[2024.04.15] THE 42ND HONG KONG FILM AWARDS

THE 42ND HONG KONG FILM AWARDS NOMINATIONS
http://hkfaa.com/winnerlist.html

BEST FILM
• A GUILTY CONSCIENCE

BEST DIRECTOR
• Soi Cheang (MAD FATE)

BEST SCREENPLAY
• Yau Nai Hoi, Melvin Li (MAD FATE)

BEST ACTOR
• Tony Leung (The GOLDFINGER)

BEST ACTRESS
• Jennifer Yu (IN BROAD DAYLIGHT)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
• David Chiang (IN BROAD DAYLGHT)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
• Rachel Leung (IN BROAD DAYLGHT)

BEST NEW PERFORMER
• Yoyo Tse (FLY ME TO THE MOON)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
• Anthony Pun (THE GOLDFINGER)

BEST FILM EDITING
• Allen Leung , David Richardson (MAD FATE)

BEST ART DIRECTION
• Eric Lam (THE GOLDFINGER)

BEST COSTUME AND MAKE UP DESIGN
• Man Lim Chung (THE GOLDFINGER)

BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY
• Tung Wai (BURSTING POINT)

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
• Teddy Robin, Day Tai (BAND FOUR)

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SONG
• A LYRICIST WANNABE (THE LYRICIST WANNABE)
  Composer and Vocal Artist：Tse Nga Yi
  Lyricist：Wong Yee Lam

BEST SOUND DESIGN
• Nopawat Likitwong (THE GOLDFINGER)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
• Lik Wong, Benson Poon (THE GOLDFINGER)

BEST NEW DIRECTOR
• Nick Cheuk (TIME STILL TURNS THE PAGES)

BEST ASIAN CHINESE LANGUAGE FILM
• THE PIG, THE SNAKE AND THE PIGEON

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
• Sammo Hung

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
• Tong Ping

[2024.04.14] TONY LEUNG CHIU WAI'S DIRECTOR DOES NOT LIKE HIS CHANCES

Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Jennifer Yu vie for the Best Actor and the Best Actress Awards
courtesy of on.cc

Director Felix Chong speaks with Che Suk Mui about his Hong Kong Film Awards picks

A GUILTY CONSCIENCE's Dayo Wong receives his first Best Actor nomination
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards would take place today. The director Felix Chong Man Keung directed THE GOLDFINGER (GUM SAU JI) received 12 nominations. Earlier on a radio interview he mentioned Tony Leung Chiu Wai's Best Actor nomination with the film. He joked that he did not like his Best Actor chances. "Wai Jai has won 5 times and has probably had enough!" He felt that according to the Best Actor line order, A GUILTY CONSCIENCE's Dayo Wong Tze Wah should win. Chong Man Keung admired Wong Tze Wa. "I feel his best performance for now is as the informant in BIG BULLET (CHUNG FUNG DUI: NO FOR GAI TAU). That type of bad attitude and seasoned performance in a short scene was very well done. This time his 'Everything is wrong' also can't be topped!" As for Best Actress, Chong Man Keung felt that IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (BAK YUT JI HA)'s Jennifer Yu Heung Ying had the best chance. He felt that the reporter role she played was rather difficult and had many unexpected results. He cited that her acting has reached "Big Sister level". "Her character has a high degree of difficulty. On top of everyone's general impression of a reporter, she has added many unexpected things. Actually she has already reached the big sister level. When I watched FAR FAR AWAY (YUEN LO SHAN KA LA) I already felt she was very sharp, carrying the entire film alone she started to have the 'Best Actress' presence. Of course in order to take that step she would still need timing, location and people. I think it shall be her!"

Even though he was nominated for Best Director, Chong Man Keung was the happiest that his competition was younger than him. He picked MAD FATE (MING ONG)'s Soi Cheang Pou Soi to win "Only his skills and abilities would be able to make that final scene happen. His uniquely heavy emotions and unreasonable power forced Lam Ka Tung to perform very well. He once was (Ringo) Lam Lan Tung's assistant director for a long time, he has inherited that unique film flavor and style. I feel he is worth getting Best Director." As for "Best Screenplay" he would certainly choose to TIME STILL TURNS THE PAGES (NIN SIU YUT GEI). "It is a very personal film, on the surface it is about youth suicide but in its center it is about loneliness. (Nick) Cheuk Yik Him also thoroughly depicts loneliness."

