Saturday, February 29, 2020

[2020.03.01] DENNIS LAW EXPECTS HIS ALTERNATIVE NEW FILM TO BE A LOSS

courtesy of singtao.com
Dennis Law, Lam Sheung and Jill Yeung
courtesy of mingpao.com

Director Dennis Law Sau Yiu two nights ago along with actor Lam Sheung and Jill Yeung Yan promoted their new film NIGHTS OF A SHEMALE A MAD MAN TRILOGY 1/3. He said that the subject was more alternative, the most difficult was choosing whether to make it or not because before the production began he already knew the film would be a guaranteed loss. However he wanted to fulfill his wish to make this story and finally he decided to.

Law Sau Yiu said that he would rather ask Lam Sheung to perform than consider spending almost HK$ 300,000 to hire real shemales in Thailand for the production. Because the story was about a protagonist who was a drug addict before becoming a shemale, he was looking for realism. As for casting Lam Sheung, he said that he was looking for an actor who was willing to perform frontal nudity. He also said that the film was arranged for a release during the "outbreak" market because the promotions were already scheduled months ago. He said, "I still have confidence in the film market. Ultimately film has a demand, we shall see if we will prevail."

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

[2020.02.27] BEST ACTOR TERRANCE LAU HOPES CO-STAR GIRLFRIEND CECILIA CHOI WINS BEST ACTRESS

Terrance Lau is not disappointed about the lack of a Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor nomination and is happy about the Best New Actor nomination

Terrance Lau and Cecilia Choi click while working on BEYOND THE DREAM and honestly admit to their romance
Terrance Lau and Sofiee Ng in the ViuTV series LEAP DAY have a romance but no intimate scene
courtesy of mingpao.com

With his film debut BEYOND THE DREAM (WAN OI), Terrance Lau Chun Him received the 26th Hong Kong Film Critic Society Award Best Actor but at the 39th Hong Kong Film Award he was only nominated for Best New Actor. Was he disappointed that he fell from Heaven back to Earth? He said that he was not disappointed, feeling that different award shows would have different judging standard. In both film and television he was new, so he was already very pleased and comforted with the nomination.

Lau Chun Him as the Film Critic Society Best Actor was seen as the favorite, but he did not feel that the Hong Kong Film Award Best New Actor award was in his pocket. He admitted, "Since the world has reached where it is, nothing is predictable. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. I realize more and more that that I have to live in the present, I am happy about the nomination and that's it. I don't think too much about it, just take it naturally."

However, he stated that he felt very surprised to win the Best Actor with his first film. He once asked himself, "Why me, defeating so many opponents?" Would he like to ask the judges if he truly performed so well if he would have the chance? How did he feel about his performance the mental patient in BEYOND THE DREAM? He said, "I already did my best, it's very hard to evaluate yourself. The role is hard to grasp. Because I did a lot of work before production, research with the director, met with people who were mentally ill, social workers and psychiatrists, table reads and rehearsals, the pre-production effort helped me slowly enter the character's world. I was able to perform the complex emotions of illness eruption, collapse and seeing hallucination."

Lau Chun Him due to BEYOND THE DREAM fell for his co-star Cecilia Choi Sze Wan. He admitted that he hoped his girlfriend would win the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress, he even praised her outstanding acting. He said, "For new actors, her performance was great and had a lot of potential. She is only 25. This type of girls hasn't appeared in Hong Kong in a very long time. She started in Chinese opera, has quite a presence and her own ideas. She does a lot of preparation and is very willing to work with co-stars. After listening to the director's guidance she digests it very quick. She has both the look and the substance."

As for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor, he said that he was selfish as well. He hoped that MY PRINCE EDWARD (GUM DOH)'s Chu Pak Hong would win because they were buddies. Both were Performing Art Academy students, they have worked together on the stage and recently they have worked together on television and film. He said, "Chu Pak Hong is a young actor I really admire."

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

[2020.02.26] AARON KWOK'S MOTHER PASSED AWAY

courtesy of mingpao.com
courtesy of on.cc

Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's mother reportedly passed away at home on the 7th in her 90s. The funeral has been scheduled to take place at the Hong Kong Funeral Parlor on March 4th with the burial on the following day. Sing Sing's manager Siu Mei yesterday responded that Sing Sing's mother passed away peacefully early this month, and Sing Sing and his family has been fully dedicated to make funeral arrangements for Mother Kwok. Sing Sing wholeheartedly accepted everyone's condolences and concern and simply replied, "Thoughtful!" Sing Sing during his January concert in Macau revealed that he was very worried about his mother's health, once even lowering his head and sobbing, "Without Mama I wouldn't be here."

