[2026.02.18] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 2026

For the week ending Sunday, February 15 2026

10 SENTIMENTAL VALUE
    d. Joachim Trier
    Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgard,
      Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning

  9 GREENLAND 2: MIGRATION
    d. Ric Roman Waugh
    Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis

  8 MERCY
    d. Timur Bekmambetov
    Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson

  7 "WUTHERING HEIGHTS"
    d. Emerald Fennell
    Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi

  6 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND
    d. Yoshiyuki Okuyama
    Hokuto Matsumura, Mitsuki Takahata, Nana Mori, Mai Kiryu,
      Aoi Miyazaki, Hidetaka Yoshioka
  Rating : I
  Length : 122 mins.
  Opening February 5 2026
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/s5F32pY9IQM

[ CINEMA ONLINEM MALAYSIA ]
    The film follows 18 years in the life of Takaki Tono. From his poignant childhood meeting Akari Shinohara, a transfer student he shares a deep bond with, through his high school years on Tanegashima Island, to his late twenties working in Tokyo - delicately capturing the passage of time and enduring emotions.

  5 GOAT
    d. Tyree Dillihayy
    Sony Pictures Animation
    English Voices: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union,
      Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll,
      Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson,
      Sherry Cola, Eduardo Franco, Bobby Lee, Stephen Curry

  4 TOKYO TAXI
    d. Yoji Yamada
    Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 103 mins.
  Opening February 12 2026
  Trailer : youtu.be/njkoXJJiBq0"

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Director Yoji Yamada, who has long depicted people living in Japan, tells a moving story that celebrates the joys of life in the ever-changing metropolis of Tokyo. This is a remake story of "Driving Madeleine" (2022). Koji Usami works every day as a taxi driver to support his family. He's delighted about his daughter being accepted on recommendation to a high school attached to a college of music, but his meager income makes him increasingly anxious about the accompanying enrollment fee, not to mention vehicle inspection costs, rent, and everything else he has to pay for. One day, Koji fills in for a colleague and drives to Taishakuten in Shibamata to pick up a 85-year-old woman Sumire Takano. Upon successfully finding Sumire in Shibamata, Koji is asked to drive across Tokyo and beyond to Hayama, way out in the neighboring prefecture of Kanagawa. Due to Sumire's advanced age, she finds even the knives to be heavy to hold, and feels unable to take care of herself while living on her own. So she has decided to live out her last years in a nursing home. On the way, Sumire makes Koji take several detours. Sumire gradually opens her heart to Koji, and she begins to tell him about her own tragic past. This coincidental encounter will move their hearts and change their lives.

  3 AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
    d. James Cameron
    Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver,
      Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis,
      Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell,
      Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, David Thewlis, Britain Dalton,
      Jack Champion, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jamie Flatters, Bailey Bass,
      Filip Geljo, Duane Evans Jr., Matt Gerald, Dileep Rao

  2 THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY
  Can : Gum Dor Bo
    d. Philip Yung Tsz Kwong
    Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Chung Suet Ying, Edan Lui Cheuk On,
      Jiro Lee Sheung Ching, Harriet Yang Sze Man,
      Marek Li Hoi Lam, Lau Shek Yin,
      Nina Paw Hee Ching, Michael Hui Koon Man, Louis Koo Tin Lok,
      Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Jo Koo (Kok Cho Lam),
      Ronnie Chau (Chiu Law Nei), Kris Cheung Kam Ha,
      Mak Pui Tung, Alan Yeung Wai Lun,
      Angelina Lo Yuen Yen, Aiyana Lo Chung Yan, Jeana Ho Pui Yu,
      Lokman Yeung, Candy Wong Ka Ching, Johnny Hui (Keung Nei),
      Bonnie Xian (Sin Sik Lai), Larine Tang Yueping, Wong Yau Nam,
      Rau So Chun Wai, Wong Ka Wai, Rayna Lee Man,
      Ning Chan Tsang Ning, Yung Lam Lit
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 131 mins.
  Opening February 13 2026
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/HKn1QweJXD8

[ EMPEROR CINEMAS ]
    Kam Muiday has long been asking her granddaughter Sunnie Lam to buy the same set of lucky numbers in each Mark Six lottery ticket for years. However, fate played a cruel trick. During the Lunar New Year's "Snowball Draws", Sunnie was unable to place the bet, and that set of lucky numbers won a jackpot of HK$ 88.88 million.

