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| Tony Leung Ka Fai and Fish Liew win the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Best Actor and Best Actress, adding to their confidence for the Hong Kong Film Awards next month |
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| Shu Qi receives the "new director award" from frequent collaborator director Andrew Lau |
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| Alex To wins an award as soon as he made a movie, director Juno Mak congratulates him |
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| Louis Cheung has been putting his efforts into preparing for his concert, his wife Kay Tse would of course support him |
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| Soi Cheang clarifies that Daniel Wu has always been the first choice for the role |
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| Lokman Yeung and Anson Kong hope to talk their way into more and more movies and television series |
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| THE SHADOW'S EDGE Tony Leung Ka Fai (left) and SOMEONE LIKE ME's Fish Liew (right) receive Best Actor and Best Actress |
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| Alex To (left) receives Best Supporting Actor and thanks Juno Mak (right) for inviting him to perform in SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT |
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| Shu Qi receives the New Director Award from Andrew Lau |
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| Michelle Wai receives Best Supporting Actress with CIAO UFO |
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| Soi Cheang (left) and Hu Jun (right) present the honorary award to Stanley Kwan (center) |
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| Soi Cheang says that Daniel Wu's character was his from the beginning to the end and has not replaced anyone |
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| Louis Cheung and his wife Kay Tse attend the Film Directors' Guild dinner and want to offer their services to filmmakers they admire |
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Sandra Ng reveals that she and her husband Peter Chan set off their romantic spark at the Directors' Guild dinner
courtesy of mingpao.com |
The "Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Annual Dinner and Annual
Awards Ceremony" was held the night before, and a total of 10 awards
were presented. Tony Leung Ka Fai became the Best Actor with THE
SHADOW'S EDGE (BO FUNG JUI YING), and Fish Liew Chi Yu was crowned Best
Actress with SOMEONE LIKE ME (JEUNG NGOR JEH YEUNG DIK OI CHING);
participating in SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT (FUN LUM FOR SHAN) Alex To Tak
Wai and CIAO UFO (JOI GEIN UFO)'s Michelle Wai Sze Nga won Best
Supporting Actor and Actress respectively; GIRLFRIENDS (NUI HAI BUT PING
FAN)'s Elizabeth Tang To received the "Best New Actor" and Stanley Kwan
Kam Peng was awarded the "Honorary Award"; the movie CIAO UFO won Best
Film and director Patrick Leung Pak Kin also won Best Director for this
film. Shu Qi poked fun at herself as the oldest "new director" and
wanted to make Hong Kong films; Wai Sze Nga disclosed her phone number
on stage to "scrape for work", and Jia Zhangke also humorously "followed
the trend".
Leung Ka Fai, Shu Qi, Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung), Liew Chi Yu, Wai
Sze Nga, To Tak Wai, Kwan Kam Peng, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Jennifer Yu
Heung Ying, Cecilia Choi Si Bui, Philip Ng Wan Lung, etc. appeared at
the dinner. Sandra Ng Kwan Yu arrived with her husband Peter Chan Ho
Sun. She recalled that she served as the emcee for the Film Directors'
Guild dinner in 1993 and thus became acquainted with Chan Ho Sun, thus
she has had a special affection for this dinner. "In 1993, I was the
emcee for the dinner in the same place. Chan Ho Sun came to perform.
He saw me and thought I was pretty, so he asked for my 'license' (phone
number). Later everyone went for drinks with a group of directors. We
started from there and have a lot of memory. I am very happy to be in
the same place with so many new and old friends tonight." The event
also invited Anthoney Chen, Jia Zhangke, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Eric Tsang
Chi Wai, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Yu Heung Ying, Andrew Lau Wai Keung,
Hu Jun and Soi Cheang Pou Soi as award presenters so it was star-
studded.
The funniest winner of the night was none other than "Best
Supporting Actress" Wai Sze Nga, who excitedly made her phone number
public to plead for collaborations she took the stage to accept the
award. After winning the Guild's Best Actress for THE LAST DANCE (POR.
DEI YUK) last year, this year she won Best Supporting Actress with CIAO
UFO. She admitted that winning the award was a great encouragement, and
she would not mind reducing her salary when she would encounter good
roles and scripts. She only hoped that Hong Kong films would flourish.