[2020.02.26] LIZA WANG, EDMOND LEUNG PAY RESPECTS TO THEIR SINGING MENTOR


courtesy of mingpao.com

Edmond Leung
courtesy of on.cc
Susan Shaw, Liza Wang and Hai Sau Lan
courtesy of singtao.com

Famous singing instructor Pau Pui Lei passed away on the 17th. Yesterday services took place at the Universal Funeral Parlor. The hall was decorated elegantly in white. A color photo of Pau Pui Lei with a brilliant smile was accompanied with heart shaped floral arrangements from her three children, granddaughter and son in law at the center.

Around 5PM, Liza Wang Ming Chuen, Edmond Leung Hon Man, Hai Sau Lan arrived to pay their respects. Ah Jeh and Hai Sau Lei stayed for over half a hour and left together. Ms. Pau was Ah Jeh's first singing instructor. Ah Jeh said, "She was very talented and had a great voice. Under her guidance I had a great foundation for my early singing. Ms. Pau took in many, many students. (Was Ms. Pau's passing very sudden?) I knew that she has been ailing for awhile, but for a period we didn't have a lot of contact. Hai Sau Lei on the other hand had contact with her, but earlier for my 50th anniversary concert I invited Ms. Pau to attend. After the show she even told me, 'Wang Ming Chuen you did great'. Those words gave me a lot of encouragement." As for Ms. Pau's final wish, she said, "I didn't asked her children. Her family was rather peaceful, ultimately Ms. Pau has been ailing for awhile."

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

[2020.02.19] FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 9 2020

For the week ending Sunday February 9 2020
Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong



10 A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
    d. Marielle Heller
    Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper


  9 ENTER THE FAT DRAGON
  Can : Fei Lung Gor Gong
  Lit : Fat Dragon Crosses the River
    d. Kenji Tangiaki
    Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Niki Chow Lai Kei,
      Wong Jing, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Jessica Jann Kei Ching,
      Naoto Takenaka, Joe Tee, Tetsu Watanabe, Chaney Lin (Lam Chau Nam),
      Wong Cho Lam, Lawrence Chou Chun Wai, Jerry Lamb Hiu Fung, Yan Hua,
      Hiro Hayama (Yip Shan Ho), Jim Chim Shui Man, Anthony Chan Yau,
      Bob Lam Sing Bun, Tyson Chak,
      Philip Ng Won Lung, Wong Jing
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 96 mins.
  Opening January 23 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/rDpmvM7K2OI

[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
    The 300-pound special agent Chu loses his convict in custody in Japan. Deeper trouble befalls when he finds himself pursued by both triads and police...


  8 SPIES IN DISGUISE
    d. Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
    Blue Sky Studio Animation
    English Voice: Will Smith, Tom Holland


  7 1917
    d. Sam Mendes
    George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman,


  6 JOJO RABBIT
    d. Taika Waititi
    Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taiki Waititi, Rebel Wilson,
      Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson


  5 YOU ARE THE ONE
  Can : Ngor Dik Shun Poon Nam Yau
  Lit : My Hot Property Boyfriend
    d. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum)
    Carlos Chan Ka Lok, Gladys Li Ching Kwan,
      Bob Lam Sing Bun, Ashina Kwok Yik Sum, Elva Ni, Kandy Wong Shan Yee,
      Erin Wang Zhuoqi, Snow Suen Wai Suet, Justin Cheung Kin Sing,
      Kaki Sham, Mak Ling Ling, Carrie Ng Ka Lai
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 94 mins.
  January 25 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/1i32VPQi13w
  Site: https://www.emp.hk/en/production/current/you-are-the-one

[ EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES ]
    Young, talented rogue trader Finn Ma lives a mysterious, low-key life. The word "failure" doesn't exist in his vocabulary, and he's never seen a deal he can't make. However, his life experiences a 180-degree change when he encounters Bo.

    All her life, Bo has never believed that good things will happen to her. Having lost her parents at an early age, she sees dreams as unreachable things. To make ends meet, she works multiple jobs, including one as a promoter in a Karaoke joint.

    One night, Finn hold a secret meeting in a nightclub with his employees. On his way out, he tosses out cash to get rid of two gold-digging girls hitting on him. Bo sees this and mistakes him as the vanished swindler who caused her friend, Pauline, to attempt suicide. Bo confronts Finn and drags him away.

    The two go to the hospital where Pauline still lies in a coma after her suicide attempt. Pauline's older brother, Wing, and her other friends all believe that Finn is the bad boyfriend responsible for Pauline's suicide, forcing Finn to take responsibility. Wing believes that Finn is the only one who can wake Pauline up, so he drags Finn to his home to prevent Finn from running away.

    During their short time together, Finn starts to grow fond of Bo. He learns of her sad background and her passive attitude towards life's hardships. Finn, who believes that people must take control of their own fate, uses the Law of Attraction to convince Bo to change her own destiny.