    Not wanting to shatter grandmother's dream, Sunnie borrowed a villa from her filming colleague Jay Lai, claiming that it was purchased with the winnings. Sunnie's father, Ken Lam, mother Charlotte Tong, and younger brother Harry Lam, moved into the villa with her grandmother. Living together under one roof gradually healed their once-distant relationships and brought them closer. However, an unexpected incident ultimately revealed this well-intentioned "villa lie"...

  1 BACK TO THE PAST
  Can : Chum Chun Gei
    d. Ng Yuen Fai, Jack Lai Chun Lung
    Louis Koo Tin Lok, Raymond Lam Fung,
      Jessica Hester Hsuan (Suen Huen), Sonija Kwok Sin Nei,
      Joyce Tung Lai Ming, Bai Baihe,
      Michael Miu Kiu Wai, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Kevin Chu Kam Yin,
      Wu Yue, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Chris Collins, Jimmy Au Sui Wai,
      Wong Man Piu, Power Chan Kwok Bong, Liu Kai Chi, Tang Yat Kwan,
      Edward Chui Woai Dong, Sammy Hung Tin Chiu,
      Calvin Choy Yat Chi, Eric Tsui Ho Cheong, Ng Sze Wing
      Michelle Saram (Suet Yi)
    Rating : IIB
    Length : 107 mins.
    Opening December 31 2025
    fb : https://www.facebook.com/BackToThePastMovie
    ig : https://www.instagram.com/BackToThePastMovie
    Threads : https://www.threads.com/@BackToThePastMovie
    Teaser : https://youtu.be/hbvB1tzqzRo
    Trailer : https://youtu.be/bouHy4dwclM

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Wrongly imprisoned after Hong Siu-lung’s time-traveling disappearance, Ken was wrongly imprisoned and lost everything. After his release, he leads his daughter Galie and a team to steal the Cme machine. Equipped with a face-duplication device, Ken plans to pose as the Qin Emperor and realize his dream of being king as his way of making up for everything he lost.

    Meanwhile, in the Qin Dynasty, Hong Siu-lung has been living in seclusion in the countryside with his wives Kam Ching and Ting-fong, his son Bowie, and his blood brother. Life looks peaceful on the surface, but the family are closely watched by the Qin Emperor.

    Ken launches an ambush on the Qin Emperor, but the emperor manages to escape. Meanwhile, Hong knows that as the only person who knows that the Qin Emperor is actually impersonated his disciple, he will be worthless once the Qin unites the warring states. To protect his family, Hong decides to uproot his family. However, before he can leave, the Qin Emperor, comes to Hong for help after escaping Ken's ambush. For the first time in 20 years, the mentor and his disciple are reunited.

[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
    Three years ago, Randy Lee, the only son of the richest man in Hong Kong, took part in a time traveling experiment back to the Qin Dynasty, to study the First Emperor's elixir of life. But he was never heard from again. Today, his father Lee Ka-chun uncovered 2 mummies near an unexcavated area of the First Emperor's mausoleum, with one of them holding a smart phone. When it was confirmed that the phone belonged to Randy and contained pictures of a bomb defuser called Hong Siu-lung, Lee Ka-chun persuaded Hong Siu-lung to go back in time and bring his son home.

[2026.02.18] FOR THE WEEK STARTING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 2026

For the week starting Saturday, February 14 2026 (Week 7)

VIUTV CHILL CLUB CHART

  5 AEGEAN SEA DIARY
  Can : Oi Kam Hoi Yut Gei
  Tsang Lok Tung

https://youtu.be/kIcg-H1Cj6c

  4 MEOW!
  Can : Mau
  Feanna Wong Shuk Man

https://youtu.be/WJxQ9Xh19DI

  3 3-MINUTE FUTUR DIARY
  Can : 3 Fun Jung Mei Loi Yat Gei
  Andy Leug Chiu Fung

https://youtu.be/Np5JB5tpjLg

  2 VOYAGE...
  Can : Fung Lui
  Gigi Yim Ming Hay

https://youtu.be/PDaFr4dJmmA

  1 PERFECT STRANGERS
  Can : Mo Ming Si
  MC Cheung Tin Fu

https://youtu.be/ILn_bD6JR5g

[2026.02.17] NIGHT KING SELLS OUT WITH HK$ 2 MILLION ADVANCED SCREENING BOX OFFICE, OPENS WITH THE MOST SHOWS FOR A LUNAR NEW YEAR FILM

Fish Liew (right) wishes for even more lead role opportunities

Dee Ho jokes that his nostrils have gone through special training, no wonder they know how to act
courtesy of on.cc

Dayo Wong and director Jack Ng lead the "CLUB EJ team" to Mongkok personally to meet with the audience, give away fortune bags and lai see.

