From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (March 6 2008) Organization: Chaffing Heart Club (TM) The following publication contains material that might be objectionable to some readers. Parental guidance and reader discretion are advised. [FLUFF OF THE WEEK] Courtesy of Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Apple Daily, Oriental Daily, and Ta Kung Pao 1. MISCELLANEOUS * (3/12/2008) Reportedly Tang Wei has been completely blacklisted in Mainland mainly because of displeasure over her LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) character's suspicion of promoting treason. Yesterday Manfred Wong (Man Jun) expressed that Mainland had a lot of news about displeasure for LUST, CAUTION, but nothing has clearly indicated that Tang Wei has been blacklisted. Man Jun learned that recently Tang Wei had an advertisement that was banned because Tang Wei appeared in her LUST, CAUTION look. He believed that Mainland definitely had opinions about LUST, CAUTION, but any talk of being completely blacklisted might be too soon. Man Jun felt that as an actor she has followed the director's instruction and the screenplay. The inspection regulation has cut whatever that needed to be cut. Tang Wei could not change the script. She just followed Ang Lee's orders. Would Tang Wei's Mainland blacklist affect her trip to Hong Kong? Man Jun felt that it should not. He felt that the sooner Tang Wei accepts another film and plays another character the better she would be as she would be far away from this storm. Would anyone dare to make a movie with her due to the blacklist rumor? He felt that would not necessarily be true. Tang Wei has signed with a powerful company. She should be fine after time erased the matter. As for Tang Wei's Asian Film Award trip to Hong Kong next week, Man Jun felt that Tang Wei's decline of any press interview was a good strategy as she would not make any mistake if she did not speak. As for the several leads in the erotic photo storm, Man Jun directly said that this matter was a bigger deal. Newspapers claimed that Mainland had protests for Edison Chen Koon Hei to tumble out of show business. Actually Chen Koon Hei did not care about Chinese market. He was more concerned about Gillian Chung Yun Tung, who has suffered the most in the matter. He felt that Twins should break up and transform. As long as they still used the name Twins everyone would treat them like children and claim that Twins swindled them. If they would develop individually then they could switch to more mature routes. He said that people would grow up and female stars in erotic scenes would not be anything surprising. Now everyone would wait for Ah Gil to calm down and return. Some women have been very disgusted with Ah Gil and blamed that Ah Gil should not have pretended to be innocent. Man Jun felt that no one thought others would see those photos. He supported Ah Gil and said that she was not pretending. As one of the professional packaging Ah Gil could not be blamed. He believed that Ah Gil still had room for development in Mainland. The other female lead Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi has not appeared in public since the incident. Man Jun guessed that she would like time to ease everything and directly said that Pak Chi's impression has always been someone who wanted to have fun and was wilder. Now Pak Chi needed her family's support the most. He also has met with Pak Chi's manager and learned that Pak Chi and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung have been as much in love as they have been in the past. Yesterday reportedly due to LUST's Mainland release inspection issues have been reflected. Recently the inspection process has been very strict as many film releases have been hindered. Films like THREE KINGDOMS RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON (SAM GOK GEIN LUNG SEH GAP), FATAL MOVE (DUET SEH) and RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) and many co-productions have had their approvals held up. Even some movies that have been approved would have to be inspected again, sending the Hong Kong film industry into a panic! Hong Kong Film Worker Union chief Ng See Yuen admitted that lately he has received many film professional complaints about how difficult the inspection has been. Yet he was not at liberty to reveal which screenplay was involved. FATAL MOVE's director Law Sau Yiu expressed, "Due to FATAL MOVE's sensitive subject matter, the movie has already abandoned Mainland because we knew it wouldn't be approved. Actually Mainland had many movies that were first approved then proven to be mistaken, like Fan Bingbing and Tony Leung Ka Fai's LOST IN BEIJING and LUST, CAUTION, which have made film inspection stricter! Hopefully Mainland's film inspection would be clearer!" Experienced film professional Fong Ping expressed, "Actually not just LUST, CAUTION, earlier JIANG HU also had this situation. With the recent political meetings a lot had to make room, including film inspection. (Has THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT received an approval?) It's already done." The May release Emperor film RUN PAPA RUN according to the film company was approved as an import film so it should not be affected. BO CHI TUNG WA (KEEP IN TOUCH)'s director Benny Chan Muk Sing directly said that he has already the approval long ago and was unaffected. He did not know whether inspection now has been tighten. As for Feng Xiaogang's accusation that Mainland had no accurate standard about sex in film, Chan Muk Sing said, "I too feel the standard is rather blurry, which makes script creation difficult. Some sensitive subjects have to consult Mainland investors before writing about. Because of all the asking a lot of time has been wasted." * (3/11/2008) The long running game show THE TRIO DELIGHTS would release another 26 episode installment. This time TVB would work with Malaysia's Astro television station and 4 episodes would be filmed there. Most recently Tang Wei has been fully blacklisted in Mainland and had to temporarily halt all promotions. Even her advertisement campaign was dropped reportedly because the Tang Wei starred LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) was under suspicion of "praising traitors". Chi Wai said, "What a shame." He felt that as an actor before taking a role he would not think so much. He believed that this was an accident and the artist was very helpless. Because she was a Mainland actress, he would have to understand the related regulation. Tang Wei was nominated for the Asian Film Award's Best Actress. Chi Wai felt that the two matters were separate and believed that it would not be affected. The effect on the Golden Rooster Hundred Flower award might be larger. He said, each place had different standards. * (3/11/2008) The film SIU MOR TAU CHIN LEI SUNG GU (LITTLE DEMON THOUSAND MILES DRUM DELIVERY) wrapped in Henan. The film was based on the folk artist lives in the town of Baofeng, a story about an artist and artistic integrity. Young artist Zhao Lingfei runs into performer He Panpan. The prankster Zhao Lingfei uses magic to make He Panpan's drum disappear and promises He Panpan that it would return to the drum rack before the performance. Later Zhao Lingfei was dragged to drinking. After recovering he suddenly remembers the drum delivery, but He Panpan and her mother were already on the road to the performance. Thus started Zhao Lingfei's thousand mile drum delivery story. "This film's schedule was too intense and has caught me off guard." The Henan Film and Television Group's veteran director Li Yongmin said with deep sentiments. Since the shoot began on the Lunar 12th the team arranged for 15 days to complete the shoot. Without overtime they would have had a difficult time wrapping up. Thus the team worked all night and day. One of the shoots of February 28 went from 8AM to the 29th's 6AM and lasted 22 hours. Although the shoot was very tough, the team had no complaint. Lead actress Song Wenjuan caught the flu after the long hours. She could only take time for intravenous fluid replenishment. The gaffer Ye Chenmin even unknowingly fell asleep. After 14 days they successfully completed over 800 minutes of film material. * (3/11/2008) THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) leads Kelly Chen Wai Lam and Guo Xiaodong earlier went to promote in Chongqing and put their hands in cement at the premiere. They drew their impression of the title. Kelly with her design artistic ability quickly drew Miss China. Guo Xiaodong drew Kelly in costume. They also talked about the duel. In this scene Guo Xiaodong stepped on Kelly's helmet. Guo Xiaodong recalled, "Kelly put her head to the ground and told me, 'Come on! Step!' but I truly couldn't step down and told the director if we could switch to someone else. Yet the director said no. After several tries, the director wasn't satisfied and thought that I didn't step hard enough. Later, Kelly said to me, 'You go ahead and step, I would be fine after toughing it out awhile.'" After this scene he immediately apologized to Kelly because he was a mark on Kelly's face. Kelly even comforted him, "In comparison to other action scenes, it's no big deal. We finished it in one take too!" Yet Guo Xiaodong due to this action fight used excessive force and suffered injuries that required surgery. He had to spend the Lunar New Year at the hospital. * (3/10/2008) The Jackie Chan produced, Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) directed film RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) will premiere globally on April 10. Louis Koo Tin Lok in the film plays a Wise Guy and Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) plays a lawyer in training. Originally they belong to two different worlds but her pregnancy brings them together. After Lau Yeuk Ying gives birth they hold a make up wedding banquet and red egg party, but while the brides' guests are all well mannered, the groom's brethren are mixed crowd. The situation is very awkward. Cheung Ngai Ga points out that for this scene originally she wants to build a 60's old style teahouse. Finally she finds a restaurant that has antiquated decoration with a little nostalgia. Finally she shoots on the location. This film uses 200 extras as guests. Due to the narrow space, control of the scene is somewhat difficult. Cheung Ngai Ga points out that people of the era should wear Chinese style wedding costumes, but she in order to express their rebellious ways dresses them in suits. Lau Yeuk Ying's wedding gown is very sexy. Their parents are very mad. Goo Jai expresses that this scene is very memorable. Perhaps earlier he has worked with Lau Yeuk Ying on HAPPY BIRTHDAY, when the crew see them in their wedding clothes they praise them for looking like a couple. Because they are too close, when the photographer shoots their photos in the movie they both make faces. Lau Yeuk Ying also praises Goo Jai's charisma. During the shoot the baby keeps on crying and even Cheung Ngai Ga cannot handle her. Finally Goo Jai makes a face and the baby laughs. Goo Jai's brethren Lam Suet, Chan Wai Man, Chan Chi Chung and others use the prop cards to play the Big Deuce when they are not in a sene. In addition, after announcing its Hong Kong International Film Festival selection, RUN PAPA RUN has been invited to participate in the Udine Film Festival. Director Cheung Ngai Ga may attend with Koo Tin Lok and Lau Yeuk Ying. * (3/10/2008) Since Tang Wei reportedly due to LUST, CAUTION has been blacklisted, many female stars were very sensitive about the subject. Yesterday Zhou Xun, Kwai Lun-Mei, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Alex Fong Chung Shun and others attended their new film NUI YUN BUT WAI (WOMEN NOT BAD) women's day luncheon, a Mainland media representative compared Tang Wei's "degree of sacrifice" in LUST to Zhou Xun's in BAOBER IN LOVE. Zhou Xun's face immediately darken as she seriously said, "Who told you I had enormous sacrifice in the film? The news was fake!" As for working with Tsui Hark Zhou Xun directly said that the pressure was tremendous and she was so nervous that she only got one hour of sleep. When Tsui Hark found out that Zhou Xun was nervous to death, he told her not to think too much. Zhou Xun said, "So far I have only played 3 to 4 characters, many more are still in Tsui Hark's brain." Girl next door Kwai Lun Mei after Tsui Hark's transformation has found her inner "trend". Kwai Lun Mei expressed, under Tsui Hark's strict demand, she started to thoroughly transformed herself and began a hellish training that included boxing, bass guitar playing, motorcycle riding and other lessons. According to the crew, Kwai Lun Mei has been very convincing as in everyday life she has become more and more masculine. In a scene with Pang Yu Ang she even scratched her co-star's cheek by accident, only when she saw her co-star's wound did she return to being a gentle woman! All three female leads complained about the shoot. Zhou Xun complained that two nights before the first shoot Tsui Hark got her drunk because that night the entire team