[2021.06.17] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, JUNE 13 2021

For the week ending Sunday June 13 2021

Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong

10 WE MADE A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET
    d. Nobuhiro Doi
    Masaki Suda, Kasumi Arimura, Joe Odagiri, Kaya Kiyohara
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 124 mins.
  Opening June 10 2021
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/ktwofT_sDho

[ MCL CINEMAS ]
    Is it really better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all? Mugi and Kinu meet by chance one night, after missing the last train. They believe that they have found the ideal partner in each other through shared interests in music, movies and books, but the relationship eventually turns sour when reality gets in the way. Critically acclaimed for his cracking dialogue and complex characters, television screenwriter Sakamoto Yuji returns to film for the first time in 14 years with this brutally honest chronicle of a four-year relationship’s ups and downs.

  9 ELISA'S DAY
  Can : Wai Oi
  Lit : Leftover Love
  AKA : Chong Hoi Wai Oi
  AKA : Love Left At Sea
    d. Alan Fung Chi Hung
    Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Hanna Chan, Tony Wu Tsz Tung,
      Carol To Hei Ling, Aaron Chow Chi Kwan, Kenneth Cheung Moon Yuen
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 106 mins.
  Opening March 6 2021 at the Osaka Asian Film Festival
  Opening June 10 2021
  Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTNNW9_N4PA
  Site : https://www.facebook.com/elisasday
  Site : http://www.oaff.jp/2021/en/program/hk01.html

[ OSAKA ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL ]
    It's a tragic case of history repeating as two cases twenty years apart find their connections in people who were abandoned by their parents. The story begins in recent times with Sergeant Fai, a grizzled cop who is on the verge of retirement. When he books a young woman named Daisy for drug possession, the memory of an earlier case that derailed his career emerges. We are taken to 1997 and meet 15 year-old Elisa, an innocent and naive girl who has fallen in love with Wai, a decent guy with a motorbike and few prospects. Elisa soon gives birth to a baby girl after the two move in together but life isn't easy. Desperate to earn money, Wai becomes a member of the triads and commits a crime so serious he must flee Hong Kong and leave Elisa and their daughter behind to face the cruelty of society alone. When Wai returns he finds he cannot be a permanent part of their lives and their once happy family is poisoned by resentment which leads to a tragic outcome...[Jason MAHER]

  8 THE COURIER
    d. Dominic Cooke
    Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan, Jessie Buckley

  7 SPIRIT UNTAMED
    d. Elaine Bogan, Ennio Torresan
    DreamWorks Animation

  6 SPIRAL: FROM THE BOOK OF SAW
    d. Darren Lynn Bousman
    Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson,

  5 FAST AND FURIOUS 9
    d. Justin Lin
    Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster,
      Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges,
      Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, John Cena, Sung Kang,

  4 DRIFTING
  Can: CHOOK SHUI PIU LAU
  Lit : MUDDY WATER DRIFTING STREAMS
    d. Jun Li Chun Shek
    Francis Ng Chun Yu, Loletta Lee Lai Chun, Tse Kwan Ho,
      Chun Pak Hong, Cecilia Choi Sze Wan, Will Or
  Rating : III
  Length : 112 mins.
  Opening February 5 2021 at the Rotterdam International Film Festival
  Opening April 4 2021 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
  Opening June 3 2021
  Site : https://iffr.com/en/2021/films/drifting
  Site : https://www.hkiff.org.hk/film/getdetail?fid=943
  Teaser : https://youtu.be/pSsmMquGPwg
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/Dive0mfX_UM

[ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM ]
    Just out of jail, Fai finds a spot on a street corner where other homeless people welcome him. But he doesn't get much time to settle in. The police soon chase them away, and their possessions disappear into a garbage truck. Young social worker Ms Ho thinks it's time to fight this in court. In the meantime, Fai and his friends have other concerns.