She also said that the phone number was real. "I don't dare to say now
I have nonstop offers, I still want even more producers and directors to
know me. So I publicized my phone number to field jobs. I want more
people to find me." Would she reduce her salary to increase job
opportunities? Wai Sze Nga said that for the good of Hong Kong film,
she would be willing. "I believe as an actor, for a good role I
wouldn't mind how much the pay would be. I am waiting for screenplays
and opportunities. For now I don't have any new movies yet, mainly I
would promote hard for CIAO UFO." When asked about her confidence for
the Hong Kong Film Awards, she said that the nominees are all strong and
would maintain a normal state of mind. She also announced that she
would walk on the red carpet with her husband at that time.
Having been in the industry for 41 years, To Tak Wai won an
award when he attended the Directors' Guild event for the first time and
called it magical. He even reunited with the "missing director" Juno
Mak Chun Lung again, and joked that the director disappeared after
making the movie. Jia Zhangke presented Leung Ka Fai with "Best Actor",
he said that he was very happy to get together with Hong Kong film
colleagues, eager to work with Hong Kong actors and humorously imitated
Wai Sze Nga's phone number announcement to make the audience laugh.
Singer To Tak Wai rarely made movies. Two nights ago he even
won Best Supporting Actor with SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT. He joked that
even after 41 years in the business, he was still able to sense the
might of winning an award and the great sense of success. He was
impacted from head to toe. He felt that currently he was at his mature
condition acting wise, with the shot of confidence from the award this
time he hoped to be able to play even more interesting characters.
Speaking of stipulating for Juno Mak Chun Lung to "call him
back" on the stage, he said that during the shoot they would speak over
the phone every other. Juno would very attentively answer any question
he had about the character, but once the shoot was done he vanished. He
joked, "Actually I wanted 'post sale service'! I hope to be able to
receive his message here, how are you doing, is the movie entertaining!
Today I got to see him on a rare occasion. I hope he wouldn't leave so
soon later. I have a lot to share with him, and ask him why I am the
only choice for the character." He also said that he would return home
to celebrate with his family and share the joy.
The fresh out of the oven Best Actor Leung Ka Fai and Best
Actress Liew Chi Yu were interviewed together. Absent from film events
for a long time, Leung Ka Fai said that he was determined to participate
and has never thought of winning an award. "I see many new and old
friends and film colleagues on hand, everyone are very happy together
and still have hope for Hong Kong films." Did he want to work until
the torch would be passed to a new generation of actors? He said that
since the golden age of Hong Kong films, the generation gap in the film
industry has been talked about for many years. Now seeing how hard
working the new generation of filmmakers has been and how well they have
performed, he believed that he would be able to help them continue the
film dream in their hearts. He was already happy to see many rising
stars, admitting that the Directors' Guild award was rather meaningful
and mentioned his role in THE SHADOW'S EDGE was not the lead but was
recognized. He could consider it a double full harvest.
Liew Chi Yu said that she was deeply happy to receive the award
from Cheng Sau Man, recalling that she often watched Hong Kong films in
Malaysia when she was a child and was full of longing for Hong Kong.
After coming to Hong Kong she kept working hard. Now she has received
recognition, she thanked directors and producers for their appreciation;
speaking of her film NIGHT KING (YEH WONG) exceeding HK$ 100 million at
the box office and like Dayo Tze Wah she had three out of four Hong Kong
films that grossed over HK$ 100 million, she joked that Tze Wah was the
box office "captain" and she was just the "team member" who caught a
ride. "I just happened to hitch a HK$ 100 million box office ride,
maybe in the previous life I did a lot of good deeds." However
regarding being dubbed the "lucky general", she was excited, said that
she really liked this title and hoped that it would be able to spread
further and land her more roles. Leung Ka Fai praised her for knowing
how to be grateful and reminded her to write down her benefactor so that
her brain would not go blank when she stood on the podium. Has Leung Ka
Fai been busy taking care of his grandchildren? He laughed and said
that he was busy with work, and taking care of his grandchildren was
none of his business. Now he has two grandchildren, he humbly claimed
to be a "domestic helper" who was responsible for taking care of
household hygiene. He admitted that he had money, but not much.
