Saturday, March 27, 2021

[2021.03.28] STANLEY KWAN SAYS NEW FILM WILL STAR NEW ACTORS

Stanley Kwan reveals that FIRST NIGHT NERVES will be released in the second half of the year
courtesy of mingpao.com

Director Stanley Kwan Kam Peng yesterday attended a Radio Hong Kong event. After directing FIRST NIGHT NERVES (BAK GOR NUI YUN YUT TOI HEI) in 2018 he currently is working on a new film script that will shoot in Hong Kong. Because it was only an initial concept, no date has been set for the production start. For now he would not reveal the genre. He said, "It wouldn't be FIRST's line up. I will work with young actors because their asking price isn't high. For now I have no one in mind, later I will hold auditions." Kwan Kam Peng denied that due to the pandemic he was forced to stay in Hong Kong to make movies. He said that Hong Kong had many stories that were worth making. Young directors and experienced directors have different production styles, hopefully they will bring more variety to Hong Kong film.

Recently some felt that Hong Kong film was dead, Kwan Kam Peng felt that it would depend on which era was being compared to. "Comparing with the most successful era of Hong Kong film is meaningless. Lumping everyone together and say 'Hong Kong film is dead', this is unfair to young directors. They should be given more support. Everyone have their own ideas. New directors need our help."

[2021.03.28] SIMON YAM PLANS TO DIRECT


Simon Yam Tat Wa and Eddie Cheung Siu Fai teamed up again and often exchanged fatherhood tips. Yam Tat Wa played a part time cinematographer and captured his friend's "handsome side". He stated that currently he was preparing a script for his daughter Ella to be the lead actress.

Yam Tat Wa and Cheung Siu Fai earlier worked together on films FATAL MOVE (DUET Shui) and COLOR OF THE GAME (HAK BAK MAI GUNG) and became friends. Years later they reunited for the new suspense film A MURDER ERASED (BEI SIU SUK DIK HUNG ONG). Earlier the cast and the crew were found on location in Lai Chi Kok. In the story Cheung Siu Fai outside the detention center ran into Yam Tat Wa and Joe Junior. Yam Tat Wa's directing bug acted up as he personally shot Cheung Siu Fai's scene.

Yam Tat Wa said that his dream to direct remained, as he has already begun to choose a script. "Last time with TALES FROM THE DARK (MAI LEI YEH) I only directed one of the stories. I haven't tried to make a full length feature. I really want to try to be the cinematographer too, and make some stories with rich Hong Kong color. (Which actor would you like to work with?) My daughter, she knows English, Cantonese and Putonghua. She isn't different from young people now, she is very suitable. (Did you ask your wife?) Not yet, but she shouldn't have any problem with my movies. (Would you permit your daughter to join the business?) Not yet, for now she can just pose for magazines first!"

The cast and the crew took the full pandemic prevention precaution, but actors did not want the mask and smear their make up. The team used tissue to make "masks". Cheung Siu Fai said, "If we just wear the masks, the ear loops would very easily scratch the foundation and the marks wouldn't disappear for a long time. No matter what it would affect the production. Now we easily resolved that problem!"

He and Yam Tat Wa chatted nonstop, actually they were talking about parenthood. "The pandemic had an unexpected bonus. My daughter stayed in Hong Kong. Right now although I am busy with the film, I can go home no matter what, have dinner with her. My daughter would go to class online until midnight, but she would get up with me at 5:30 AM and run with me and my wife. Everyone fought for family time. I hope that after she grew up she would always be around us!"

[2021.03.28] LESLIE CHEUNG FAN SHARES WEDDING PHOTO TO REMEMBER GOR GOR

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of on.cc



courtesy of mingpao.com

April 1st this year would be the 18th anniversary of Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing (Gor Gor)'s passing. Lawrence Cheng Tan Shui's online program HiEggo will hold the IN LOVING MEMORY OF LESLIE CHEUNG concert. Earlier the show even invited a group of fans to share their experience with Gor Gor.

Among the participating fans, a female fan who called herself "Mrs. Cheung" shared a wedding photo with Gor Gor from 85. She said that at the time Gor Gor released the record FALLING FOR YOU, TVB JADE SOLID GOLD held a lucky drawings. 10 girls would be chosen to shoot a wedding photo with Gor Gor. She was very fortunate to be one of them. The most touching was when the host of a Gor fans gathering in 1987, Cheng Tan Shui, received a photo with Gor Gor from a fan. He was moved to tears.