  3 THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT
    d. Michael Chaves
    Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga

  2 CRUELLA
    d. Craig Gillespie
    Emma Stone, Emma Thompson

  1 A QUIET PLACE PART II
    d. John Krasinski
    Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cillian Murphy,
      Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou

[2021.06.17] GORDON LAM CURSED AT NEW ACTOR?

courtesy of singtao.com

Joman Chiang
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Gordon Lam Ka Tung, South Asian new actor Bipin Karma, Ben Yuen Fu Wa, Tai Bo, To Yin Gor and Joman Chiang starred film HAND- ROLLED CIGARETTE (SAU GUEN YIN) two nights ago held an all star friendly screening. Jace Chan Ho Wing, Tsui Pak Hong, Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, C AllStar's Andy Leung Chiu Fung and Kenny Chan Kin On and others showed the support.

Lam Ka Tung said that the film began production in March and April last year, when the pandemic began to explode. The key location was inside a building. Thus when they shot in the corridor, residents would stick their heads out. They did so not to watch the shoot, but to tell everyone to wear masks. "Then we were very good, after the shoot we would all put our masks back on. However the worst was at the time the world was still uncertain about this pandemic and did not understood it either!" However Ka Tung said that with his personality, he did not worry too much because the film had to keep shooting. He pointed out that this film originally was to start production half a year before, but due to longer preparation time the production start was delayed for that long. Then they ran into the pandemic. Luckily in the end they were still able to complete the shoot successfully.

Ka Tung in the film had the most scenes with South Asian new actor Bipin Karma. At a meeting before the performance, Ka Tung mercilessly yelled at him with foul language. He was stunned. Ka Tung then explained to him that he wanted him to remember that feeling of being hurt and bullied. His character had to be like that. In the end many people liked Bipin Karma's role. Speaking of the film taking part many nations' film festivals, would he feel that was the greatest reward for performing for no salary? Ka Tung admitted, "I of course wanted to have good rewards. Because this time the Hong Kong Film Development Fund allocated funding to support the production, we want to tell the Film Development Fund and the taxpayers we can make something! We can cultivate new comers!"

In addition the Special Administrative Region government amended the film censorship guidance, if a film would endanger national security it might be banned from release. Ka Tung said that lately he has been busy with making movies, so he did not really pay attention to the details within. "I don't trust those online summaries. I don't want to draw any conclusion and comment, so for now I can't give an answer." Ka Tung revealed that aside from wrapping up the new film with Louis Koo Tin Lok, BEYOND THE SIN (NGOK HUNG JI OI), then he would have to shave and cut his hair to work on additional shoots for his film with Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, DISCONNECT'D (DUEN MONG).

Joman Chiang this time agreed to guest starred as a teacher mainly to support director Chan Kin Long. As for salary, she got a symbolic lai see for transportation cost. She did it to support Hong Kong film.

[2021.06.16] FOR THE WEEK STARTING SATURDAY, JUNE 12 2021

For the week starting Saturday, June 12 2021 (Week 24)

VIUTV CHILL CLUB CHART

  5 THE THINKER
  Can : Chum Si Jeh
  Phil Lam Yik Hon

https://youtu.be/vXyuuIcCT98

  4 MAD MAN DIARY
  Can : Kong Yun Yut Gei
  Jer Lau Ying Yin

https://youtu.be/Fo0kczTrfeE

  3 MYSTERIOUS SMILE
  Can : Mai Dik Mei Siu
  Kaho Hung

https://youtu.be/bRyIt3vcXIU

  2 I USE EYE DROP IN LAU FAU SHAN.jpg
  Can : Ngor Joi Lau Fau San Dik Ngan Shui.jpg
  Serrini

https://youtu.be/nKtl5AfxoA4

  1 THE WONDERFUL MAGIC POTION OF CONFUSION
  Can : Sun Kei Dik Wu Toh Mor Yeuk
  Terence Lam Ka Him

https://youtu.be/jrP24ZSYHts

[2021.06.15] EMPTY DIRECTOR'S CHAIR MOVES NICHOLAS TSE AND DONNIE YEN TO TEARS

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

Yesterday Donnie Yen Chi Tan's master class took place at the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival. At the half hour forum, Yen Chi Tan not only shared a variety of experience in his career, but also shared his numerous views and thoughts on action films. In particular when he talked about the examination of Hong Kong action films, he said that personal style was even more flavorful than special effects that money built.

