Monday, November 30, 2009

[2009.12.01] ANGELABABY BRAVES THE COLD

courtesy of takungpao.com

Angelababy (Yeung Wing) performed for the first time in the costume comedy ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL TOO 2010 (FA TIN HEI SI 2010) and everything was fresh to her. In one scene her boat had an accident, the princess fell into the sea and got hurt. Luckily Million Wong (Raymond Wong Pak Ming) rescued her.

Because this water scene was shot in November when Hengdian's temperature was only a few degrees Celsius. The actors and the crew had to wear down coats to keep warm. The director was worried about Angelababy's health and originally planned to use a double in this scene.  Yet Angelababy decided to personally perform for a better result. "At the time Hengdian was very cold. I think the water temperature should only be a few degrees. The costume was very thin and didn't permit too many clothes underneath. For better result I couldn't mind that much and I bravely agreed."

Angelababy continued, "To keep warm before I left for the set I already had heat pads all over me so I didn't feel cold at all. In addition on the day of the shoot the sun suddenly appeared. When I got into the water it wasn't really cold. In the story Mr. Wong saved me with a fishing net. I had to crawl into the net and soaked in the water. On land I had to stay wet to complete the land scenes. Then I really felt cold. After that shoot I was sick for two days. When I was saved I hit some rock and bruised my leg, but for the chance to work on a Lunar New Year film a little hardship is worth it."

[2009.12.01] IRENE WAN PLAYS LONELY WIFE

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Irene Wan Bik Ha and Chang Chen's father Chang Kuo-Chu yesterday attended the production start ceremony of the new film JAU TOH (DRINKER), based on local writer Liu Yichang's novel. Liu Yichang was present and Chang Kuo-Chu brought his novel for an autograph.

Irene in the film played a lonely housewife who was ignored in the 60s due to her husband's long sea voyages and developed a relationship with a tenant Chang Kuo-Chu. She honestly said that this character was very challenging. Later she will work on another film so she had to postpone her Christmas celebration. She said that she made a lot from working on two films.

Chang Kuo-Chu played the writer Liu Yichang. He came to Hong Kong from Shanghai alone. Due to a difficult life and a lack of relative, he often drank. In the film he drank prop liquor but he boasted that his tolerance was decent. However he could not drink much and preferred red wine and beer. As for his intimate scenes with Irene, reporters joked that he truly was lucky. Chang Kuo-Chu agreed, "I usually am. (Are you still?) I am not saying, it's a secret. (Are you leaving it for your son?) The trick has to be passed to him. (Has your son bring his girlfriend for you to meet?) He doesn't have a girlfriend now. He is very clean. Before I met one or two. He warned me not to say anymore. (Did you meet Shu Qi?) No, but I worked with Shu Qi before. She is a very hard working girl who seeks improvement. She is a role model. (How is she as a daughter in law?) I am not sure about that. (Did you tell your son to pursue her?) This is his freedom. I can give him my opinion, but he has a sense of responsibility for his own future and
relationships."

[2009.11.30] BEST ACTOR NICK CHEUNG RETURNS HOME

Li Bingbing's Best Actress award lost Huang Xiaoming 10,000 as she forgot to thank him in her speech

Yu Shaoqun won "Best Red Carpet Look"

Prudence Liew Mei Kwan was stunned when two Best Actors were announced.

Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) and Alec Su Yau Peng

Leon Dai and Chen Wen-Pin (left) won Best Original Screenplay

Leon Dai, Huang Bo and Hou Hsiao-Hsien

Guey Lun-Mei


Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Bobby Auyeung Chun Wai
courtesy of on.cc

Wai Ying Hung brought her Golden Horse to a TVB event

Maggie Cheung Man Yuk kept her mention of Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau Ka Ling a secret. When she learned that the topic was "Who you would like to present with?" she told Tao Ching-Ying, "I would give you a satisfying answer."

Li Bingbing

Nick Cheung Ka Fai
courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of takungpao.com

After winning the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor this year, Nick Cheung Ka Fai two nights ago again with THE BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) won the Golden Horse Best Leading Actor prize. Yesterday he returned from Taipei to Hong Kong. Ka Fai said that he did not expect to win. When his wife learned that he won again she screamed with excitement. Ka Fai even boasted that his salary was worth 100 million. At the airport he ran into good friend Bobby Auyeung Chun Wa. They not only hug to celebrate, Bobby even pretended to kowtow to his majesty and pleased Best Actor Fai even more.

