[2009.11.28] GOLDEN HORSE RED CARPET GLITTERS WITH STARS

Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung)

Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung)

Shu Qi fell under the spell of the viewer choice Best Picture director Leon Dai at the party

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The 46th Annual Golden Horse Award walk of the stars began as the ceremony started at 7PM. This year's Golden Horse red carpet glittered with stars. Host Tao Chng-Ying was the first to appear on the walk of stars, Shu Qi closely followed with famous directors Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Kevin Chu Yen-Ping.

The heavily nominated film YANG YANG took to the red carpet together in a show of unity. New actor Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung) was also nominated for Best Leading Actress.

THE MESSAGE team walked the red carpet with actors Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu, Alec Su Yau Peng and others. Zhang Hanyu was last year's Golden Horse Best Leading Actor and will be a guest presenter tonight.

Yesterday the viewer's choice Best Picture NO PUEDO VIVIR SIN TI was nominated for numerous awards. Director Leon Dai brought Best Leading Actor nominee Chen Wen-Pin and other actors to the red carpet. Director Dai Lap Yan in particular mentioned his hope to be able to win all the awards tonight.

Then THE BEAST STALKER (JING YUN)'s Best Leading Actor nominee Nick Cheung Ka Fai stepped on the red carpet. The Golden Horse jury and the A PLACE OF ONE'S OWN team including Lu Yi-Ching appeared.

Last year's Golden Horse Best Supporting Actor, CAPE NO. 7's Ma Yu-Long will be a guest presenter tonight; guest performer Aska Yang (Yeung Chung Wai) also appeared with many of his fans waiting on the red carpet.

[2009.11.28] STEPHEN FUNG WANTS TO LEARN EVERYTHING FROM STEPHEN CHOW

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Leon Jay Williams (Lap Wai Lim), Kitty Zhang Yuqi

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The film JUMP! (TIU CHOOK HUI) yesterday held a press conference. Director Stephen Fung Tak Lun attended with actors Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Leon Jay Williams (Lap Wai Lim) and Yao Wenxue. JUMP started production long ago. Originally Edison Chen Koon Hei was the male lead, but after the "erotic photo scandal" the role went to Lap Wai Lim. Did Fung Tak Lun feel any regret? He said, "This incident already happened, it was unprecedented. I couldn't do anything. Even the film company spent half a year to decide. I thank the company for not giving up on the film. Of course with the required edits I was somewhat reluctant." The film will open soon. With a lot of gray hair, was the stress too much? He said, "I certainly have stress, but I hope it was a friendly stress."

The original story creator Stephen Chow Sing Chi was to attend but in the end did not appear. Was Sing Yeh afraid of stealing his thunder? Fung Tak Lun said that perhaps Sing Yeh gave him a chance. Has he heard Sing Yeh's review of JUMP? He said that Sing Yeh has seen it and the review definitely was OK. If it was not he would not use his name. He said, "During the shoot, Sing Yeh didn't come to the set. Any suggestion or request for change was very general. He was not tyrannical. Sing Yeh is the King of Comedy. I too want to work with him again and learn everything from me." He even supported Sing Yeh and felt that he was not hard to get along with. Perhaps some reports misinterpreted or were just rumors. He said, "Earlier a Mainland reporter asked me about working with Sing Yeh. I stated the facts but the resulting report was completely different. I hope he didn't see it." Did Fung Tak Lun ask Chen Koon Hei to help with the promotion? He expressed that he did not contact him and joked that he was afraid of being turned down. As for whether Chen Koon Hei's role will appear on DVD, he expressed that was for the company to decide.

Zhang Yuqi expressed that she had to train hard on dancing this film. Which part was the toughest? She said, "When we shot in a farm village, where a lot of bugs and snake were. The assistant director at first thought I was scared, but actually I didn't see any." In the film she and the male lead had a kiss scene. She honestly said that she kissed both Chen Koon Hei and Lap Wai Lim. She said, "Both are handsome, I am very happy. However during the shoot it's very hard to enjoy the kiss." Some Mainland reported accused Zhang Yuqi of criticizing Sing Yeh. She expressed that never happened. Did she explain to Sing Yeh? She said, "We shall see later when I get a chance." Zhang Yuqi was asked whether she invited her boyfriend. Both she and her manager said, "I won't answer." Lap Wai Lim was asked whether remaking Chen Koon Hei's role was stressful. He honestly said that their styles were different. Before the shoot he did not see Chen Koon Hei's version in order to avoid any influence on his performance.

[2009.11.28] CHARLENE CHOI CLAIMS TO BE A "GOOD KISSER"

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Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Xie Na, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin

William Chan Wai Ting

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The film MEI LAI MUK LING (BEAUTY SECRET ORDER) yesterday held a production end press conference. Director Wong Jing led actors Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, William Chan Wai Ting, Jim Chim Shui Man, Maggie Lee Man Kwan, Cheung Tat Ming, Xie Na, Samantha Ko Hoi Ning and Wong Chung Hiu in attendance.

