[2023.10.27] TONY LEUNG CHIU WAI THANKS HOU HSIAO-HSIEN FOR INSPIRING HIS ACTING

Tony Leung Chiu Wai returns to Japan to speak with viewers after 10 years, as he appears at the Tokyo International Film Festival Master Class

At the student exchange, Hirokazu Koreeda reveals his photo with Hou Hsiao-Hsien and admits that Hou is like a mentor to him.

Hirokazu Koreeda shares his experience with students around the world
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The 36th Tokyo International Film Festival yesterday screened the Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred classic 2046. He then attended the Master Class and shared his experience from working with two great directors Wong Kar Wai and Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Director Hou earlier confirmed that he had dementia and bid farewell to the film industry. Having worked with him on CITY OF SADNESS, Leung Chiu Wai said that thanks to his revelation, his acting was improved. However he did not mention Hou's condition. On the other hand, MONSTER director Hirokazu Koreeda yesterday had an exchange with several hundred university students from Japan, the mainland, Hong Kong and other places. At the event he displayed his photo with Hou Hsiao-Hsien and recalled how they met. He also said that several years ago he already knew about Hou's illness, as he lamented between his words.

Leung Chiu Wai yesterday attended the Master Class at the Hibiya cinema in Tokyo, several hundred attendees welcomed him with applause. He first greeted everyone in Japanese and revealed that 10 years ago he came there to promote THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI), and he was happy to see Japanese viewers again. He spoke in Cantonese on the stage, talked about working on many internationally renowned films including Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's 1989 film CITY OF SADNESS (BEI CHING SING SI). Director Hou earlier announced his retirement due to dementia. Leung Chiu Wai dodged the subject and only said that early in his film career, he wanted to work with filmmakers of different places. Director Hou happened to approach him. He thought it would be a good experience and thus decided to take the role.

Leung Chiu Wai admitted that he did not know much about Taiwan history or how to speak Taiwanese, thus the character was designed to be hearing and speech impaired. He said, "Director Hou had me read many books, mainly literary work. He also asked a hearing and speech impaired friend to help. I almost impersonated him in the performance. In order to get into the character, I constantly stayed in the hotel and experience the world of silence." He joked that Director Hou at first let him perform freely. Perhaps he observed that he did not know how to act, so he introduced someone who was hearing and speech impaired to him. He also said that he was inspired by CITY OF SADNESS, so his acting was improved.

Speaking of Director Wong Kar Wai, Leung Chiu Wai admitted that he was lucky to have run into him when he was at his most lost in his acting. "While working on DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN), Cheung Man Yuk only needed two or three takes while I took almost 20 takes. At most I had 26, at the time I felt quite a setback. Later when I brought it up with Wong Kar Wai, he said that I used too much acting and suggested for me to follow my heart in the performance." Leung Chiu Wai praised Wong Kar Wai as a director who was very able to tune actors. After making DAYS OF BEING WILD, "I decided to keep working with him." Their relationship endured for 20 years. For awhile, for around 2 to 3 ye3ars, he would visit Wong Kar Wai's office every night. They would eat dinner and chat. After this period, Leung Chiu Wai finally entered Wong Kar Wai's world.

After working together on several films they had more and more chemistry. Leung Chiu Wai treated it as "his second actor training class". His acting improved by the day and he defended him from the "Wong Kar Wai makes movies without a script" rumor. "I believe he has a script, he just doesn't show it to the actors. Actually every actor is very clear what he has to play. The directions are very clear, only on the day of the shoot would he have that day's script." He felt that Wong Kar Wai did not want actors to perform with a set method. If they received the script early on, their acting would not be flexible. Thus he felt working with Wong Kar Wai was like "an adventure".