[2021.03.28] YUEN WOO PING HAS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG FILM FUTURE

Yuen Woo Ping supports his friend while searching for actors for his new film
courtesy of singtao.com

Queenie Chu and her husband
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courtesy of mingpao.com

Recent newlywed Queenie Chu Man Wai two nights aog with her doctor husband Jason attended the film THE NORMAL EXCEPTIONAL premiere. Skye Chan Sin Yeung and famous action director Yuen Woo Ping (Lord Eight) attended to support the documentary film.

Yuen Woo Ping came to support his friend and film producer Siu Wai Hung. They revealed that later they will start a film company to make foreign action films and invest HK$ 5 million. They also said that they would work with a domestic university's film department, feeling that Hong Kong film special effects have been decent. As for casting, Lord Eight and Siu Wai Hung said that they were looking. The ideal choice included Tony Jaa, who has worked with Lord Eight before. Lord Eight said that he was not looking for someone who could fight, even those who were not agile would be able to handle the roles because the company would make different subject films. Aside from action films, it would also make comedy, thriller, romance and others genres.

Recently some said that Hong Kong film was dead. Lord Eight disagreed and instead believed that the future will be even better. He said, "Although Hong Kong's filmmaking range has been much narrower, when making costume films there was no set, and when making modern films everything required an application. However now is much better than before. In addition many wanted to make good movies. I myself really like to cultivate new comers."

Friday, March 26, 2021

[2021.03.27] YUEN KING TAN IS HOSPITALIZED FOR CHEST DISCOMFORT

courtesy of mingpao.com

Veteran artist Liu Kai Chi and Wong Shu Tong recently revealed that they were seriously ill. Kingdom Yuen King Tan recently went to the hospital under the radar. She explained that it was due to chest discomfort. With Uncle Chi and Brother Tong's precedence, she was alarmed and did not dare to neglect it.

Yuen Jai said, "Lately there have been so many bad news, I of course wouldn't dare to drag my feet. So I went to see a doctor, but the doctor told me to go to the emergency room. the ER told me to stay at the hospital, so just like this I stayed overnight. I did a full physical examination to see what happened. Fortunately the report only said that I had high cholesterol and needed medication!"

Yuen Jai said, "The doctor was pretty funny with the explanation. He told me that my blood vessels were full of pork grease, so they would become narrower and narrower. Luckily we caught it early on and could control it with medication. In addition I would pay attention to return to a balanced diet and exercise!" Yuen Jai advised her busy friends, "You can be busy, but you have to listen to your body's response. Illness is easier to treat when caught early!"

Speaking of Uncle Chi and Brother Tong, Yuen Jai said that earlier when she worked in the Mainland she constantly ran into Uncle Chi. Brother Tong however she has not seen in a very long time. When she heard that they were seriously ill, she was rather upset. She thought that artists' lives were upside down and off schedule, so her bodies inevitably would act up. She hoped that both would be able to defeat the illness and quickly recover.

[2021.03.27] TAI CHI BIDS FAREWELL TO GARY TONG

5 members of Tai Chi perform AMAZING GRACE

Vivian Chow worked with Gary Tong many times


courtesy of on.cc



Lotty Tse boards the hearse with her late husband's photo

Tai Chi are the pallbearers

Gary Tong's heartbroken Tai Chi bandmates Lau Yin Tak, Patrick Lui, Ricky Chu, Joey Tang and Sing Tan Wa bid him farewell and will carry on his music

Hins Cheung

Ronald Cheng

Jones Lee 

Andy Hui

Keeva Mak is grateful to Gary Tong for bringing her into the business

Athena Chu and Paul Wong

Over 100 fans come to pay respect to Gary Tong

Gary Tong and his wife on vacation

The program has a photo of Gary Tong's hospitalization in January 2019 due to heart failure
courtesy of mingpao.com

Tai Chi's keyboard player Gary Tong Yik Chung on March 2nd passed away at home from possible heart disease at the age of 57. Yesterday a funeral took place at a Wan Chai church. The entire ceremony was broadcast live online simultaneously. After the ceremony, Gary's coffin was transported to the Cape Collinson Crematorium in Wan Chai. The pallbearers included his Tai Chi brothers, including Lau Yin Tak (HiFi Tak), Sing Tan Wa, Joey Tang Kin Ming, Patrick Lui Yau Fai, Ricky Chu Hon Pok and Gary's brother in law and Tai Chi's former manager Tang Cho Tak.