drank together. The next day she had to run on a bridge in high heels and the temperature was chilly. She succumbed after running for the fourth time and told Tsui Hark, "Let me throw up!" Tsui Hark joked, "I want that can't catch her breath feeling from her." Kwai Lun Mei complained that she only had two days to learn to ride a motorcycle. On the third day she had to ride it in traffic with a guy in the back, she was scared to death. Tsui Hark said that both wore helmets but when asked whether he would dare to ride he only laughed. Zhang Yuqi's first scene was a kiss scene with Fong Chung Shun. Before the shoot she asked Fong Chung Shun whether she needed to chew gum first, he shook his head and said that since they did not need to open their mouths no breath could come out. However Fong Chung Shun's facial hair bruised her first, the feeling of which she only got from playing with her father when she was little. Fong Chung Shun thanked her with embarrassment. * (3/9/2008) The Hong Kong Director's Guild two nights ago held its spring banquet. Aside from Director's Guild members, a group of new film people like Linda Chung Ka Yu and Kate Tsui Tsz Shan attended. The 2007 New Actor award gold prize went to EYE IN THE SKY (GUNG JUNG)'s Tsui Tsz Shan, silver prize ewnt to LOVE IS NOT ALL AROUND (SUP FUN OI)'s Linda Chung Ka Yun, and THE PYE-DOG (YEH LEUNG HUEN)'s child star Man Chun Fai. Ka Yun thanked TVB for making room on her schedule and would cherish and grasp opportunities in the future. The 2007 New Director Award went to EYE IN THE SKY's Yau Nai Hoi. The Most Recommended Films and Most Outstanding Director Awards went to Ann Hui On Wa's POSTMODERN LIFE OF MY AUNT, Derek Yee Tung Sing's PROTEGE and Peter Chan Ho Sun's THE WARLORD. Siu Bo not only thanked Chan Ho Sun for his hard work on finding funding but also his girlfriend; Hui On Wa came on stage with a clutch and joked that Siu Bo and Chan Ho Sun were her junior, but they were two juniors that she admired the most; Chan Ho Sun also humbly said because of Hui On Wa's movies he joined the film industry. Directors' Guild former chair Yee Tung Sing has completed Jackie Chan's new film THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT (SUN SHOOK GOO SI). Speaking of the Australian funeral of Jackie Chan's father, Siu Bo praised Big Brother for being professional and strong. On the day of his father's passing, their team was shooting the final day in Changchun, but Big Brother was unaffected and continued to perform as usual. In addition he attended the wrap banquet that night. As for the government's 300 million allocation to support the film industry, Andrew Lau Wai Keung expressed support and felt that the government's 30% funding was reasonable and fair. He also has thought about applying for a movie. As for his year end over 100 million big production WATER MARSH (SHUI FU JUEN) it would be divided into two installations and take half a year to make. Joe Ma Wai Ho two nights ago announced his engagement as he would wed his girlfriend of two years on the 22nd. First time Directors' Guild spring banquet attendee Chung Ka Yun felt very honored. She and Tsui Tsz Shan both hoped through this chance to catch the directors' eyes. Would Ka Yun make daring attempts if she would have more big screen performance opportunities? She directly said that she definitely would not perform in the buff but she could accept intimate scenes. Although she has not made too many movies but she has worked on many kiss scenes with Raymond Lam Fung, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Joey Leung Wing Chun, Steven Ma Chun Wai, and Bosco Wong Chung Chak. Yet before each shoot she would ask her co-stars aside from required contact in the story to try to keep their distance. Two nights ago before the spring banquet, the Directors Guild held an independent production experience sharing event. Hong Kong Film Development Council secretary Fung Wing spoke and around 30 directors attended. Fung Wing talked about the government's 300 million film industry development assistance fund. Now MCDULL WU TANG and FA FEI FA have successfully received financial assistance, but some applicants during the process have automatically cancelled their applications. Many directors also asked about cooperative investment ratio and after film release profit sharing. Fung Wing answered every question and expressed that after two years the project would be examined again. * (3/9/2008) Famous fashion label Dior two nights ago held a fashion show and invited Shawn Yue Man Lok, William So Wing Hong, Anthony Wong Yiu Ming, SNIPER (SUN CHEUNG SAU)'s director Dante Lam Chiu Yin and a group of actors Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) and Huang Xiaoming to attend. One of the films' leads was Edison Chen Koon Hei. Reportedly due to his erotic photo incident the film's release has been postponed. The film company explained that Mainland just held a meeting and the film has not yet received any approval. Siu Chai, Huang Xiaoming and others were not worried that Edison would affect the box office. The director also supported Edison as always working hard to play the character well. Because Edison has already left Hong Kong, he had no part in the promotion. The actors did not dare to talk randomly. Siu Chai gave a look to hint that the director would handle the matter. Lam Chiu Yin only said that as a director he felt Edison's performance has improved since their previous collaboration several years ago. The collaboration felt good. As for other actors, it was an extremely large regret because the actors went into battle together but they were one less during the promotion. However he definitely has not cut Edison's part. The director also expressed that the most difficult part of this shoot was working the heat of July and August, so the most difficult part was not for him. He asked for the gun fight to feel real and hired a special unit to assist. Siu Chai said that the most memorable performance in his film career was when he and Huang Xiaoming jumped together from the tenth floor to the ninth floor balcony in the opposite building. He saw all the clothes hangers below he thought that any mishap would turn him into fishballs on a stick. Xiaoming also said that this film was harder than he has imagined. Siu Chai revealed that because each time Xiaoming tested the position he was bruised all over. * (3/9/2008) Lydia Shum Din Ha memorial exhibit kicked off two days ago and selected 12 of Fei Jeh's films from the 60s to 2004 for screenings between March 7 and 16 at the Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong Space Museum and Science Museum. They included DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER (HUNG LAU MUNG), MASTER CUTE AND TAI FAN SHU (LO FU JI YU DAI FAN SHU), FOUR SISTERS (SEI JI MUI), THREE FLOWERS OF THE FACTORY (GUNG CHONG SAM SIU JEH), FIRST LOVE FOREVER (LAN MONG CHOR LUEN), LOVELY HUSBANDS (CHUNG MING TAI TAI BUN JEUNG FU), TEDDY GIRLS (FEI NUI JING JUEN), THE HOUSE OF 72 TENANTS (CHUT SUP YI GA FONG HAT), IT'S A MAD MAD MAD WORLD (FU GWAI BIK YUN), DOUBLE FATTINESS (SEUNG FEI LUM MOON), MOTHER VS. MOTHER (NAM BUT MA DA) and her final film IN-LAWS, OUT-LAWS (NGOR DIK DAI GAU FU MO). Two days ago the opening ceremony invited Nancy Sit Ka Yin to attend. Sister Ka Yin so far still has not recovered from Fei Jeh's passing and was emotionally disturbed. She revealed that earlier on a program, she ran into and even spoke with a psychiatrist. She said, "Fei Jeh's passing has disturbed me a lot. Earlier I saw her wilting away and knew that her illness has been very damaging to her, I was mentally prepared. Yet when I received the message I truly didn't know how to cry. The emotions of these few days were unimaginable to me." Sister Ka Yin earlier attended Fei Jeh's memorial program and could not stop crying. She said, "I couldn't control my own emotions. Over these few days when I got home I didn't dare to sit down. I had to call my friends and family to chat with me. For three days in a row I was like that. Today coming here I am still very scared." Sister Ka Yin recalled that in the past when she went to the studio she was always with Fei Jeh. That day when she went into the studio and her close up photo she immediately could not breathe and honestly said that she could not accept the moment. What did the psychiatrist say to her? Sister Ka Yin said, "He said that I was already great in that I knew to call my friends to keep me company." Ka Yin has started working with Fei Jeh in movies since their youth and reunited when she returned to make series. Thus their relationship was very close. Sister Ka Yin said, "All three of my children aren't in Hong Kong. These few nights I couldn't sleep." * (3/8/2008) Shu Qi yesterday attended a crystal exhibit. She originally would work on Andrew Lau Wai Keung's new film but now it has been delayed. She joked that now she had to wait for Lau Wai Keung's schedule. He had to work on an ad campaign and a movie so he has already become an artist who was truly very busy. Shu Qi even joked that the director was stealing their livelihood. * (3/8/2008) Zhao Wen Zhou just came to Hong Kong from Beijing. Yesterday he was a guest on BE MY GUEST (CHI WAN FAN GUK). He would stay in Hong Kong for three days and would be busy with taping, interview and series promotion. He also revealed that after the Olympic Games he would work on a Hollywood martial art film, in which he would have lines in two languages. Thus he would have to stay in the U.S. for a year to study the English pronunciation for the film. * (3/8/2008) Stephy Tang Lai Yun in the new film L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI) not only fought over a guy but also threatened someone with a knife. Her rival was Taiwan's Alice Tsang Hoi Won. In the film Tsang Hoi Won and Stephy were former classmates. After running into each other again, she stole Stephy's boyfriend. Later Stephy ran into her former neighbor Alex Fong Lik Sun who was actually a romantic swindler. Because this was a youth romance, Fong Lik Sun and Stephy had many passionate kiss scenes in the film. Stephy also was full of emotions when she threatened Tsang Hoi Won with a knfie and was praised as having the potential to play a killer. * (3/8/2008) The Asian Film Award would take place on March 17 at the Hong Kong Convention Center to open the Hong Kong Entertainment Expo. Internationally renown directors and film stars have been invited to be guest presenters and performers. They included Korean star Song Hye-Kyo and Asian Film Award Best Actor nominee, SECRET SUNSHINE's Song Kang-Ho. Stefanie Sun Yanzi would be the guest performer and would perform many classic film songs. LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI)'s Best Director nominee Ang Lee expressed certain confidence and at the same time would like Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Tang Wei to win in their nominated categories because the entire cast and crew put in quite an effort into the LUST, CAUTION production. Ang Lee revealed that he has not started any new film project yet as he was spending his time off to improve himself, keep his family and children company and come up with new screenplay ideas. Ang Lee expressed that he would rather to personally attend the event. * (3/8/2008) THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) earlier held its Beijing premiere. Director Ching Siu Tung attended with actors Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Leon Lai Ming, Guo Xiaodong. Recently busy with the Olympics and rarely appeared in public, Zhang Yimou due to several collaborations with Ching Siu Tung also made an exception and appeared. Ching Siu Tung personally welcomed him as a show of respect. According to Mainland film distributor, due to the film's enormous draw and creative line up, cinemas have treated THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS as the market rescue in the post February light market. Its distribution was no worse in scale than the end of 2007 New Year films THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG) and ASSEMBLY. * (3/7/2008) The film L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI) two nights ago held a wrap banquet. Attendees included Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Leila Tong Ning, Jason Wu JIng, director Yip Lim Sum and boss Paco Wong. In the film Stephy and Siu Fong had intimate scenes that had them rolling on the floor. Stephy felt that this scene was too much and spoke with the director, who finally deleted the most extreme part. She denied that she was afraid her pristine image would be destroyed. She only asked the director whether the shoot was too much and the final decision still lay with the director. Earlier Stephy's comments of the character as "very naive, very dumb" were considered jabs at Gillian Chung Yun Tung. She said that after last time she would use other descriptive terms about her character. She expressed that last time was not deliberate, but to avoid any misunderstanding she would try to avoid it. Siu Fong had two shots of whiskey