    In the end, Wing and the others realize that Finn is really not Pauline's boyfriend and lets him go. When he leaves, Finn promises to see Bo again.

    A month later, Bo finds a luxury sedan parked in front of her workplace, and the owner is Finn. She finally learns that Finn is actually the ideal boyfriend that every girl dreams of: Rich, handsome and a perfect gentleman. However, this Cinderella's adventure has just begun!


  4 DOLITTLE
    d. Stephen Gaghan
    Robert Downey Jr.


  3 THE GRAND GRANDMASTER
  Can : Muk Doi Jung Si
  Lit : Whatever Generation Grandmaster
    d. Dayo Wong Tze Wah
    Dayo Wong Tze Wah, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau),
      Benz Hui Siu Hung, Harriet Yeung Sze Man, Dickson Yuen Man Tai,
      Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Chen Jiajia, Eddie Law Tin Chi,
      C Kwan (Stephen Cheng Sze Kwan), Eric Tang Chi Kin,
      Ivana Wong Yuen Chi, 6 Wing (Billy Luk Wing Kuen), Tyson Chak Hoi Tai
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 117 mins.
  Opening January 23 2020 (Preview)
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/tTcHMiVobUY

[ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ]
    Following Grandmaster Fei Lung's defeat to his rival, Chun, he challenges her to a final fight in order to restore his reputation. His plan to win the fight is derailed when he unexpectedly develops romantic feelings towards her. He will have to figure out a way to win both the fight and Chun's affection.


  2 ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020
  Can : Ga Yau Hei Si 2020
    d. Raymond Wong Pak Ming
    Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Raymond Wong Pak Ming,
      Chrissie Chau Sau Na, DaDa Chan Jing, Patrick Tam Yiu Man,
      Adam Pak Tin Nam, Sheila Chan Suk Lan,
      Law Kar Ying, Cheung Tat Ming, Liu Kai Chi, Helena Law Lan,
      Jim Chim Tsui Man, Andrew Lam Man Chung, Kingdom Yuen King Tan,
      Richard Ng Yiu Hon, Wong Yat Shan, Karena Ng Chin Yu,
      Justin Cheung Kin Sing, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Toby Chan Ting Yan,
      Stephen Huynh (Wong Hing Cheung), Mak Cheung Ching, Bob Chang Yin Bok,
      Yu Mo Lin, Chen Jiajia, Kendy Cheung King Yan, Aliya Fan Man Nga,
      Lisa Ch'ng Si Ming, Six Cents (Luk Chi Ho), Maggie Yu Miao,
      Terry Zou Man Ching, Shirley Shen Din Yi, Chow Chi Hing,
      Jiro Lee Sheung Ching,
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 98 mins.
  Opening January 25 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/C_wQQDVMePk

[ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ]
    All three Yau brothers are con artists who use their notorious talents to punish bad people. They meet fellow con artists, the Lui sisters, through a misunderstanding and both sets of siblings decide to team up. Their target is an infamous mob boss, who they plan to scam using various tricks and disguises.



  1 BIRDS OF PREY AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN
    d. Cathy Yan
    Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell,
      Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor

[2020.02.19] RAYMOND WONG KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO CELEBRATE MALAYSIA BOX OFFICE SUCCESS

courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of mingpao.com

IP MAN 4 THE FINALE and ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 in Malaysia passed the 37 million RM Chinese language box office record and 6.2million RM respectively. ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 producer and star Raymond Wong Pak Ming in order to fulfill his promise yesterday attended the film's appreciation banquet with Dada Chan Jing and Adam Pak Tin Nam as they celebrated with the cinema representatives and workers there.

At the banquet, when the host asked why the trio still chose to come amid the tension of the outbreak, producer Wong Pak Ming said that this time was to keep their promise. Actually in mid December last year when he promoted IP MAN 4 THE FINALE in Malaysia he already promised to celebrate in Malaysia if it broke the box office record there. Now that the film has performed so well, he truly had to personally thank everyone for their support! Actually Wong Pak Ming and the organizers have already discussed this trip many times. Everyone was worried about the novel coronavirus outbreak. In the end the event was scaled down. Since he has already promised to attend audience appreciation there, Wong Pak Ming believed that as long as properly precautions were taken they should have no problem.

The fact was that no one knew how long the outbreak would last, but life still had to go on. During this period everyone should cautiously prevent the outbreak and live normally. Otherwise problems would very easily arise.

Chan Jing and Pak Tin Nam made their first appearance in Malaysia. Chan Jing even said that she only had eyes for the durian there. "Yesterday I tried the Musang King durian and thought it was very delicious. I hope to have a chance to bring my family to visit!" Although Pak Tin Nam has been to Malaysia before, he has not publicly come in contact with the Malaysian audience. "This time I am very happy to be able to come to Malaysia and meet with the media friends and audience, thank you very much everyone for your support!" When asked about their work, they both stated that due to the outbreak their jobs have been canceled and postponed. Despite all that, everyone's health would b the most important.

