[2020.04.16] TIN KAI MAN HOPES THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO BASIC LEVEL FILM WORKERS

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Due to the pandemic the economic has been poor. The film industry had "no production to start". The Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers president Tin Kai Man yesterday along with Legislative Council member Ma Fung Kwok, film industry representatives held a press conference to talk about the crisis that the industry faces in hopes of government assistance for basic level employees.

Tin Kai Man said that he learned that Hong Kong would only make 3 movies this year, 1/10 of last year. He worried that film professionals would switch jobs. After the pandemic "someone would definitely make movies, but will Hong Kong people be making them?" He said that from January to now only a movie has started production, a project that won the film development fund Higher Education Institution Group two years ago. The production has been completed. At the end of April an Aaron Kwok Fu Sing starred new film would have started production, but now no one knew whether it would be postponed; another one would be a movie that he invested in with a budget of HK$ 10 million.

He said that in his 41 year film career he has never worried about the film industry like he does now, not even during SARS. The "gathering restriction order" made filmmaking even more difficult. He will continue to discuss arrangements with the government. He said that the industry had around 2,000 behind the scene basic level employees. Now many have already switched industries. Since they depended on outside work, and no longer made Hong Kong films. He felt that the taxi industry had jobs and had government attention, yet the film industry had no job and no special compensation. He hoped that the government would be able to provide HK$ 5,500 per moth to assist the industry basic level employees for six months.

The Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals president Eddie Chan Shu Chi said that this year as of March only had one film production. Hong Kong had around 60 post production companies. "Dividing between 60 companies, they want us to die." He pointed out that even after film productions would resume, post production professionals would be loss. Even after a movie was finished it had no way to complete the film with post production.

Make up artist Mon tearfully said that she has been in the industry for years. Inside the industry everyone persevered for many years. She has always loved the film industry, in addition many people have worked for over 10 years in the business so a job change would be difficult. She hoped that the government would lend a helping hand.

[2020.04.14] GATHERING RESTRICTIONS AFFECT FILM AND TELEVISION

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Kelly Cheung,Vincent Wong, Owen Cheung work on an important scene for LEGAL MAVERICKS 2 outside the Court of Final Appeal

Sisley Choi quickly shoots one shot in a flash and leaves with the team

Owen Cheung reveals that the LEGAL MAVERICKS 2 production is already a month behind.

Vincent Wong quickly leaves after the quick shoot

Security disperses the shoot

Edwin Siu and Roxanne Tong

TVB City is packed during a costume series production
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TVB's LEGAL MAVERICKS 2 Fanling location production has several dozen people at least
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As the pandemic continued, the government last month issued a "gathering restriction order" to prohibit gathering of more than 4 people. The film and television industries have been affected as well, reportedly the government was considering a new guideline for the film and television industries. Any location shoot in public places with more than 4 people would first have to be approved for a "no objection notice". The Federation of Hong Kong filmmakers president Tin Kai Man said that he has already received the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau affiliate CreateHK's notice, but admitted that no film has been in production in recent months; at the same time he said that the government's second round anti pandemic funding did not benefit the film industry. The film industry basic level employees have been forced to turn jobs for their own survival. TVB said that they have already inquired to request a clarification of the related legal adherence.

The Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers president Tin Kai Man said that he has received the Commerce and Economic Development Council affiliate "CreateHK's" notice. He admitted that the "gathering restriction order" has been extended to the 23rd, but the film industry has no production currently and maybe next month as well. He said, "I haven't had any special discussion with the film industry about this, instead maybe television and commercial would be more concerned."

Speaking of the pandemic crippling the film industry, many people's livelihoods have been affected due to a lack of work. Tin Kai Man pointed out that the government announced second round anti pandemic funding took care of different areas, only the film industry had zero. He said, "Aside from cinema circuits and investors, the film industry basic level employees are all self employed. They have no mandatory provident fund account and do no want to apply for comprehensive social security assistance, thus yesterday he has already held an emergency meeting with various affiliated organizations on how to help basic level employees. They hope to learn today about how many basic level employees would require assistance. The first step would be to tighten the number and job classifications and define a target of basic level employees, like production assistants, hair, make up and props. Hopefully after collecting the data today, tomorrow he would be able to hand it over to related government units for them to consider anew how it could help some workers who truly need help." Tin Kai Man also talked about some film industry basic level workers needing to switch jobs to make a living. "Our workers are proud, even I would say if they can't take it they can apply for CSSA! However they insisted against that. Right now those who are saving themselves would look for part time jobs in construction, security or taxi. I am very anxious for these basic level professionals, so I keep having nightmares everyday. I am trying to think of any way to help them getting past this winter."