"I feel not just in Hong Kong, human has the power to survive. If we run into the worst trouble, we would try to come up with ways to survive. Without movies to make, how do we live? Without money how do we make movies? Yet Hong Kong at that time made many classic films, all of which were made under the low budget condition." Yen Chi Tan recalled the early Hong Kong action film market and lamented, at that time Hong Kong action divided into different teams. Those who came from different teams would not casually guest star. "It was a little like the underworld." For awhile, the Sammo Hung Stuntman Association and the Jackie Chan Stuntman Association due to Golden Harvest's support made big productions and big hits. "Lord Eight (Yuen Woo Ping) was very troubled, for three years he didn't make any movie, when he didn't make any movie for three years I didn't make any more for three years either." Faced with this situation, Yen Chi Tan after studying action films of Bruce Lee and others suggested, "We don't have money, those were built with money. We will fight with personal style." Since then Yuen Woo Ping's action film styles had the slightest of change. This method extended to when Yen Chi Tan and Wu Jing worked together in SPL (SAT POR LONG). "I remember the producer asked if I needed any prop, I said nothing at all. I only needed to fight with Wu Jing. Two people's style was not something that any prop could replicate."

In Yen Chi Tan's film career were many duel moments with masters, but he admitted, "I have worked with so many people, two people made me focus on the fight. The first was Lee Nin Kit (Jet Li), the second was Mike Tyson."

Yen Chi Tan said, when he made ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA 2 (NAM YI DONG JI KEUNG), Tsui Hark asked him to return to play the villain in order to create the strongest pressure on Lee Nin Kit (as Wong Fei Hung). Thus at that moment everyone gave their all, used the fastest speed. "Lee Nin Kit really is very fast, he truly is a strong opponent."

When he made IP MAN 3 with Tyson, Yen Chi Tan was very excited. "Tyson is my idol. I was like a little fan, because since I was little and before I got into the business I have been watching him box." At the same time, Yen Chi Tan warned himself that Tyson did not understand filmmaking. Thus he would not hold back during the fight. "When I was working with him, I told myself to be very cautious and not to think that I was making a movie. I really had to think that I was fighting with him in the ring, in a life and death duel. I couldn't have the slightest carelessness, just a little and not to mention being KO'ed, I would die." In particular Yuen Woo Ping during the shoot would ask all the martial art actions to the fullest. "I couldn't dodge early, I had to wait until he almost reached my head before ducking. You know how dangerous that is, luckily I dodged that punch. At the time I felt the force of his punch, which was like a big truck coming at me at full speed. I sensed that force. Wow, I still remember it in my mind!"

Now the international market recognizes Yen Chi Tan, with many blockbuster offers going his way. Yen Chi Tan stated, without IP MAN, he would not have so many offers of good opportunities, good directors and good projects. He then would not have the chance to elevate himself. Speaking of joining the JOHN WICK 4 cast, he said, "Each time I accept a foreign film role, I feel it is an opportunity for me to show the world the charm of Chinese actors." After receiving and offer, he very honestly yet cautiously confirmed with the film team whether each character and content would respect the Chinese culture. "If not, I definitely wouldn't accept it. The film replied that they really like Chinese culture. After reading the script I felt everything was fine. I also hope that the film would be a 'soft promotion' of Chinese culture and eradicate any stereotypical image."

In addition, Yen Chi Tan and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung two nights ago attended the Emperor Motion Picture RAGING FIRE (NO FOR) Shanghai press conference. Both agreed that they would look for a breakthrough with RAGING FIRE and the greatest determination to go to the next level. After years away from action films, Ting Fung stated that he was itching to punch and kick. After learning that he would work with his idol Chi Tan he was even more excited.