As the banquet neared its end, Wong Pak Ming, Chan Jing and Pak Tin Nam took part in an ice breaking and toast ceremony. In the end they also took place in the lucky drawing.

Monday, February 17, 2020

[2020.02.18] TAI BO'S WIFE SUPPORTS HIS BROKEBACK PERFORMANCE

courtesy of singtao.com

After years in film and television, veteran actor Tai Bo (Cheung Ka Nin) recently won the Hong Kong Film Critic Society Best Actor. Actually in the past he has performed in countless film and television series and his acting has been recognized.

Tai Bo most recently in the film SUK SUK played a gay man and won Best Actor at the 26th Hong Kong Film Critic Society Awards along with BEYOND THE DREAM (WAN OI)'s Lau Chun Him. However Tai Bo said that when he took the role he suspected whether he would be able to master the role. Director Ray Yeung even went to Taiwan three times to persuade him to perform.

"This film is a role that I have never played before, as a professional actor I feel it's still fine. However I considered this character to be a 60 something homosexual, would I be able to play this character? I struggled. The director after watching my performance in GLAMOROUS YOUTH flew to Taiwan three times for me. First when I read the script I took 3 months. After reading it I discussed it with my family and my wife. My wife said, 'This script is good, you take it!' So I took the role. I asked the director how far would the film go, but the director said that the relationship would be very light.

Playing a twilight homosexual relationship with Yuen Fu Wa in the film, Tai Bo stated that they did not know each other before hand. Although before the performance they did not study how to perform, after they took their marks they very naturally performed according to the script.

"I understand the character I play this time, Pak. Often people have expiration dates, but what are in their hearts are forever. This relationship can't be too wild, too revealing; so it is secretive and hidden, something that they want but can't have. When he runs into this romance, this very short term relationship explodes out of the 60 something."

Playing a brokeback relationship, Tai Bo admitted that he was very pleased to be able to perform from within. He even joked that the reason the director asked him was perhaps his potential. Every take has been a good one and few changes were made. "I performed with the method that I came up with, so I really was like the character Pak. This type of character truly doesn't come long even when you ask for it! We were able to have the recognition of those who have seen the film. While at the Busan Film Festival, although the people there didn't understand Chinese they were moved to tears during the screening. This movie isn't about sex, just family and friendship. During decades of acting, I mostly performed in commercial films in the past. I have also made dramatic films, but this performance left a very deep impression."

After winning the Film Critic Society Best Actor award, was he confident that he would win the Hong Kong Film Award? He said, "In this business I have never deliberately made a movie in order to win an award. I go with the flow! If it comes, I will accept it. I am already very happy to have professional praises and recognition."

[2020.02.18] LOUIS CHEUNG WENT SUPER CRAZY WHILE DRIVING HIS WIFE TO GIVE BIRTH

courtesy of singtao.com

Louis Cheung Kai Chung and Candy Yu On On worked together for the first time in the film THE SECRET DIARY OF A MOM-TO-BE (BABY FOOK SAU GEI). Playing a maturity helper internet star, Cheung Kai Chung was paid handsomely to supervise her daughter in law Dada Chan Jing's diet and rest.

As an internet star maturity helper, Cheung Kai Chung said that after taking the role he shared his view on maturity helpers with the director. When his daughter was born they hired a maturity helper, from which he had quite a deep impression. He felt how noble it was to be a maturity helper!

"I feel maturity helpers are almost in the same class as doctors in my heart, because they save a family. After I talked with the director, she added a lot into the script."

In the film when Cheung Kai Chung often gave advice to the soon to be father Kevin Chu Kam Yin to prepare for the soon to arrive baby. Cheung Kai Chung said that his performance reminded him of himself back then. "Back then when my wife was carrying the older son and her water broke, I was the one who drove to the hospital. I still remember that after finishing work at the studio it was already early morning. When I got home I was still very hungry! I was planning to make ramen when the Old Lady said her water broke. So I carried her downstairs to drive her, but all the cars were in the way! I wanted to ram other people's cars out of the way, like I really was crazy!"

With two daughters, Yu On On said that in the past most mostly only wealthy clans would hire maturity helper. Thus during pregnancy she would ask her mother for advice and take care of herself. On On also said that back then when she had her older daughter she was not too stable. The doctor asked her to be on bed rest for three months. "At the time I only lay in bed. I did everything in bed aside from going to the bathroom. Even when I urinated I didn't dare to do it too hard. Now I can laugh about it, but back then it was very worrying! After three months the doctor said that the condition was more stable. However I didn't dare to walk around freely until the sixth month. The younger daughter was born on the Lunar 3rd, a premature birth baby. On the Lunar 2nd I was at home and ate like crazy. Mama told me not to keep eating, otherwise I would give birth from all the eating. Finally that night the birth really started!"