Hu Jun presented the "Honorary Award" to Kwan Kam Peng. He
happened to be attending the art festival in Hong Kong and thanked
Cheang Pou Soi and Manfred Wong (Man Jun) for taking the time to contact
him. Kwan Kam Peng revealed that originally he wanted to fly to Taiwan
to meet actors, but attended only after Man Jun scolded him. Kwan Kam
Peng looked back at the end of 1970s when he worked as an assistant
screenwriter at the television station. He was grateful that he
received the advice and support from many elders and benefited greatly.
He was even fortunate enough to work with the late Anita Mui Yim Fong
and Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing. Currently he is teaching at the Hong Kong
City University, dedicating his effort to cultivate a new generation of
directors.
When Lau Wai Keung presented Shu Qi with the "New Director"
award, he mischievously brought up her putting on air and being late
before entering the industry 30 years ago. They were originally
scheduled to meet at 10 AM in Taiwan for in person casting but she did
not show up until 8 PM. "I asked her why she was so late. She very
arrogantly said that she went out, got drunk and couldn't get up; but
just like that we have collaborated for 30 years, and I made 13 movies
with her." Shu Qi laughed and admitted that she was late because she
was drunk that day and did not remember until she heard the phone the
next day. "I was in Taichung at the time and immediately rushed to
Taipei. Without any makeup and clothes I casually went to meet the
directors. I was filthy!"
"I have been in the film industry for 31 years and have been a
very lucky girl. Although I acted like a big shot, two directors Lau
Wai Keung and Man Jun still waited for me." She said that Lau Wai
Keung constantly brought this incident up again. She admitted
that GIRL has brought her multiple director awards, but when she made
the movie she did not think about any award. At the time she only
wanted to be under budget and complete the production smoothly. She
felt very lucky and joked that she was the oldest "new director".
How would she and husband Stephen Fung Tak Lun celebrate? Shu
Qi said, "Wait until it comes to an end first. (Are you waiting until
after winning the Hong Kong Film Award?) I hope that I would be able to
wait until the end of this year, in other words this year would keep
bringing different award shows. (This year is a lucky one for you to
win awards?) I don't really have any confidence, but with my connection
with people I should be determined to participate." She also lamented
that she has not made a Hong Kong film for more than ten years, admitted
that she really wanted to but unfortunately no one has asked her. Who
would she like to work with? She joked, "As long as it's not Lau Wai
Keung it's fine." She also would like to work with new actors.
Also joking about coming to "scrape for work" were Lokman Yeung
and Anson Kong Yip Sun. Lokman partnered with Hedwig Tam Sin Yin as the
emcees of the Directors' Guild event for the first time, joking that he
could justifiably "scrape for work" on stage; although Anson Kong had
to leave early due to work, he also said that he would seize any job
opportunity and hope to share film resources. Earlier they supported
their group mate Tiger Yau's first solo concert and praised that his
performance as mature. They were happy for him and also thought Tiger
sharing the stage with his sister was heart warming. They hoped that
Tiger would keep working hard for Part 2 of the concert, and they would
not hesitate if he would need help.
In addition, Lokman earlier has been nominated for "Best Actor
(Comedy/Farce) at the 34th Hong Kong Drama Awards. He stated that he
has never even thought about it and was very happy to receive the
recognition from the industry. AK's movie WE'RE NOTHING AT ALL (NGOR
MOON BUT SI SUP MOR) would open next month. HE praised that story as
exciting and hoped that even more people would support it.
Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild President Cheang Pou Soi also
appeared the night before and personally clarified the rumors that
Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) replaced Takuya Kimura in the movie TWILIGHT OF
THE WARRIORS: THE FINAL CHAPTER (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI JUNG JEUNG). Two
Best Actresses Wai Ying Hung (Sister Hung) and Cheng Sau Man were also
present to support the event.
Cheang Pou Soi revealed in an interview that the Directors'
Guild would continue to hold master class exchange meetings, inviting
filmmakers at home and abroad to discuss the future development of the
film industry. Would it be a pity that Takuya Kimura would not
participate in TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: THE FINAL CHAPTER? He
clarified that the cast would be constantly adjusted during the creation
of the film, and Ng Yin Cho has always been intended to play his role.