Cheung Ka Fai yesterday arrived in Hong Kong around 4. With his Golden Horse Award Ka Fai was in great spirits. As soon as he exited the gate he held the prize high. Not only Emperor Motion Picture workers presented flowers, but foreign visitors also screamed "congratulations" and foreign workers screamed "I love you". People also called out "Best Actor Fai", which brought a smile to his face. Ka Fai after his interview also posed for the media. Ka Fai revealed that two nights ago he thought he would be very calm because he has already won multiple awards with THE BEAST STALKER. He thought that he could be calm at the venue, but when he received the award his heart beat faster. He joked, "I was afraid that I would drop dead right there."

He revealed that he watched his competition's films and felt that his chance would not be too high. When he talked with fellow Best Actor Huang Bo he praised his acting as outstanding. He said, "Honestly the competition was strong. I thought I would lose. During the announcement of two winners I guessed that they were me and Huang Bo, I am very satisfied with the result!" As for the close score between him and Huang Bo, he said, "I guess the competition was very fierce. Other nominees are also very excellent, but I feel this result is great! Two nights ago I already called my wife. When I told her I won she was so happy she screamed. Our daughter said Mommy woke her up. She was almost scared to death!" As for a place for the prize, he joked, "I still have room, but I wouldn't put it that can easily be seen. If I get more I still have
room."

He even expressed that when he got on stage he felt a little weak because earlier at a dance scene he pulled something. Because he was very tired two nights ago, after the event celebration he returned to the hotel to rest. As for how he would celebrate, Ka Fai said that he would not buy a gift for himself or need his wife to. He said, "Mainly sharing the joy with everyone is already enough, dinner is definite. Last time when I won the Hong Kong Film Awards (Sandra Ng) Kwan Yu didn't come. Two nights ago she said this time she definitely will arrive early. As for good friends Lau Ching Wan and (Anthony) Wong Chau Sun already called to congratulate."

Earlier Ka Fai joked that his salary will increase five folds. Yesterday he explained, "I only answered what was asked. The hike is market determined and beyond my control. I felt I won several awards my salary could be 100 million!"

With his December 2 birthday, Ka Fai admitted that the Golden Horse was his best birthday present. He said, "This gift can't be bought with money, more valuable than any gift. I feel this is the most expensive gift!" In addition, yesterday afternoon when he left the airport he ran into good friend Auyeung Chun Wai. Bobby joked, "So many flash bulbs are blocking my exit! You won again, you even got the gravy!" Bobby joked that only due to the mid day rerun of THE LEGENDARY FOUR ACES (GUM JONG SEI DAI CHOI JI) did he not forget about Ka Fai. Bobby even jokingly kneeled and bowed to the king. They also hug. Ka Fai brought the award to Bobby for a closer look. Bobby joked, "You really wanted this badly!" They also made plans for dinner then left separately.

In addition, the fresh out of the oven Best Actors Cheung Ka Fai, Huang Bo, Best Actress Li Bingbing and other winners and guests two nights ago attended the Golden Horse celebration. Ang Lee and Maggie Cheung Man Yuk ran into each other. Man Yuk expressed that she has met Ang Lee several times but this time they had the most time to chat. yet they did not talk about collaboration. She expressed that actually with good scripts and good characters she wanted to make movies. Of course she would also like to work with Ang Lee. Ang Lee was asked whether he would approach Man Yuk about a movie. He hoped to have suitable characters for her, he said that she seemd to be able to play anyone. Wai Ying Hung yesterday around 6PM also arrived in Hong Kong. She arrived with her sister and brought the award for press photos. She also kissed the award. Yet actually she was kissing the Golden Horse's rear and everyone had to remind her to turn the prize around. She joked that she could not even tell the horse head from tail anymore.

[2009.11.30] MICHELLE YEOH'S FRIENDS VISIT FOR JUNG WOO-SUNG

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) produced, Media Asia's over 100 million investment, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) and Korean star Jung Woo-Sung starred new film GIM YU GONG WU (SWORD RAIN RIVER LAKE) has wrapped up its Shanghai production and recently moved to Hengdian. Yeung Chi King in the film played a cloth merchant who was once a top killer. In the film she had a dozen or so colorful costumes. This time she also had many action scenes. With Stephen Tung Wai's demanding "wire" designs, before the shoot she already got herself into shape to avoid any injury during the shoot.