Dayo Wong is thoroughly dressed like Brother Foon for his Mongkok appearance and jokes that with this look he can walk across 18 districts, Jordan and Cheong Lok Street.

Fish Liew is nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress. She says in a normal state of mind, "That day when I got the news I had rice noodles and added a side of duck blood, this is my greatest reward for myself! "

Dayo Wong and the actors are not only happy about the decent advanced screening performance, but also hope that the box office performance would continue the upward trend

Dee Ho, Lo Chun Yip, Alan Yeung and Sumling Li

Fish Liew and Sumling Li happily give away fortune bags

Mandy Tam

Dee Ho, Dayo Wong, Renci Yeung and Tang Lai Ying wish everyone a Happy New Year
courtesy of mingpao.com

Actors of the Year of the Horse Lunar New Year film NIGHT KING (YEH WONG) have been promoting everywhere nonstop for the film! Last week's advanced screening performance was ideal. With a rocket speed sell out, the preview screening box office was already HK$ 2 million! Its opening show number would be over 900 shows, the top among Lunar New Year films of the past 10 years and exceeding the show numbers of Lunar New Year film hits like MERMAID, TABLE FOR SIX 2 (FAN HEI GUNG SUM 2) and A GUILTY CONSCIENCE (DUK SIT DAI JONG).

In order to thank the audience for their support, Dayo Wong Tze Wah and director Jack Ng Wai Lun led the "EJ team" Fish Liew Chi Yu, Alan Yeung Wai Lun, Siuyea Lo Chun Yip, ERROR member Dee Ho Kai Wah (Ah Dee), Mandy Tam Man Huen, COLLAR member Sumling Li, Hazel Lam Hei Tung, Amy Tang Lai Ying@Pomato, Angelina Chiu Kwan Yu, etc. personally appeared in Mongkok to meet viewers and give away fortune bag and lai see at a Mong Kok Cinema. They attracted more than 100 fans to look on.

Tze Wah and the actors felt happy about the decent advanced screening box office, hoping the box office would continue the upward trend and have a good performance. As for the Valentine's Day audience appreciations shows, a group of the film's actors were all "Brother Foon (Tze Wah's character in the film)" possessed and appeared in suit and tie. Everyone praised them for their seriousness and professionalism. He today also thoroughly dressed up as Brother Foon and appeared in Mongkok, joking that with this look he could span 18 districts, Jordan and Cheong Lok Street. Which Brother Foon was the most convincing? He said each had its own style. After dressing up as Brother Foo, the EJ girls joked that they were planning to dress up as Sister V (Sammi Cheng Sau Man) to thank the audience.

Tze Wah felt that everyone was very united on promoting this film. Earlier Sammi has already flown to Singapore and Malaysia to promote. Today he took the baton, met the audience and gave away lai see o everyone would experience the NIGHT KING's strength and unity. Would they give away major benefits as the box office would continue to rise? Tze Wah said, "What kind of benefit could please everyone, the team and I are solemnly considering what the benefit would be first!"

Was Mongkok a place Tze Wah rarely went to? Tze Wah said, "The Mongkok blood is flowing through my body and would never leave me in this lifetime. Sham Shui Po, Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei all have my foot prints. If there would be another NIGHT KING, and everyone have seen NIGHT KING, everyone would know that the Old Tsim (Sha Tsui) isn't doing great. The next installment would be shot in Mongkok. Mongkok really had plenty to do, buy flash cards, visit the sneaker street. Ultimately I call for everyone in the entire world to come to Mongkok when they are free, stay in Hong Kong to consume and watch NIGHT KING!"