[2020.04.13] SAM HUI PERFORMS ONLINE CONCERT

Sam Hui's family is also on hand

Many watch the online broadcast outside the venue

Siu Chiu Shun says that donations made on YouTube would go to former Tom Lee engineering employees

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As the novel coronavirus swept across the globe, everyone grind their teeth to fight the pandemic together. The Song God Hong Kong grew up with, Sam Hui Koon Kit, decided to take money out of his own pocket for a show and sing out of love. Yesterday around 5PM, Song God Sam for the first time held the "2020 Sam Hui In The Same Boat Online Concert". Through many platforms it was broadcast live for free across the globe to cheer on the people of Hong Kong. Sam even encouraged everyone to be "in the same boat, happy together". Many fans were deeply touched and even got teary eyed.

Although "Sam Hui In the Same Boat Online Concert" was only an online performance, Sam began final rehearsal at 2PM. In great spirit after lunch, he was very friendly. He answered every question, while waving and giving the thumbs up. Did he look forward to this performance? He smiled brilliantly and gave a thumbs up. He also revealed that he would sing with his older son Ryan. When asked if he had any word to cheer on the people of Hong Kong, Sam said boldly, "In the same boat, happy together!" Sam kept waving to everyone after he got into his vehicle.

Sam performed with the beautiful scenery of the Victoria Harbor as his background, no audience was admitted. Yesterday everyone listened and did not gather at the venue. Only a small amount of fans came very early and waited. Outside the venue signs that said, "private event, admittance only with a valid pass". The entrances were guarded and boarded up, with masks and hand sanitizer for the employees' use. Sam opened the show with UNDER THE LION ROCK, which could be clearly heard "outside the center".

Before performing WORLD AFFAIRS LIKE CHESS, Sam encouraged everyone, "Actually I feel life is very wonderful, many things would suddenly happen. We may not be able to control them, but as long as we have positive energy many things would turn out even better. World affairs are like chess and every game is new, ultimately the sun will come out after the rain." Then he performed SING WITH A GLASS OF WINE. Sam also sang the many online requested TWIN STAR LOVE SONG and DIARY IN THE HEART. He also performed BAUHINIA for his most beloved Hong Kong. After a little break, Sam and his older son Ryan Hui Wai Yun performed HALF A CATTY, EIGHT TAELS for all the working class.

Sam performed his duet with Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing SILENCE IS GOLDEN and also dedicated CHERISH to the brethren at Tom Lee Music. "The following song is dedicated to the brethren at Tom Lee Music's concert department that have battled shoulder to shoulder with me for over 30 years, and fans who has supported me for many years around the world."

The concert also had a sing-along segment. Although Sam's performance location was blocked off, 30 some fans still listened on the other side. In the end he performed IN THE SAME BOAT, and LAUGHTER AT THE SEA for an encore. Then he said, "See you everyone, thanks."

The concert production director Siu Chiu Shun revealed that Sam not only performed for free but also paid for the show out of his own pocket. No one sponsored a single cent. Siu Chiu Shun said, "Everyone united this time for a cause. It's not a money issue, it came from the heart. Although the production was simple, it had great meaning. In particular this greatest scenery of beauty, the Victoria Harbor, is the most able to represent Hong Kong."

Yesterday the live broadcast of the concert on Hui Koon Kit's facebook, Health Tan's facebook and YouTube platforms had 2,550,000 viewers total.

Yesterday before the show began, concert production director Siu Chiu Shun spoke with the media. He revealed that Song God would "open up the storage" and add songs from the scheduled 12 to 20. The entire concert would last a hour. During the entire show creative director Lawrence Cheng Tan Shu would pay attention to fan messages, as everyone would interact and even have song requests.