Although On On is already a grandmother, she said that she was open minded and would not be longing for a grandchild like her character. She said that her older daughter and son in law both really like children, but her son in law was more in a hurry to become a father. She felt that the most important was for them to be prepared mentally to be parents. "I would share a lot about what they would face in the future, but after making this film I felt great because the result could show the trouble and the concern a couple would run into when having children. So I definitely would ask my daughters to watch."

Sunday, February 16, 2020

[2020.02.17] POLICE COMPLAINTS ABOUT RTHK PROGRAM




The Police feels HEADLINE discredits the work it has done during the outbreak
Wong Hei introduces hot jobs at the "scared force"
Gregory Wong also guest stars as Black Jack
courtesy of mingpao.com

Radio and Television Hong Kong's HEADLINER last Friday (February 14th) invited Wong Hei and Gregory Wong Chung Hiu to perform. Wong Hei host the "Shocking Information" segment, while Wong Chung Hiu appeared as "Black Jack" and "Gong Tong Gan" with hosts Tsang Chi Ho, Ng Ch Sum and Law Kai Sun in a comedy skit. The program originally was scheduled to air at 6PM on TVB Jade, but due to the live broadcast of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor's press conference it was postponed until last night. However the program still caught attention. Yesterday RTHK Broadcasting Authority chief Leung Ka Wing received complaint that HEADLINER's "Shocking Information" segment discredited the police's performance during the outbreak and expressed extreme regret. RTHK's Amen Ng Man Yee stressed that they had no intention to discredit or ridicule. The program only used a parody format to reflect social phenomenon and different voices.

Wong Hei in the HEADLINER's "Shocking Information" segment plays the host "Chung Yung Ngai" and introduces the "scared" job posting, expressing the police's performance during the outbreak and their equipment that became viral online in a satirical format. The over 3 minute long segment was lively and earned a laugh from the audience. However, the Broadcasting Authority chief Leung Ka Wing yesterday received a letter of complaint from the Police Commissioner (care of Kwok Ka Chuen), citing that the "Shocking Information" segment on numerous occasionally discredited the police force's job during the outbreak and expressed extreme regret; it also rebutted that the massive outbreak prevention equipment stockpile at the police that the program alluded to was untrue; it also claimed that the program completely neglected the police's work and effort in fighting the outbreak and demanded the Broadcasting Authority chief to follow up.

RTHK's organization communication and program standard division director Amen Ng Man Yee admitted that they have received the complaint. "We understand that the police has done a lot on outbreak prevention, other government departments like medical and healthcare and others have also done a lot. The program only reflects social phenomenon, has different voices and appears in a parody format for the viewers." She also stressed that they had no intention to discredit and ridicule. At the end of "Shocking Information", Wong Hei waved to the camera and said, "See you next episode!" When asked if "Shocking Information" would be a regular part of the program, she said that HEADLINER segments have variety. As for whether it will be a regular part, she would have to get an understanding from the production team.

Wong Hei revealed that "Shocking Information" will be biweekly. "Today is Sunday, I haven't received any new program related guidance." Conceivably the outside would be concerned about whether the segment would remain.

How did Wong Hei feel about the police complaint to RTHK? He said, "The letter issuer only has a three Chinese characters, no official title, no assigned number, no identification card number. Who knows if it is whoever writing a chain letter. I have no comment." According to information, Kwok Ka Chuen is the police public relations bureau chief superintendent.

Due to the police complaint to RTHK, HEADLINER's "Shocking Information segment has gone viral online. Its social media platform hit rate has drastically increased, with messages like "Thank you police for helping with HEADLINER's promotion, I am watching right now!"

"Seeing Wong Hei and Wong Hung Chung, truly it is both yellow (Wong) and joyous (Hei)".

"Radio and Television Hong Kong program staff union" on facebook yesterday posted the RTHK union response. "Faced with this 'outbreak border war' the government's prevention policy has been criticized. Now medical and healthcare prevention equipment has a shortage and the police force receives a large amount of protective material, citizens' expectation of the police is naturally elevated. HEADLINER has always taken a parody style for modern satire. This union hopes that the police would pay attention to the public criticism and dedicate itself to servicing the general public, doing what it promises and utilizing the beliefs of loyalty, sincerity, courage and dedication on helping to fight the outbreak and connect with the community. This union notices that the police force has targeted this station more than once. Now it again attempts suppression with speech. This union strongly demand the police force to respect RTHK's professionalism and the editor's independence, focusing on protecting the public as it should."

