From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (March 20 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. THIS TOP 10 IS DEDICATED TO A. Gigi Leung Wing Kei who celebrates her birthday on the 25th B. Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu who celebrates his birthday on the 24th C. Roger Kwok Chun On and Cindy Au Sin Yi who gave birth to their 2.9 kg son Brad on the 23rd D. Edwin Siu Jing Nam who celebrates his birthday on the 23rd E. TVB artist Wong CHun Tong who wed his girlfriend of 20 years on the 23rd . Director Joe Ma Wai Ho who wed his long time girlfriend on the 22nd 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (3/26/2008) Gigi Leung Wing Kei yesterday on her birthday officially signed with Brilliant Idea Group. The company arranged for an earth shaped cake to celebrate with her. Company executive and Mei Ah board member Tong Hing Chi, Brilliant Idea Group chief Cheuk Ng were in attendance. Friends like Louis Koo Tin Lok, Karen Mok Man Wai, Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Alan Tam Wing Lun, Stefanie Sun Yanzi, Denise Ho Wan Si, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei sent their video well wishes. Hacken Lee Hak Kun has just returned from his North American tour and rushed to the press conference as a surprise for Gigi. "From now on they will help me with record and other job plans. I am very confident in them. they have a tremendous platform in Asia so I can develop to even further places. I am also very confident in film development. I want to play many characters, but I still would like to direct the most. I hope the company would make a movie for me, ha ha. (What kind of movie would you like to make?) Inspirational film!" The new company has focused on film, will Gigi concentrate on film industry development? She admitted that she was the company's trailblazer because the company has been recruited music development talent. * (3/26/2008) Kelly Chen Wai Lam after THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) Hong Kong premiere flew to promote the film in Singapore. At the event Kelly not only sang the theme song FLY ALONG WITH DREAM (CHUI MUNG YI FEI) with fans but also wrote the Chinese title in calligraphy. Kelly later would head to Korea with Leon Lai Ming to continue the promotion. Including Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia box office, THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS' performance has been rather encouraging. This time Kelly in the film played Princess Fei Er, who suffered a poisoned needle in her back and ran into the Lai Ming played Duan Chuan who rescued her with medicinal herb. For this treatment scene, Lai Ming and Chen Wai Lam had close physical contact. After days of shooting, Lai Ming even uncovered Kelly's key to life. "For morning shoots, we always start at 6 and end at 8. Kelly can go to sleep without eating anything and can sleep for 15 hours straight. She calls this 'natural therapy'. She doesn't need to have nutritional food to slim down, how thrifty is she!" Lai Ming even made fun of Kelly with Director Ching, "After 10 years Kelly should be exactly the same as now, true to the name Sleeping Beauty!" Kelly protested, "Good skin not only needs skincare product, ample sleep is the most important. I am only fighting for time to rest!" She feels the night scenes are the most difficult. To encourage herself, for night shoots she would cook some snack in the vehicle like banana pancake or chocolate cake. Kelly bought all the cooking tools and utensils. Actually she has rarely cooked in recent years, she never thought that for this movie she has practiced many dishes that she has cooked when she studied aboard again. * (3/26/2008) During the production of the 2003 film RUNNING ON KARMA (DAI JET LO), a stuntman substitutes for an Indian actor in one scene in which he jumps on a table then to ground. The stuntman claims that the wire technicians pulled the wires that were connected to the table too soon, making the wire come in contact with his heel and throwing him off balance. When he fell he landed on his left hand, cracked his left wrist and dislocated his left elbow. The stuntman yesterday filed a lawsuit against Johnnie To Kei Fung's production company Milky Way Image for 5.7 million in compensation. The 38 year old stuntman has been in the profession for years, makes as much as 50,000 monthly and has ample experience. The simple jump originally would not have been difficult for him. Yet on the night of June 21, 2003, director To Kei Fung after three to four takes still was not satisfied with the wire and other stunt professionals' coordination and asked for another take. The stuntman claimed that on the final jump to the table, the wire technicians pulled the wires