[2014.01.14] NICK CHEUNG, ZHANG ZIYI WIN FILM CRITIC SOCIETY AWARDS

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

UNBEATABLE's Nick Cheung wins Best Actor

THE GRANDMASTERS wins Best Picture and Best Actress for Zhang Ziyi

DRUG WAR wins two awards, including Best Director for Johnnie To
courtesy of mingpao.com

Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Zhang Ziyi won the 2013 Hong Kong Film Critic Society Best Actor and Best Actress. Yesterday the Film Critic Society announced the winners of its five awards. Cheung Ka Fai with UNBEATABLE (GIK JIN) won Best Actor, Zhang Ziyi with THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) won Best Actress. THE GRANDMASTERS won Best Picture; DRUG WAR (DUK JIN) won two awards, Best Director for Johnnie To Kei Fung and Best Screenplay for Wai Ka Fai, Yau Nai Hoi, Ryker Chan Wai Bun and Yu Hei.

According to the 2013 official theatrical releases there was 49 Hong Kong films, Cheung Ka Fai with two films UNBEATABLE and THE WHITE STORM (SO DUK) landed in the top five. Finally with UNBEATABLE he defeated Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Anthony Wong Chau Sun and Anthony Chan Yau. Zhang Ziyi defeated Nina Paw Hee Ching, Sammi Cheng Sau Man and Shu Qi to win Best Actress.

Cheung Ka Fai was commended for his UNBEATABLE role, as he played the down on his luck small potato with both dignity and humor. Aside from the awe of his physical transformation, his small potato character was also especially intimate. As for Best Actress Zhang Ziyi she put Gong Er's pride, sorrow, hatred and regret into her heart one by one, telling the story with color; Zhang Ziyi 9 years ago with 2046 also won the Hong Kong Film Critic Society Best Actress.

Cheung Ka Fai said that in his own performance experience, the Hong Kong Film Critic Society was the first organization to give him an award (5 years ago for THE BEAST STALKER (JING YUN)). At the time he did not dare to think that he would have a chance to receive a second one. Winning the award again this time was a great encouragement. As for UNBEATABLE director Dante Lam Chiu Yin not winning Best Director, Ka Fai said that it was regrettable. He pointed out that his ability is at its peak, but he should not be disillusioned from losing an award because he and Lam Chiu Yin had an understanding -- "if you can still bet you haven't lost yet". Next time he will work harder. This award has been considered a preview of the Hong Kong Film Award. Was Ka Fai confident about winning another Hong Kong Film Award? He said that he has not spent too much effort on awards. He treated it normally, like participating in a joyous event. He would not add to the stress.

The 2013 HONG KONG FILM SOCIETY AWARDS
BEST PICTURE: THE GRANDMASTERS
BEST DIRECTOR: Johnnie To Kei Fung (DRUG WAR)
BEST SCREENPLAY: Wai Ka Fai, Yau Nai Hoi, Ryker Chan Wai Bun, Yu Xi (DRUG WAR)
BEST ACTOR: Nick Cheung Ka Fai (UNBEATABLE)
BEST ACTRESS: Zhang Ziyi (THE GRANDMASTERS)
RECOMMENDED FILMS: UNBEATABLE, RIGOR MORTIS, DRUG WAR, IP MAN THE FINAL FIGHT, THE WAY WE DANCE, BLIND DETECTIVE