[2009.07.27] DANIEL WU EMBARRASSED WILLIAM CHAN

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Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), William Chan Wai Ting, Alex Fong Chung Shun, Louis Koo Tin Lok and Lau Ching Wan two days ago attended the film OVERHEARD (SIT TING FUNG WON) photography exhibit opening ceremony. They arrived on a yacht.

Recently young models invaded the Book Fair, but Ng Yin Cho did not noticed and never discussed the subject with his model girlfriend Lisa S. Was he worried that they would take away jobs from his girlfriend? He believed that they would not because young models were not tall enough for the catwalk and different from models. Did he feel Angelababy can walk the catwalk? He asked Chan Ting Wai how tall Angelababy was and embarrassed him. Chan Ting Wai supported his rumored girlfriend and said, "Taller than you!" Ng Yin Cho then expressed that she could.

Fong Chung Shun said that the numerous young model news bored him. He joked that he would not eat ice cream and drink milk at events. He said that perhaps after becoming a father he was grumpier. He thought that young models were the most excessive when they were not writing cook book or health food book they were eating ice cream and drinking milk at the Book Fair. They were more suitable for the Food Fair. Thus he thought young models contributed to youth delinquency and were not too health. They gave people the impression that anyone who went out in a bikini could develop in show business. Although from the actor's angle to each its own, but the audience perspective it was uncomfortable. He would object to his daughter acting like that.

Goo Jai expressed that this film could be the most difficult in his film career. The worst part was he had to lose 20 pounds in three days for a car chase. The family passing scene also made him unhappy all day. Lau Ching Wan felt that the shoot was not too tough. Was he as romantic in reality as his proposal in the film? He said that he did not proposed romantically himself, only the film production required it. At home he already felt very romantic with looking at the scenery or taking walks, but not everyone could accept his romance. His old lady never praised him for it. Did they think they could win awards with this film? Goo Jai expressed that the credit of the entire film did not belong to him alone, so he never thought about awards. He would be very happy if the audience felt it was good. He expressed that he will work with Derek Yee Tung Sing on the new film CHEUNG WONG JI WONG (GUN KING OF KINGS).

Ching Wan also felt that awards were not important. He only wanted to make good Hong Kong films. Was he only making good movies? Ching Wan said, "I made less movies only because I want to spend more time with my family. I have been in the business for a long time already. I still haven't seen a lot around me clearly. Earlier after finishing MAD DETECTIVE (SUN TAM) I wanted to have time to look at the world. I don't have any plan, as long as I think it's fun then I would (make a movie). It's not to say what's good or not. (Are you in semi-retirement?) I still have to make a living, I absolutely am not in semi-retirement."

[2009.07.27] SEVEN LITTLE FORTUNES 50TH ANNIVERSARY: EIGHT HUNDRED WORD COMPLETE VERSION CONTRACTS TIGHTLY BIND DISCIPLES

In the film PAINTED FACES (CHUT SIU FOK), director Alex Law Kai Yui through Yu Jim Yuen portrayer Sammo Hung Kam Bo read dialogues about China Drama Academy contract content. The hundred words or so summarized the key points, but only until recently did Seven Little Fortune members had the chance to take a look at the 800 words actual contract. They immediately felt Master's contract negotiation abilities were actually as deep as his Beijing opera abilities.

Numerous Rules, Advantage: School

Although when each member enrolled in the China Drama Academy, they without exception had to sign a contract with the school; but over the years losses are inevitable. Now only Yuen Bo and several other students have the actual contracts. Yuen Bo says, "When we were little we didn't know, when we grew up due to a variety of reasons many brothers didn't actually see the contract content. Then for Seven Little Fortunes' 50th anniversary when everyone brought out the related material, we realized actually the contract had so many rules."

In general the sheer number of the rules already made some impatient. Yet Yu Jim Yuen set particularly many rules, like:

* monthly tuition of HK$100, food $500, room and board $20, miscellaneous cost $10, $180 total. If the student is physically unfit for study, party A (school) agrees to the former party's resignation. In case of resignation in the middle or using it as an excuse to escape, party B (student's parents) must pay all cost to party A.

* Party B cannot object to any role assignment to students. Party B has no right to interfere in or charge Party A for any performance or group performance (including performance tour abroad) that students participate in.

* Party B agrees and permits Party A to discipline the child, physically and verbally.

* Party B cannot demand any compensation from Part A for accidental student death

* Party A has the right to return Party B's child to Party B and be clear of any responsibility in times of war or riot

From today's standard, this contract already clearly expresses andhints at strict training. The school has control and all enrolled are willing participants. Yuen Biao says, "No fault for death, no right to interfere. It seems very one sided, but at the time what did we know. We never even thought of threatening to sue Master. That was Master, where would we get enough guts to!"

Opera Troupe Apprenticeship, Nine Year Agreement

Has Master Yu taken advantage of disciples, or was he only following traditions? According to one of Beijing Opera's Four Great Divas, Cheng Yanqiu, in his article OUR LEARNING PROCESS, "When I was six, I was recommended to and joined Mr. Rong Diexian's school. I wrote a seven year note, which stipulated seven years. After that I also had to help Master for a year. That would be eight years. The starting year was not included. Actually the contract was for nine years; in these few years, the instructor was responsible for everything of the student. All performance revenue belonged to the instructor. This was the standard for disciples for the opera troupe at the time." (35)

[2009.07.25] NICK CHEUNG WANTS TO BE MILLION DOLLAR BEST ACTOR

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Nick Cheung Ka Fai won Best Actor Special Mention with BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) at Korea's Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival while director Dante Lam Chiu Yin won Best Director. Yesterday Ka Fai returned from Korea and expressed joy for Lam Chiu Yin. He even called him from the scene right away. Reportedly Ka Fai attended the film festival as a special guest for his Best Actor Special Mention, he joked, "Then my position would be very peculiar? Actually award to me is not important."