Speaking of Fish's first Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress nomination, Sumling and Alan Yeung Wai Lun went into an uproar. She said that she has not been pining for the award, but just wanted to get more acting opportunities, "I rarely play the female lead myself, and I can be nominated for Best Actress more only if I play more female leads. (How would you celebrate with your boyfriend?) Eating rice noodles, usually only add enoki mushrooms, but this time I added duck blood; which is considered a luxury. I had Lo Hei with my family in Malaysia, and I even booked a NIGHT KING private screening for relatives and friends to watch."

Regarding praises for Ah Dee's nostrils for knowing how to act, he said that his nostrils have been trained for more than 30 years. He also said that gambling less would be better in the New Year, because there are many fraud cases now.

[2026.02.16] WITH HK$ 1.68 MILLION AT THE BOX OFFICE, PHILIP YUNG IS CONFIDENT ABOUT BREAKING EVEN WITH THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY

Edan Lui and Chung Suet Ying has been attending audience appreciation shows everywhere to pump up the box office
courtesy of on.cc

Edan Lui, Chung Suet Ying, Elaine Jin, Jiro Lee and Harriet Yeung attend an audience appreciation screening of THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY. Director Philip Yung sees the decent audience response and is confident that the film will make back its investment

Dayo Wong appears on TVB's STAR WEEKLY. Regarding showing off his chest in NIGHT KING, he says that it was actors' ethics

The Dayo Wong written, directed and starred FIGHTING TO SURVIVE was in release in 2002 for only 5 days with less than HK$ 120,000 at the box office
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Lunar New Year film THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY (GUM DOR BO) opened officially on February 13th, its 14 days of advanced screenings in Hong Kong and Macau collected HK$ 1.68 million. On Valentine's Day on February 14th, director Philip Yung Tsz Kwong and a group of actors Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling, Sister Kam), Chung Suet Ying, Edan Lui Cheuk On, Jiro Lee Sheung Ching and Harriet Yeung Sze Man (Shrimp Head) tours theaters together for 20 audience appreciation shows.

Yung Tsz Kwong said that he still saw the audience crying when thanking the audience, and Sister Kam was even renamed "Grandma" by everyone. The audience liked the film for its tears within the laughter, so different actor combinations will be arranged to thank the audience during the Lunar New Year. He admitted that he was short on funds this time, and he borrowed money for the production to realize his dream. He hoped to repay his debts, and with any surplus he would reinvest in a new film and promised to find actors he has worked with to perform.

After running 20 Valentine's Day audience appreciation show, Sister Kam bluntly said that although she felt tired, she enjoyed it. She believed that communicating with the audience was an experience that money could not buy. Edan pointed out that this was the first day he participated in thanking the audience. He was very happy to be able to thank the audience with his on screen family on Valentine's Day. Even if the movie made the audience cry, it is not sad; it presented warm family affection, suitable for the whole family to watch. He revealed that Papa has taken the lead in entering the theater to support the show, and planned to take his family to watch it again in the New Year. "I will bring my parents and sister to watch it one more, to the general show to see the audience's reaction; actually they have seen it; after seeing it they have already said they want to watch it again, so I am going to take them for a second time, and I hope everyone will support the movie again and again." Shrimp Head was pleased that the audience has received the message the director wanted to express, and she will bring her family into the theater to support the film; Lee Sheung Ching said with a smile that he heard that the single audience was also moved; Chung Suet Ying said that she saw many children in the audience. The film had a few scary scenes, so she asked whether they were able to watch them? The children excitedly said that they were not afraid. She pointed out that the scary scene in the film was actually regarded as the funniest by children. "I look forward to children and puppy audience appreciation shows very much. In addition I am also looking forward to the 'audio description' show. I hope more viewers would be able to watch at the theaters."

Because the movie had dog performance scenes, a "pet show" was specifically arranged so that the audience could bring their dogs into the venue. Would they also bring pets into the venue? Yung Tsz Kwong laughed and said that he has cats and fishes, but they would be difficult into the theater; Lee Sheung Ching's dog would also be difficult to bring because he was blind. Yung Tsz Kwong even revealed that the film had audio description screenings for the visually impaired. He pointed out that although audio descriptions cost extra, the cost was not high and was worth doing. He also called on other Hong Kong films to follow suit.