too soon and caused the incident. He also pointed out that the production company has not provided cushion to break the fall, in turn leading to his arm injury. Now he cannot even pick up anything heavy. After the accident he is determined to 5% handicapped. Now even though he can be an action coordinator he can no longer be a stuntman. * (3/25/2008) Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) starred in ESCAPE FROM HUANG SHI. Yeung Chi King wore a Chinese dress and her hair up to play a businesswoman who lost her marriage during the war. Yeung Chi King said that perhaps because she looked too strong in her years in film she either played a strong woman or a fighter. She looked forward to playing some softer characters. "If such a screenplay exists I of course would like to try it; but after such a long time playing a fighter or a strong woman role, change seems very hard." Yeung Chi King in the film had no scene with her friend Fat Gor. Thus during the shoot they never ran into each other. However, being able to work with TOMORROW NEVER DIES director Roger Spottiswoode again, she was not only happy but also sentimental. "Seeing each other again, my first impression was everyone was older. Ten years ago, when I saw the cameras I still would be so nervous that I would shake; but now I am more confident in myself, I have grown, and my acting has already become more and more stable." The film would be released next month and a premiere would be held tonight. Yeung Chi King has promised half a year ago to attend a U.S. safety ambassador charity press conference and took time off from the film company in advance. * (3/25/2008) The Jackie Chan and Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) starred film THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (GONG FU JI WONG) would be released on April 24. In the film not only did they have a series of fight scenes, even young Hollywood actor Michael Angarano and Li Bingbing's action scenes were very exciting. Michael has had a lot of television work under his belt, but FORBIDDEN has been much tougher. He did not have any martial art background but he had to handle countless fights, which to him was a big challenge in his career. A month before the shoot Michael has already started training with action director Yuen Wo Ping as well as lessons on weapons and fighting. For his first martial art training, he had to practice eight hours daily for three weeks in a row. The regime was truly tiring. He also thanked Lee Nin Kit for teaching him that the fight sequence was a type of performance that needed to be continuously honed. Lee Nin Kit at the same time compared fighting with dancing in that he must be on the same beat as those around him in order to finish in one shot. Lee Nin Kit also praised Michael for his intelligence. Yuen Wo Ping also pointed out that he had a knack for learning gong fu. Li Bing Bing played the cold blooded white haired Ni Chang, who had a fierce fight with Michael Angarano in the palace. She also used poison arrows, whips and other ancient torture weapons. Li Bingbing was very honored to be able to participate in this film. When she auditioned, the director praised her English dialogue was flawless and finally she successfully landed the role, which Bingbing herself found hard to believe. Bingbing also praised director Rob Minkoff for frequently correcting their looks and their English flaws. Bingbing also pointed out that during the shoot her entire body fell and she scratched her arms and palms. She also injured her back during wire work. She also thanked Jackie Chan because whether she was fighting correctly or not Jackie Chan was able to handle her. Jackie Chan claimed that Bingbing was the perfect choice to play the white haired demon because she was a top Chinese star. Her willing to try something new and play a villain was admirable. * (3/25/2008) Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Chow Pak Ho and Freeze two nights ago attended the LOVE IS ELSEWHERE (OI CHING MAN SHUI) premiere. In the film Ken gave Yumiko his first onscreen kiss. Two nights ago his brother and mother came in support. Ken joked, "My brother says that he only wants to see my kiss scene." Yumiko said that theirs was a "light kiss", but Ken expressed to him it was already a deep one. When asked if they dared to make LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) like intimate scenes? Yumiko felt that she had to be very brave to be able to, and it would depend on the screenplay and the director. She and Sherman felt that they must hone their acting abilities before they would dare to. Ken said that the company would decide, if the company felt that he was suitable then he was OK. Was he confident in his figure? He said, "Later I should have