In recently years Yeung Chi King mainly made Hollywood films. This time she worked with real gong fu and not rely on special effects, which gave her a sense of satisfaction. Although she and Jung Woo-Sung played a couple, they did not have any bed scene. Instead they had fight scenes, which disappointed her. She also asked the director to add bed scenes, Jung Woo-Sung joked that if the director did not, they would just add it themselves.

Yeung Chi King pointed out that many friends after learning that she was working with Jung Woo-Sung asked to visit the set and when they arrived asked whether the male lead was present. She praised him as a great actor who is very smart and has a knack for languages. He also trained harder than she did. Jung Woo-Sung understood Putonghua and during interviews spoke Putonghua to reporters. This was his first Chinese film and he was very honored to be able to work with Yeung Chi King. As for Yeung Chi King's praise of his language abilities, he joked that he just guessed because Putonghua and Korean had some similar pronunciations. He also said that this film's action was different from Korean films and was more difficult.

[2009.11.30] VIVIAN CHOW THINKS SANDRA NG IS BETTER THAN HER HUSBAND

William Chan Wai Ting

Vivian Chow Wai Man, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu
courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The Ann Hui On Wa directed lesbian film DUK HAN CHAU FAN (FREE TO FRY RICE) yesterday shot on location at Central. Actors included Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Vivian Chow Wai Man, William Chan Wai Ting, Jo Kuk Cho Lam, and Joey Man Yi Man. In the film Chow Wai Man and Ng Kwan Yu had many intimate scenes. The film will wrap early next month.

After a long hiatus from film, Chow Wai Man honestly said that she enjoyed the production very much. At first she was not used to it but now she was somewhat reluctant that the production was about to finish. She expressed that she would not only miss her on screen lover Kwan Yu but also the entire team. Will she make another film? Vivian expressed that she still has not decided yet and only wanted to do she is doing right now. She will take Christmas off. This year will be her first Christmas after becoming a Christian. She would like to attend Church events with her husband.

Kwan Yu expressed that the film had many intimate and daring scenes. She and Vivian earlier worked on a kiss scene but still had a bath battle. She also had an one night stand with Eddie Cheung Siu Fai. Her character was quite popular, aside from romantic scenes with Vivian and Cheung Siu Fai even Man Yi Man was her former girlfriend. Was Vivian a good kisser? She joked that she did not know and did not know how to tell. Reporters pointed out that many people wanted to kiss Vivian. Kwan Yu joked, "Let them be envious. Actually it's not great like other people say. It's just acting. I am not (Joe) Ngai Chun, even if it's not acting I wouldn't enjoy it. Most actors are very resistant to kiss scene. They had to go from not knowing each other to very quickly inject emotions. I would buy little gifts like slippers and tissue boxes to cheer Vivian up, so she would feel she was lovable. Then it's easier to get into character." Kwan Yu pointed out that when Vivian received her gift she joked that only women would know to buy stuff like these. Even Ngai Chun would not give her that. As for her husband Peter Chan Ho Sun, he would only buy her watches. Kwan Yu was happy for Nick Cheung Ka Fai's Golden Horse Best Actor victory. She also sent a text message to congratulate Best Supporting Actress Wai Ying Hung.

Man Yi Man has not acted in nine years. This time she and Kuk Cho Lam played a couple. However, their most intimate was putting their arms around each other's shoulders. As for passion with her husband, she joked that it was pretty stable. When they saw each other they would kiss and kiss goodbye as well.

[2009.11.29] STARS IN TAIPEI

Leon Dai

LIKE A DREAM's Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Yolanda Yuan

Li Bingbing

Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung)

Guey Lun-Mei


Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam)

Mickey Huang (Wong Chi Gau) during the salute to cinematographers joked that Daniel Wu,
Maggie Cheung, John Woo, Ang Lee, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung were all extras when they started -- some even without any line. With their past photos the crowd roared with laughter. He not only made fun of Daniel Wu's lack of improvement in Mandarin but also publicized Leon Dai's ancient bed scene.

Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau)
courtesy of on.cc

LIKE A DREAM's Yolanda Yuan

HEAR ME's Michelle Chen Yin Hei

THE MESSAGE's Li Bingbing

Maggie Wu (Ng Ah Hing)

Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung)

Guey Lun-Mei

Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam)

Terri Kwan Wing

Shu Qi

Maggie Cheung Man Yuk

Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung)

Pink Yang Chin Pui hosts the red carpet
courtesy of takungpao.com

[2009.11.29] LI BINGBING WINS BEST ACTRESS

FOREVER ENTHRALLED's Yu Shaoqun wins Best New Performer

THE MESSAGE's Li Bingbing wins Best Actress

AT THE END OF DAYBREAK's Wai Ying Hung wins Best Supporting Actress

BEAST STALKER's Nick Cheung Ka Fai and COW's Huang Bo win Best Actor
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of takungpao.com

The 46th Annual Taiwan Film Golden Horse Award took place last night in Taipei. Li Bingbing in absence of opponent Zhou Xun won Best Leading Actress with THE MESSAGE as the favorite. The Best Leading Actor result was unexpected as two winners were announced: BEAST STALKER (JING YUN)'s Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Chow's Huang Bo. Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung) also with AT THE END OF DAYBREAK (SUM MOR) won Best Supporting Actress. Leon Dai with NO PUEDE VIVAR SIN TI won both Best Director and Best Picture, the big winner of the evening with five awards.

This year's Golden Horse winners were all favorites except for the first Best Leading Actor duo winners in the Golden Horse history. Both were very surprised when they accepted from last year's Best Leading Actor and Leading Actress Zhang Hanyu and Prudence Liew Mei Kwan. On stage Ka Fai said a few words then made room for Huang Bo as he said he still had to think a little more. Huang Bo joked, "This is the Best Actor in the legends." Ka Fai said, "Taiwan truly is too beautiful, the first time I step on Taiwan's Golden Horse stage I am able to accept this award. I am truly very proud." Ka Fai pointed out that working in Taiwan was very tough but it was well worth it. He also said that after watching Huang Bo's performance he felt he had to work even harder. When he heard that he won with Huang Bo he felt it was the best ending. Huang Bo also thought the jury for giving him a chance because this was the hardest and the toughest film for him. He truly thanked the director for giving him a chance.

The event arranged for Ng Yin Cho and Shu Qi to present the Best Leading Actress award. Shu Qi made fun of Ng Yin Cho that he should not have a chance at Best Leading Actor and told him to first give his thank you speech. After Li Bingbing learned that she won, she choked up during the speech. She expressed that she never thought about the chance to be on stage. This was her second Golden Horse Award and she never thought that she would receive the recognition. She thanked the jury and gave a deep bow to the jury. She said, "Life truly is very meaningful, I appreciate that in my life something this wonderful has happened." She also thanked the boss, Zhou Xun and other cast and crew. Bingbing said, "The film is truly quite a torture, but it is worth it. I thank my team, which never gave up on me, for my performance today." Because her speech was too long, the event played music to hurry her up. Fellow favorite Zhou Xun was absent reportedly she knew that Bingbing won. Although the result was the same, Zhou Xun's manager stressed that Zhou Xun really wanted to attend but her schedule did not allow her to.

The event arranged for four directors Johnnie To Kei Fung, Stanley Kwan Kam Peng, Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and Ang Lee to present Best Director. The host had a little fun with the directors and asked them to perform their expression at the moment of victory. Ang Lee and To Kei Fung's performance made the entire crowd laugh. NO PUEDO VIVAR SIN TI's Leon Dai Lap Yan won Best Director. When he reached the stage he was crying with excitement. Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's Best Picture presentation brought the event to its climax. Reportedly the event originally wanted to invite Carina Lau Ka Ling but Ka Ling declined in order to avoid Man Yuk. Last night Man Yuk expressed that the rumor was a joke and asked Hou Hsiao-Hsien to consider invite her, Ka Ling and Tony Leung Chiu Wai to present together. The director might be afraid that they would fight on stage. Later Man Yuk clarified her rumor with Wai Jai.

Cheung Ka Fai and Li Bingbing presented Best Supporting Actress. Ka Fai forgot his lines and his conversation with Li Bingbing cracked up the crowd. Wai Ying Hung won with THE END OF DAYBREAK (SUM MOR). Siu Hung shed tears of joy on stage and expressed that she never thought that she would win. She thought Cheung Ka Fai was joking because at a Hong Kong award she has been fooled once. She expressed that four years ago the director approached her to make RAIN DOGS (TAI YEUNG YU). At the time because she could not accommodate the schedule she did not accept it. This time originally she had another scheduling conflict, she only had eight days but the director expressed it was fine. Three days before the shoot she kept eating ice cream and chocolate in order to gain eight pounds. After the shoot she did not eat or drink for two days and successfully returned to her original weight. She pointed out that this award was the best present in her over 30 year career, it absolutely was a dream come true. She also thanked her mother as she put her mother's shadow into the character.