[2024.04.13] JENNIFER YU'S NOMINATED ROLE IS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR MICHELLE WAI?

Michelle Wai is wowed by the prices while picking out jewelry

Jennifer Yu avoids the talk of "fighting over role"

Michelle Wai says as colleagues, the most important is the success of film
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Jennifer Yu, Thai star Win Metawin and Fish Liew
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards would take place at the Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui tomorrow night. This year's Best Actress race has been heating up. The Hong Kong Film Awards Best New Performer nominee 7 years, Jennifer Yu Heung Ying was "promoted" to compete for Best Actress. Her situation has been almost like a monopoly as she have the support of many colleagues. However the character was originally intended for another Best Actress nominee Michelle Wai Sze Nga. She even conducted research before the shoot with the director and attended the trial to prepare for the role.

This year's Best Actress nominees are all "local". Among them with 13 years in the business and the film IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (BAK YUN JI HA) Yu Heung Ying has been nominated for Best Actress. Earlier she has already won the Film Critic Society and Film Directors' Guild Best Actress awards. Naturally the edge has been given to her. In the film her performance as a reporter in a relentless pursuit for the truth has been riveting, no wonder she has been seen as the "favorite". She however humbly said, "I just treat it normally, but I really look forward to dressing up and walking the red carpet with the team." First time nominee for THE LYRICIST WANNABE (TIN CHI L)'s Chung Suet Ying has been seen as Yu Heung Ying's "rival", even Wai Sze Nga has yielded. "This time she really performed very well, the entire movie is also very attractive. She is the only nominee I have worked with, I feel this girl has a very special aura."

On the eve of the race, Yu Heung Yi and Best Supporting Actress nominee Fish Liew Chi Yu yesterday attended a brand event at Causeway Bay with Thai star Win Metawin. Tomorrow night would be the Hong Kong Film Awards, Yu Heung Ying admitted that she was not nervous. "Because everyday I have been very busy, I am grateful to have a lot of work. In addition my daughter is smart and energetic, everyday I have already exhausted all my energy with her so I don't have time to be nervous." Speaking of her Best Actress nominated role was originally intended for Wai Sze Nga, Yu Heung Ying said, "I have read the related report, thank you to the entire team for never giving up over so many years. Even once they found an investor but then were rejected, they continued. The film was finally completed, and the audience was able to see the message we wanted. At first I received an audition invitation. Many actors including Liew Chi Yu also participated. Maybe the screenwriter felt my presence was more suitable for the character. I feel I am very lucky." Liew Chi Yu chimed in, "At the audition I was rubbing my hands together, I really wanted to land this role. Next time I have to beat her. The role would find its actor, I believe in destiny." As for what they would wear, Yu Heung Ying said that she was conservative. One had a translucent effect but she had nothing to show, at most she would show her teeth.

As for Wai Sze Nga she has already participated in IN's pre production. At the time she and the director personally went to the court for the trial of former nursing home director as research for the reporter character. She said yesterday, "As a part of the film industry, everyone should put in an effort. Who ends up with the role isn't important, I feel the most important is for the project to be able to succeed. I believe everyone who participates in film would have this attitude. I am fortunate to have participated in some of the film's pre production work, and I feel very happy."

After 15 years in the business, Wai Sze Nga with the Emperor Motion Picture READY O/R ROT would vie for Best Actress but said that her chances were slim. "Being also-ran doesn't matter, I am already very happy to be a part of it. I definitely would choose the prettiest dress to attend!" Earlier she was caught at a jewelry store to choose accessories for the award show. The clerk matched many diamond earrings and necklace sets for her. After she saw the price tags she was shocked. Later she said, "I won't be sexy! Earlier I tried a dress, the front was open down to the belly button. However I realize the bones are visible on my chest, let's not frighten people. (Were you indecisive while picking jewelry?) When I saw he price tag I got a little scared, there was a pair of earrings that was over 2 million. The company very boldly said that it would give me a jewelry set that was worth 5 million, the price of a home. I am afraid that I would be clumsy, I don't want too much pressure."