[2020.02.17] BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES CHARLENE CHOI AND NINA PAW CELEBRATE TOGETHER

courtesy of mingpao.com
courtesy of on.cc
courtesy of singtao.com

Charlee Choi Cheuk Yin's film industry development has been decent. Recognized for her acting, last year she competed for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress with THE LADY IMPROPER (FEI FUN SHOOK NUI). This year with the film FATAL VISIT (SING HOR SAI MAU SAK ONG) she received her first Best Supporting Actress nomination. Ah Sa said that she was very grateful. "I am very happy to be able to run into a great director, two great co-stars and a great team."

Currently working on a web drama overseas, Ah Sa's series co-star Nina Paw Hee Ching was also nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress with MY PRINCE EDWARD (GUM DOH). Cinematographer Tse Chung To was nominated for Best Cinematography with the film A WITNESS OUT OF THE BLUE (FAN JUI YIN CHEUNG). The series team earlier held a surprise celebration for them. That day after finishing the shoot, the team suddenly brought of champagne and Ah Sa was very surprised. She said, "While at work we received the nomination news. Everyone were very happy, congratulating and cheering each other on. However I never thought that after the shoot they would have more surprises. I really am very appreciative for everyone."

[2020.02.17] RAYMOND WONG SUPPORTS CINEMA OPERATION SUSPENSION

courtesy of mingpao.com
courtesy of on.cc
courtesy of singtao.com

Film company boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming with Dada Chan Jing and Adam Pak Tin Nam yesterday appeared at the airport. They were heading to Malaysia for a film company appreciation banquet. With the novel coronavirus outbreak, Wong Pak Ming not only strengthened the prevention measures at cinemas under his banner but also gave medical masks to viewers. He also supported a temporarily suspension of operations at cinemas to "avoid the outbreak" and put safety first!

Wong Pak Ming, Dada, Pak Tin Nam all wore medical masks and glasses for their appearance. Wong Pak Ming said that he also had air purifiers and hand sanitizer and would take the full prevention measure. "This trip is because of an Indian distribution company that we have worked with for 10 years since ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL in 2010. After the film IP MAN 3's 30 million RM box office, this time IP MAN 4 also made 36 million RM. Twice we have broken the Chinese box office record there. In the Lunar New Year ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 also headed toward 7 million RMB, a decent performance. Under the outbreak, we can use all the help we can get. Actually films would have different performance in different places. IP MAN 4 in the Mainland made 1.2 billion RMB. (Did it make any profit?) If no profit can be made from 1.2 billion, how can any profit be made! This performance has already reached the target because the four films' box office went from 100, 200, 800 million to 1.2 billion. In addition it was released on Christmas, we were very lucky that it was not affected."

Speaking of many films having to halt production, Wong Pak Ming said, "G STORM (G FUNG BO) originally would resume work after the Lunar New Year. Now we would make the decision based on the situation. We are in no hurry to start work. Workers would be arranged to work from home. We haven't asked them to take unpaid time off." Speaking of the government's suggestion for all entertainment venues to temporarily suspend operation, Wong Pak Ming said, "The government has sent people to discuss with the Theater Association. So far we have not reached any agreement. Cinemas under my banner will strengthen disinfection, take viewer temperature and give away free medical masks so attendees would rest easy." He also supported cinema operation suspension. "It should stop and reopen after the outbreak. Actually the current admission rate is declining, family audience has been the most affected." The Hong Kong Film Awards canceled its physical award show. He said that it was the choice to make under the outbreak, and nothing could be done about the award climate decline.

Dada and Pak Tin Nam both had enough material and did not need to fight. Dada pointed out that during the Lunar New Year she rarely went out but she got fat from eating. No one noticed because she was hiding behind the mask, but she would wait and see with optimism. Yesterday she was able to go out and she was happier. Pak Tin Nam stayed at home and exercised more, took vitamins to strengthen immunity, which were all good ways to prevent the outbreak.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

[2020.02.16] DADA CHAN FEELS LUCKY TO RESOLVE CHILDHOOD TRAUMA WITH NEW FILM

courtesy of singtao.com

Kevin Chu Kam Yin and Dada Chan Jing in the film THE SECRET DIARY OF A MOM-TO-BE (BABY FOOK SAU GEI) played a couple. In the film Dada worked a highly paid public relations job, but with a sudden pregnancy her life plan was thrown into chaos. In real life Dada stated that she really liked children because a family would only feel complete with a child.

Dada and her protagonist who felt hindered by pregnancy in her new film THE SECRET DIARY OF A MOM-TO-BE had completely different views. She admitted that she would like to have two children. "I am very traditional, I already want a son and a daughter in the future. The older brother can take care of the younger sister. Maybe because I was born to a single parent family, at age 6 my parents split up, when I was little I really wanted an older brother. Maybe I would be bullied and hoped to have an older brother to protect me."