During live audience questions, someone asked whether Leung Chiu Wai would not be able to leave his character. He said that when he started acting he would indeed. As long as time passed, he was able to return to himself. He also said that the more he got into the character, the more time he would take to leave it. He also hoped to be able to work with directors of different places like European directors. Thus next year he would work on ON BODY AND SOUL Hungarian director Iidiko Enyedi's new film SILENT FRIEND, which he looked forward to very much as he has already spent 8 months to explore the character. As the event reached its end, the event arranged for a group photo. The audience said loudly in Cantonese, "I really love you, waiting to see you 3 years after 3 years", after which he smiled in return.

The Japan International Exchange Fund and the Tokyo International Film Festival organized a student exchange event that took place yesterday in Hibiya, Tokyo. Winning the Cannes Film Festival Best Screenplay and Queer Palm prize, the Japanese film MONSTER's director Hirokazu Koreeda had an exchange with university students from Japan, mainland China, Hong Kong and other places. Before the event began, a documentary film that he made in Taiwan for a Japanese television station was shown. It was about Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-Hsien's film production. Hirokazu Koreeda said that this was the beginning of their connection.

Hirokazu Koreeda's family was born and raised in Taiwan. Back then he claimed to be making a documentary film, but actually was searching for his roots in Taiwan. Thus he met Hou Hsiao-Hsien. He revealed the notes from early in the production, in which he drew many scene break down pictures. At the time he thought he drew very well, so he showed Director Hou. Although he said "the production technique is decent" he asked why did he not first get an understanding of the actors' ideas. Every word that Director Hou has said, he treated it as "homework".

Hirokazu Koreeda also said that several years ago he already knew about Director Hou's dementia. Back then they visited Jiufen when Hou suddenly remembered his film production past and said, "(Maggie) Cheung Man Yuk is here". He was very surprised. He also said that Director Hou has always hoped to unite young filmmakers everywhere and it was exactly what he was doing.

[2023.10.27] LAWRENCE KAN IS GRATEFUL TO LOUIS KOO FOR INVESTING

 

IN BROAD DAYLIGHT director Lawrence Kan, actor Jennifer Yu and compose Chu Wan Pin promote at the Tokyo International Film Festival
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A film about reporters at work and a nursing home scandal, IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (BAK YUN JI HA) in the past several months has been touring film festival around the world, including last week's London East Asia Film Festival and Hong Kong International Film Festival's MAKING WAVES: NAVIGATORS OF HONG KONG CINEMA Montreal stop. The latest stop before its Hong Kong release was the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival's "World Focus" segment. Director Lawrence Kan Kwan Chun, star Jennifer Yu Heung Ying, composer Chu Wan Pin and editor Alan Lo Wai Lun attended and appeared at the Asian Film Awards Academy and the Tokyo International Film Festival organized, Tokyo International Film Festival Asia programming director Kenji Ishizaka host "Asian Cinerama" post screening share.

Four creators after the screening shared their experience and had exchanges with the audience. They even received the audience's enthusiastic responses and questions, which greatly encouraged the team. Receiving a Golden Horse Best Actress nomination this year for the film, Jennifer first went to Canada then Tokyo to attend film festivals. She said, "Although the itinerary was intense it was not too rough. I felt happy and excited more than tired, only that I had to fly after just finishing the post birth confinement. Because this film's entire team has put in all of their effort, I too hope to be able to bring this film to as many different places as I can, and meet and interact with different viewers."

As for being able to attend this time, Jennifer said, "I am rather honored to receive the Tokyo International Film Festival's recognition. At the post screening share a Japanese viewer said that he once worked in the media there and had quite an experience from the subject of IN BROAD DAYLGHT, which made me feel even more that the language of film truly has no border and is international." While in Canada, the most memorable for Jennifer was also the post screening share. She pointed out that after the film screening no viewer left. They all stayed to listen to the share and exchange, some viewers even emotionally asked, "How can something like this happen?" Jennifer explained to him that this was due to issues in the Hong Kong system. Of course each place would be different, at the same time she also understood the reason that they were enraged.