Edan worked on Valentine's Day and was asked if he has sent flowers and gifts to his rumored girlfriend Lin Minchen, he only said, "I won't talk so much about personal things, thank you for your concern." Last year he became the "King of Attracting Gold" with a lot of work, and even participated in the Korean drama "TAXI DRIVER 3" with Korean star Lee Je-hoon to open up the international market and received a strong push from the company. Edan joked, "I haven't heard the news of a strong push for me. If opportunities arise I of course would be happy, but don't say that I have made the most. The most important is to take advantage of the opportunities, and keep working hard." Speaking of his friend Ryan Choi Chun Yin receiving praises for singing a cappella due to live audio accident, some online suggested that he could sing with Edan. Edan said that this was a good suggestion, and they could sing THE SNOWBALL ON A SUNNY DAY theme song TEN THOUSAND FORTUNE together. "If I have the opportunity to sing with him, it would be great. We can sing the theme song in the film together. If you are lucky enough to invite him to sing, it will be our luck."

Another Lunar New Year film NIGHT KING (YEH WONG) would officially open tomorrow on Lunar New Year's Day. Today is the Lunar 29th, lead actor Dayo Wong Tze Wah will go to the cinema in Mong Kok with directors Jack Ng Wai Lun, Fish Liew Chi Yu, Mandy Tam Man Huen, Sumling Li, Hazel Lam Hei Tung, etc. in the afternoon to promote it. Wong Tze Wah would turn into "Brother Foon" in the film and give away lai see. Earlier Wong Tze Wah joined forces with Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Louise Wong Dan Nei and Fish Liew Chi Yu on TVB's "STAR WEEKLY". In the film Wong Tze Wah also rarely showed off his chest muscles, he said that this is the actor's ethics. "I am a 'Little Lam Suet', do you know who Lam Suet is? Not a Japanese actor, Lam Suet, do you know him? I'll just take it off and show you, Wow, aren't you Lam Suet?" Liew Chi Yu pointed out that Wong Tze Wah often treated on the set, but he had to watch what he ate. Sammi also testified that Wong Tze Wah ate very lightly.

In the "You Ask I Answer" session, the production team asked Wong Tze Wah and Sammi's friends to ask them questions. Among them Sonija Kwok Sin Nei reiterated that she had a role in the Wong Tze Wah written, directed and starred FIGHTING TO SURVIVE (YUT MUN GAI BO BIU) in 2002, which was released for 5 days and grossed less than 120,000. Kwok Sin Nei asked, "You now are Tze Wah God, will you release FIGHTING TO SUVIVE in theaters again?" Wong Tze Wah said, "I guarantee it will perform better than the previous one." Looking back at the low box office back then, "I would watch it from time to time, and I don't think I can write this kind of energy. Actually it's actually a very special movie, watching it again today I can't give that performance again."

[2026/02/16] ANGELA YUEN IS TOO BUSY TO WELCOME SUITORS

Angela Yuen is so busy that she has no time for suitors
courtesy of on.cc

Timmy Hung brings his wife and two sons to challenge the psychological warfare game

Angela Yuen says that on the Lunar 2nd she would attend her friend Jace Chan's first Hong Kong Coliseum concert and declares that she bought the ticket with her own money in support.
courtesy of mingpao.com

Artists Angela Yuen Lai Lam and Timmy Hung Tin Ming attended the Lucky Horse 007 Challenge event yesterday. Speaking of her attending the film festival in Rotterdam with the film GAMER GIRLS (DIN GAING NUI DUI)'s team earlier, she shared that she traveled in Europe for 3 weeks, during which she took a short-term drama class of only 4 days, shopped and looked for food everywhere. How much did she spend? She immediately said with a smile, "It cost a lot. Because food in Europe was really too expensive, so we girls cooked and I offered my dark dishes." She learned that her movie MEASURE IN LOVE (NA NIN NA YUT) would compete for Best Costume and Makeup Design and Best Original Film Score at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards. She was a little disappointed that she did not receive a Best Actress nomination, but she was happy for the team and hoped for good results. She said that on the second day of the Lunar New Year, she would watch her friend Jace Chan Hoi Wing's first Hong Kong Coliseum concert, claiming that she bought tickets with real money to support her. She also strongly supported her friend, saying that Chan Hoi Wing was beautiful, hardworking, and good at singing, so she would definitely support her. She continued to point out that she was about to hold a concert to promote GAMER GIRLS. Laughing at herself for her average singing skills, she said that she would play an instrument and sing. She joked that she was not a singer and just hoped that nothing would go wrong. Speaking of Valentine's Day the day before yesterday, she revealed that she spent time having dinner with her family. Did she have any suitor? She said, "No! (Are suitors welcome?) Actually I don't really welcome them, because this year is very busy and I have no time to deal with them."