Dada said that on and off screen she grew up in a single parent family, but in the film due to childhood trauma she did not like children. Although they had similar family backgrounds, her views were very different from her character's. She said, "During the performance I would add or subtract, then put some of my own experience into it. Adding some of the director's ideas on top, sometimes I would play how I feel. Thus with the childhood memory part, I remember my past and feel like the knot in my heart has been untied. I am very happy to have this chance to relieve the pain in the film."

First time in a leading role, Chu Kam Yin said that he sensed the pressure because he was opposite a charming co-star in Dada. In addition his role was very heavy, as this time he played a good husband and a father to be. During the shoot he received confidence from the director and the actors though. As a former Hong Kong swim team representative, Kevin said that in the film he played a basketball player and revealed that through the director he met a group of basketball players with children. From them he got an understanding of their state of mind and sympathy to help with this performance. He said, "I felt their pain, they are athletes. On top of that a life is about to arrive, this pressure is rather heavy."

Because Kevin and Dada in the film played a couple, they had intimate scenes. He even gave his first on screen kiss to Dada. Dada jokingly asked if she needed to give him lai see and explained that only after the shoot did she find out that this was his first on screen kiss. She said, "After shooting this scene someone said to me that it might have been Kevin's first on screen kiss. I didn't know at all, but he performed very well! Haha!"

[2020.02.16] CALVIN POON: SAMMI CHENG IS FLAWLESS IN FATAL VISIT


Calvin Poon praises Sammi Cheng's focus in her FATAL VISIT performance, playing the role to its fullest.

While making FATAL VISIT, Calvin Poon discusses the story with Sammi Cheng, Charlene Choi and Tong Dawei
Calvin Poon last year in Toronto marries Rita, 17 years his junior
Calvin Poon does not want to discuss old flame Rache Lee, only wishing her the best
courtesy of mingpao.com

The film FATAL VISIT (SING HOR SAI MAU SAK ONG) was Calvin Poon Yuen Leung directed. Many after the screenings had nothing but praise for Sammi Cheng Sau Man's performance, as they felt that she would have a chance to win the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress. Poon Yuen Leung also hoped that Sammi would win Best Actress with this film because her performance was truly too great. She also gave up a lot. As a diva she had several chair smashing scenes, she still wanted to perform them personally despite having a double. She completely had no consider for possible injury. "She truly was very focused, I told her not to take too much risk but she still wanted to perform personally."

Director Poon Yuen Leung was very demanding for the Cheng Sau Man played Ling in the film, but Sammi was able to achieve every task. He said, "In the film Sammi completely expressed her relationship with (Dominic) Lam Ka Wa, her desire with Tong Dawei, giving it up no matter how much she didn't want to; she and Lam Ka Wa moved to start over somewhere else, but Lam Ka Wa was still so hard to take. When Tong Dawei came to find her, something happened. She became helpless and tried to fix the entire mater alone, which made her behave much more like what everyone would consider abnormal. She started everything for love!" Although Ling was so complicated inside, Poon Yuen Leung had full confidence in Sammi because she really knew how to perform on camera. Like earlier in WU YEN (CHUNG MO YIM) and NEEDING YOU (GOO NAM GWA NUI) she was all to reach the entire range of emotions. He said, "Age wise she was very close to the character, too young and she would not have the past and experience. If Sammi was 10 years later she might not be suitable for the role. Now she is perfect. The role ran into her at the most suitable time."

The film was adapted from a play of the same name. Sammi, Choi Cheuk Yin and Tong Dawei were all Poon Yuen Leung's first choice actors. He felt that they would be able to further develop the original characters' personalities. He said, "The most changes were made to Tong Dawei's character, from the original's Hong Kong immigrant in Canada to the Mainland immigrant there. Because of market considerations, I kept the boss in mind so the return was also important. I wouldn't sound so high and mighty, with the bigger market even more viewers can be reached. I want that too. The original creator (Candace) Chong Mui Ngan also agreed to the changes. Tong Dawei is one of the actors I want to work with the most. He is very suitable, rough with some details. He is afraid of his wife, you would believe it, until later when resistance explodes out of him and he also has that type of energy. In order to play Ling's husband Tang, he spent a lot of time in preparation. He went from not knowing anything Cantonese to learning line by line with our recording and to converse with Sammi in Cantonese. He made the film even closer to reality and gave it a sense of familiarity." Ah Sa's performance also surprised him because she was able to completely reach the stability a girl would become after becoming lost.