before the intimate scene. He said that of course he did not play the scene for real. He also had to protect his co-star and communicated the entire process with Stephy before hand in hopes of providing her a sense of security. He stressed that he absolutely would not use being drunk as an excuse. Siu Fong expressed that he did not reveal his true feeling after drinking either but admitted that he was a little high and excited. Yeung Oi Kun and Hu Qingnan in the film also had intimate scenes and had to touch each other's private regions, from which she got a very "adult" feeling. Because she and her boyfriend have never done anything like that, she felt very guilty after the shoot and thus cried. * (3/7/2008) Mulberry 2008 Spring and Summer line fashion show took place yesterday. Guest models included Louis Koo Tin Lok, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), and Amanda S. Artists in attendance included Gigi Lai Chi and Stephen Fung Tak Lun. Fung Tak Lun as the director of TIU CHOOK HUI (DANCE OUT) was linked in rumors with female lead Zhang Yuqi. He immediately said, "Wow, she is a teenager, I am over 10 years older. That seems a little much." He expressed that during the shoot he was only concerned with his work attitude but did not know the personal her. Soon after he and Karen Morris (Mok Man Wai) have broken up, he approached her with a short film. Because they were good friends they still had chemistry. Would they have a chance of getting back together? He stressed that they were only working and would not involved any personal relationship. Now they are still good friends. * (3/7/2008) Jackie Chan and Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) worked together on the film THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (GONG FU JI WONG), which has already been scheduled for a global release on April 24. Next month an all Asia press conference would be held. Jackie Chan, Lee Nin Kit and director Rob Minkoff and other actors Li Bingbing and Liu Yifei would attend. The film company would invest over 100 million on an ancient palace construction at the press conference venue. Aside from Hong Kong, promotions in China and even the U.S. have been tightly scheduled. The Jackie Chan and Lee Nin Kit led promotional team would first attend the global premiere in Beijing in early April, then head to Hollywood for the U.S. premiere and promotion in Taiwan. * (3/7/2008) THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) today would be released nationally with nearly 900 copies. Director Ching Siu Tung, Leon Lai Ming, Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Guo Xiaodong yesterday attended the Beijing press conference and premiere. Later they would continue to promote in Shanghai, Xian, Chongqing, Guangzhou. The Hong Kong release would be March 20. Kelly would attend the promotion and premiere events. Yesterday at the press conference, Lai Ming, Kelly, Guo Xiaodong discussed a variety of on the set difficulties in detail. Each had different degrees of injuries. Guo Xiaodong had a severe shoulder injury, Kelly had a bruised elbow, and Lai Ming had a finger injury that was intolerably painful. Ching Siu Tung praised Kelly and Lai Ming as very professional, whether action or romantic scenes in they met with his demand for 100%. "Kelly is a very nice and lovable actress. When you tell her to practice, she does it without any word; as for Lai Ming, I thought that he has not worked on any action scene for awhile and expected that he would practice more. Yet he was very agile as soon as he moved." Eric Tsang Chi Wai also attended the press conference as the film's executive produer. He was full of confidence in the film. Kelly and Lai Ming both worked with Ching Siu Tung for the first time, both said that they got what they wished for. Their most difficult scene was battling enemies in the treehouse. Kelly said, "The treehouse battle was a night shoot. The bow I used was exactly my height and was very tough to hold on to. I even had to shoot it. After this scene with Lai Ming, I worked alone for two full weeks. Director Ching every night told me to shoot arrows until my arms were numb!" Kelly also said that now she could shoot an arrow with either arms thanks to the director. Lai Ming said that his first collaboration with Kelly was destined because he has worked on any UFO films without running into Kelly. Even in INFERNAL AFFAIRS 3 (MO GAN DOH 3) they did not have any scene together. Kelly revealed that Lai Ming was full of trivial knowledge. Kelly said, "Because we were in armors under 40 degrees heat, we easily sweated a lot. The crew in order to prevent heat stroke would remove our armors as soon as a shot was completed and brought the air conditioner to us. Lai Ming knew that the extreme temperature change would make getting sick easier and told me to use the fan as much as I could." * (3/6/2008) The film SHAMO (GWUN GAI) two nights ago held a premiere. Attendees included Shawn Yue Man Lok, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), Francis Ng Chun Yu and director Soi Cheang Po Shui. Many artists like Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Stephanie Cheng Yung, Chow Pak Ho, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Chapman To Man Jat, Krystal Tin Yui Nei and Freeze came in support. When asked whether Chun Yu had any spark with Yue Man Lok, Chun Yu said, "You ask such common questions. Did you actually ask about whether we set off spark? Why don't you ask me what jokes I got?" Later when everyone launched their confetti cannon, Chun Yu did not work. Lok Jai tried to help but to no avail. Later Lok Jai successfully helped Sum Yau's. Chun Yu joked, "When you help girls it's bang bang, but with guys you can't." Lok Jai laughed, "With guys of course there is no bang bang." Yue Man Lok this time in the film had a sadomy scene. Earlier reportedly the director approached Edison Chen Koon Hei but due to this scene Chen Koon Hei asked for 1.8 million. Thus Lok Jai landed the role. Lok Jai expressed that the rumor already has been talked about during the production and he was used to it. Lok Jai said, "You can't calculate like that. (You are truly a value!) I won't compete with others. The ones who feel I am suitable would naturally approach me. This time I didn't ask for any more money and only made appropriate adjustment. I wouldn't add just for the sodomy scene." As for which kind of scene would make him ask for more money, he said, "I am OK, not much would need to add. Working only for more money doesn't seem right, it seems so superficial." Yet, Lok Jai honestly said that guy guy kiss scene like in HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT) he still could not accept yet. If Wong Kar Wai truly approached him he would ask why he would. As for category III film, he expressed of course he would not make adult film. In addition, reportedly he originally would work with Gillian Chung Yun Tung on MO HUP LEUNG JOOK (MARTIAL ART HEROES LEUNG JOOK) but because he had to stay to work in Hong Kong he could not work on the film. Lok Jai has not confirmed yet due to scheduling discussion. He pointed out that the co-star was not an issue. Lau Sum Yau in the film had a table dance scene. Sum Yau expressed that she was not nervous during the shoot but she would be when she would watch it at the cinema. She looked forward to how the director would edit it and she also had family on hand. Sum Yau pointed out that the costume was her bottom line as she has never been so sexy before. She expressed that during the shoot she wore a corset and shorts with fishnet stockings. At for added padding, she said that she did not for this scene and she was very satisfied with her figure. * (3/6/2008) The Benny Chan Muk Sing directed film BO CHI TUNG WA (KEEP IN TOUCH) wrapped at the end of last month. The film has been scheduled for an all Asia release in the second half of the year. Two nights ago the film company held a wrap banquet. Attendees included boss Albert Yeung Sau Sing, Chan Muk Sing, Louis Koo Tin Lok and Nick Cheung Ka Fai. Since it was Yeung Sau Sing's birthday as well, the guests and workers celebrated. Chan Muk Sing also screened the first highlight reel. Koo Tin Lok, Cheung Ka Fai and others cheered for five minutes after watching it. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 12 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS OPENING UP SOONER OR LATER, WHY NOT START NOW An industry insider who has worked for awhile in Mainland has told the writer, Hong Kong people cannot possibly get used to Mainland inspection. Hong Kong people's legal understanding is as long as it has precedence anything would receive the same treatment under the same standard later. Yet this idea does not work with Mainland inspection as each case is independent. The last approval does not mean approval next time. Already approved does not mean that any issue later would not be questioned. Mainland film professionals say that "make up execution" system exists. With any approval if any issue arises later, even if the person who was in charge has left the position, he or she may face "make up execution". Thus, most who are in power would rather been strict than loose. Hong Kong is a place with only 6 to 7 million people. China has a population of 1.3 billion and has many possibilities for problems that we cannot imagine. A friend who is familiar with the Mainland situation explains, Hong Kong people always feel movie is no big deal, viewers know to identify the truth from fiction and opening up a little more is no problem. Yet to the entire developing Mainland it is not as simple as we have imagined. The writer also understands this point. The Andy Lau Tak Wa fanatic who came to Hong Kong to find him has already amazed us. However, with severe Mainland piracy, anything that the government did not want the people to see on the big screen could be seen on video. Mainland viewers could completely come in contact with anything that had no way to be approved, no matter how much sex or violence it had. The difference would be it was not seen on the big screen. The difference between the big screen and video is worthy of study. The writer of course hopes that China can exercise the three category film rating system. Anything that is politically sensitive perhaps still needs appropriate standard. Yet for the average entertainment film, the policy should be gradually loosen. Since in recent years Mainland viewers through pirated video have seen anything and everything, yet no disturbance has appeared. If the small screen has not created any severe consequence, why not gradually open up the big screen? The film market sooner or later needs to be open up, starting now would not be considered too soon. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 11 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MAINLAND BLACKLIST RUMORS Lately Mainland has two blacklist rumors. In one after leaders have seen LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) they felt something was wrong and began a complete blacklisting of Tang Wei. The other was about Edison Chen Koon Hei's nude photo incident, artists involved could not appear on CCTV and make any promotional appearance. Whether the rumors were true or false, to show business they truly had enormous influence. LUST, CAUTION was released in Mainland after passing inspection. According to the average procedure, this film was shot in Mainland so the screenplay had to be approved before hand. If the screenplay had no problem, the film still had to be inspected after completion. Thus seven minutes were removed. If it had any problem, LUST, CAUTION would not only be banned in Mainland, but even outside viewers would not necessarily have enjoyed it. After the fact blacklisting was even more terrifying than before the fact rejection. LUST, CAUTION so far has only been a rumor, but another Mainland film LOST IN BEIJING truly was banned after official release approval. The production unit and the cast needed to examine themselves and "halt competition", which proved that after release inspection approval repercussion after the fact might still be possible. Due to Chen Koon Hei's nude photo incident, the Stephen Fung Tak Lun directed TIU CHOOK HUI (DANCE OUT) was already interested in shooting Chen Koon Hei's part. His other film SNIPER (SUN CHEUNG SAU) originally was scheduled for release this month. Now it still has not been inspected and was forced to be postponed. A film company through non official channels received news that claimed artists who were involved in nude photos would not be able to attend any CCTV event or any film promotion. Not only completed film productions were affected, any future work arrangement of the incident's victims would definitely be hindered. Mainland was a market that the Hong Kong entertainment industry could not lack and a place that the entire world had its eyes on with the most development potential. Whenever an artist was rumored to be blacklisted, industry insiders would rather believe that it was true. True or not, involved artists would definitely suffer severe losses. If the inspection standard is not the only standard and blacklist rumors also have no way to be confirmed, the rules of the game were too confusing and the industry had no way to follow. The problem was not how loose or tight the rules were. Clear guidance would be even more important. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 9 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS HONG KONG SERIES FUTURE IS WORRYSOME THE MASTER OF TAI CHI (TAI GIK)'s first five episode average rating was only 28 points. ATV's LEGEND OF HUO YUANJIA 2008 finale only received 4 points. Hong Kong audience has already grown tired of this type of gong fu fighting, heavily masculine series long ago. LEGEND OF HUO YUANJIA 2008 was very popular in Mainland as investors made big money. A sequel CHEN ZHEN was immediately given the green light. Whether THE MASTER OF TAI CHI has already been aired on Mainland television remained uncertain, but its rating would not be too poor and definitely be better in Hong Kong. Hong Kong audience taste polarization is inevitable. In the past Hong Kong television stations have the advantage in series. The same series that is popular in Hong Kong viewers in Mainland would enjoy just as much. When sold to Southeast Asia, North America and Europe, anywhere with Chinese people someone would be watching them. The world has changed. Now Hong Kong series has gradually lost its edge. Local viewer taste and Mainland audience have started to have obvious difference. Mainland television and film both have policy restrictions that limited content. Non mainstream series could not air on television prime time, which has influenced television production direction. From a money making prospective, Mainland is a huge market that cannot be ignored. If Hong Kong series only took care of the Hong Kong market, in terms of today's production cost it could not possibly break even. No matter what it must rely on overseas markets for addition revenue. With the Southeast Asia market, even without Mainland series could survive. Yet the Southeast Asian market competition in recent years has intensified and Hong Kong series is no longer the sole success. First came Japanese series, then Korean series, Mainland's recent historical series have also sold decently abroad. Taiwan has youth idol series. In the past Hong Kong series had all kinds, but now it has become nothing special. Although TVB remains very productive, it has to keep Mainland in mind. Hong Kong rating may only be average. Which kind of series has good rating in Hong Kong? Everyone knows it has to be housewife series, either the middle age woman light comedy or the HEARTS OF GREED (TONG SUM FUNG BO) type family style women feud series. What has THE SEVENTH DAY (JUI MEI LAI DIK DAI CHUT TIN)'s poor rating proven? TVB's younger artists without good middle age actors and actresses have no way to hold down the fort. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 9 2008 HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL RIVALS US INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS The Hong Kong International Film Festival Association chair Wong Ying Wai expressed that the Hong Kong Film Festival has already developed into a near international film festival scale. With the Asian Film Award, Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum and the Hong Kong Film and Television Market, overall it has demonstrated to be an all purpose film festival. Wong Ying Wai pointed out that this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival specialty remains the focus on some special films, including many that have already been nominated at the Berlin Film Festival or the Oscars. As many as 65 films will have their world or Asian premiere, in other words viewers can watch many good movies sooner than people of other places. Elevating Film Watching Quality "In terms of film range, we have retrospectives like the works of Filmmaker In Focus Eric Tsang Chi Wai and just passed director (Edward) Yang Tak Cheung; as well as more artistic and more commercial films. Our goal is to elevate the overall Hong Kong audience film watching quality, so at the same time many discussion forums will be held for everyone to have a chance to learn and exchange ideas." He continues, "The Hong Kong International Film Festival has developed into an almost international scale film festival. If memory serves, several years ago we still only held screenings; but now we already have Asian Film Awards, Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum and the Trade Development Council's Hong Kong Film and Television Market; overall it has already become an all purpose film festival." He says, when last year the Asian Film Award took place for the first time, many people described it as "Asia's Oscars". As for the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum, this year it will reap a big harvest as well with 25 world class directors' films that may raise the financing that their films need. Creative Content Is The Most Important When asked whether the film festival's continuous scale expansion be helpful to reviving the Hong Kong film industry, he says, the film festival's role is only elevating the audience's passion for film. Currently the most important question is understanding why Hong Kong film production rate has reduced. "Viewers who go to cinemas have reduced as well, especially for Hong Kong films. Last year Hong Kong only has 50 local film productions, but at our peak every year we made over 200. We hope to be able to elevate everyone's passion for film and tell everyone that Hong Kong film still is alive and kicking. Thus in this year's film festival we have selected more Hong Kong films for premieres, many of which are new directors' films. This way Hong Kong would know that our film industry still has new comers on the rise and everyone should give them support. The film festival hopes to be able to achieve this step." As technology advances, movies are no longer limited to cinemas. For example mobile phone film development may enable everyone can make a movie trend. With digital broadcasting some viewers may be dragged from cinemas to home. Yet Wong Ying Wai expresses that his optimism for Hong Kong and world film development future remains because good content ultimately is the most important. "Even though the entire world's telecommunication industry is thriving, content remains the most important. Thus creative content is very necessary. Why would the earlier Hollywood screenwriter strike immediately affect the entire world? Because everyone needs very abundant content. I believe that the more developed the telecommunication industry becomes, the greater the demand for film and good content is and more and more opportunities in this area appear. How much content a television station or a mobile phone channel would need to be able to fill 24 hours in a day? Our creative personnel actually has a lot of opportunities." The Most Resource In History This year's film festival has 500 screenings. He expresses from the number of screening the scale is similar to last year's, but with the Asian Film Award and the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum the total resource investment is the most in history. Audience admission rate may also have another breakthrough. He says, "In 2004 the Hong Kong International Film Festival became a company. That year the admission rate was over 70,000. Last year's 31st Annual film festival the admission rate has already increased to over 120,000. This year I believe that it should be able to exceed 130,000. In addition, we also hope to be able to attract global attention with the film industry event, Asian Film Award. The fact is, now many international media including magazines and television stations have come to cover the event. The award show will also be broadcast to many Asian regions." He adds, "In this year's film festival organization process, basically any movie that the world's three major film festival can get we are able to get; which proves that in recent years the Hong Kong International Film Festival's international renown has already grown. After the Asian Film Award, other region's film festival chairs or executives have expressed support or serve on our jury. This year's 18 member jury for example includes Cannes and Berlin Film Festival representatives, which enormously elevates Hong Kong's position in the film industry of the entire world and in turn also helps the Hong Kong Film Festival in its search for good movie screenings." VARIETY IN FILM FESTIVAL SELECTIONS The Hong Kong International Film Festival has always stressed variety in film selections, but coincidentally, this year's film festival opening and closing films do not lack calling for humanity and praising of strong will. Wong Ying Wai does not deny that everyone still wishes for the entire society to be able to become more harmonious. Seeking Subject Variety When asked whether viewers will be able to see an overall message from the film festival selections, he says, "The film festival in its film selection process has always looked for subject variety and not lean toward a certain type of films more. Yet this year's opening film, Yoji Yamada's KABEI OUR MOTHER indeed is a great movie that is full of family warmth. We all hope the society can be more harmonious. As for the closing selection, Martin Scorsese's SHINE A LIGHT is a documentary about the rock supergroup the Rolling Stones' decades of development. We feel that this film is very meaningful as it is about the past few decades people of different era have been developing in show business. We can continue to learn from their experience and make show business even more exciting." Veteran Japanese director Yoji Yamada's KABEI OUR MOTHER was in competition in this year's Berlin Film Festival. With war as its backdrop, its focus instead is on family relationships as it praises the traditional Japanese woman's gentle and persistent strengths. Making its world premiere at the film festival, Cheung Ngai Ga's RUN PAPA RUN is about a mob boss who is determined to change for the better after a life of struggles due to the birth of his little daughter. The Wang Xiaoshuai directed IN LOVE WE TRUST focuses on a woman's choice and sacrifice. The female lead in order to save her leukemia afflicted daughter violates morals with her current husband's full awareness to have another child with her former husband to save their daughter. The aforementioned films all provide people with the experience of parental love as humanity shines brilliant on the silver screen. Taking Care of Attending Viewers Wong Ying Wai expresses, the film festival's goal is for more participation from the Hong Kong general masses. Thus in recent years it has not only taken care of some who likes art films but also through more general films attracted even more viewers. "The film festival has never said that it only wants film fanatic participation, but art film's proportion still has increased. We only have added more screenings to attract the public so everyone would become interested in movies. Film is a learning process, after watching more naturally viewers would learn to elevate their quality. So we have to take care of attending viewers. Otherwise no one new would ever come to see movies." 5. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 9 2008 ENTERTAINMENT EXPO PROMOTES THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY The 4th Annual Hong Kong Entertainment Expo will take place between March 17 and April 13 and will include 9 events that will cover film, television, music, and digital entertainment. Overseas and Mainland participants will be able to understand Hong Kong creative industry development conditions in a short time and at the same time the industry will be able to receive an one stop service, find suitable exchange or collaboration opportunities. Nine Major Events Become the Nucleus The Hong Kong Film and Television Market, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Hong Kong Film Award originally are the Entertainment Expo's three founding events. Due to industry and public demand, the Expo also has created six nucleus events including the Asian Film Award, the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum, the Hong Kong Music Fair, IFPI Hong Kong Record Sales Award, Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum and the Hong Kong Independent Film and Video Award. This year's Hong Kong International Film and Television Market will add television elements. Aside from the Television World exhibit, it will also hold screening for international buyers to enjoy local television productions; the Hong Kong International Film Festival Association organized 32nd Annual Hong Kong International Film Festival will take place between March 17 and April 6 and take up 3/4 of the entire Entertainment Expo's duration to become its main key component. Filmmaker In Focus Eric Tsang Chi Wai This year's film festival has selected near 300 films from over 50 nations and regions. Aside from many foreign productions, Hong Kong film participation has also been added. Among them, the Ann Hui On Wa directed THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH), Vincent Chu Won Shun's LOVE IS ELSWHERE (OI CHING MAN SHUI), Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga)'s RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA), Lawrence Lau Kwok Cheung's CITY WITHOUT BASKETBALL (MO YEH JI SING) will make their world premiere at the film festival. The Shu Kei and Kwan Man Hin directed COFFEE OR TEA has also been chosen to be the film festival's closing film. In addition, this year's Filmmaker in Focus Eric Tsang Chi Wai has produced a film trilogy WINDS OF SEPTEMBER (GAU GONG FUNG), which will also make its world premier at the film festival. This film series has three new directors from Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan at the helm; also eight films that he has starred in, directed or produced will also be screened during the event. Cooperation Yields Greater Efficiency Like many international film festivals, the Hong Kong Film Festival also has a financing platform in the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum. With last year's first Asian Film Awards they will demonstrate the effects of cooperation so outside industry and investors alike will be able to come in close contact with the Hong Kong creative industry and benefit even more from the entire Hong Kong visit. This year's Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum will take place between March 17 and 19. 