one because I have to get in shape for a record release!" Yumiko earlier was linked to a make up artist. Would she ask her boyfriend to have superb make up abilities? She pretended to give an angry look to the reporters and said that was unimportant. Freeze two nights ago revealed that in the middle of the year they would work on new films, two romance and a thriller, but the lead actor has not been confirmed. Who would they like to work with? They all said, "Of course Gum Sing Mo (Takeshi Kaneshiro), (Andy) Lau Tak Wa, (Tony) Leung Chiu Wai! However working with new comers like Chow Pak Ho, Hung Cheuk Lap and Chan Pak Yu would be OK too." * (3/25/2008) United Filmmaker Organization was sued last Thursday for 1.18 million service fee. A computer art design company did not list the related service content and only cited that the service took place between July and December last year. The computer art design computer has received many awards for its creative advertising and film visual effect work, with film like NEW POLICE STORY, THE LEGEND OF ZU, TWINS EFFECT, INFERNAL AFFAIRS and INITIAL D. * (3/24/2008) The Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) directed film RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) yesterday held its world premiere at the Cultural Center. Attendees included Louis Koo Tin Lok, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying), Miao Ho Sau, Ti Lung and his wife, and Lam Suet. Lau Yeuk Ying nearly had a wardrobe malfunction when she greeted the child actor; when Goo Jai picked up the child actor he accidentally put up her dress. Goo Jai revealed that while shooting RUN he broke through three pieces of glass. "I was careless. Luckily I didn't need stitches, but I made everyone develop a fear of glass. The worst part was shooting at someone's home. If I broke it we had to pay money, but because I was careless, even if it came from my salary I wouldn't mind." Why did he constantly broke glass? He expressed that in one scene Ti Lung hit him, he lost his balance, his arms swept backward and broke the glass! In the film he even put on old make up and big belly. He said, "This was a new attempt. I didn't mind. Director Cheng Ngai Ga even said that if I looked a little older, I would be even more masculine." Lau Yeuk Ying earlier was crying after Goo Jai scolded her. She expressed that that day she already knew it was a misunderstanding so she was not mad. Would she work with Goo Jai again? She said that if the screenplay was good she could work with anyone. * (3/24/2008) The film CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL (MO YEH JI SING) two nights ago held its premiere at the Cultural Center. Guests included Monie Tung Man Lei, Chapman To Man Jat, Hong Kong baseball team members and director Lawrence Ah Mo (Lau Kwok Cheung). In the film, Monie and the team captain Leung Yu Chung had a relationship. He even kissed her. She joked, "He gave his first onscreen kiss to me." Monie even revealed that the director and the producer said that the captain seemed to truly like her, which made her very worried. Did they still in touch? She said, "We used to, but not now." The film had many nude scenes for the guys, did she benefit? She expressed that she was not in those scenes so she regretted missing it. However she once took at peek at a guy's bare rear. To avoid being called a pervert, she immediately explained, "I have never seen it in front of the camera. That's not dirty, it's art." The film also had several streaking scenes, which she was looking for to. To Man Chat came to learn from Lau Kwok Cheung because later he would produce a youth film. Would he approach Isabella Leong Lok Si for it? He joked, "I don't know now if I have to contact her through lawyers?" Earlier he has tried to contact her but her number has been suspended. Lately they have had no contact. * (3/23/2008) Eric Tsang Chi Wai was selected as this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival Filmmaker in Focus. Two nights ago a celebration was held at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Center. Chi Wai's new film WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE TAIWAN CHAPTER also held its red carpet world premiere on this night. Chi Wai not only had his children Tsang Kwok Cheung and Tsang Bo Yi in attendance for support but also friends like Wynners, Peter Chan Ho Sun, Angela Tong Ying Ying, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Andy Hui Chi On and others as well. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER had a Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan chapter. Always an avid supporter of new comers, Chi Wai two nights ago lead the three directors and 27 actors to meet the press. Three WINDS OF SEPTEMBER new directors presented Chi Wai with a program. Former Chi Wai protege Chan Ho Sun also claimed that Chi Wa was his benefactor. Chi Wai pointed out that three WINDS OF SEPTEMBER cost around 10 million. Actually his daughter Bo Yi first found the screenplay in Taiwan. He felt the subject was great so he thought of coming up with three different locations' versions. As the Filmmaker in Focus, Chi Wai would have eight films screened at the film festival. His most memorable one was FINAL VICTORY (JUI HAU SING LEI) because it was his first Best Actor nomination. Bo Yi was very happy about being able to turn WINDS OF SEPTEMBER into movies. When she saw suitable screenplays she would hand them to Papa. She said that she was Papa's informant in Taiwan. Would she work with Papa on a movie? Bo Yi expressed that she would give it a try when she had the chance, but that would depend on whether the boss would give her the chance. * (3/23/2008) The film L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI) after eight days in release made 6.52 million. Two nights ago the film company held a celebration. Attendees included Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Alice Tsang Hoi Won, Kary Ng Yu Fei. Boss Paco Wong announced that due to this film's performance Yip Lim Sum next month would start a new romance. Miki who has been suspended for a long time would work with Tsang Hoi Won as the leads. The film would be a summer release in August. Miki in L had a passionate scene with Terry Hu (Wu Ching Nam). She honestly said that the shoot was rather embarrassing. Would she work on even more daring scene? She joked that she would like to play in a lesbian film the most and would not mind being intimate with a girl. Was she afraid of her male co-star's biological reaction? She joked that she was afraid of her own reaction. Since Miki will work with Tsang Hoi Won, would Yip Lim Sum make a lesbian film? He honestly said that he would not know how to make one but he was rather happy when he heard about it. Perhaps he would consider it. Although Tang Lai Yun and Siu Fong have worked together many times, many still called for them to make a fourth film. She honestly said that after making this film she was reluctant to part. Did she miss Siu Fong or the director? She said the entire team. She felt that with the ideal box office this time she felt as well the clouds have parted and the sky opened up, very encouraged and comforted, since earlier she had too much negative news. Siu Fong recently has been selected as a top grossing male artist. Stephy questioned why she was not a part of that because she has worked with Siu Fong on most of his films. Ng Yu Fei honestly said that she did not dare to watch scenes like Miki's kiss scene because she would feel uncomfortable. Yet off camera she would not mind. She joked that earlier when she and Justin Lo (Juk Tin) worked on a kiss scene, her hair still stood on its end now that she thought about it. * (3/22/2008) Andy Lau Tak Wa yesterday promoted THREE KINGDOMS RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON (SAM GOK ji GEIN LUNG SEH GAP) with Andy Hui Chi On. Maggie Q since the erotic photo incident has decined to promote the film in Hong Kong. Wa Jai claimed that her management agency only wanted to protect its artist from having to respond to awkward questions. He joked that her absence from the Hong Kong promotion was another way to promote. Wa Jai has been off for a month and yesterday returned to work. "I got a little fat, haha." Wa Jai revealed that he visited Europe during his break. Wa Jai said that when he said he would rest until September he meant that at the time September had no film schedule. He still had film promotional work to do and revealed that he had films in negotiation. Maggie Q in the film played Cao Cao's grand daughter Cao Ying. Speaking of Maggie Q's refusal to promote in Hong Kong, Wa Jai expressed that he only learned about it from the newspaper. "Promoting without her of course feels like something is missing. She is rather important in the film. If I was the boss of course I would feel she's wrong. When the management agency may not want her to answer awkward questions and has to protect its artists." Was Wa Jai concerned about the box office? " The only thing I can do is promote more. Of course I can't replace her. Her absence is another type of promotion. Perhaps if she came no one would ask her?" Since Maggie Q has not commented about the erotic photo incident, reporters joked that they had many questions for her. Wa Jai pretended to hit the reporters. * (3/22/2008) L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI) actors Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun and Alice Tsang Hoi Won yesterday promoted in Mongkok. Although the film company