In addition, Hung Tin Ming revealed that he will stay in Hong Kong during the New Year, have dinner with his family and visit the flower market. Since his father Sammo Hung Kam Bo will start work on the third day of the Lunar New Year, he will not travel with his family to other places this year. After the New Year he will also be busy with the activities of the Sammo Hung Stuntmen Association. He starred in BACK TO THE PAST (CHUM CHUN GEI), which accumulated more than HK$ 90 million and just launched the "Plus+ Multiverse Edition", Hung Tin Ming pointed out that he saw everyone laugh happily when they went into the theater. He stated that he had the confidence in the box office being able to exceed HK$ 100 million.

[2026.02.15] LOUIS KOO HOLDS AUTOGRAPH SESSION FOR HIS RECORD RELEASE

courtesy of on.cc

Louis Koo holds an autograph session for his record release with 200 fans

Louis Koo poses for a photo with a child dressed as Emperor Qin

Louis Koo says that his autograph is very long, so he would probably be very tired after signing 200
courtesy of mingpao.com

Louis Koo presents Kimbee with an autographed record, the latter presents a microphone she crocheted to him
courtesy of mingpao.com

Louis Koo Tin Lok (Goo Jai)'s first solo album "Destiny is The Highest BACK TO THE PAST" was released yesterday on Valentine's Day, and the new album has been sold out as soon as it was released and needed additional printing. Yesterday Goo Jai held an autograph session for close contact with 200 fans. 500 to 600 onlookers filled the shopping center, and Joseph Lau Luen Hung's wife Kimbee became the first fan to receive an autograph. She gave Goo Jai a big microphone she crocheted to wish him a big hit record.

Always loved to wear black, Goo Jai was dressed in pink yesterday. He said with a smile, "Today (yesterday) is Valentine's Day, so I wear bright colors. I usually rarely wear them, so finding a set was very difficult and I had to buy a new one." Go Jai has not released a record for 23 years. This time he released an album and held an autograph session again, many fans lined up all night to compete for 200 autographs. Would he sign autographs for more fans on the spot? Goo Jai joked that signing 200 autographs was already very 'rough'. "My name is relatively long and wastes a lot of ink, it depends on the situation. The movie (BACK TO HE PAST) has already been extended, but people can't be extended like this!" The reporter asked him when he would have a autograph and performance event? He laughed and said that next time he would choose a good day, he would pay New Year visits from the first to the eighth day of the Lunar new year. He would not start work until the Lunar 9th. Regarding his promise to sing for the audience if the box office of BACK TO THE PAST would be good, and the box office of the film in Hong Kong and Macau is expected to exceed 90 million, Goo Jai said, "I hope the box office will continue to be good, and the audience will continue to support it. This extended version release will be pretty funny." As for whether the Lunar New Year will he surprise everyone at the theater? Goo Jai said that might be arranged, but many relatives will pay New Year visits in the New Year, and the company group visit will be after the ninth day of the new year. Would he give big Lai See to Jessica Hsuan (Suen Huen) and Raymond Lam Fung? He joked that he would buy an A4 size red envelopes for them.

Goo Jai said that he has never left the music scene, will he focus on singing this year? He pointed out that he never thought about it, but nothing was absolute in the world. As early as a month or two ago, he never even thought of releasing a record again, so he did not know whether he will release a new song, sing with Suen Huen, Lam Fung or even hold a concert. Would he perform a concert? Koo Tin Lok joked that if he would only need to sing 3 songs, he could consider it. If online voters would choose him to become Commercial Radio's Ultimate Music Award My Favorite Male Singer, Koo Tin Lok instead hoped that DESTINY IS THE HIGHEST would win any award. Then the entire BACK TO THE PAST family would be able to accept the award on the stage together.