Jennifer was surprised that some viewers brought some of her past film posters, VCDs, or DVDs with them, like FAR FAR AWAY (LUEN LO SHAN KA LA), SEPTET (CHUT YUN LOK DUI) and others for her to sign autographs. She gratefully said, "Actually everyone has been paying a lot of attention to Hong Kong films, some viewers even spoke Cantonese. The Hong Kong films everyone in recent years made not only had the support of Hong Kong viewers, but also Japanese viewers. I was rather touched."

Kan Kwan Chun as a new generation director was asked if he had any aspiration? He said, "To speak with work". He did not dare the movie would be able to change the world. He only wanted to speak up for others, just like the reporter Yu Heung Ying played in the film. "Some viewers have already forgotten about the news but immediately picked up the related article to read after watching IN BROAD DAYLIGHT." Some said that Hong Kong films were not what they used to be. All four disagreed. Kan Kwan Chun said, "Don't live in the past, the best would be buying a ticket because many Hong Kong films are outstanding like A GUILTY CONSCIENCE (DUK SIT DAI JONG), MAMA'S AFFAIR (AH MA YAU JOR DAI YI GOR)." He also said that whether film industry elder or film department student, they were still full of passion for film. Yu Heung Ying agreed. IN's extras were very amazing, able to help her get into character.

Kan Kwan Chun mentioned the difficulty of finding investors. IN BROAD DAYLGHT took 5 years before finally receiving investment from Louis Koo Tin Lok. "The day after handing over the proposal I ran into Mr. Koo, he already said that he was interested in making it." Kan Kwan Chun believed not only the screenplay touched him, but also producer Derek Yee Tung Sing put in a lot of good word.

[2023.10.27] MARY JEAN REIMER REMEMBERS DANNY CHAN'S KISS

Catherine Chau and Michelle Wai raise their hands for the premiere as soon as they learn about the ENCORE re-release

Danny Chan's siblings with Albert Yeung
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Mary Jean Reimer laments that Danny Chan, Leslie Cheung and Paul Chung were at the release, but now she is the only one 

Catherine Chau and Michelle Wai watch ENCORE for the first time
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The Emperor Motion Picture ENCORE (HOK CHOI) 4K Digitally Restored Edition's charity premiere took place two nights ago. Emperor Group chief Albert Yeung Sau Sing, director Choi Kai Kwong, lead actress Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Jing Jing), Shirley Yim (Suet Lei), Manfred Wong (Man Jun), Philip Chan Yan Kin and Cheng Kwok Kong attended. Danny Chan Pak Keung's brother Chan Pak Ling, sister Chan Siu Yee, Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Gladys Li Ching Kwan, and Ramon Lo (Law Kai Ho) attended in support. The just announced policy address released HK$ 20,000 allowance to encourage child birth, Michelle Wai Sze Nga said that with the allowance she would have 4. Chan Pak Ling joked, "I don't know how Mr. Yeung talked Papa into making this rare movie with Danny. Now after over 40 years through technology it has been restored, viewers would be very surprised by this image of Danny, letting us see Danny's handsome, real and very chicken side." Yung Jing Jing also joked, "I hope not only the movie but I got restored as well, after over 40 years I still have the guts to stand on the stage. Everyone should give me more applause. If after another 20 years for the 8K restoration, I might have to go to the stage with a cane. Then they would have to restore my face too!"

Yeung Sau Sing revealed that ENCORE was the first movie he invested in. The film started production in 1979, next year it became the summer's biggest hit. Its box office was close to HK$ 3 million. He joked that Man Jun regretted that the Hong Kong Film Awards did not exist back then, otherwise it definitely would have won awards. He also stated that in commemoration of 30th anniversary of Danny's passing, the original plan was to rush for a release on his birthday. However they could not make it in time, so the release could only be scheduled for the anniversary of his passing two nights ago. He said, "The most handsome were still Danny and Cheung Kwok Wing, naturally handsome and also geniuses." The film was Danny's first, Yeung Sau Sing said that he did not feel it was risky or worried that Danny did not know how to act. "I have no regret, my decision isn't wrong."