hired eight security guards to maintain order, the public rushed in when the stars distributed film promotional cards. The four after ten minutes went to a nearby karaoke box for a media interview. Siu Fong was asked about how he protected his three co-stars in Mongkok. Stephy immediately commented, "I don't feel he was protecting me! I relied on a slim female fan's protection." Siu Fong honestly said that he has not protected them. Instead he protected himself with his arms over his chest. He pointed out that the girls were already grown and knew how to protect themselves. Siu Fong said that with the big crowd he was the most afraid of being scolded for blocking traffic. Stephy expressed that yesterday was her first such promotion in Mongkok. She heard from fans that someone touched her and said that she was very "smooth". She did not feel any touching. She joked, "Only my arms are exposed! They shouldn't be able to reach inside the clothes." She also said that earlier she wanted to go to the movies to see the audience reaction but the film was already ending and she could only see another movie. She was afraid that the departing viewers would see her watching other movies and immediately ducked for cover. L after eight days in release has made 6.5 million. Siu Fong and Stephy were satisfied. Many asked them whether this was their last collaboration, which they felt that they still have room for as they have not played many characters. * (3/21/2008) The 1st Annual Hong Kong mobile film festival award ceremony yesterday took place at the Convention Center. The event invited commerce and economic development council secretary Ma Si Hung, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), directors Pang Ho Cheung and Yip Lim Sum as guest presenters. Lam King Yiu with INFECTION (GUM YIM) won the "honorary award" and received 20,000 cash prize. Pang Ho Cheung spoke about how to find creative inspiration and said that most came from the bathroom. He asked the teachers to permit students to go to the bathroom more often for them to find inspiration. Yip Lim Sum was asked about his rumors, which made him feel very awkward. Lau Sum Yau was responsible for presenting the Best Actor award. She pointed out that her characters have been very similar to herself in real life, which has provided her with a lot of room for development and she truly was lucky. "Ultimately acting can't show 100% me. (Who else would you like to work with?) I never choose people because only I would lose out. Only with different co-stars each time would there be spark." Sum Yau stated that although she was interested in directing she could not divert her attention. Right now she only wanted to become a good actor. In the future when her interest would arise she would study the related courses. * (3/21/2008) Mani Fok Man Hei, Elaine Lok Yi Ling, Wong Jing, Paco Wong, Gallen Law Ka Leung, Jade Kwan Sum Yin, and Eric Suen Yiu Wai yesterday attended an "artist, manager discussion panel" at the Convention Center with Ng Yu as the guest host. Ng Yu used the most sensitive subject that managers like to hear the least, "betrayal", as the topic and asked Brother Jing for his opinion? Brother Jing expressed immediately, "Expect him to betray you. If he doesn't have any talent he doesn't have any qualification to betray you. Betrayal requires abilities, no matter how he promises I hope he would have the betrayal ability. (Wouldn't you be mad?) You don't get to be mad. First I don't agree with signing long contracts, like your Emperor long contracts I disagree with. 15 years are too long. 8 to 10 are normal." At this time Mani spoke, "With such a short term, they can easily leave after they become famous." Brother Jing said, "By the seventh year if you are still investing, then not extending the contract is your own fault." Brother Jing continued, "With a long term meal ticket in hand, no matter how they betray they are useless. When we made MONG JUNG YUN, an actress suddenly felt ill and quitted. So we recast and finally that series broke rating records." Ng Yu then asked Mani her view on betrayal. She expressed, "Maybe my past artists are younger and don't think thoroughly. On my first day as a manager I have already spent a lot of time and effort. I never thought about being paid back. OF course I would like to see artists become famous, which was very encouraging to me. As for betrayal or not, each person's perspective is different, I have very high emotional quotient and could withstand a lot of pressure. I am willing to spend time with them. Artists and managers have arguments, sometimes I would be mad. I slowly give them time and advice so they wouldn't fall so hard. This is my responsibility." Lok Yi Ling expressed, "I constantly say to artists, nothing