25 qualified film projects will in this period come in contact with international investors, producers, bankers, distributors and even film funds to look for collaboration partners and film production financing. As for the Asian Film Award, it has given the Entertainment Expo that only has one film event in the Hong Kong Film Award a second film award event in a short month. The Asian Film Award will take place on March 17 and the Hong Kong Film Award will take place on April 13. One will open the festivities while the other will wrap them up. One will face outside and the other inside, each will serve its own purpose - Tang Yin Yi 6. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 8 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH EDISON CHEN KOON HEI STORM'S RIGHT AND WRONG After a long disturbance the obscene photo incident seems to have settled down slightly, mainly because key figure Edison Chen Koon Hei's press conference has been widely discussed and accepted. It also created a lot of strange comments and askew reasoning. Some felt that Chen's apology was very sincere and his attitude during its announcement was great. Even his English pronunciation was accurate. They almost made him a role model for young people. Some also felt that the apology letter's content came from an expert (experienced lawyer)'s hand. It almost is a public relation teaching material. These comments completely overlooked Chen's apology content. If he was not wrong, why would he need to apologize? Conceivably Chen did not expect to become under certain people's pen a "heroic idol". Although this press conference was a great public relations design, Chen should not be "favored" over Gillian Chung Yun Tung. Ah Gil's "dumb and naive" was considered lacking sincerity. On a deeper level, their difference was only on public relation methods. Chen said that he was not a good role model, actually he could be said as a bad role model. Thus the behind the scene expert's choice of words and defense were very influential. The truth however has not changed a bit. If Chen was stressed as a victim, why was the response to Ah Gil so fierce? Was it sexual discrimination? Some in education suggested that due to the matter sex education should be provided to young people but they could not say how to instruct so young people would be prohibited to look at or take obscene photos? Thus some "advanced party" has been attracted to strike at Hong Kong education as a failure and even referred to its "Qing Dynasty moral value". They perhaps did not know that now many moral values have already been passed down for several thousands of years. Qing Dynasty was not considered far off. The most "mainstream" view is since Mr. Chen and his girlfriend(s) as adults conducted sexual activities willingly at home (indoors) behind closed doors, no one had any right to debate. Sexual activities had no right or wrong, pretty or ugly, high or low to speak of. Mr. Chen's only mistake was only not properly protect "important" items. In addition, Mr. Chen's press conference performance fully demonstrated his performance talent and handsome exterior. He was a good actor and young people. Some sex professor even hounded Mr. Chen and ordinary lust and said that having multiple sex partners was not definitely promiscuity, just the opposite having just one sex partner could be promiscuity. Such "advanced" comments have people lost at whether to laugh or to cry. When even Mr. Chen felt that he was wrong and apologized, some actually felt that he was not wrong. When the education world tried to instruct its students, it was accused of being "ancient antique". The press' heavy pollution instead received no blame (aside from some), but when the police arrested those who uploaded the media went on an all out attack. Even some experienced media people said that Hong Kong was too small for Chen Koon Hei and urged him to go abroad. In other words, Hong Kong's thinking was too behind the times and he had no future here. The writer truly has been confused, why would Chen Koon Hei's incident be the fault of others? If so, he should hold another press conference to take back his apology. Is that right, "advanced party"? - TIN LIK 7. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 8 2008, HOTSPOT PURSUIT WHY THE MEDIA EXPERIENCED VIOLENT TREATMENT Lydia Shum Din Ha's funeral was the most widely covered event in terms of the news coverage and special program rating sine the Hong Kong Hand Over. From the news of Fei Jeh's passing to her remains' arrival in Canada for burial to her family and assisting organizations' Hong Kong memorial for her the event has caught widespread attention and was the major news item that the media have focused its firepower on. In the past two week of intense Canada and Hong Kong coverage, due to the family and the assisting organizations' coverage regulation and restriction with understanding of the emotions and the urgency for Fei Jeh's family, the media have covered the events accurately with sorrow on both sides and tried to reduce any possible conflict to its medium. Yet on February 27 (Canada time) during Fei Jeh's Vancouver burial ceremony, the media suffered an unfortunate injury during the coverage. The local police drove off a female Chinese reporter, as the news and the cameras on hand saw, two strong foreign cops forcefully dragged this news worker into the police vehicle. Earlier he thighs have already been heavily bruised. Even more shocking, the two officers on several occasions made contact her injured area and continued to force her into the police vehicle. Because the suddenness and the lack of reasoning behind the matter such violent handling has received criticism. This experienced female reporter remained on bed rest. Due to the severity of her leg injury she needed immediate operation. The initial estimate was several months of hospitalization for her and a rather long rehabilitation therapy. At the end of last year Canadian police killed a Polish person at the airport with a stun gun. Its handling has already attracted international attention. This law enforcement unit that has gone through extensive training has put lives at risk, nearly lost control in the face of sudden events and taken an act first ask questions later approach. This female reporter injury case has again attracted outside criticism for violent abuse and questioning of police training whether it could be more sensible and react more humanly. Online and public negative criticism of the police still has not rested. The injured female reporter was familiar with Fei Jeh. In the past when Fei Jeh stayed in Canada, she often represented her media unit in coverage. As a friend that day she only wanted to bid her late friend a final farewell. From a coverage angle, she dutifully covered the news item. Personally and professionally she had no ill intent. Although the family has issued a statement that prohibited any guest without invitation to enter the cemetery, the intention was to keep any overcrowding from affecting the ceremony. Any rule has gray area, conceivably the family neither expected nor wanted any accident that would have injured any concerned party. The tragedy has already occurred. More importantly is the injured female reporter receiving reasonable treatment and compensation. If due to this abuse of power her job and livelihood are impacted, or even worse the possibility of lifelong handicap, who should be responsible? Right now she needs comfort and help even more. Violent abuse of power without reason that extends to senseless injury and death has caused an outcry. The minor stories behind the big news should also make people think and should not be overlooked. - CHOW YI 8. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 8 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION TRAVERSE ENTERTAINMENT ECOLOGY REARRANGEMENT DUE TO THE EROTIC PHOTO STORM Stepping into March, the symbols of the bitter winter has already passed. Everything has already begun to grown spout to welcome the arrival of spring. I wish that show business after the online erotic photo incident and Lydia Shum Din Ha's passing can settle down and start anew so that music, film and television can return to blossom in full bloom. The online erotic photo incident indeed had an enormous impact on show business, not only did it become online and even print media and people's everyday subject of focus. In addition the duration, the coverage and the involvement have been rare in recent years. In show business it formed a low air pressure that has made the already depressed show business nearly stopped. The incident not only has impacted the show business itself, but also challenged law and moral culture and at the same time a test for humanity. Now with the lead character Edison Chen Koon Hei's appearance and made the appropriate gesture, let us hope that this incident would slowly ease and come to an end. However, no matter how this matter would end, local entertainment culture would have drastic changes. First show business itself should take the chance for an elimination round. Artists who look good, cannot sing or fact but unwilling to put in hard work, who constantly commute between Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan but still not fluent in Putonghua would have a very hard time to keep surviving. Instead artists who have real potential and are willing to work hard would have the chance to rise. Metaphysics experts predicted that this year's show business would have changes and a new scene, with new and old exchanges, music chair, artists with potential would have a chance to rise. Secondly, in terms of artist descriptions, "pristine" or "innocent" have to be extinct. We need healthy, youthful, energetic, sunshine, or even wild, alternative artists. We just do not want innocent or nice girl because the illusion has already been crushed. In addition if even Disney's movies had to expose the fairy tale prince and princess romance as an impossibility in this real world, then we should even more alertly know that the pristine (saintly) girl only fulfills a fantasy in our minds. Of course, "vermicelli" and advertiser attitude is the most important. These groups of bosses' demands and responses to stars and artists are the real acceptance level that the market recognizes. Without their support, even better promotion would have no way to be effective. - CHUI HIU 9. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 7 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS INTERNET USERS' MORAL VALUE The reasons for online discussion areas' mostly ill will criticism for young idols have been explained before. Actually from Lydia Shum Din Ha's severe illness, internet users' warm side could be seen as well. Joyce Cheng Yun Yi after playing Snow White and receiving a light kiss from Ron Ng Cheuk Hei has received unprecedented attacks online. The press also made up stories about the "anti Yun Yi wave" to increase sales. The reason for the "Ant Yun Yui Wave" was similar to the anti young idol one. Many young people were upset that artists' second generation without requiring any effort easily received performance opportunity not to mention important character due to their relationship to the previous generation. "World invasion style" show business to young people who had hard time finding a chance in real life did not look easy on the eye. Yet the coverage of Fei Jeh's deteriorating condition overcame the "Anti Yun Yi wave". She has turned unfair opportunity protest into a respected show business success, at the same time led to concerned for the future of Yun Yi who grew up in a single parent family. Yun Yi has turned from a benefactor of show business to a girl who everyone cares about. Her steadiness in the face of the press chase has been well mannered and won over the hearts of internet users in a 180 degree turn. Perhaps the ill will critics of her and people who supported Fei Jeh and worried about Yun Yi were two groups of people, but in a variety of discussion areas we at least no longer saw any attack on Yun Yi. The occasion one would not receive any response. After Fei Jeh's passing, finding a negative post would be hard. Most internet users also felt that Alan Tang Kwong Wing picked the wrong time for his confrontation of Adam Cheng Siu Chau at the memorial service and did not respect the event enough. Anyone who observed internet users' moral value from several show business events would feel that they have a prankster and destructive side. Occasionally they would show their excessive side, but they also have a very traditional and full of warmth side. Internet users' most passionate comments often are about the subject of unfairness toward young generation. Some comments are extreme and lack logical basis. Yet with some traditional values like family and respect for the contributors of previous generation, internet users' values are very conservative and completely lean toward mainstream. - KWOK HIN CHING 10. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 6 2008, FILM WORDS SHAMO : WILD VIOLENCE, UNIQUE STYLE Three years after INITIAL D (TAU MAN JI D), another popular Japanese manga has been made into a Hong Kong film. This time is especially violent, but the style is unique. It is a very exciting fighting film. SHAMO is based on a Izo Hashimoto and Akio Tanaka manga, the subject of which was very cruel with insane and deranged sex and violence. It involved secret prison, rape, male and female prostitutes. However, the main story was karate and Muay Thai fighting. Soi Cheang Po Shui achieved ferocity motion and Shawn Yue Man Lok's performance was outstanding. Yue Man Lok played a juvenile criminal who was accused of killing his parents. In prison he suffered abuse, trained in karate. After his release he became a blond "cockfight rooster". As he went berserk, he continued to fight in gyms and rings. At the same time he fell for a prostitute and looked for his long lost little sister. This story was very dark and strange, luckily the lead seemed to be bad but was actually good. He was framed and abused, acted a like a crazed animal but actually he has never done anything bad. The more you watched the more sympathetic he became. His tough training and fights were intense and rose to climax. Among new Hong Kong directors, Chenag Po Shui was a dark horror expert. His previous film, the Edison Chen Koon Hei and Sam Lee Chan Sam starred DOG BITE DOG, was very dark and cruelly violent. The story often tended to be contrived. This time was also exaggerated but luckily demonstrated the surreal manga feel. Character design, action and visuals were all outstanding. The director's efficiency has improved. The action of this film was the most entertaining, as the series of hard battles were realistic and varying. Hog Kong action obviously remained excellent and successors existed on and off screen. As for the cast, Yue Man Lok became a fighting wild beast that was full of wildness and tragedy; his hardest and most outstanding performance to date. This character resembled like a mad rooster, much stronger than his recent PLAYBOY COPS. The fights were especially fierce. Francis Ng Chun Yu was also great as the karate instructor and looked like an expert with his good acting. Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau) changed her image and made the cold prostitute very eye catching. Aging champion Leung Siu Lung, pretty boy Dylan Kuo (Kwok Bun Siu) and little sister Fei Wai Ying as well as the Thai and Japanese fighters could not help but to be one dimensional. They just looked cool and not considered realistic. This was a Hong Kong made Japanese story. Strictly speaking characters and scenery did not resemble Japan and became a surreal East Asian "mix". Not too pure, it was just right for the mixed trend. Undoubtedly, SHAMO was very wild, very strange and very violent. Absolutely not normal and joyous entertainment, it was rather dangerous. Yet it had a style of its own for an East Asian action drama as it was not completely deranged. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkeiluklei) 11. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 6 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WHAT KIND OF SOCIETY NEEDS WHAT KIND OF IDOLS Why are young idols often criticized and attacked? The explanation is easy. The ones who have risen recently are "limited" in terms of talent. They are studio singers, with technological assistance they are barely passable. As soon as they perform live they return to their original form. Acting aside from talent requires certain life experience, which to young idols is truly very difficult. Since they cannot show performance in terms of talent, their management companies in order to generate buzz would call over 300 "vermicelli" whenever they appear. As entertainment news focuses more on the negative, their annual estimated revenue and how much property they own are the most positive. Most are negative rumors, mostly inappropriate behavior in public, or blind item accusation of "arrogance", drug usage or promiscuity. Without their "vermicelli", how can kids with limited talent and easy access to money but do not know how lucky they not be despise? If the media bolster them, would they sell? Only stepping on them can enable the majority to release their rage. Why are so many ill will criticism online? Those who are arrested for illegal upload, without fail, seem to be self proclaimed unemployed. The economic gap is severe. When they cannot receive recognition in the real world, all they have to do is something that is slightly askew they would get attention. In online discussion areas, more extreme comments obviously belong mostly to these aforementioned people. They are all the anti establishment and anti powerful group. The more gentle comments belong to another type. Social structure has made success hard for young people. How can those young idols who only sell looks without any talent or ability but make over 10 million annually not be the bane of their existence? Thus as soon as they have a chance they would attack with excessive attacks. With media coverage, these internet users would feel like anonymous heroes and become excited. They in turn encourage even more excessive comments for coverage. This is not only a show business ecology issue but also a social ecology issue. Idol making from now on would require social environment consideration and not we do whatever our neighbors are doing. Each society would have differences. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Bo Chi Tung Wa Lit : Keep In Touch d. Benny Chan Muk Sing Louis Koo Tin Lok, Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon), Liu Ye, Nick Cheung Ka Fai Can : Ngor Lo Por Hai Doh Sing Lit : My Old Lady Is Gambling Saint Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Meng Yao Can : Ching Toi Lit : Moss d. Kwok Chi Kin Shawn Yue Man Lok, Sin Sik Lai, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Liu Kai Chi, Terry Fan Siu Wong, Jan Lam Kam Lin, Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Shao Yam Yam Can : Cha Ji Nui Lit : Woman of Investigation d. Alan Mak Siu Fai Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) Can : Si Lim Lit : Reminisce d. Wai Ka Fai Lau Ching Wan, Kelly Lin (Lam Hei LUi), Yan Qing, Jo Kuk Cho Lam Can : Giu, Won Lit : Call, Soul Grace Ip Pui Man, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Jolie Chan Yuen Kei, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Chucky Wood Gei Lan, Kwok Hoi San Can : Ang Hong Lit : Tough Guy Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Ellen Chan Nga Lun, Liu Ye, Sun Honglei FANTASTIC WATER BABES Can : Chook Shui Fu Yung Lit : Out of Water Hibiscus d. Jeff Lau Chun Wai Gillian Chung Yun Tung, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Tian Liang, Eva Huang Shengyi, Official Site : www.emp.hk [ OFFICIAL SITE ] A beautiful and cocky swimmer Jill and her teammates kidnaps Alex, Hong Kong's champion swimmer, in order that he can train her to win a duel against her rival in swimming and in love. All hell breaks loose when hate at first sight inadvertently becomes something else... Can : Kit Ji Lit : Scorpion d. Joe Ma Wai Ho Sam Lee Chan Sam, Emme Wong Yee Man, Leung Siu Lung, Miki Mizuno (Shui Yeh Mei Gei), Nana Natsume (Ha Muk Noi Noi) Can : Hat Sei Nei Lit : Scare You To Death Sam Lee Chan Sam, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Tommy Yuen Man On Can : Hok Hau Hak Sai Lik Lit : School Mob Power Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Lee Si Pui, Annie Man Chung Han, Lui Hoi Yun Ada Wong Chi Hom, Timmy Hung Tin Ming Can : Goo Mo Mui Ying Lit : Ancient Tomb Phantom d. Chan Kwoon Wai Chin Kar Lok, Yuen Wah, Candy Lo Hau Yam Can : SI GUONG DOI LAU DIK WA Lit : IF TIME FLOWS BACKWARD d. Mak Kai Kwong Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Kenny Kwan Chi Bun, Yan Ng Yat Yin, Ken Wong Hap Hei, Karen Tong Bo Yu NEW PERFECT EDUCATION Can : Sun Gum Sut Pui Yuk ji Oi Dik Fu Lo Lit : New Chamber Cultivated Desire: Captive of Love d. Ng Man Lik Kaori Sakagami (Ban Seung Heung Jik) Tony Ho Wa Chiu, Vonnie Lui Hoi Yu Can : Jin Fu Lit : War Tiger Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Kristy Yang Kung Yu, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Lam Ka Tung, Candy Yu On On, Guo Xinqi (Kwok Sam Kei), Jason Chu Wing Tong, Koey Leung Shuet Mei, Iris Wong Yat Tung, Pavarit Mongkolpisit Nahatai Lekbumrung, Yunee Can : Mo Yau 24 Siu Si Lit : Worry Free 24 Hours Chiu Chung Yu, Natalie Ng Man Yan, Simon Loui Yu Yeung, Siu Chuen Yung, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Libby Lao Kuai Ieng Can : Nui Kuen Wong Lit : Female Fist King Diana Pang Tan, Angie Cheong Wei Yee, Lai Yiu Cheung, Emi Tojo (Dung Sing Gong Mei) Mizuho Ishikawa (Shek Chuen Mei Jung Shui) --- [ NOW SHOWING ] Info from Mov3.com (http://www.mov3.com), Ryan's Hong Kong Movie DataBase (http://www.hkmdb.com), Korean Movie Database (http://www.krmdb.com), Cinema Thai (http://www.cinemathai.com), Hong Kong Entertainment News In Review (http://www.hkentreview.com), Internet Movie DataBase (http://www.imdb.com) RULE NUMBER ONE Can : Dai Yut Gai Lit : First Sin d. Tong Wing Kin Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen Opening March 13 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Rookie Sergeant Lee is assigned to the dubious-sounding Miscellaneous Affairs Department (MAD), where he is paired with Inspector Wong who explains that MAD's role is to answer to supernatural calls and its Rule #1 is that there are no ghosts; for every seemingly-inexplicable phenomenon, there is a scientific and rational explanation. MAD then begins investigating a string of bizarre teenage suicides. As Lee and Wong follow the clues, they realize that something sinister is heading their way. L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES Can : Ngor Dik Jui Oi Lit : My Most Beloved d. Yip Lim Sum Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Hu Qingnan (Wu Ching Nam), Alice Tsang Hoi Won, Leila Tong Ning Rating : IIB Length : 106 mins. Opening March 13 2008 [ YAHOO! HONG KONG MOVIES ] Bo originally is an incredibly fortunate girl. She and Chun, the boyfriend who she grew up with, opens a small dessert shop after graduation. Bo has her heart set on marrying Chun after the business settles down. Bo one day runs into a long lost former classmate Kei, who has her eyes on the ambition of the good man Chun, ignores her relationship with Bo and takes him away. Poor Bo not only loses the love that she cherishes like a treasure but also the dessert shop that she has worked hard to established. She is left with the tragedy of losing both the guy and the shop. Mosquito is Bo's good friend who has a boyfriend of many years Fung. The pretty Mosquito often develops one after another short romance behind the introverted Fung's back. Mosquito loves Fung but she is certain that the faithful Fung would not leave her as she is reluctant to be someone who is with one person for a lifetime. PLAYBOY COPS Can : Fa Fa Ying Gaing Lit : Flowery Cop d. Jingle Ma Chor Sing Shawn Yue Man Lok, Linda Chung Ka Yun, Chen Kun, Wong Yau Nam, Carl Ng Ka Lung Rating : IIB Length : 99 mins. Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] An extremely brutal armed robbery case has brought two very unusual young detectives together in Hong Kong. Both men have been known not to follow the usual rules of conduct in solving crimes. Lincoln, the younger brother of the deceased, an ex-policeman in China, has sworn to find the man who has murdered his brother. While he investigates the murder on his own in Hong Kong, he meets Michael, a CID officer on suspension. Michael has often been warned against insubordination, and for pulling stunts such as using his own private helicopter to capture criminals on the run... LE GRAND CHEF d. Jeon Yoon-Soo Kim Gang-Woo, Lim Won-Hee Rating : IIA Length : 114 mins. Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] A cook-off is held to determine the best from all the chefs in the top Korean restaurant, Woonam-jung. The winner is to inherit the restaurant. The dish that the chefs must make is the dangerous yellow swellfish sushi, a taste that is to die for. The two top chefs of the restaurant, Sung-chan and Bong-joo go head to head for the seat of the owner of Woonam-jung. But the judges who taste Sung-chan's sushi get food poisoning from his dish. Bong-joo stands behind him and flashes a complacent smile....What really went on between the two? KAIDAN d. Hideo Nakata Kikunosuke Onoe, Hitomi Kuroki, Mao Inoue, Asaka Seto Rating : IIB Length : 120 mins. Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] 250 years ago Soetsu, a humble moneylender, is murdered by Shinzaemon, a cruel samurai, and his dead body is disposed of in the Kasanegafuchi, the pool of a river where it snakes around, and where legend has it, those who sink into the water will never float to the surface again. 20 years later, in a chance encounter, Shinkichi, the handsome son of Shinzaemon, meets Toyoshiga, the daughter of Soetsu, and they fall in love. When Toyoshiga dies from a mysterious disease, Shinkichi finds that not only is he unable to avoid the mysterious fatality of the past and Toyoshiga's tenacious love for him, but he is also forced to confront the ghostly truths held by the Kasanegafuchi. [ COMING SOON ] THE SPARROW Can : Man Jeuk Lit : Cultured Bird d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Simon Yam Tat Wa, Kelly Lin (Lam Hei Lui), Lam Ka Tung, Lo Hoi Pang, Lam Suet, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan Opening February 11 2008 at the Berlin Film Festival Site : http://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20084390 [ BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL ] "Sparrow" is a common word used in Hong Kong street slang for pickpocket. The term refers to the special dexterity needed to pluck people's wallets from their pockets...and possibly also to the necessity of having to flutter away quickly should one de discovered. Kei is one such "sparrow" -- a nd a very professional one at that. He and his three partners earn a good living from digging deep into the pockets of oblivious passers-by moving along the crowded urban canyons of Hong Kong. As far as Kei's concerned, it's all he needs to live a carefree life. Whenever hei s not going about his business he loves to ride about the city on his bicycle photographing street scenes with his Rolleiflex camera. One day the gorgeous Chun Lei comes into his sights. Kei is fascinated but behind Chun Lei's good looks lurks a mysterious past. Kei falls in love with her -- and he is not the only one. After having managed to turn the heads of his three colleagues, she reveals her true intentions. The sparrows are to steal a key that is of great importance to her. At first the task seems simple, but then another interested party appears on the scene in shape of the shy tycoon Mr. Yen...... [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ONLINE ] They are known as the "sparrows", Hong Kong's street slang for "pickpockets". They work in groups, lifting wallets from unsuspecting tourists until one day an irresistible woman of unknown origin appears before them and requests the gang to steal a key for her. The set up begins to unravel itself when the mission completes. The pickpockets realize this exotic beauty has been slowly leading them onto a path of no return. BREATH d. Kim Ki-Duk Chang Chen, Zia, Ha Jung-Woo [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a cold winter day, after learning her husband has found a new woman, Yeon absent mindedly heads for the prison where Chen is confined. Although she does not know him personally, repeated news of his suicide attempts on TV has subconsciously grown in her mind and now is leading her to seek him. Jin has no visitors and normally would not agree to meet with a complete stranger, but hearing that it is a woman he accepts her meeting request out of curiosity. Their first meeting is as awkward as it can get. Yeon treats Jin like an old friend whereas Jin does not open up so easily. THE MOST DISTANCE COURSE Can : Jui Yiu Yuen Dik Kui Lei Lit : The Farthest Distance d. Lin Jing-Jie Kwai Lun Mei, Mo Zi Yi Opening March 17 2008 THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS Can : Gong San Mei Yun Lit : Kingdom Beauty d. Ching Siu Tung Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Leon Lai Ming, Guo Xiaodong, (Kau Jun Hoi) Opening March 20 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Amid a war, Princess Feier whose father died in battle took over the duty of protecting her nation with General Xuefu. Later traitor Hu Ba assassinated and injured the princess, who luckily was saved by Duen Lanchuan. They fell for each other; but with trouble inside and outside how would Feier choose? WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE TAIWAN CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Lin Shu Yu Rhydian Vaughan, Chang Chieh, Wang Bo Chieh Length : 113 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=684 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The winds of September are the wind of Hsinchu, a strong wind that visits the county and city between September and November. The film takes us back to 1996, during the time of the tragic Taiwan baseball scandal, an event that devastated many teenage boys. The story follows Yen and Tang and their gang through the last year of their high school life. From chasing girls to midnight skinny dipping to rooting for their favorite baseball team, they do everything together. When an accident throws Yen into a coma, their world starts falling apart. A cruel reality has announced itself, can the boys grow up quickly enough to face it? WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE MAINLAND CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Han Yan Tai Junjie, Wu Xiaoliang, Liu Shuhan, Chi Jia Rating : 105 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=682 [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Some time before the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, a Mainland high school stages a variety show to celebrate the occasion. One of the most brilliant openings among the many recent Chinese high school titles, it introduces the unfolding drama of rival groups of "good" and "bad" students and their "internal contradictions", and serves as a continual mental backdrop for the audience: of youth caught in a society whose founding ideology has become obsolete and absurd. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE HONG KONG CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Heiward Mak Lam Yiu Sing, Sham Ka Kei, Anjo Leung Hiu Fung, Venus Wong Man Yik Length : 100 mins. Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=683 CITY WITHOUT BASKETBALL Can : Mo Yeh ji Sing Lit : City Without Wildness d. Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung), Scud (Wan Yu) Leung Yu Chung, Ron Heung Chi Chun, Gia Lin Yuan, Monie Tung Man Lei Length : 100 mins. Opening March 22 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=441 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTVIAL ] Resigned to playing at a remote facility without even a spectator's stand, a local baseball team faces challenges on and off the field before the international championships. BESIEGED CITY Can : Wai Sing Lit : Surrounded City d. Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung) Tang Tak Po, Wong Hau Yan, Wong Yat Ho, Tze Lock Chiang Cho Man Rating : III Length : 96 mins. Opening March 22 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=425 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] A young man in coma is under arrest for murder; as his older brother delves into the past year of his brother's life, he discovers that numbness and cowardice can have murderous consequences. SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming Opening March 27 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Ming is renowned as the top shooter in the police force. However things get complicated after the release of his former teammate and superb marksman Ching from prison. With only vengeance on his mind, Ching wants to take on Ming and the police, believing that they are the ones who put him in jail. When a mysterious sniper sabotages a high-security prisoner transfer and a convict escapes, Ming and his team are dispatched to profile the suspect. THE WAY WE ARE Can : Tin Shui Wai Dik Yut Yu Yeh Lit : Tin Shui Wai's Day and Night d. Ann Hui On Wa Paw Hee Ching, Chan Lai Wun, Leung Chun Lung, Idy Chan Length : 90 mins. Opening March 27 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=638 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] A widowed mother and her teenage son live in a Tin Shui Wai estate. She works in a supermarket and helps a colleague breaks into her new job. The boy, average in each and every way, grows into adolescence hesitantly. In passing, we find out that the mother has made big sacrifices to her family. The way we are, the way we live; an ode to the salt of the earth. LOVE IS ELSEWHERE Can : Oi Ching Man Shui Lit : Love Hail d. Vincent Chui Won Shun Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Jason Chan Pak Yu, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap, Yan Ng Yat Yin, Chow Pak Ho, Length : 97 mins. Opening March 31 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=671 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The story takes place in the posh Soho, the city's favorite haunt for the fashionable minded. The film begins with a young couple running a cafe and throwing in free counseling (their real dream is to save up for schooling in Beijing), and draws into this circle a playboy houseman, his object of desire, a gallery owner, her young delivery boy admirer who wants to be a singer, and an assortment of beautiful creatures. As days turn into nights and nights into days, friends and lovers come and go; they dream of a love that ends all love. THREE KINGDOMS : RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON Can : Sam Gok Gein Lung Seh Gap Lit : Three Kingdoms See Dragon Remove Armor d. Lee Yan Kong Andy Lau Tak Wa, Maggie Q, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho), Ti Lung Opening April 3 2008 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] His country torn asunder by civil war, Zhao, a commoner, heeds the call of duty. From the humblest of roots, he rises through the ranks on wings of courage to command an army charged with liberating the land from an evil warlord. Inspired by action, honour and a dream of unifying his divided nation, Zhao's heroism becomes a legend. But as the years pass and the throne changes hands, the war still rages on. When a newly enthroned king decides peace can only be achieved by defeating the warlords once and for all, Zhao embarks on his final and greatest campaign - a road to adventure that will crown his name in glory for all time. EVANGELION: 1.0 - YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE d. Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki Japanese animation Opening April 3 2008 RUN PAPA RUN Can : Yut Gor Ho Ba Ba Lit : One Good Papa AKA : Hak Ba Ba Lit : Black Papa d. Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) Opening April 10 2008 Official Site : www.emp.hk [ OFFICIAL SITE ] Raised by a single mother in a crime-ridden neighborhood, Lee has risen from street punk to successful syndicate crime boss. Fast money and women have always come easily to Lee, but Lee unexpectedly falls in love with a lawyer named Mabel. When Mabel becomes pregnant, Lee panics. Determined to make the relationship the work, Mabel moves into his apartment uninvited. Mabel's persistence pays off when their child Heiyi is born - Lee's paternal instincts are awakened and he is transformed into a doting father. Desperate to protect his new family, Lee conceals the true nature of his business. His gang members undergo an image makeover and to all outward appearances Lee is now legitimate businessman. Lee is selected to be the next kingpin of the underworld, and he is torn between family and brotherhood. His relationship with the three women in his life: his mom, his wife and his daughter, changes his life perspective, and he is determined to make things right once and for all. CHOCOLATE Can : Nui Kuen Ba Lit : Female Fist Tyrant d. Prachya Pinkaew JiJa Yanin (Yanin Vismitananda), Ammara Siripong, Hiroshi Abe Rating : 110 mins. Opening April 17 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Martial artist prodigy Zen has been living with her mother Sin since childhood. Sin is quiet and kind, thus making her the target of extortionists. Zen has always been kept in the dark. When Sin has cancer and needs a large sum for treatment, Len then discovers her family fortune has fallen into the hands of extortionists. To keep her mother alive, Len and her good friend Spider go on the road to get back her mother's money with her fists... THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM AKA : THE J AND J PROJECT Can : Gong Fu ji Wong Lit : King of Gong Fu d. Rob Minkoff Jackie Chan, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Li Bingbing, Crystal Liu Yifei, Collin Chou Siu Lung, Michael Angarano Opening April 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] U.S. youth Jason is a super Chinese gong fu fan. On an occasion, he discovers a mysterious golden staff in a certain Chinatown store and is taken through time and space and the "door without door" to ancient China! Jason receives a shocking prediction that wants him to return this weapon to its owner and thus resolving the Monkey King who has been trapped for 500 years under a boulder. On his difficult search, Jason meets figures from the martial art hero world and ancient legends -- One of the "Eight Fairies", "Drunken Fist Master" and wandering poet Lu Yan, the mysterious and silent monk and, the vengeful heroine Golden Sparrow. The four travel over the mountains and through the rivers and discovers where the evil Jade Warlord has imprisoned the Monkey King. The Jade Warlord sends his top assassin -- the cold blooded, white haired demon Ni Chang to lead an army of over 10,000 in pursuit of the four..... HAPPY FUNERAL Can : Lok Lau Hau Jor 2 Ga Suk Jeh Lai Lit : Sixth Floor Rear Flat 2 Family Appreciation Ceremony d. Barbara Wong Chun Chun Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Fama, I Love You Boyz, Tian Yuan, Law Chung Him, Stephanie Cheng Yung, Lollipop, Eric Tsang Chi Wai Opening April 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Landlady Susie after years as the landlady has run into countless young people. She still misses the former rear flat residents the most. This year, as she increases rent another group of new young people has rented this residence. Because her grandson will return to Hong Kong from the U.S., Susie takes the chance to find his grandson a wife. Thus this time her strict rental questions basically revolve around strange questions like blood type and Chinese and Western astrology. Some young people have great backgrounds, some are wooden and stiff. As soon as she sees Kay and Chi Susie is already pleased with herself... CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Opening June 12 2008 Official Site : cyborg.gyao.jp [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A straight laced young man runs into a robot from the future and becomes deeply attracted to this pretty, cute and unique robot girl. They gradually fall for each other but an earthquake disaster strikes. He is trapped and his robot girlfriend risks her life to rescue her most beloved...... RED CLIFF PART I AKA : BATTLE OF RED CLIFF Can : Chet Bik Lit : Red Cliff d. John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Janny Lin Chiling, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chang Chen, Zhang Fengyi, Hu Jun, You Yong Opening July 3 2008 [ CINEMA ONLINE ] In the early third century, the warlord Cao Cao and his soldiers invaded the land of Wu. The ruler of Wu, Sun Quan called on the rival warlord Liu Bei for help, but their two armies were still badly outnumbered. However, strategists Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang see that Cao Cao's army was not used to battling at sea. With 200,000 men, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang defeated Cao Cao's army at the Yangtze River. KERORO THE MOVIE 3 Japanese Animation Opening August 14 2008 THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT Can : Sun Juk Si Gein d. Derek Yee Tung Sing Jackie Chan, Ken Watanabe, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) Opening September 25 2008 RED CLIFF PART II AKA : BATTLE OF RED CLIFF Can : Chet Bik Lit : Red Cliff d. John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Janny Lin Chiling, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chang Chen, Zhang Fengyi, Hu Jun, You Yong Opening December 18 2008 --- [ Entertainment URL ] EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES http://www.emp.hk GOLDEN SCENE http://www.goldenscene.com SING PAO http://www.singpao.com THE HONG KONG FILM ARCHIVE http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkfa/ CHANG CHUN CHINA FILM FESTIVAL http://www.cc-film.com GOLDEN HARVEST http://www.goldenharvest.com STAR EAST http://www.stareastnet.com CITY ENTERTAINMENT http://www.cityentertainment.com.hk Commercial Radio http://www.crhk.com.hk Television Broadcast Limited http://www.tvb.com.hk --- [ NORTH AMERICA AREA CONCERTS ] Courtesy of our neighbors at : High Level Entertainment's Concert & Event News Center http://www.levelhigh.com http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1721/hlecaen.htm * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL CASINO RESORT PRESENT HACKEN LEE HARK KUN HACKEN'S CONCERT HALL 2008 DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, March 23 2008 @ 1AM Sunday, March 23 2008 @ 2PM VENUE LOCATION : Mark G. Etess Arena Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort TICKET PRICCES : $118, 88, 68, 48 EXCLUSIVE BOX OFFICE LOCATION : Raymond Miu Productions 195 Canal Street, Suite 201 New York NY 10013 212.966.0800 www.rmpny.com * INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND MOHEGAN SUN PRESENT SAMMI CHENG SAU MAN SHOW MI 2008 CONCERT DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, March 23 2008 @ 2AM Sunday, March 23 2008 @ 1PM VENUE LOCATION : Mohegan Sun Arena Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard Uncasville CT 06382 (860) 862-4002 TICKET PRICES : VIP$138, 108, 78, 58 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS : ONLINE : www.iemshowplace.com CHINATOWN 89 Bowery 212.925.1098 FLUSHING International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/Fl 718.888.3113 BROOKLYN International Entertainment Marketing 5609 8th Avenue 718.437.777 EDISON 1681 Rt. 27 Suite 3 732.819.8883 BOSTON 12A Tyler Street 617.695.1989 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : MOV3.COM, Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Tuesday March 11 2008 10 JUMPER d. Doug Liman Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson, Jamie Bell 9 VANTAGE POINT d. Peter Travis Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver 8 ENCHANTED d. Kevin Lima Julie Andrews, Amy Adams, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey 5 THE MIST d. Frank Darabont Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden 10 P.S. I LOVE YOU d. Richard LaGravenese Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow 9 LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS d. Alek Keshishian Brittany Murphy, Matthew Rhys, Santiago Cabrera 8 THE ORPHANAGE d. Juan Antonio Bayona Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo 7 MEET THE SPARTAN d. Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer Sean Maguire, Carmen Electra, Kevin Davitian, Kevin Sorbo 6 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN d. Joel and Ethan Coen Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin 5 JUNO d. Jason Reitman Ellen Page, MichaelCera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons 4 THE EYE d. David Moreau, Xavier Palud Jessica Alba 3 FATAL MOVE Can : Duet Shui d. Dennis Law Sau Yiu Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jason Wu Jing, Ken Low Wai Kwong, Heung Jor, Tian Niu, Yen Wing San 2 SHAMO Can : Kwun Gai Lit : Military Chicken d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Shawn Yue Man Lok, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), Dylan Kuo (Kwok Bun Chiu), 1 10,000 B.C. d. Roland Emmerich Steven Strait, Camilla Belle ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS FATAL MOVE Rating : III Length : 116 mins. Opening March 6 2008 Official Site : http://www.fatalmove.com [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] In the violent world of Hong Kong's triad, one false move can be fatal. A series of unexpected misfortunes challenge gang leader and his mob, eventually leading to a bloody gangster war. The gang is moving closer to destruction as their every move backfires on them - a drug deal turns bad, a kidnap victim is murdered, and a secret mission turns into a savage shoot-out with the police. Who is the mastermind behind these evil plots? Will the gang leader be able to defy fate and survive? SHAMO Rating : IIB Length : 105 mins. Opening March 6 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] After killing his parents, teenaged Ryo became a target for bullying from the moment he arrived in the boys' home he was sent to. As he was being beaten to the verge of death, training officer and fellow prisoner Kenji Kurokawa stepped in and taught Ryo a harsh lesson in survival: if you want to leave prison alive, you will have to destroy all your enemies..... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, March 8 2008 15 ZERO HOUR ZERO MINUTE Can : Ling Si Ling Fun Joey Yung Cho Yi 14 BIG HERO CHOW Can : Jau Dai Hup Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) 13 EXIST FOR YOU Can : Wai Nei Chuen Joi Fahrenheit 12 LOVE SONG Fong Datong 11 LIGHT YEAR Can : Guong Nin Sam Lee (Lee Sing Kit) 10 BADA BADA Joanna Wang (Wong Yat Lam) 9 RUNAWAY BRIDE Can : Lok Pau Sun Leung Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) 8 DON'T WANT TO COMPREHEND Can : But Seung Dung Dut Angela Chang (Cheung Siu Hom) 7 FLY ALONG WITH DREAMS Can : Chui Mung Yi Fei Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Leon Lai Ming 6 YOU ARE THE PERSON I LOVE THE MOST Can : Nei Si Ngor Jui Oi Dik Yun Ivana Wong Yuen Chi 5 I JUST LIKE YOU Can : Ngor Jau Si Hei Foon Nei Big Mouth 4 WHEN WE ARE 2GETHER Can : Dong Ngor Moon Jat Yut Fai Alan Luo (Law Chi Cheung) 3 INNOCENT Can : Mo Gu Gary Cao (Cho Gat) 2 ACROBATICS Can : Jap Gei Janice Vidal (Wai Lan) 1 EIFFEL TOWER Can : Ba Lai Teet Tap Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) ------ [ Yakety Yak ] The views and opinions expressed here are purely those of the writer and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office, its contributors and affiliated web sites. WHO SAVES DAYLIGHT SAVINGS F'n Daylight Savings. For some reason this year's Daylight Savings has had an almost jet lag like effect on Ye Ole Chaffing Editor, the operative word being Ole. On second thought, f'n aging! Your Chaffing Editor has been so sleep deprived that when he heard Snoop Dogg's SENSUAL SEDUCTION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKz-RXSeIYA) two verses merged into one. And all that we ever do is go back to sleep, sleep, sleep The lack of sleep is not make Old Chaffy any more chipper. Every time when Your Chaffing Editor feels better about modern day China, the government pulls something like this. CHINESE ACTRESS TANG WEI 'BLACKLISTED OVER SPY THRILLER' http://news.smh.com.au/chinese-actress-tang-wei-blacklisted-over-spy-thriller/20080308-1y3s.html Your Chaffing Editor has next to zero interest in watching LUST, CAUTION, but WTF. What is the point of having all the film soul crushing screenplay inspection policies, blindly overlooking it for international renown (or infamy) and then evoking retroactive punishment? Your Chaffing Editor can understand if the "official" reason is the real reason, but he cannot help but let his paranoia wonder if the "punishment" has more to do with "moral decay of the youth". If so, why the heck was this project approved in the first place? Oh wait, controversy and attention. DUH. Thus comes the growing pain for a "free market" China. The time has come for her to decide whether the mighty yuan is worthy selling your moral and any other "traditional values". Knock, knock, the Devil is at the door. Speaking of the Devil, aside from "moral decay" China also faces similar issues the West does. Threats of "terrorism" has been uncovered against the Beijing Olympic Games. Behind them are a group of Xinjiang liberation group that planned on hijacking a plane to disrupt the event. Somehow the press has made the connection to the region's religious affiliation -- Islam. Before the words al Crapper can be whispered, someone please do their homework. (http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4420970&page=1) Finally, Miley Cyrus in a radio interview calls men who go to her concert "creepy". No Duh. (http://tratata.com/miley-cyrus-calls-male-fans-creepy/) And here a few weeks ago Your Chaffing Editor was just thinking instead of auctioning Heidi Klum's Oscars red dress for breast cancer how much more Miley Cyrus' would have raised for the cause. Creepy, huh? Your Chaffing Editor enjoys SEE YOU AGAIN just as much as the next 12 year old girl, but he draws the line at going to see her alive. Your Former Chaffing Editor, on the other hand..... (http://www.thespicegirls.com/spiceblog/19) CLOSED OFF FROM LOVE, I DIDN'T NEED THE PAIN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ctIC65PV0) Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038