In addition, wealthy businessman Martin Lee Ka Shing filed a lawsuit in the Hong Kong High Court against artist Chrissie Chau Sau Na for defamation and harassment. Chau Sau Na is an artist under Louis Koo's company. Goo Jai only said, "No comment."

[2026.02.13] NOMINATED FOR "IN-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT" TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, HONG KONG NEW DIRECTORS ADHERE TO SINCERE CREATION AND RESIST ADVERSITY

Chan Hing Ka believes a good script would be able to motivate excellent actors to work with him

Producer Peter Yam, directors Cheung Wai Yu and Guo Yutian
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum (HAF) is one of the important project under the HKIFF Industry Project Market, and is committed to providing investment matching and collaboration opportunities for Asian film creation. HAF announced that the "In-Developing Project" this year received a total of 414 applications from 38 countries and regions. In the end 17 nominated projects were selected, showcasing the diverse facets and international potential of Asia's new generation of film creation. Two of the films nominated for "In-Developing Project", FORGETTING SHE IS SHE (MONG GEI TA SI TA)'s director Guo Yutian and producer Chan Hing Ka, and MAMA MIA LET ME GO! (WAN GAU NGOR LO MO)'s director Cheung Wai Yu and producer Peter Yam Yin Chung were interviewed to talk about their creative feelings and how new directors are facing the current downturn in the film market.

FORGETTING SHE IS SHE director Guo Yutian revealed that the movie tells the story of a pair of inseparable friends, until it is revealed that the two are half-sisters. The older sister leaves in a rage, but the younger sister who values this blood bond makes a decision. The director wanted to express that when the ultimate love cannot be possessed forever, it must be possessed absolutely in death; which was also in line with her own view of love. "My love accompanies fear, I am very afraid of things I deeply love would suddenly disappear. I would be willing to use 'death' to hold on to it." Producer Chan Hing Ka said that he has been leading the director to write the script better to impress outstanding actors to perform; he finally successfully made the director cry several times, and honestly expressed her feelings for love in her heart in the script. "I too have spent almost two years to assist the script changes to the fifth draft. The most recent time I even made Guo Yutian cry for her to face the feeling for love in the bottom of her heart, and sincerely displaying it in the script." In addition the story is suspenseful, and the feelings are also written quite boldly yet precisely. The three women's states of minds changed drastically, conceivably many actors would want to play them.

MAMA MIA LET ME GO! director Cheung Wai Yu revealed that the movie tells the story of a rebellious only daughter who wants to be free from her control freak mother who has lived with her for 30 years. She comes with the idea of arranging a Korean Oppa to seduce her numb Ma to destroy the family. The movie seemed like an absurd comedy, but its core remained a severe tragedy. She said that comedy comes from tragedy, and she could relate to superstar Stephen Chow Sing Chi's ideas. "The market lacks comedy. I know the audience has a desire to watch it. I hope my work would be able to give everyone's mind a release." Cheung Wai Yu was happy that after the script was nominated for IDP, she received many congratulations; she felt like being seen in a beauty pageant, with many opportunities on the way. The film's producer Yam Yin Chung said that this film is a collaboration between Hong Kong and a Korean company and will even shoot on location in South Korea. Aside from looking for a handsome actor to satisfy the audience's desires, he would like to find an usually mild mannered actress for the lead role for a contrasting performance. Yam Yin Chung laughed and said that he has upset the director many times while discussing the cast, because for the Korean male character in the film he considered using an up and coming star; but he understood that the director had her own ideas, wanting to work with the top Korean handsome Oppa to satisfy the audience's desires. He would not kill any possibility as he agreed with what Chan Hing Ka said, many big stars would put good scripts first. "Recently a famous Indian actors after completing the Netflix ALIENS series broke into the international market. He was still willing to have lunch boxes and take independent film roles, which touched me a lot."

Guo Yutian felt very luck to be nominated for HAF this time. To be able to be nominated as a new director, she can have access to different positions in Asia and even around the world; including creators, producers, investors and distributors. She believed that even if the market has money to invest, it may not fall on new directors; so the market, good or bad, is just as difficult for new directors, with difficulties to change the general environment with her identity, she could only do her part well. "This project of mine hasn't been to too much venture capital event, HAF really connects the world. We have received a lot of congratulations after we were nominated, which is a good start for our project. There are many opportunities to obtain, as a newcomer I want to be seen by others!"