Attending the ENCORE premiere 43 years later, Yung Jing Jing sentimentally said, "For the premiere 43 years ago everyone was there but now I am the only one. That's the biggest difference. We were kids, hee hee ha ha very happy." She recalled, "Danny was a few years older than me and was only 19, I was 15 and a half and child labor. I remember back then we rushed to shoot a sunset kiss scene. At the time we only had 5 minutes to shoot it. We kids didn't feel we weren't right for the kiss, so we argued with the director. In the final several minutes when we really had to shoot, Danny kissed me on the forehead. The director jumped up like thunder, but the result was rather innocent. Even the director praised the beauty on the screen, so sometimes kids are right to act up!" She also revealed that back then the salary was only HK$ 3,000, Mommy joked that Mr. Yeung's offer was low. Mr. Yeung asked her to go to his watch store to pick a watch.

"Danny, Yeung Sau Sing and Chan Yan Kin are family friends, they gave me this opportunity to make movies. However an adult said that Yeung Sau Sing's offer was too low, only HK$ 3,000. Yeung Sau Sing then asked me to go to his watch store and pick a watch. I listened to Mama and choose a diamond watch that he retailed, worth around HK$ 100,000. It was my first diamond watch, which I still have today. The style is modern, even if I wear it now it wouldn't look outdated. I was very lucky to be able to make this movie and met a group of good friends."

Neither Wai Sze Nga nor Chau Ka Yi has seen ENOCRE. Wai Sze Nga has only seen the play, but she would like to hear Danny's original singing version the most; Chau Ka Yi was a Cheung Kwok Wing fan, whether Gor Gor was singing or acting she would like it. Speaking of the just announced policy report that included a HK$ 20,000 allowance to encourage child birth, Chau Ka Yi joked, "This has nothing to do with me, I don't even have a guy yet!" Wai Sze Nga was rather supportive of the government encouraging child birth. "Before the allowance I already planned to have 3, because I am one of 3 siblings. Now with the allowance I would add another to have 4." Has she already communicated with her other half? She joked, "I will do it later, no need to communicate. Women can call their own shots, haha!"

[2023.10.27] ERIC KOT PLAYS A CORPSE AT THE MERCY OF OTHERS

Eric Kot jokes that playing a corpse has no line, which everyone agrees is the best
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Ng Siu Hin, Eelyn Chan and Eric Kot promote their film ONE NIGHT IN SCHOOL

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Eric Kot Man Fai joked that in the new film ONE NIGHT AT SCHOOL (YEH HAU) his buddy director Sunny Lau Yung took care of him, as he played that everyone thought was the best, the corpse role with no line. Ah Kot joked, "The director benefit me, I don't have to say any dialogue; moving me around at the mercy of others, flying in the air and burrowing in the ground; for stunts I even have a double. One day I wasn't on the set, they thought I got thrown off a building." Ng Siu Hin said that Ah Kot's stunt double resembled him a lot, he really thought Ah Kot was thrown off the building. When he saw it on the set, he got chills. Chan Yi Lam said, "One day at work I saw Ah Kot, when I went over to say hi I realized that it was his double."

However, he pointed out that actually only he knew the pain of it. The roughest was being dragged around by MC Cheung Tin Fu and Ling Man Lung. "I am heavy, they aren't strong enough to carry me so I have to walk myself. While walking only ankle could move, the whole body has to be stiff and the arms have to be straight; no big movement. The director wants me to go to the next level with body language and acting from within." He felt the biggest challenge of playing a corpse was trying not to talk. "I can't help but want to chime in, I want to improvise after this line but I can't. I can't even blink."

Ng Siu Hin and Ah Kot played father and son. In the flashback Ah Kot even took him to a night club. Ng Siu Hin joked, "Earlier in STAND UP STORY (SUET SIU JI YUN) I took Papa to solicit prostitutes. This time is in reverse as Papa takes me to a night club." Siu Hin thought that working together for the first time, they did not have enough scenes together. He hoped to have a chance to run into each other again. Ah Kot also wanted to work with him, praising Ng Siu Hin was able to deliver his role. They were going back and forth like in ping pong, and he looked forward to setting off new spark next time. Chan Yi Lam said that she was nervous about her firs film. "Luckily the character wasn't too hard to play, the director and the actors all treated me very well."