Chi Tan said that RAGING FIRE was the action film that he was the most pleased with in his career. Ting Fung also admitted that he has not have so much fun from fighting for such a long time, and even listed this film as the film that he was the most pleased with in ten years. After years away from the film, Ting Fung really cherished this valuable opportunity. He remembered when he worked with Chi Tan for the first time on DRAGON TIGER GATE (LUNG FU MOON), regrettably they were not opponents. He stated that he "longed to be hit by him". This time in RAGING FIRE, Ting Fung's wish half came true. He pointed out that Yen really accommodated actors, as he would hold back the second before contact. Chi Tan joked, "Ting Fung says to hit hard every time, he really like to get hit! You can't get hurt, if you got hurt, we couldn't make the movie!"

Chi Tan also remembered the final moment of Benny Chan Muk Sing's fight against cancer. He called and said, "I haven't never been in so much pain before, I had several rounds of chemo, I am thinner, I couldn't even eat!" However he sounded very spirited, as the subject never left RAGING FIRE. Months ago Chi Tan got another call from him to tell him that the cancer has spread, but he still passionately talked about RAGING FIRE. In his mind was all about the movie, he never complained at all.

During the group photo opportunity when Chi Tan and Ting Fung saw the empty director's chair that symbolized the past director Benny Chan Muk Sing on the stage, they could not help but turn around and wipe their tears.

[2021.06.14] SUSAN SHAW ALMOST ENDED LAU TAN'S MARRIAGE

Susan Shaw revealed that Lau Tan and his wife were in a marital crisis due to her

Grace Lam was heartbroken when her son found out about her category III film past, but in the end she admitted to him that she took the wrong path.
courtesy of mingpao.com

Susan Shaw Yam Yam and Grace Lam Sze Nga have made category III films. Two nights ago they appeared on the TVB show MAMAS' DAY and shared their experience of being discriminated against. Shaw Yam Yam complained that for years she was always misunderstood as an immoral woman, her friends would suspect that she hooked up with other people's husbands. Shaw Yam Yam even revealed that Lau Tan and his wife almost had a marital crisis because of her. She recalled, "Back then Lau Tan's friend played a prank on him, his friend over the phone claimed that she was Shaw Yam Yam to his wife. Lau Tan's wife was screaming for divorce. I didn't know about this until years later, when Lau Tan told me to never greet him again because his wife wanted to divorce him."

Lam Sze Nga said that when she made category III film she did not think too much, she only regretted the decision after getting married and starting a family. Shaw Yam Yam heard and said, "Never regret, this world has no drug for regret." Lam Sze Nga recalled that back then her former husband did not mind her category III film past, her mother in law was also very support. However her parents did not make accept her decision, which made her very upset. After becoming a mother, because she was afraid of being recognized she often was absent from parents day at her son's school. Even when she attended she still wore a hat and a mask. Lam Sze Nga said, "When her son was 8 or 9 he learned from his classmates that Mama once made a category III film. I was very heartbroken, tried to smile and admitted to my son that I went down the wrong path back then."

Shaw Yam Yam as someone who has been there comforted Lam Sze Nga and said that people ultimately have to face their problems. Even when being attacked there was nothing they could do, because they were the ones who chose the path. Shaw Yam Yam recalled that when her daughter was at elementary school she was discriminated against due to her mother. A teacher said that both her daughter and her were idiots. When she called the school office about it, someone said that they did not welcome parents like her. It was quite an experience for her. She said, "You can't live between other people's spittle, we have to bravely face them."

[2021.06.12] DONNIE YEN, NICHOLAS TSE REMEMBERS BENNY CHAN AT THE SHANGHAI FILM FESTIVAL

courtesy of singtao.com

Zhou Dongyu
courtesy of on.cc

Benny Chan
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 24th Shanghai International Film Festival officially opened yesterday. This year, 4,443 films from 113 nations and regions applied for the film festival, the highest amount in history and 750 more films than last year. Last night at the Jin Jue event, stars included Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and others appeared. Deng Chao and Zhou Dongyu would serve on this year's film festival Jin Jue Award jury. The film 1921 became the film festival's opening film. The film will officially open on July 1st.