Before the show Sam first dined with workers in Tsim Sha Tsui. Dressed casually and in sunglasses and a pink mask, Sam appeared with four guards and three assistants around noon. 20 media members approached for photos as security began to tense up. Out of fear for crowding, they politely asked everyone to make room. Sam smiled throughout, waving as he walked to greet everyone. He also gave the victory gesture. Due to the government's restriction of gathering, Sam only entered the reserved VIP room with 3 assistants while security stood guard outside. Also performing with Sam, his son Ryan Hui Wai Yun also arrived and quickly entered. Sam's wife was also present.

Were any of the terminated employees hired for this time? Siu Chiu Shun said, "Only 1 or 2, due to the location occupancy limit, the entire crew was only 8 to 10 people. Everyone would maintain a distance and stand apart. (Have all the full pandemic prevention measures been taken?), this was left to Sam's wife, who was also on hand. Actually the performance venue was very open, it was impossible for anyone to touch Sam. He would only remove the mask when he would sing." Sam was used to getting close with his fans, Siu Chiu Shun said, "This would have to wait until the official concerts. Whenever that would be 'Heaven' would decide. Originally they would start in July, now we have an understanding with Sam. After the pandemic we would book a venue as soon as possible."

Speaking of the global live broadcast, Siu Chu Shun said a lot of effort was put into it. Because they had no way of predicting the amount of viewers, they had to reserve a lot of browsing traffic bandwidth. Sam's live broadcast would automatically be removed 24 hours after the show would begin. Siu Chiu Shun explained, "Sam's past concerts did not release any DVD, which was out of respect for his idol Elvis. They too never released a video. The 24 hours was to accommodate the time difference around the world, as we did not want any place to miss the show."

[2020.04.13] DENISE HO PERFORMS ONLINE WITH 40,000 VIEWS

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With the novel coronavirus, concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum seemed to be far away. Recently many singers performed online instead. Some performed in a corner of their homes to entertain the fans. Two nights ago Denise Ho Wan Si held her online concert and performed 17 songs over 2 hours, attracting 40,000 at the peak. As of yesterday its YouTube's views was over 240,000.

During the performance Ah Si said, "I haven't been a singer for a long time, the HK Coliseum show is far beyond reach. I actually have already applied for it many times, I won't let this government or pandemic stop me, I would hold even more similar performances!" Despite the pandemic, Ah Si stressed that she was not pessimistic. However she believed that in half a year returning to normal would be hard.

Ah Si posted photos with the team on social media afterward. "Actually only a few days ago inspiration suddenly struck and I ran into Hobing at the company. I asked him if he would be interested in a live show. He said, 'OK', so just like that tonight came about. Honestly, I just thought I would start a little live show, I never thought that so many people would come and watch. At the peak over 40,000 people did, even more than the HK Coliseum. That's crazy!" Ah Si said that she received texts from many friends, who said that they really missed her. She also thanked each and every fan who listened to her sing. "If my singing can bring everyone a little bit of comfort, I would very gladly continue to keep singing for everyone. Singing is the job I was born to do, actually I really like singing the most. No matter how bad or how hard the times get, at the bottom of the abyss I still would perform. p.s. it really was like doing a real show, I am very tired but very pleased".

[2020.04.12] JAPANESE DIRECTOR NOBUHIKO OBAYASHI SUCCUMBED TO CANCER

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The famous Japanese director of films like TENKOSEI (EXCHANGE STUDENTS) and THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, Nobuhiko Obayashi was diagnosed with terminal stage lung cancer in 2016 and told that he would only have 3 months to live. Yet during the period he kept making movies. He finally passed away two nights ago at age 82.

Nobuhiko Obayashi two nights ago passed away from lung cancer in his Tokyo home. Nobuhiko Obayashi announced his lung cancer diagnosis 4 years ago, at the time the doctor told him he only had 3 months to live. Nobuhiko Obayashi however had his heart set on creating film and since then made HANAGATAMI and the Takako Tokiwa starred LABYRINTH OF CINEMA. The latter became Nobuhiko Obayashi's final work. Originally scheduled to be released on the 10th, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic it was postponed.

November last year was Nobuhiko Obayashi's final public appearance as he attended the Tokyo International Film Festival and accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. In a wheelchair at the time, he talked to the audience about his film world. Nobuhiko Obayashi said that although he had no idea what would happen in the future, but whether it was year 2000 or 3000 he still wanted to keep making movies. "Because only by continuing to make movies would life have meaning."