Gary's wife Lotty Tse Yuk Ha and Tai Chi's five members arrived early. Industry insiders who paid their respect included Andy Hui Chi On, Remus Choy Yat Kit, Michael Tse Tin Wa, Hins Cheung King Hin, Keeva Mak Ka Yu, Paul Wong Koon Chung and his wife Athena Chu Yan, Chung Shu Kei and his wife. The program included an eulogy from Gary's wife and their photo, as well as photos of Gary with his brother, Joey Yung Cho Yi, Hui Chi On, Vivian Chow Wai Man and others. The ceremony began at 2:30 PM. The 6 pallbearers carried Gary's white coffin into the venue. Gary in the photo wore a dark suit and smile. The pastor first spoke, then Tai Chi's 5 members performed AMAZING GRACE. A video of Gary's life and work followed, with the song he created NO MORE FAREWELL IN A LIFETIME.

Gary's widow Tse Yuk ha finally shared her experience with her late husband, sorrowfully getting choked up once. She said that Gary passed away suddenly due to heart disease. She also said Gary had a septal defect since childhood and was always frail. When she mentioned how filially pious her husband was to the elderly and how good a husband he was, Lotty broken down and sobbed. She also said that Gary was lacking in self control and loved to eat, at work he was very focused. After awhile his health deteriorated. She said that Gary in January two years ago was hospitalized for heart failure. At the time the doctor said that the condition was not optimistic. At that moment he was baptized in the bed. 2 weeks later he recovered, was released from the hospital and he returned to work.

Finally family, friends and fans lined up for the viewing to bid Gary a final farewell. Over 100 fans waited. Tai Chi members and Lotty could not hide their sorrow as they were reluctant to depart. Lotty spoke from her heart to her late husband. After the ceremony, the Tai Chi 5's eyes were all red. Patrick was the most upset. Gary's widow Lotty boarded the hearse that transported her late husband's remains to the crematorium.

Dressed in black suits, Tai Chi members were asked whether their emotions have settled. Joey said, "Just now when I saw him for the last time, I was more emotional. He looked OK, very handsome." Patrick said, "I told Gary's wife after today we would have to pack up our emotions, because Gary wanted everyone to keep going forward. Thank you everyone for your love and thought for Gary. Everyone would be even more positive. Gary brought us a lot of inspiration. Life can be very short, no one knows what may happen tomorrow. we have to take advantage and cherish." What did they want to say to Gary? Sing Tan Wa pointed out, "His music creation philosophy would always remain in our hearts." HiFi Tak emotionally said, "I only want him to wake up again, we really miss him!"

As for Gary's unfinished work, Tai Chi said that someone would follow up. Tai Chi originally was scheduled to perform a concert last year. Sing Tan Wa said, "Gary already told us the concept, we would keep going. We still have to decide on a date." Would Tai Chi add members to take Gary's place, Ricky joked that they would not because they were afraid that he would be jealous. They would save a spot for Gary. Other friends and disciples would help. Gary's cousin Lee Chung Hei revealed that everyone at the viewing really missed Gary. His cousin in law and Patrick cried the hardest.

[2021.03.27] CHU PAK HONG IMPROVISES AND ANGERS HEDWIG TAM TO TEARS

courtesy of singtao.com

After working together twice they have chemistry.  During the interview Chu Pak Hong often takes the heat for Hedwig Tam

Playing a feuding couple in the film, Chu Pak Hong and Hedwig Tam set off a lot of spark

Hedwig Tam jokes that Chu Pak Hong plays the "waste of a husband" convincingly, adding a lot of comedy to her "mean wife".
courtesy of mingpao.com

Chu Pak Hong and Hedwig Tam set off spark in the film, getting into verbal and physical altercation

Hedwig Tam does not fantasize about marriage, but her partner wants to she would agree
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Hedwig Tam Sin Yin and Chu Pak Hong in the Emperor Motion Picture READY OR KNOT (BUT YUT SING FUN) played a feuding couple. In reality they had in an "acting battle". They had a 5 minute straight argument scene that challenged their acting abilities! Ah Tam accused Chu Pak Hong of "improvising". "We really liked this scene, which was about trust. She cried from the argument. (Originally it wasn't in the script?) No! With the second take, even I cried too!"

Although real emotions flowed and they "took turns to cry", this exciting scene was cut due to limited running time. Chu Pak Hong said, "The director felt that the scene was too serious. He wanted it to be more comedic and told us to turn our performance around a little, so the audience would enjoy this scene.

Their characters had different views about marriage. In real life, Ah Tam was not too enthusiastic about marriage, unless the guy really wants to then she would consider. She absolutely would not have a child though. "Too many things happened, like the pandemic. We don't know how it will last. A lot can't be expected, so I wouldn't think about it." Divorced, Chu Pak Hong was the same way. If he ran into the right person he would consider marriage again, but he probably would not have a child. "Ultimately the world is a little messy, I can't even handle myself yet."