The master class action director Benny Chan Muk Sing directed action film RAGING FIRE (NO FOR) will open next month, bringing a thrilling battle between justice and evil. Speaking of the film being called "the most satisfying modern action film", star Yen Chi Tan joked that because the film "has Tse Ting Fung". Tse Ting Fung responded that the film probably had more reasons to watch. "From the beginning to the end it was very exciting, this was a very cinematic action film." Working with Chi Tan again years later, Ting Fung and Chi Tan still had chemistry galore. At the same time they performed cool fight stunts and showed their hunky glory in full.

RAGING FIRE was Chan Muk Sing's final film. As Chi Tan brought RAGING FIRE to Shanghai, would he be reminded of Director Chan? Chi Tan said, "Of course! I started working with Director Chan on the series FIST OF FURY. After he watched the film CHASING THE DRAGON (JUI LUNG), the director said that he really liked my performance. Then we began to discuss working together. We started with a project that would be shot in Mexico, but due to a variety of reasons it became the current RAGING FIRE; from talking with the director about the production everyday when he was alive to taking over after his passing, every moment has been very memorable." Chi Tan hoped that when viewers watched RAGING FIRE, they would notice that Hong Kong crime films are still Hong Kong films' ace card!

Ting Fung also said, "I always hope to find a Hong Kong action film that would give me the impulse to make. When I got the call from Chan Muk Sing, I knew this moment has come! It has been many years since an action film with heavy Hong Kong flavor like RAGING FIRE has appeared. In addition due to the trust that Director Benny and I have built over the years, each time he asked me he definitely would have a daring role for me to try. Thus this time indeed was a rare opportunity of great importance!" Ting Fung also praised Director Chan as a real gentleman director, a rarity in the film industry!

Under the pandemic, many large scale international film festivals have been forced to cancel or switch to online format. This year the Shanghai Film Festival was able to take place as scheduled, Chi Tan said, "The damage that this pandemic has brought to the entire film has deeply affected everyone, but from a positive and optimistic approach we would cherish our time with family and friends even more. It is a type of happiness, because life is valuable and fragile." Chi Tan this time also had other jobs on hand in Shanghai. He said, "Once I completed the quarantine, I would join into a skincare production commercial shoot; after the Shanghai Film Festival, I will immediately join the new film's production. Thus for now I still have to stay away from the delicious food."

[2021.06.11] RONALD CHENG LAMENTS THE DIFFICULTY FOR NEWCOMERS

Ronald Cheng works for free to support new directors and actors

The cast appears at the charity premiere
courtesy of singtao.com

Tony Wu and Hanna Chan are excited about the film's four film festival selections
courtesy of on.cc

Tony Wu and Hanna Chan's characters are very heavy in the film
courtesy of mingpao.com

Ronald Cheng Chung Kei two nights ago attended the charity premiere of the film ELISA'S DAY (WAI OI). He said that he worked on the film for no salary because he felt director Alan Fung Chi Hang's thinking was very special. He felt that he needed to support new directors and new actors more. Earlier he also said that he worked on the Sandra Ng Kwan Yu produced Lunar New Year film for no salary, but Kwan Yu revealed that she got a call from his manager Tin Kai Man. Cheng Chung Kei joked, "No, she is making that up. I feel supporting newcomers is very important. Now too many people are standing on very high places and refusing to leave, so we have to give newcomers opportunities in order to know their abilities. In addition this time working with newcomers felt great, we set off many sparks."

Hanna Chan and Tony Wu Tsz Tung two nights ago attended the charity premiere for the film ELISA'S DAY. In the film they had a romance. Hanna Chan revealed that in one scene she had to slap Cheng Chung Kei. Although she had to hit an elder, she did not feel too scared. She said that in order to keep the production smooth, she would rather hit harder and reduce bad takes. She did not want to hit several more times because she held back. Finally she completed the scenes in two takes.

Wu Tsz Tung was also on the set at the time. As a Cheng Chung Kei fan, he was excited and heartbroken to see his idol getting hit. He was very conflicted. Wu Tsz Tung pointed out that this time he had many emotional scenes. In order to keep his moods from being affected, he admitted that during the shoot his family hounded him about his unhappiness. Luckily his friend Ling Man Lung taught him how to leave the role. Hanna Chan felt that actors had the responsibility to leave the characters, instead of leaving themselves in the whirlpool.