This film was Poon Yuen Leung's fourth film as a director after KISS ME GOODBYE (LUEN OI GWAI JIT), HI, FIDELITY (CHOOK GWAI DIK NUI YUN), and REPEAT, I LOVE YOU (YING JI OI YUN). Did he like to make romantic films because he was richly romantic, projecting his feeling into the film? Poon Yeun denied that he was richly romantic, he only liked to make woman subject films. He did so not because he understood women but because they had more dramatic elements. "Because women's expressions have more variety than men's, richer with more changes, they might be mad but not really mad. Like in FATAL, Sammi started from love. However when love became excessive what would happen? From a purely dramatic angle, women's drama is very rich. However whether my work is purely about love, each other have their own point of view."

When asked if she was just as stubborn about love as Sammi in the film? What kind of view on love did he hold? Poon Yuen Leung said, "I am already 60 something, what kind of view on love would I have left? Happiness is the most important. (Were you stubborn about love before?) Possibly, but people have to grow up. In the film Sammi finally learned to let go as well. (Were you not apt at handling relationships?) I definitely wasn't someone who got 100, not to mention someone great at it. (Have you hurt others before?) No matter what I have, I have hurt my former wife because I was young and naive. As for (Rachel) Lee Lai Chun I don't need to discuss any more, since I have already said it before. (Did Lee Lai Chun give him the blessing to remarry?) I gave mine to her too, I hop that her turns could be taken a little smoother. Actually who is right or wrong it is not longer needed to be discussed. In the end we wish each other well. (Do you need to learn to let go of relationships like in the film?) The smile Sammi flashed at the end of the film was the realization of something, which was a deliberate design. Of course this woman missed out on a lot. She did a lot more than she should have, but she should have her own realization. For example earlier she got a piece of white rabbit candy, in the end she saw a live white rabbit and she smiled. (Would letting go be happier?) At any time you have to let go, if you still don't let go at a certain age each step would be hard to take."

Poon Yeung Leung was a famous lyricist, at the Hong Kong Film award he has won the film song awards. Last year he even received the music achievement award from CASH. Would he want to win the Hong Kong Film Award Best Director? He said that he has never thought about it. He only hoped that investors would get the return they should have, and the cast and the crew to receive awards. If he would receive one of course he would gladly accept it, but award has never been a goal. The most important was for the audience to like his work, felt the film was meaningful and inspired everyone a little. He also hoped that in the second half of life he would make more movies. "If this film is popular and the boss makes money, maybe I would have the chance to make another film. However now the film industry is in an ice age. You can count how many big directors are working. However the colder the ice age, projects that originally have no possibility of being made may be able to be made."

[2020.02.16] SAMMI CHENG: "DREAMS ARE FRIGHTENINGLY DISTANT, LIKE THEY ARE INSURMOUNTABLE."

courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 39th Hong Kong Film Awards earlier announced its nominations. Among them Sammi Cheng Sau Man with the film FAGARA (FA JIU JI MEI) and the not yet officially released FATAL VISIT (SING HOR SAI MAU SAK ONG) were nominated for Best Actress. Sammi received her sixth nomination as this year she had "double" and was the favorite for Best Actress. Two days ago she talked about her Hong Kong Film Award nominations on social media. "Two characters enable mi to compete for Best Actress, thank you voters."

Two days ago on Valentine's Day, Sammi posted on social media not about love but about her Hong Kong Film Award nominations. Sammi first said that FAGARA's theme song SAY IT PROPERLY (HO HO SUET) was also nominated for "Best Film Song". "mi has won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Film Song once and the Golden Horse Best Film Song. This time would be the third time competing for this song award, and I am happy inside!"

Sammi continued, "As for all the nominations, I haven't grind my teeth and have to win out. I haven't resigned to feel that I wouldn't win at all. However, I feel that I have used 'treat it normally' too many times in the past twenty years to respond to each nomination. Aside from those three words, I actually have even more intricate feelings but I don't know how to express them." Yesterday she just received lyrics, two verses of which suitably described her feelings. "'Dreams are frighteningly distant, like they are insurmountable' Truly, I have had that moment when 'I was defeated to the point that I lacked even the courage and the dream to win (dare to win)'. I even began to question myself. However, for twenty years, mi hoped to achieve a type of metamorphic performance even more. I am grateful I finally met these two characters. Awards have twists and turns, but mi realizes that 'a normal heart' is still the most perfect state of mind. Continuous improvement in my performance is my real final destination. No matter how it turns out, I am the most grateful for the teams of these two films; because each nomination deeply contains the hard work and love of the team."

Finally Sammi thanked everyone who has been with her over n time nominations and also congratulated FAGARA on its 11 nominations, Ah Sa (Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin)'s Best Supporting Actress nomination with FATAL VISIT and Megan Lai's Best Supporting Actress nomination with FAGARA. She also had to thank producers Ann Hui On Wa and Chu Nui for their trust in her.