Ka Fai claimed that Director Lam could not attend because he had to work on a film in Hong Kong. "At the venue I called Director Lam first hand to congratulate him, but no one answered. I had to leave the venue before someone picked up. The Old Lady instead was the latest to know." Ka Fai said that Director Lam asked him how many people were nominated. He said, "Due to the language barrier I wasn't too certain about a lot of film festival contents, but over 200 films participated. He was very happy after finding out because beating out a few films wouldn't be much of a big deal." When the event announced Ka Fai, he said, "I was afraid I heard wrong because I had to listen to the English translation. I wasn't sure until my assistant notified me. That moment was very sudden." Ka Fai won three Best Actor awards in a year. He said, "All three are important to me because each award is very valuable. This time winning with Director Lam is the rarest." As for celebrating, Ka Fai said that the boss would set up a celebration. He would take the chance to ask for a raise. He joked, "I want another million."

[2009.07.25] MICHELLE REIS JOINS BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS

The Peter Chan Ho Sun produced, Teddy Chan Tak Sum directed BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING) has entered its final stages. Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Wang Xueqi, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Hu Jun, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Chris Li Yuchun, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Fan Bingbing, Zhou Yun, Bateer, Wang Po-Chieh, and Leon Lai Ming have all appeared in the production. The final addition to the cast actually was Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun), who made her comeback after marriage after a long absence from the silver screen.

According to the film's promotional director Mr. Lu, Lee Ka Yun's connection to BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS could be traced back to ten years ago when the film was under its first preparation. At the time, Chan Ho Sun approached Lee Ka Yun but the film due to a variety of reasons was unable to be made. This time, Lee Ka Yun remained producer Chan Ho Sun and director Chan Tak Sum's first choice. "This character affected beggar's life." Mr. Lu revealed, although Lee Ka Yun's role would not have a lot of screen time it would enhance the film. "The director and the producer are both very touched that she is able to make this ten year long appointment." Reportedly, Lee Ka Yun next week will head to Shanghai for the entire film's wrap.

[2009.07.24] DONNIE YEN TAKES A BATH

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The Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Wu Chen and Qi Yuwu starred martial art film 14 BLADES (GUM YI WAI) earlier wrapped up its shoot in Yinchuan. Yesterday, the team unveiled a set of Yen Chi Tan "bathing" stills. For this scene, Chi Tan prepared for two months. Everyday he skipped lunch and persisted with his training just so that he could achieve the "developed muscle" effect that the director asked for. Chi Tan joked, "I should make time to shoot a pictorial collection." Among his recent kung fu films, Yen Chi Tan said that 14 BLADES was the one with the most fights and the most difficult fights. Aside from Vicki Zhao Wei, he and other leads Wu Chen, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Qi Yuwu all had scenes together as they fought from Hengdian all the time to Yinchuan. This film's action director Kuk Hin Chiu is top action director Yuen Woo Ping's disciple. His action design styles are very tough and forced Yen Chi Tan to pay extra attention every time. Halfway through the shoot he aggravated his old leg injury. To keep from hindering the schedule, Yen Chi Tan worked despite the injury and completed his scenes.

[2009.07.24] ON HIS MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE BEIJING PREMIERE

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On July 23, the Wong Jing directed comedy ON HIS MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (DAI NOI MUK TAM LING LING GAU) held its Beijing premiere. Stars Louis Koo Tin Lok and Barbie Hsu switched gender roles in their rendition of tango.

[2009.07.24] ZHANG JINGCHU LONGS TO MAKE A ROMANTIC FILM

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Zhang Jingchu is in another "men film". In her new film OVERHEARD (SIT TING FUNG WON) she has many scenes with Lau Ching Wan and Alex Fong Chung Shun. Although both are the silent type, when Fong Chung Shun is caught his face turns red. Jingchu even calls him cute!

Working in Hong Kong in recent years, Zhang Jingchu in her new film OVERHEARD plays a mother who is stuck between Fong Chung Shun and Lau Ching Wan. Fong Chung Shun and Lau Ching Wan have always given people the impression of cool. Jingchu says that they are easy to get along with and even reveals that Fong Chung Shun often turns red due to embarrassment.

Jingchu in the film has many emotional scenes with Fong Chung Shun. Does she feel he is very cool? She says, "No, he is very cute. Once the director joked with him and his face turned red in front of everyone. His expression was very embarrassed. I looked at him and his face turned even redder."

As for Ching Wan, Jingchu feels that he is like not of this world. On and off the set he comes and goes alone. "He has his own principals about his life in his world. (Is he hard to get along with?) No, I believe that he is very protective of his friends and wife. This is my first collaboration with Ching Wan, I feel his acting is great."

As for love, Jingchu says that she has not dated in a long time but she will not force the issue. As for suitors, she says, "Not too many, I normally don't go out. I am not the kind of girl who dates out of fear of loneliness. If it's destined, I don't have to look. Yet I really would like the chance to make a romance and play different characters."