lasts a lifetime." They also discussed suspension. Brother Jing immediately said to Ng Yu, "Your refrigerator is the largest." Ng Yu replied, "But it has no electricity, they freeze a little then they are let back out." Mani felt that suspension could provide artists with ample time to calmly think. When they returned they would be more alert. Ng Yu continued, "The biggest has to be Ms. Lok's refrigerator, which has frozen even Chow Yun Fat and (Andy) Lau Tak Wa." Ms. Lok immediately replied, "We moved studio, it's demolished!" Ms. Lok also agreed with Mani's view that artists should be rewarded and penalized and provided time to think. Ms. Lok said, "When the company penalizes, outsiders wouldn't scold him anymore." Paco Wong said, "I haven't suspend one artist yet. I have three artists who automatically terminated their contracts. If their attitude was too excessive, I think I would have consider the matter anew." Ng Yu was asked about Isabella Leong Lok Si's betrayal rumor. Ng Yu expressed that he had no comment. He said, "We don't target any one artist. The company have given its heart in hopes of be with the artists forever." Mani also had no comment for any Leong Lok Si question. "I am not avoiding it. Anything said now to Isabella herself or to our company would unfair. It would only cause harm." Has she seen her statement? She said, "Yes, but I won't respond. Hopefully this matter will soon be resolved. I personally hope to continue to work with Isabella. My expectation for her is enormous, I am proud of her." Brother Jing criticized that 15 year contracts were too long. Mani said, "Actually it wasn't 15 years. The contract was a trade secret. It's not what he said." Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin criticized Juno Mak Chun Lung for not writing his blog clearly. Mani said, "Diary shares feelings with friends, but when the entire Hong Kong media is sharing your feeling, you mya have to be more careful. Putting information on it poorly would lead to many speculations. Ah Sa has been battling events alone and withstood a lot of pressure. Everyone would be more understanding of her. (Do you feel Juno was promoting himself?) I don't want to talk about anything else. I believe that he isn't anyone like that." * (3/21/2008) The Hong Kong Trade Development Council through the Hong Kong Film Market and the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum conducted surveys with participating companies and buyers to find out their highest grossing directors and artists. Yesterday it held the Hong Kong film and television industry survey announcement. Attending guests included Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association chair Hung Cho Sing, Hong Kong Film Development Council secretary Fung Wing and others. The results of the survey were: Highest grossing male artist (in no particular order): Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat, Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Alex Fong Lik Sun Highest grossing female artists (in no particular order): Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Angelica Lee Sinjie, Maggie Q Highest grossing directors (in no particular order): Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Jackie Chan, Johnnie To Kei Fung, John Woo (Ng Yu Sum), Wong Kar Wai Most popular television male artists (in no particular order): Bobby Auyeung Chun Wa, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, Moses Chan Ho, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Raymond Lam Fung, Kevin Cheng Ka Wing Most popular television female artists (in no particular order): Ada Choi Siu Fun, Gigi Lai Chi, Charmaine Sheh Si Man, Bernice Liu Bik Yi, Myolie Wu Hung Yi, Angela Tong Ying Ying * (3/21/2008) RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) was invited to premiere at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Yesterday, actors Louis Koo Tin ok, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying), Miu Ho Sau and director Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) attended the press conference at the Convention Center. Cheung Ngai Ga revealed that Goo Jai has made Lau Yeuk Ying cry on the set. They constantly argued on the set and Lau Yeuk Ying was so mad that she was driven to tears. Cheung Ngai Ga said, that day Lau Yeuk Ying had an early start and did not even have time for lunch. She hurried up and ate during a break. Goo Jai mistook her for not waiting for everyone for dinner and thus questioned her in an unfriendly tone. Lau Yeuk Ying was frightened and then started to cry. She said, "After that, we shot Lau Yeuk Ying slapping Goo Jai. I believe that she had a lot of fun from that!" Goo Jai expressed that he did not know Lau Yeuk Ying cried at the time. He said, "At the time I