The two films coincidentally hope to raise 10 million (Hong Kong dollars, the same below) to 13 million for production, Chan Hing Ka admitted that financing a film production in an adverse market has been a strange phenomenon, "When it's there, it's there; when it's not, it's not at all." He said that it is difficult to find financing, but this time the script of FORGETTING SHE IS SHE is a complex and extreme subject of women's states of minds that has been rare in Hong Kong in the past twenty to thirty years; so he was confident that it will attract investors. As for the producer of MAMA MIA LET ME GO, Yam Yin Chung said that he has been to Busan, South Korea to meet local filmmakers before. He felt that the appearance of Busan and Hong Kong were very similar, which was in line with the script this time and also made both Hong Kong and Korean companies interested. In particular the two markets are also facing box office and production start problems, this understanding is also quite important. In addition a Hong Kong story takes place in South Korea facilitates collaboration opportunities. The film will be easier to release in South Korea, which will also become an advantage. "Can a single box office market support a movie today? I believe it is quite difficult, and being able to make both sides the main market will definitely help the film."

The Hong Kong film market is sluggish, how should a new director face the future? Guo Yutian said that she wants to make her works unique, make her works more like herself and show his dark side to the audience more honestly and nakedly. She thanked Chan Hing Ka for sharing his creative experience. She described herself like a hiker, starting at the foot of the mountain and never seen the scenery at the peak before. She could only keep her feet on the ground with every step. Cheung Wai Yu said that even when the market is bad, she will have to continue unless she quits, so she has never given up on this business. She will always find opportunities. The audience now likes truth from creators and performers alike. She too hoped to be able to give an answer to the audience, so she would continue to improve her scripts. She suggested that young people should know how to manage money and be responsible for their own livelihood when pursuing their dreams. Started as a screenwriter, Cheung Wai Yu once participated in the Dayo Wong Tze Wah starred TVB drama BOUNTY LADY. In pursuit of her directing dream, she jumped out of her comfort zone, switched to work in distribution marketing and cinema circuit operation for over a decade. She got an understanding of the film industry operation and made a living. "The market is very poor, but I have never giving up on the film industry. On one hand I am saving and living a thrifty life, then continue to write scripts. I believe that in sincerely facing myself I would be able to answer to the audience. The audience now like to watch real content and creators. I suggests for young people to manage their money well and set a stop loss position. While chasing your dream you still have to make a living. Now the trend is no longer starving yourself and living off eating draft papers." When asked if the financing was insufficient, would she learn from director Philip Yung Tsz Kwong and take a mortgage to make a movie? She joked, "I don't have a house to sell, I sell talent! I hope to be able to attract investors with talent, my savings is only enough to keep myself alive."

Chan Hing Ka also said that if selected by the "First Feature Film Initiative" and the project will receive funding from the Hong Kong SAR government, the producer will have to advance the money. "Because the government will hold 10%, it may take a few years to give the final amount after the film is released. For example, if the subsidy is 8 million, the producer will have to put up 800,000 first. I have been lucky to have two movies win at the same time, so I have to put up 1.6 million all at once." Would he have to mortgage his home to start production, or have a lot of savings he could take out? He joked, "I don't have a home, and my savings are about to run out!" Yung Tsz Kwong used to have Mr. K to help him in filming, and it is rumored that it was Louis Koo Tin Lok. Many people in the industry have asked him to help start their productions. Chan Hing Ka joked that he knew everyone would ask Koo Tin Lok, so he did not do so. He could only continue to hold out himself.

The reporter asked whether the caliber of actors selected is determined by the amount of funding for the current production? Chan Hing Ka said that this time most of the funds will be used for production. Actually today's actors do not mind too much about the pay, they will be happy to perform when they meet good roles; they may even participate in investment. He has met many actors who are willing to adjust their salaries for their scripts and roles they like. "I once ran into (Sandra) Ng Kwan Yu, who didn't take a salary when filming. She only calculated the dividends afterward!" He also knew that Sammi Cheng Sau Man did not accept any money when filming LOST LOVE (LAU SHUI LOK FA), nor did she ask for dividends. She purely wanted to support the new director.