[2023.04.17] THE 41ST HONG KONG FILM AWARDS RED CARPET

Jennifer Yu attends the Hong Kong Film Awards with her husband Tim

Louise Wong

Lin Minchen
courtesy of on.cc

Sammi Cheng shows off her tattoos in stylish yet sexy way
courtesy of singtao.com

Louise Wong and Lin Min Chen both wear see through dresses

Harriet Yeung

Edan Lui waves to fans on the yacht

Carrying her second child, Jennifer Yu and her husband walks the red carpet

Keung To, Teresa Mo and Jer Lau

Larine Tang

Isabella Leong is waiting for another good role

Andy Lau and Ann Hui hope to work together again
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 41st Hong Kong Film Awards took place last night at the Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui. Before presenting the awards in 19 categories, the actors first dressed up to walk the red carpet. This year the Awards deliberately moved the red carpet to the grand stairway on the Promenade and even set up a "time tunnel". Each entering artist would first go through the "tunnel" then walk along the beautiful Victoria Harbor scenery to the red carpet area before ascending the stairway to the venue.

Celebrities and stars on the red carpet included Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Andy Lau Tak Wa, Sean Lau Ching Wan, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Peter Chan Ho Sun and daughter Chan Si Ji, Nancy Sit Ka Yin, Karen Mok Man Wai, Leo Ku Kui Ke, Ann Hui On Wa, Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Keung To, Jer Lau Ying Ting, Isabella Leong Lok Si, Lin Min Chen and others. When Yeung Chi King, Cheng Sau Man, Lau Tak Wa, Lau Ching Wan, Keung To, Edan Lui Cheuk On and others appeared they caused a stir!

Sit Ka Yin admitted that she dressed up to present the honor of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bowie Woo Fung, and said that she informed TVB in advance that she would appear on ViuTV. Cheng Sau Man with LOST LOVE (LAU SHUI LOK FA) received her 7th Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress nomination. When she stepped onto the red carpet she ran into Sit Ka Yin and Sister Ka Yin told her she voted for her. Sammi was rather happy kept thanking her. Speaking of husband Andy Hui Chi On, she said that it was enough for On Jai to watch on television at home to support her.

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress with the film FAR FAR AWAY (YUEN LO SHAN KA LA), Jennifer Yu Heung Ying despite her defeat announced online before the race that she was 4 months pregnant. Then she wore 7 inch boots to the red carpet with her husband Tim Luk Ching To in tow throughout. Tim joked that attending the awards ceremony, he was more nervous than being a Papa. When reporters congratulated her, she happily said, "Thank you everyone, even without an award I still get the congratulations! Of course I hope the baby would bring luck to me and take home an award; but the nomination already represents that baby is very lucky, whether I win or not I am very happy." Yu Heung Ying said that the pregnancy has been decent. Now she was able to eat all she would want, she would not have to watch her diet in order to dress up. She also revealed that she was working on a movie, in which she happened to play a pregnant woman. "The film wouldn't wrap until May. I would be careful at work, I wouldn't move too much."

Edan Lui Cheuk On with the films HONG KONG FAMILY (GOR SI GOR JIT) and CHILLI LAUGH STORY (HAP GA LAT) was nominated twice for Best New Performer and would compete with his group mate, MAMA'S AFFAIR (AH MA YAU JOR DAI YI GOR)'s Jer Lau Ying Ting. However his English name in the event program has been misprinted as Best Actor nominee Sean Lau Ching Wan's English name. Edan said, "I know, I thought it's very funny. I even want to save a misprint copy, since my English name was able to appear on the Best Actor page. I don't know whether I would have this opportunity in this lifetime." Edan attracted over 500 fans, some even prepared a yacht across from the Avenue of Stars promenade to cheer for him! He said that even he was surprised, he never thought that fans would be so thoughtful. He was very grateful for everyone's support. "Thank you very much, fans, for your support, and witnessing this special day with them. Not matter who between Jer and me would win it doesn't matter, we agreed that whoever goes on stage would thank the other and buy dinner."

One of the Best Actor nominee Sean Lau Ching Wan said that he was not nervous, and joked that he was there to wait for the result. Since having won the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor twice and been nominated 17 times as the "most nominated" male artist, he naturally did not need to be nervous. He said that this year instead he felt very happy because he saw many people who have supported the Hong Kong Film Awards were here; as for the program misprint of his English name, he generously said, "That's no big deal!" He said that he has not been upset about this and even hoped that everyone would understand, because many workers were volunteers and were already working very hard. He also joked that he too wanted a misprint copy for keepsake. He also revealed that although his wife Amy Kwok Oi Ming did not walk the red carpet with him, she was on hand to help.

Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Jer Lau Ying Ting, and Keung To with MAMA'S AFFAIR (AH MA YAU JOR DAI YI GOR) were respectively nominated for Best Actress, Best New Performer, and Best Original Film Song. The "mother and sons" trio were dressed in black and white and walked the red carpet together. As for the program's misprint of English names, Jer said that he knew it was human error and the event has already made correction reprints. He would not mind too much and even wanted to follow Edan's example and save for the misprint edition for a keepsake.

Lin Min Chen this year with TABLE FOR SIX (FAN HEI GUNG SUM) was nominated for her first Best Supporting Actress and appeared in back revealing low cut dress. As soon as she arrived she joked with the reporters, "Am I sincere enough? This is the first time I am dressed like this, I really am not used to it. I am very scared, low cut and see through, it's like 360 degree transparent! My little brother came with me, and kept reminding me not to hunch, to stand out my chest, suck in my gut and stand straight." She revealed that at the fitting when she took photos she looked like a princess. She did not know whether it would become transparent under the sun, but it was too late to change into another one. Before hand she once said that she and Harriet Yeung Sze Man were in competition to see who would be Best Dressed. Lin Min Chen said that she has not seen her and looked forward to running to Shrimp Head.

Just as sexy was Louise Wong Dan Nei, who as this year's Hong Kong Film Award promotional ambassador wore a midriff showing dress that seemed to be strung together beads. She said, "This dress was high class tailored, shipped from England for me to wear. Because tonight is the important day of the Hong Kong Film Awards, I dressed up for the occasion. Before hand I didn't dare to eat too much, as I am afraid it would affect how I dress. This dress is pretty heavy, weighing 10 or 20 pounds. (Are you afraid it is too heavy that it would fall down?) No, because it is hung around the neck. This dress is the limits of sexiness for me, but I have taken all the precaution. I am not worried about the wardrobe malfunction, and I am not worried that going to the bathroom would be inconvenient. I can just pull and go."

Larine Tang Yueping was the red carpet host yesterday, she said that because she got a lot thinner she was able to challenge the sexy evening wear.

Not seen in public in awhile, Isabella Leong Lok Si would present the Best Supporting Actress. She pointed out that she just finished her film with Nick Cheung Ka Fai, BURSTING POINT (BAU LIT DIM) and thought he was great, very crazy. "Many people thought I wouldn't make movies again, which is wrong. I want to make movies, and hope to play different character." When asked she would like to work with the most? She said, "Lau Ching Wan. (While you are working on the movie who has been taking care of the children?) Mommy would so even going on location productions wouldn't be a problem, and my older son would be 14 in two months. (He can be like you and get into the business?) Jinx! They haven't said that they wanted to get into the business, and they have no performance talent. Instead they have a knack for art and sports. They know I am an actor, they have seen my past work but they didn't feeling anything. (Are you dating now?) No! Being single is so comfortable."

Andy Lau Tak Wa held hands with Director Ann Hui On Wa as they walked the red carpet. They said that they would present Best Actress and Best New Director awards respectively. Would they work together on another film? Wa Jai said, "That would depend on the director." Hui On Wa replied, "There is one movie we can make, a documentary about Wa Jai. I hope to be able to work with him again while I am still alive." Wa Jai agreed. "OK, I haven't had a romance in such a long time. I can make a drama first." Speaking of Oscars Best Actress Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) would welcome another Hong Kong film again, Hui On Wa and Wa Jai both wanted to work her. Wa Jai joked, "I will leave the action to Yeung Chi King, I can just have a romance with her."

They praised the new location for its fresh feel and were even able to see the magic light of the Victoria Harbor sunset; Wa Jai even pointed out that after attending the Awards for years, this year felt very special. He was happy to see many friends being nominated, both newcomer and veterans. It felt like the film industry was in full bloom.

Aside from the fashion, no one would expect the mishaps on the red carpet. The Awards arranged for the stars to pass through the building stairway to enter the venue, but Keung To while climbing the stairs only had his eyes on Andy Lau Tak Wa and Ann Hui On Wa and tripped; with a long train on her dress, Sammi Cheng Sau Man even with help from others still appeared unsteady; Sammo Hung Kam Bo and Joyce Godenzi (Go Lai Hung) avoided the stairs and skipped the red carpet all together.