As for Best Supporting Actor, FOREVER ENTHRALLED's Wong Xueqi won. Because he was busy with John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s new film he did not attend. Yu Shaoqun after winning with FOREVER ENTHRALLED at the Golden Rooster Hundred Flower Award again won Best New Performer. Sammo Hung Kam Bo and Tony Leung Siu Hung won Best Action Choreography with IP MAN, but Sammo did not attend. Leung Siu Hung's speech was too long and was rushed with music. NO PUEDO VIVAR SIN TI director Dai Lap Yun and Guey Lun-Mei finally had a chance to appear on stage together. Dai Lap Yan accepted the Best Original Screenplay from Guey Lun-Mei and they hug to celebrate. Dai Lap Yun thanked Siu Mei for supporting him without regret. As for a wedding date, he joked that he was sweating and did not know how to answer. The event also arranged for Siu Mei to introduce the Best Picture nominee NO PUEDO VIVAR SIN TI, which seemed to be a deliberate arrangement. Faye Wong's former husband Dou Wei and Bi Xiaodi with THE EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH won Best Original Music Score. This year's Golden Horse also added a memorial segment of late artists as photos of Chan Hung Lit, Shing Fui On, Shek Kin, Spencer Lam Seung Yi and Chang Lu were shown. Many guests like Shu Qi and Maggie Cheung Man Yuk were teary eyed from it.

[2009.11.29] STEPHEN CHOW GIVES KITTY ZHANG THE COLD SHOULDER

Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho)

Kitty Zhang Yuqi

Stephen Chow Sing Chi

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Leon Jay Williams (Lap Wai Lim) and Yao Wenxue starred JUMP! (TIU CHOOK HUI) two nights ago premiered. Director Stephen Fung Tak Lun and executive producer Stephen Chow Sing Chi as well as Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang Ying-yen and guest star Daniel Wu Ng Yin Cho appeared.

The premiere promoted the charity organization Stand Tall, which provides artificial limbs to Sichuan earthquake victims. Two days ago a Sichuan disaster victim Wei Yunlu attended the premiere and accepted the autographed poster from Chow Sing Chi. When Tang Ying-yen and Chow Sing Chi appeared, they helped Wei Yunlu. Chow Sing Chi said, "This time I give my strong support because by chance I ran into Chief Secretary Tang who introduced Stand Tall to me. I know that the effort after the Sichuan disaster, as Chief Secretary Tang says, the counselling work requires a very long time and is very meaningful. JUMP! and Stand Tall's names are very well matched. I am only volunteering my effort."

Fung Tak Lun expressed that this organization helped victims after the disaster. This film also encouraged people to have hope. He hoped that everyone would have hope in life. Zhang Yuqi honestly said that she was very nervous about JUMP!'s release and hoped that this film will be able to bring everyone a good experience. Actually everyone was very nervous. Was she nervous about Sing Yeh's review? She said Sing Yeh should have already seen the film but she did not have the time to ask for his opinion. Perhaps he ws busy with Chief Secretary Tang. Zhang Yuqi once was accused of criticizing Sing Yeh. She expressed that two nights ago Sing Yeh was too busy and she did not have time to talk with him.

Ng Yin Cho guest starred in one scene as a plastic surgeon. He said that he has never been the funny one in a comedy. Earlier in LOVE UNDERCOVER (SUN JAT SI MUI) Miriam Yeung Chin Wa was responsible for the comedy. Did he want to be a comedy actor? He said that perhaps with this face no one approached him about comedy. He honestly said that he would like to work with Fung Tak Lun again. This time he only accepted laisee from his good friend as salary. Did he want to work with Sing Yeh? He admitted that he would like the chance to but he rarely came in contact with him. Earlier back stage was his first chat with him. Would he ask Fung Tak Lun to set him up with working with Sing Yeh? He said that he could. If he was making his movie, he would consider rookie price or even no salary because he was the king of comedy in all Asia.