There is no "replacement" for Takuya Kimura, and he has apologized to Ng
Yin Cho's manager. He also revealed that Ng Yin Cho would accept
training in advance for the action scenes. As for whether the action
scenes would be more exciting than TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN
(GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING), he said that he would do his best. "I
don't dare to say THE FINAL CHAPTER would fight harder than WALLED IN.
The presure is greater than the previous one, in the beginning I thought
I woudn't have any pressure. Each movie would be its own movie. No
matter what the box office performance would be, I only hoped production
wise, including the story content, art, action, etc. would be better
than the last time. I can take another step further. Indeed making a
sequel wouldn't be as carefree as the first one. When I made the first
one I didn't expect people would watch the movie and super lacked
confidence." Would there will be pressure due to the box office of more
than HK$ 100 million for the first installment? Cheang Pou Soi said
frankly, "The unexpected popularity of the first installment would
inevitably put pressure on the filming of the second part. I will try
my best to do it well and try not to consider the box office baggage."
Sister Hung deliberately asked for leave from the set in Zhuhai,
saying that she must be present to support the event. She needed to
return to Zhuhai early the next morning for the shoot. She revealed
that she has been collaborating with a new director on a mainland film,
and said that she would set aside one spot to work with a new director
every year. Would she like to direct? She admitted that she has been
an assistant director more than 30 years ago and deeply understood the
hard work behind the scenes. Also she had little interest in the
backstage as she preferred to be in front of the camera. She admitted
that she made more money on screen.
Sammi attended as an award presenter. The box office of NIGHT
KING, starring her and Wong Tze Wah, has exceeded HK$ 100 million. She
stated that she was very happy but unfortunately Tze Wah was not
present, which made her feel that there was a difference. Regarding Tze
Wah's promise to be a guest performer for Sammi's July Kai Tak concert
if the box office exceeded 100 million, has he started rehearsing the
choreography? Sammi said that she did not know if Zihua would be
available at that time, and if he would be able to attend she would not
mind having the limelight stolen. She would even be very happy. She
also revealed that she planned to release a new album before the
concert, hoping to do well this year in both movies and music do. She
also said that she would attend the movie celebration banquet even if
she would have to go on a diet for the concert. She would also
consider using AI to make "wedding photos" with Tze Wah from when they
were younger to thank the audience.
Louis Cheung Kai Chung attended with his wife Kay Tse On Kay.
He said that he was very happy to see many directors he admired and on
and off screen staff he was familiar with, and hoped to introduce
himself and have an opportunity to collaborate. They also ran into Ali
Lee Kai Sum. He and she with GOLDEN BOY (GUM TUNG) have been nominated
for the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor and New Performer, and they
congratulated each other. He also revealed that his concert preparation
has been heating up. This time his family would not perform on stage
but would support him in the audience. His son who is studying in
Australia also would not return to Hong Kong to watch the show. Has his
son adjusted to life there? Kay praised their son as a very good boy,
everyday he would contact them and he has made many new friends.
Ah Chung earlier asked for online donations for an ailing
father. The man later was revealed as living a luxurious life and
suspected of taking advantage of the sympathy online. Ah Chung's face
darkened when asked and said, "It's in the past! I won't comment any
further. (Would you be more cautious when helping others?) It was a
good experience. (Did you learn a lesson?) Normal people actually
would learn a lesson after any experience."
HONG KONG FILM DIRECTORS' GUILD AWARDS
BEST FILM
CIAO UFO
BEST DIRECTOR
Patrick Leung (CIAO UFO)
BEST ACTOR
Tony Leung Ka Fai (THE SHADOW'S EDGE)
EST ACTRESS
Fish Liew (SOMEONE LIKE ME)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alex To (SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Michelle Wai (CIAO UFO)
BEST NEW ACTOR
Elizabeth Tang (GIRLFRIENDS)
BEST NEW DIRECTOR
Shu Qi (GIRL)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SPECIAL PRIZE
ANOTHER WORLD
HONORARY AWARD
Stanley Kwan
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