On the other hand, Liew Chi Yu yesterday joked that she definitely would be sexy, "Because I really want to be a sexy female star. (Would you make another nude scene?) Sex and nudity are two different things, but if the script is good I wouldn't mind." Would her boyfriend Siuyea Lo Chun Yip mind? She said, "No, he is an actor too. In addition my body isn't particularly exciting." Speaking of boyfriend being nominated, she said, "The time is getting closer and closer, I really am a little nervous. For Best Actress I of course want Yu Heung Ying to win. (Another friend Louise Wong Dan Nei is also nominated?) No matter who wins it would be worth a toast. (If you and Yu Heung Ying win together?) Then the day would really be worth remembering, then I would probably drink until I throw up like mad!"

[2024.04.13] HONG KONG FILM AWARDS HAVE A SEAT SHORTAGE?

Dee Ho
courtesy of on.cc

Derek Yee says that he has been the Hong Kong Film Awards chair for 8 years. He has always wanted to leave the post but he has not found anyone suitable.

Derek Yee conducts a worship ceremony at the Cultural Center outdoors plaza to pray for a smooth Hong Kong Film Awards

Kaki Sham, Dee Ho and Henick Chou would introduce their films
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Hong Kong Film Awards would take place tomorrow night (the 14th) at the Cultural Center. Yesterday a worship ceremony was held. The Hong Kong Film Awards Association chair Derek Yee Tung Sing, board of directors members Manfred Wong (Man Jun), Leung Lee Siu Ha, Candice Yu On On, Chin Kar Lok, Chow Kwok Chung and others and performers Henick Chou Hon Ning, Kaki Sham, Ng Wing Sze, Tang Lai Ying attended. This year the Hong Kong Film Awards would present 19 awards, the master class honorary awards the "Lifetime Achievement Award" would be presented to Sammo Hung Kam Bo and the "Professional Spirit Award" would be presented to costume manager Tong Ping. The Association this year even invited Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner, famous Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda as the guest presenter to present Best Film.

 
Yee Tung Sing lamented that this year's venue seating arrangements have been disastrous because guests who requested admission far exceeded seating capacity. The Cultural Center Theater had a 1,734 seat capacity, 789 seat in the lower hall but 126 seats had to be removed for the control center and equipment. This year's attending nominees, award and performing guests would reach 158. They have already been arranged to be seated in the fron row so the audience would clearly focus on the stars. Nominees' spouses might not be arranged to be seated next to them. In addition each of the 14 affiliated film organizations would receive 10 tickets. Currently they are still owed 80 some tickets. He hoped that the colleagues would understand their difficulty.

He said that he would call each individually to explain the difficulty, of course some would still be displeased. Actually for years the seating shortage issue has always existed. Would he consider holding the event at other larger venues? He said, "We have tried different venues, but they all had different problems. For now the most suitable place is still the Cultural Center." The red carpet outside the venue also has been restricted with a maximum capacity of 200 people. Even the backstage passages would have to be clear, as they would receive warnings for exceeding capacity.

Speaking of a chair successor, he admitted that he has already been in the position for 8 straight years and wanted to pass the baton to the next term. However no one has been willing to take over. Next year would be his 50th year in the business. In the future he would like to leave more time for himself. "How many decades does a lifetime have, I don't have many decades left! I haven't gone diving in two years already! So I hope to assist the new generation with my experience, so they would not run into too many setbacks. This would be even more meaningful."

LDee Ho Kai Wa said at the award show he would introduce his Best Film nominee, A GUILTY CONSCIENCE (DUK SIT DAI JONG). "This would be my fourth time attending the Hong Kong Film Awards. This year would be especially happy because I am appearing on stage as a film actor. I hope one day I would receive a nomination." He personally would like a grand slam for the film. If Wong Tze Wa would win Best Actor, he would scream like mad. He joked that thus he might be blacklisted and next year he would not be permitted inside.

Other than him, the other Best Film nominees would be introduced by their stars as well, including Henick Chou Hon Ning for IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, Hanna Chan for TIME STILL TURNS THE PAGES, Ng Wing Sze for MAD FATE, and Kaki Sham for THE GOLDFINGER.