Production highlight was shown at the event, and each actor talked about the production. Ah Sa in the film had a kiss scene with Chan Wai Ting. She honestly said that the shoot was rather awkward, but on stage she still claimed to be a "good kisser". She said, "Just according to me!  (Did Ronald Cheng Chung Kei praise you?) Ask him! It's just according to me, yet you believe it." When asked again whether Cheng Chung Kei praised her, she awkwardly smiled. "Who would praise something like that, no one talks about that." Then what did they talk more about normally? She sweetly said, "The usual. It's a secret. I don't like to share it publicly. (Is it very sweet?) OK, with a little of everything."

Ah Sa has kissed many actors since she got into the business, including Andy Lau Tak Wa, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Mike Ho (Hor Kwan Cheung) and Eason Chan Yik Shun. As for Cheng Chung Kei he only got a peck. Reporters joked that she was a "stamp collecting female star". She immediately responded, "That's crazy, don't call me that. I am just making a living!" Which kiss was the most memorable? She expressed that scene with Wa Jai was because he was her dream lover. In addition that scene was rather passionate. This time with Chan Wai Ting was rather awkward because they were too familiar with each other. She turned red and said that she messed up. She pointed out that in the scenes before the guy took the initiative. Yet this time she was, which truly was very difficult.

Ng Kwan Yu expressed that lately girls frequently pursued her. In the film she also had a kiss scene with Ah Sa because she mistook her for Chan Wai Ting. She joked that during the shoot she was somewhat embarrassed because Ah Sa kissed her. How was the kiss different? She said that they were all the same as they were all lips. Recently she and Vivian Chow Wai Man worked on Ann Hui On Wa's new film, in which they played a lesbian couple. They also had many kiss scenes. She expressed that with Chow Wai Man she would not be embarrassed. Instead the crew was very exciting. The director sometimes felt bad about asking them for another take, but actually they did not mind. She joked that everyday she brought a toothbrush and toothpaste to work with her, while Chow Wai Man had several pieces of chewing gum. As for Ah Sa's claim to be a "good kisser", Kwan Yu joked that she had to ask Cheng Chung Kei for confirmation. Earlier while working abroad, someone peeped at her changing in a tent. She did not know about that but sometimes she would go to the bathroom in the tent while the crew stood guard outside. Perhaps the crew already drove the peeping tom away. She joked that the costume was so long that actually nothing could be seen.

[2009.11.27] MIKE HO LEARNS CANTONESE TO MAKE A LIVING

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Mike Ho (Hor Kwan Cheung) starred in the Alfred Cheung Kin Tin directed LOVE AT SEVENTH SIGHT (7 TIN OI SEUNG NEI) with Golden Horse Best Actress Li Xiaolu. Earlier he came to promote in Hong Kong. He said that this was his first collaboration with Li Xiaolu. Earlier they were just acquaintances.

Hor Kwan Cheung said, "Yet as soon as the production started we had to hold each other like a couple, the atmosphere inevitably was somewhat awkward. At the time Li Xiaolu even joked that she was full so he should not touch her belly." Did he have any pressure? He said, "After the shoot began I realized that she won Best Actress at a very young age. On the plane I held the newspaper and joked that her teenage look didn't resemble her." As for the strong popularity of Joseph Cheng Yuen Cheung and Wu Chen, were they threats to him? He said, "No, we all develop on our own. I don't like comparison. I hope to have no rivalry with the world."

Hor Kwan Cheung also said that he watched Cheung Kin Ting's films since he was very little. The most memorable was DANCES WITH THE DRAGONS (YU LUNG GONG MO). As for fun tidbits from the production, Hor Kwan Cheung said, "Director Cheung spoke Putonghua with me, sometimes his pronunciation wasn't accurate so I would misunderstand. Once he asked me to attend a premiere but made it sound like a 'hand job'. He even said that many people watched and applauded. After hearing we all felt that was funny." In order to have several more markets, he was studying Cantonese. Now he can understand a little.

[2009.11.27] NO BATH FOR LIN CHILING

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Lin Chiling and Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) worked together in the film TREASURE HUNTERS (CHI LING). Lin Chiling during the shoot suffered a lot. Not only was she at the mercy of the sand storm but she also had to tolerate days without bath in the desert. She lived like a wanderer, which was not only exciting but also very "tasteful". In the film she and Chow Kit Lun had to hunt for treasure together. She even had to perform action scenes herself. Fortunately under the action director Ching Siu Tung's guidance, she was able to perform them. Chiling pointed out that the location was in the desert and everyone's schedule was very tight, thus they could only set up camp in the desert for the shoot. At first it was very hard to take because after a day of hard work she could not bath. Normally she bathed twice at home everyday so she was not used to that. Luckily the desert's climate was sunny in the day and cool at night, so the body odor could be barely blown away. She also used water to wash her face.