[2023.10.26] BEN YUEN HAS MORE AWKWARD INTMACY WITH GINGLE WANG THAN ETHAN RUAN

Ethan Ruan

Gingle Wang praises Ben Yuen for being quite a gentleman and a great big brother
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Ethan Juan and Gingle Wang come to Hong Kong for the film premiere and to meet with viewers
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Ethan Juan, Gingle Wang and Ben Yuen promote their film THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON and visit many Hong Kong cinemas for audience appreciation shows
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The Golden Horse Award Best Actor Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin) after 9 years came to promote in Hong Kong again. The action in the film has been rather rough and said to have a great chance to help him win the prize again. His kiss scene with actor Ben Yuen Fu Wa has also become the focus of the film. Yuen Fu Wa joked that he has always been used to working with men, the love scene with female star Gingle Wang instead felt awkward.

Yuen King Tin two nights ago appeared with his two co-stars Gingle Wang and Ben Yuen Fu Wa at their film THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON (JAU CHU CHUI SAM HOI)'s premiere and viewer meet. Siu Tin shared his production experience on the stage and revealed that the film had a lot of action scenes. Although they were tough, he had his two co-stars accompanying him so instead they were very fun. Coming to Hong Kong again years later, he said, "It's been 9 years, this time when I come to see old friends, those who got married are married, the feeling is very special." The film received 7 Golden Horse Award nominations. Yuen Fu Wa stated that he hoped Siu Tin would be able to win another Best Actor award, and revealed that they had chemistry that was very hard to come by. Siu Tin was not nervous about the Best Actor nomination. "Emotions like nervousness, excitement and joy were already completed during the shoot. The nomination is proof that all the colleagues are very excellent. Thank you Brother Ben and Siu Jing for being there, the film isn't the work of just one person."

In extremely few action films in the past, Yuen Fu Wa hoped that this time he would be able to pleasantly surprise the audience. He also thanked Siu Tin for lending him the protective gear and practicing with him, as he joked that he would have another film genre. On her three visit to Hong Kong, Gingle Wang said that it was the first time she would meet Hong Kong viewers. She said that her love scene with Yuen Fu Wa was not awkward. "I gave myself to him, Brother Ben was more bashful. Seeing how little I wore, after the shoot ended he turned his head and did not dare to look at me directly." Yuen Fu Wa joked, "I am the one who was awkward, everyone knows I am used to working with men. Thank you Siu Jing for giving me a very comfortable environment so I was able to work thoroughly. As for the mouth to mouth scene with Siu Tin, instead it was very natural and very smooth."

The three leads were asked how would they repay the audience if the film would become a hit in Hong Kong? Siu Tin joked that Gingle Wang could perform the bathing scene from he film for the audience. Gingle Wang immediately suggested that this time Siu Tin should be the one bathing. In the end Siu Tin and Brother Ben both graciously said tht they could bathe at anytime, but the box office would first rely on everyone's support before they were able to repay the audience! Playing the wild wanted fugitive Siu Tin in the film would continue a blood boiling battle with his rivals and kill everyone in his way. Siu Tin was asked whether he would keep working toward the "tough guy" image? Siu Tin joked, "Only my last name is Juan, actually I have always been a tough guy!"