[2024.04.11] WU KANG-REN QUICKLY LOSES 10 KILOGRAMS FOR HIS ROLE

Wu Kang-Ren says that he would bravely introduce himself at the event and "collect stamps"

Natalie Hsu and Tse Wing Yan (right) embrace at the premiere
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Wu Kang-Jen and his "6 daughters": Yoyo Tse (left), Natalie Hsu, onscreen wife Chow Lam, Hui Ho Yi,Pang Chung Ching, Angela Yuen and Sasha Chuk
courtesy of mingpao.com

Taiwan actor Wu Kang-Jen, Natalie Hsu (Hui Yan Yi), Yoyo Tse Wing Yan, Angela Yuen Lai Lam, Chow Lam and director Sasha Chuk Chi Ngan two nights ago attended their film FLY ME TO THE MOON (DAN YUEN YUN CHEUNG GAU)'s premiere. Wu Kang-Jen said that the film was divided into three stages, with six actresses playing his two daughters. Each time the six "daughters" would gather together, they would be very noisy. He would quietly leave the scene. In order to bring the drug addicted Papa to life, before the shoot began he and the director went to the Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po for research. However the most difficult was still having to slim down for the performance, which was very inhumane to him. "Coming to Hong Kong but unable to eat roast pork, buttered pineapple bun, or go to cafes would be very unreasonable and a impossible mission. For two months, everyday I walked by those dessert shops and cafes but was unable to go in and enjoy the cuisine." Angela Yuen Lai Lam revealed that "Papa" during rehearsal was faced the temptation of good food, but very professional as he persisted with will power. Hui Yan Yi due to the story had to learn to speak Hunanese. She practiced at home for almost 8 months. Mommy Pak On Nei immediately breathed a sigh of relief as soon as she knew her daughter completed the shoot, as she would no longer need to hear Hunanese again.

Nominated for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actor, he revealed that in the film he played a drug addict Papa. For the role he watched what he ate and lost 10 kilograms. When he came to Hong Kong to make FLY he was 62 kilograms, when he was done he was only 52 kilograms. Losing weight was secondary, as he was the most concerned about having to play an older drug addict in the 50s and 60s. The director hoped that he would not rely on special effect make up and perform naturally, so he could only coordinate with the performance with physical changes and imagination. He watched related films, studied the shivering and shaking conditions when addiction act up. He even only tried an old man make up, took the MTR to the Tung Chau Street Park. He met into a senior and secretly followed him, observing how he walked in detail and memorizing it in his mind. Speaking of the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday, he said, "It's the first time I received a nomination, it's like a dream comes true! This time I would probably see many actors I like. I would muster up my courage to greet them and introduce myself, saying 'I really like you, I really want to take a photo with you, may I?'"

Wu Kang-Jen would only stay two days to promote on this trip, but would return the day before the Hong Kong Film Awards. However this time he would no longer need to watch what he ate. Once returned to the hotel he could have late night snacks, because most recently he had to eat more meat for his new character. He joked that he would not need to show off muscles, only that he would have to wear suits for the new film. Being a little bigger would look better.

Wu Kang-Jen's two daughters in the film, Tse Wing Yan and Natalie Hsu (Hui Yan Yi) were as close as real sisters. Speaking of Wu Kang-Jen joking about how noisy his six daughters were, Natalie said that older sister Yoyo normally would be very nice. Her character originally had to be calmer and more serious, but she loved to laugh and laugh loudly. Thus on the set she often had to gesture to remind her to calm down and hold back. However she felt that was her natural comedic senses, she was already very funny without needing to be deliberate.

Yoyo Tse Wing Yan has been nominated for Best New Performer. She admitted that she would treat the occasion normally, "I am just happy to participate, for my first movie I have already gotten into the Hong Kong Film Awards , I really am very happy. (Have you prepared what to wear? More or less cloth?) More cloth!" Normally she would not choose dresses with too little cloth, ultimately the decision would depend on whether the dress was suitable for her to wear or not. Natalie said that if Yoyo would truly win, she would personally make dessert to celebrate with her in Cheung Chau because she would be able to laugh loudly and celebrate happily. Has Mommy Ann Bridgewater (Pak On Nei) seen her performance? Natalie said that both her parents have seen it. Papa even wanted to watch it once more. "I have never seen Papa cry, after watching he took tissue to wipe away his tears. Perhaps because the movie was about father and daughter relationships. He also said that I was very different from normally." Which her did Papa feel was better? She said, "Of course I hope it's the actual me, when I go back I would ask him."

