze Wa said, "Fortunately my heart was healthy, anyone who wants to find me can ask something to call me!" Hui Koon Man answered, "I respect stand up comedy, so I took my kids and the whole family. I even told them to remember to laugh louder. I didn't expect that at the opening when he tossed a stack of paper it would already be very funny. At the time I didn't know he wanted to be a star, otherwise he wouldn't have been just coming up with ideas. I wouldn't have asked (Leon) Lai Ming to star!" Tze Wa also joked, "So I spent 30 years to tell you I am vain."

Would they participate in creating the script together this time? Tze Wa said that surprisingly someone has already written a very exciting script that had to be able to coax him as well as Hui Koon Man. Hui Koon Man admitted, "This film had many funny scenes, but it is about life and death. Now Hong Kong viewers are very smart. You can't just make them laugh, they are also after the feeling. This time Tze Wa was in the wedding business, but under the pandemic he had no business. I was in the funeral business and had the best business." Tze Wa pointed out that Hong Kong directors and screenwriters over the years have wanted to make the subject of the Hong Kong funeral industry. He said that he has seen a funeral on the holy river of India. He has also seen an aerial funeral that fed the eagles, but Hong Kong funeral would be no less exciting. Within it "Breaking Hell" was like a crazy party. "The feeling was solemn yet crazy, the subject was authentic yet cosmic." Hui Koon Man also agreed that "Breaking Hell" belonged to a Taoist ceremony, from which extended to an originally created story about life and death. The entire world would get it too, so it was both domestic and global. Tze Wa even felt that "Breaking Hell" could be said as one of Hong Kong's intellectual property, privilege, this time they won the jackpot. This time was also the first time funeral parlor and coffin home were open to Hong Kong film for location shoot. "One day while shooting at the funeral parlor, I realized that the visual and the scenery have never been seen in other films!"

Returning to work after 4 years, Hui Koon Man joked that he was also very used to be an actor but he wanted to challenge his own physical abilities. "Working several dozen hours a day, I am pretty fit. I am fine, I am tough!" Tze Wa joked, "I kind of can't take it, but he still can!" The 81 year old Hui Koon Man said, "I am a senior and I still can, no one can do anything but risk their live because I am the oldest. However maybe (Patrick) Tse Yin is older than me, but he isn't coming to make movies."

Michelle Wai Sze Nga and Catherine Chau Ka Yi yesterday participated in the film POR DEI YUK's opening ceremony. In the film Wai Sze Nga cut her hair short to play Hui Koon Man's explosive daughter. Everyday she would have to get upset and yell at people. After the shoot the next day she would always find micro blood vessel bursts on her face. In addition in the film she was responsible for the Taoist ceremony "Breaking Hell" at funerals. Before her performance she spent half a year to learn, but in reality no woman has done the "breaking Hell" job. She wanted to thank the director for giving her the opportunity to learn. In the future she could rely on this skill to make extra money. "However the learning process was very hard, I had to set off spark with the sword, and fire had to be on the sword. I also had to keep spinning. Even my instructor has burnt his arm. At home when I practiced the sword tossing I almost stabbed my face. Luckily I blocked it with my arm in time. My arm was bleeding, otherwise I would have a scar on my face." In addition, Wai Sze Nga in the film had to perform without make up, but many times the director said that she still had make up on her face. She could only tell him that she was just as pretty without make up. In the end she had to have darker eye circles to make her look a little uglier.

Chau Ka Yi after THE GRAND GRAND MASTER (MUK DOI JUNG SI) again played the girlfriend who lived and ate at the expense of Wong Tze Wa, thus working together she was not nervous at all. In addition the team before the production began arranged for a dinner for everyone to get familiar first. Ka Yi praised Tze Wa and Hui Koon Man as friendly and funny, but would she be afraid that they would improvise on the spot during the shoot? Ka Yi said, "No, before the shoot we have rehearsed the scenes and made room, we would discuss how to shoot the scene in advance."

[2024.01.04] ANDY LAU SAYS HE MIGHT DIRECT NEXT YEAR

Former Chinese Men's Basketball Team Yi Jianlian makes an appearance 
courtesy of mingpao.com

The film I DID IT MY WAY (CHIM HUNG) would open on January 1st in Hong Kong. Three leads Andy Lau Tak Wa, Gordon Lam Ka Tung, and Cya Liu spoke with Carol Cheng Yui Ling on her radio program. Wa Jai and Ka Tung even revealed the first time they worked together.

I DID IT MY WAY would open in Hong Kong and the mainland. Its mainland box office in 5 days has already exceeded 235 million RMB and received good word of mouth. Viewers praised the story's examination of human nature's complexity and conflicts. Sister Do in the interview also expressed that the story was very interesting. Wa Jai said that the film was not the usual action crime film. "Actually at the center of the story is the relationship and love between people, as well as friendship and very heavy romance." Sister Do was interested in Wa Jai and Ka Tung teaming up for 17 times. Did they know each other from television? Ka Tung said that while in the training class, he played an extra in the 1992 film CASINO TYCOON (DOH SING DAI HUNG JI SUN GOR JUEN KEI). It was the firs time he worked with Wa Jai. He still remembered what happened 30 years ago like it was yesterday. Ka Tung said, "On the set I saw Lau Tak Wa from afar, the whole training class including (Kenny) Wong Tak Bun was there. Lau Tak Wa was running. Actually it was the first time I saw Wa Jai with my own eyes."

Sister Do has always directly asked guests daring questions. "It's written here so I have to ask, in recent years have you held back and fought less?" Ka Tung pointed out that Wa Jai this time very rarely used a stunt double. As the producer as well he performed his own stunts, whether in gun fights or fight scenes with Ka Tung. Sister Do also asked Wa Jai whether he would consider directing. Wa Jai said, "I have always want to have the opportunity to direct, but as I kept working I would think why would the director shoot it so well. Yikes, I have to learn more and more and then absorb again. Actually every year I would have the impulse to direct, but in the end I would change my mind." Sister Do asked whether directing would be one of his resolutions in 2024. Wa Jai gave a surprise answer to everyone. "2025, because 2024 I would have concerts so 2025, hahaha!" Sister Do instantly praised Wa Jai for indeed being the hardest working person.

For days, Wa Jai continuously promoted I DID IT MY WAY nonstop. Earlier he with Cya Lu and Kevin Chu Kam Yin went to the final stop of the national tour in Shenzhen and removed the black framed glasses that have by his side at the premiere and on the tour. "Today I am not wearing glasses. Now I am Lau Tak Wa, not the villain in the film Lam Chun On. I am relaxed, I am finally done with the bad guy." Wa Jai at the invitation of the audience performed PRACTICE, TODAY, GUNG HEI FAT CHOY and LOVE YOU TEN THOUSAND YEARS. Amidst the cheer the tour became a concert.