Although it was tough, this shoot was a good experience for her. Sometimes she would smell her unwashed costumes and thought it must be the the "scent of the wanderer". She joked that in real life she could not possibly experience something like that. Chiling could not bathe but brought a lot of facial masks for skincare. She also explained that with the strong sand storms, sometimes when he delivered her lines she got a mouthful of sand. Skincare was a necessity.

In addition, Chiling also recorded her first film theme song TAKE ME FLYING (DAI NGOR FEI). Chairman Chou wrote the song while Chiling wrote the lyrics. Chairman Chou expressed that if he recorded the film theme song every time it would get somewhat dull. He hoped this film would bring some freshness to the audience with female lead Chiling's performance and a song that was tailored for her. Chiling never thought that Chairman Chou would write a song for her, which she felt was very romantic. Yet Chairman Chou also had a little fun at her expense and he forced her to sing it acapella once for him before agreeing to give the song to her. Chiling said that when she did it she was all flushed.

[2009.11.27] JAYCEE CHAN GETS A MOUTHFUL OF SAND

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The Jingle Ma Chor Sing directed film MULAN (FA MUK LAN) will soon open. Ma Chor Sing earlier promoted the film with Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) in Hong Kong. Ma Chor Sing said that this time he took three months on the production, just the female lead Hua Mulan's casting took a lot of effort.

Ma Chor Sing said, "We looked at the real Hua Mulan status. Her face wasn't pointed and she wasn't fragile. The Zhang Ziyi type was too thin. (Vicki) Zhao Wei was more suitable." He praised that Cho Ming's performance was great. He was an obedient and smart actor. Did the director deliberately give Cho Ming the chance? He said, "No, I am not playing favorites. This time every actor did very well. Both Chen Kun and Zhao Wei played very well." He pointed out that the most difficult to control was the large scale scenes. The set could have 500 to 1,000 people and 500 horses, just the positioning alone took 20 minutes. In one scene, 500 soldiers cried together. Earlier reportedly the film's extras complained about Ma Chor Sing scolding with foul language. Cho Ming immediately said, "Anyone who worked with the director knew that he isn't like that." Ma Chor Sing honestly said that he has seen such reports and felt that the anonymous letter was planned and should be from some speculation company. He said, "They say I discriminate against Mainland actors, not paying them and using foul language to scold them. Zhao Wei is a Mainland actress. Even she said why did the director treat her great. They say that I cut their scenes. I am the director, my edit is for the film." Ma Chor Sing felt that this time he was used. They could say whatever they liked, he would not fall for the trick of promoting for someone else.

Cho Ming expressed that the Northwest temperature was only 16 degrees Celsius below zero. As soon as he opened his mouth it was filled with sand. His lips were severely chapped and the shoot was rather tough. Was he the most concerned about his final scene? He said, "I am very nervous and it is very severe. It was fine, I didn't have too many bad takes." Did Cho Ming get a salary raise? He honestly said that he did in comparison to his first few films, but his salary was around there. He said, "I am looking for a movie that stars me, only then will my salary be increased. Actually I am already very happy to have a good script. I don't really care because my real job is music." Cho Ming's birthday will be coming up and he hoped to have time to celebrate it with his parents.

[2009.11.27] SANDRA NG FENDS OFF LOUIS KOO'S ADVANCES?

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Louis Koo Tin Lok and Sandra Ng Kwan Yu in the film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL TOO 2010 (FA TIN HEI SI 2010) had a romantic scene. Koo Tin Lok played the emperor Chong Hoi who has been interested in martial art since childhood. By chance he ran into the Ng Kwan Yu played Ng Wan Yau. Because Kwan Yu in the film had some knowledge of martial art, Goo Jai was quite fond of her. Unfortunately in the end she just was not as interested.

In one scene Goo Jai expressed his feeling to Kwan Yu, but Kwan Yu was not interested and had to resolve it with martial art. They had a Wing Chun duel. Goo Jai said, "Actually I don't know Wing Chun, so the director hired two Wing Chun masters to instruct me and Kwan Yu on the set. At first we thought the basic should be very simple, with four hands pushing back and forth. Yet it wasn't as easy. Kwan Yu was quite a cheater and struck when I wasn't paying attention. Her favorite was a strike to my chest. Her struck really made me choke and cough!"

Kwan Yu expressed, "This time I got promoted on the road of love because last time in ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009) I was arranged to kiss Goo Jai. This time I reject Goo Jai's love. Actually this scene was very hard because I am very certain that very few women in the world could be so vicious to reject a good looking guy like Koo Tin Lok. The funniest part was Goo Jai was upset that he lost in Wing Chun and threw a tantrum on the ground like a child. I could only treat him like my daughter."