Nobuhiko Obayashi loved peace his entire life, Once he made a promise to his friend, the late famous director Akira Kurosawa, to both persist and keep on making movies and promoting the importance of peace in them. He revealed that Akira Kurosawa said, "War may happen at anytime, but peace would require 400 years to actualize."

Nobuhiko Obayashi has been in touch with film since childhood. In the 1960s he produced independent films and at the same time directed many television commercials. In 1977, he directed his first commercial film HOUSE, then he made TENKOSEI, the Momoe Yamaguchi and Tomokazu Miura starred FURIMUKEBA AI (TAKE ME AWAY!), the Tomoyo Harada starred THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME and others. Nobuhiko Obayashi in 2013 directed the girl group AKB48's single SO LONG! music video, the longest music video in Japanese history at 64 minutes. In 2017, a year after his cancer diagnosis he directed HANAGATAMI and received widespread raves. Kinema Junpo named it to its ten best and it even won the 72nd Mainichi Film Awards Best film Award. Nobuhiko Obayahsi hsa even received badges from the Japanese government twice for his contribution to the film industry.

After Nobuhiko Obayashi's passing, many directors and artists remembered him. They included TOKYO FAMILY's Yoji Yamada, LOVE LETTER's Shunji Iwai and ONE CUT OF THE DEAD's Shinichiro Ueda. Shunji Iwai said that he could not accept the fact that he passed. Yoji Yamada said that he lost an important friend, was heartbroken and crying with many filmmakers and fans. Tokako Tokiwa, who has worked with Nobuhiko Obayashi three times, said that she felt honored to be able to be his actor. Tomoyo Harada said that she would remember the days when they worked together while praying for him.

[2020.04.12] SAM HUI ADDS SONGS TO HIS LIVE SHOW

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Song God Sam Hui Koon Kit today would perform the 2020 Sam Hui In the Same Boat Online Concert to spread positive energy to the people of Hong Kong during the pandemic! With over 50 years of experience in music, Sam in the past absolutely would not just perform a small scale show with a dozen or so songs. Thus Siu Chiu Shun, who has worked with Sam on countless concerts as a producer, said, "Sam truly is performing for an 'astronomical number'. This time he wouldn't charge money and would perform like a big show! Because he feels that it would be a global live broadcast with seven major online platforms, with fans around the world the show would reach over 100 million views." Sam would originally perform 12 classic songs. His concert's creative director Lawrence Cheng Tan Shui yesterday announced good news. "He said they weren't enough, now he wants to add songs!"

The government in order to fight the pandemic restricted gathering. Siu Chiu Shun pointed out that Sam would follow the rule. "The show would mainly have Sam and his son Ryan (Hui Wai Yun), Cheng Tan Shui and me." Also present would be a dozen or so workers for lighting, sound and other areas. During the show they would stay 10 feet away from Sam and stand apart.

[2020.04.10] HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE DOES NOT INCLUDE FILM WORKERS

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The novel coronavirus has devastated every business. Among the government's anti pandemic policies, cinemas had to close until the 23rd. The government two days ago announced a second round of policies that would cost HK$ 137.5 billion to fight the pandemic. Cinemas would be provided with an one time lump sum assistance of HK$ 100,000 per screens. Each circuits would have a maximum of HK$ 3 million in assistance.

Raymond Wong Pak Ming operated Cinema City. He responded to the government's assistance to cinemas. "It's better than nothing." However he questioned why the assistance had to be per screen. "One screen at least has a dozen or so seats and at most several hundreds of seats; not to mention cinema sizes, district rent difference. If it is by the screen, why HK$ 100,000 each? Other large cinema circuits have many cinemas and many screens, why would they need to have a maximum on assistance? No one knows what the government is thinking, perhaps it should have met with the industry and communicate in order to truly understand its needs?"

Out of the HK$ 137.5 billion policies to fight the pandemic, out of the entire film industry only the cinema industry received HK$ 20 million in assistance. Other film workers, including "equipment, lighting, hair, make up and costume", mostly signed individual contracts, had no company or mandatory provident fund. Now many are without work. They might not be able to apply for the HK$ 90 million in assistance. How did the government actually help film workers? He continued, "The government needs to think more in detail, act faster, communicate more with the industry in order to be able to take care even more people in need." Wong Pak Ming said that Cinema City so far has not downsized or reduced salary. Broadway Circuit had over 78 screens. They replied, "It helps a little, better than nothing."