[2024.04.11] FISH LIEW WANTS RENCI YEUNG TO WIN BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Renci Yeung and Fish Liew are both nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actress courtesy of on.cc

The 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards would take place on the 14th at the Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui. This year's Best Supporting Actress competition has been fierce. The film A GUILTY CONSCIENCE (DUK SIT DAI JONG)'s Fish Liew Chi Yu and Renci Yeung Sze Wing would take on veteran actress Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling), Rachel Leung Yung Ting and Rosa Velasco (Wai Law Sha). Fish and Renci earlier spoke about facing the strong competition. Fish said, "I definitely have to have confidence, I am not necessarily win; but other people being talented don't mean I am poor. Of course I would like a good performance. I like everyone's chances, I would support Renci. Anyone who knows her knows that she is normally tender and gentle. Seeing her determined eyes while playing the role, she really did very well." Renci also joked that she would support herself, "Because if I don't support myself, no one would support me; but I like Leung Yung Ting's chances, she performed very well."

Fish once with the film ANITA (MUI YIM FONG) won the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actress. Of course she would have the advantage in the eyes of many, but she revealed that her parents have been lukewarm. "They watched the press conference in which I read the nominations. They thought I was pretty, but they didn't watch the live broadcast after." Renci said, "The most moving is that the GUILTY team received many nominations, very complete."

This year's Hong Kong Film Awards would be particularly meaningful to Fish. Aside from boyfriend Siuyea Lo Chun Yip's Best Actor nomination, her best friend Jennifer Yu Heung Ying was also nominated for Best Actress. She said, "I wouldn't be nervous for them, I would only be nervous bout whether I was in good condition. Because at events where I saw many people I would get dizzy. The most important would be pretty, calm, and not tripping. (If you win would you consider tying the knot?) These few years would be career first, I wouldn't spend the time on wedding ceremony. I would make money first. Also, not everyone can be all purpose like Yu Heung Ying, keeping her eye on everything."

[2024.04.12] VARONA HUI COMPETES FOR BEST NEW PERFORMER

Hui Yuet Seung is inexperience and is grateful for helping hands
courtesy of singtao.com

New comer Varona Hui Yuet Seung with the Lawrence Kan Kwan Chun directed film IN BROAD DAYLIGHT (BAK YUT JI HA)'s young reporter role would compete for this year's Hong Kong Film Awards "Best New Performer" Award. Studying at the Academy of Performing Arts, she has already participated in many music videos before graduation. She even successfully auditioned for and landed a role in the ViuTV drama LEFT ON READ, then received the opportunity to perform in IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. She even signed with Louis Koo Tin Lok's artist agency. Actually at the university she once studied accounting, but after two years she thought it was too dull and transferred to the Academy of Performing Arts. At first her family objected, but later they let her go on her own way. Although she has not been in the business for long, on the way she ran into many benefactors who gave her valuable opportunities. Hui Yue Seung was very grateful, not only to director Kan Kwan Chun for trusting her but also for elder Jennifer Yu Heung Ying's advice. "At first when I saw Yu Heung Ying I was very scared, I didn't dare to get near her. However she really is very friendly, she told me not to be nervous, comforted me so I wouldn't have too much stress. She took care of me like a big sister, and took great care of every actor on the team. I hope to one day be able to be like her and take care of new comers. She is my role model. I remember that she told me, to be able to perform well and endure in this business, the most important is to have a good attitude." As for the "Best New Performer" Award, Hui Yuet Seung joked that she was not too confident. The nomination was already quite a honor. Speaking of which elder she would like to work with in the future? She admitted that she really admired Tang Wei, Zhou Xun, Zhang Ziyi and others. She also would like to work with her boss Koo Tin Lok on a comedy.