[2023.10.26] DIRECTOR HOU HSIAO-HSIEN RETIRES FROM FILM DUE TO DEMENTIA

Shu Qi would have worked on Hou Hsiao-Hsien's new film 
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Hou Hsiao-Hsien in 2015 with THE ASSASSIN won the Cannes Film Festival Best Director

Hou Hsiao-Hsien's prevous public appearance was in April 10th last year for the Taiwan film classic DUST OF ANGELS' Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival premiere

Shu Qi posted a photo with Chang Chen and Hou Hsiao-Hsien and revealed that they would work together on SHULAN RIVER, which has ended its preparation due to Director Hou's illness.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien received his Golden Horse Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020

Hou Hsiao-Hsien's 1989 film CITY OF SADNESS won the Berlin Film Festival Golden Lion prize and became the first Taiwan film to win an award at the three major film festivals
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Famous Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-Hsien yesterday confirmed that he was suffering from dementia and announced his retirement. Shu Qi has accepted a role in his film SHULAN RIVER and hoped to have a shot at the Best Actress award, but due to Director Hou's condition the film has already been scrapped and could not be completed.

Shu Qi has worked with Hou Hsiao-Hsien on movies like THREE TIMES, MILLENNIUM MAMBO, and THE ASSASSIN, even winning the 42nd Golden Horse Award Best Actress with THREE. Shu Qi said that she has long known about Director Hou's illness. "He not only is a director but also a wise man. About film he would teach me a lot, and he is an elder who loves me very much. Aside from being grateful, I am more grateful. I hope that he would be able to properly rest." She even hoped that no one would disturb his family and let him like a carefree life. She continued, "He has contributed so much to Taiwan film, brought so much glory to Taiwan film, I hope that everyone would let his future days be calm and happy."

Because of the importance of Hou Hsiao-Hsien to the Taiwan film industry, the news of his dementia rocked the entertainment circle. Director Hou's son hence issued a statement and said that earlier when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he was still preparing for his next movie and persistent about his beloved production work. Then he caught the novel coronavirus his condition took a nose dive. This was something that they did not expect, and they comforted everyone not to be too saddened. "Before the diagnosis he has often said to us, he has discovered that his fondness for film has become more and more pure. After recovery he has already returned to his family life and peaceful rest."

As for the film Director Hou was preparing for, SHULAN RIVER, the statement said that the film no longer had any way to continue operation. While that is fully regrettable, Hou Hsiao-Hsien's past films have already received recognition around the world. "Conceivably in the flood of time not only would he not be forgotten, his attitude and spirit toward film would always be preserved by his colleagues and fans."

Since SHU could not be completed, the 2015 release THE ASSASSIN would be Director Hou's final film. The film won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and brought a perfect end to Director Hou's film career.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien this year also served as the producer for his long term art director Hwarng Wern-Ying's film BE WITH ME. Hwarng Wern-Ying yesterday said that Hou Hsiao-Hsien not only participated in the film's production start ceremony, but also visited the set several times during its production and gave a lot of advice. Having just learned the news, she hoped that Hou Hsiao-Hsien would be able to take good care and continue to exercise and stay strong.

[2023.10.26] RARE PHOTO BRINGS TOGETHER TONY LEUNG CHIU WAI AND FAYE WONG

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courtesy of mingpao.com

Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Faye Wong have worked together on three films CHUNG KING EXPRESS (CHUNG HING SUM LUM), 2046 and CHINESE ODYSSEY 2002 (TIN HA MO SEUNG). Carina Lau Ka Ling yesterday posted a rare photo of Leung Chiu Wai and Faye Wong and gave fans a big surprise. Many hoped that they would work together again on another film.

Lau Ka Ling yesterday shared Leung Chiu Wai and Faye Wong's photo and wrote "Long time no see". In the photo Faye Wong leaned her head on Leung Chiu Wi with a sweet smile, while Leung Chiu Wai wore his classic awkward smile, The 61 year old Leung Chiu Wai and the 54 year old Faye Wong received online praises for their age defying looks. Some were curious whether Lau Ka Ling took the photo and hoped that Lau Ka Ling would be able to share more photos.

Leung Chiu Wai and Faye Wong in the 1994 Wong Kar Wai directed romance CHUNG KING EXPRESS worked together for the first time, and remained a classic couple in the hearts of film fanatics. In the film Leung Chiu Wai played a heartbroken cop who developed a romantic encounter with store clerk Faye Wong.