only felt that the entire team should eat together. Later I learned that actually she didn't even have lunch. I thought that she wasn't waiting and hid herself to eat dinner. I have already apologized for my behavior to her." Goo Jai and Lau Yeuk Ying worked together again after HAPPY BIRTHDAY. In the new film they played a couple with a daughter. Goo Jai yesterday saw the girl in the film and acted like father. Goo Jai said, "She is very smart. She is only five but her thinking is already mature like a teenager." * (3/20/2008) Hong Kong Salon film company yesterday held a press conference at the Hong Kong Film Market to announced a collaboration plan with Hengdian World Studios, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Yoshimoto Kogyo Co. That company and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures would sign an agreement to produce five films in the next three years with each film budget between US$2 to 15 million. Actually last year the two companies have already adapted PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI), which was in post production and slated for a year end release. The film's cast included Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, and Vicki Zhao Wei. Currently in preparation are a romance, an inspirational film about a Singapore boy whose dream is to become a NBA star and an epic about the birth of a nation in Asia. Yao Ming and Hsu Li Kong were mentioned as possible stars. Hong Kong Salon Pictures and Hengdian World Studios formed a strategic alliance to create an one stop film industry production platform. Hong Kong Salon's chair Fred Wong Cheung Yu expressed, the plan was to construct in Hengdian high definition production and post production facilities to provide even more reliable support for high definition film and television. It would also form a strategic alliance with Japan's Yoshimoto Kogyo to built the first fortress in its international business. This collaboration would also be able to increase both parties' collaboration opportunities in investment and Asia original screenplay production. * (3/20/2008) The film SUP FUN JUNG CHING (TEN PART LOVE) yesterday held a press conference. Ten directors will make ten stories ten years after the Hong Kong Hand Over. Yesterday the press conference attendees included directors Aubrey Lam Oi Wa, Wong Po Ching, actors Liu Kai Chi, 2R's Race Wong Yuen Ling, Steven Cheung Chi Hung, Wong Yung, Wong Yau Nam and Fun Nei. One linked in rumors Cheung Chi Hung and Wong Yung were reluctant to pose for pictures together. Wong Yung even frowned during the group photo but they denied any awkwardness. Earlier expressed that she would retire from show business, Wong Yung yesterday said that she never said that she would quit show business. She has been looking for new models for a modeling agency but occasionally she would accept jobs. Wong Yung earlier was linked to the "obscene photo" incident. She said that she has already said that needed to be said and the matter happened a long time ago. She and Edison Chen Koon Hei did not have photo contact but would communicate online. She revealed that Edison has been unhappy and stressed about the matter. Wong Yung however did not ask for an apology because he did not wrong her. Carl Ng Ka Lung was caught earlier on the street touching his girlfriend's rear. He admitted it and said that he was only messing around. However, his friends thought the report was hilarious. He pointed out that the person in the photo was his girlfriend, so any intimate movement was no surprise. He said that his girlfriend was studying the U.S. They have dated for eight months. His girlfriend found out about the photo and scolded him, but she was not mad about the matter. * (3/20/2008) THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIOS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) two nights ago held its premiere. Attendees included Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Guo Xiaodong, and director Ching Siu Tung. Both lead actors Leon Lai Ming and Donnie Yen Chi Tan were absent. Other attendees included executive producer Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Yee Chung Man, Mark Lui Chung Tak, Connie Chan Bo Chu, Lee Ka Ting, Angela Tong Ying Ying, Michael Miu Kiu Wai and wife Chik Mei Chun, Nat Chan Pak Cheung and Wong Hung Sau, Tsang Kwok Cheung and Tsang Bo Yi, Yen Chi Tan's wife Cici Wang and Wang Yuanyaun. Cici Wang explained that Chi Tan was busy in Shanghai with the film YIP MUN JUEN and she represented him in attendance. Kelly with Guo Xiaodong and Ching Siu Tung conducted a cauldron lighting, coronation and toast ceremony. Ching Siu Tung at the same time talked about the production and pointed out that Kelly was afraid of everything. Before an underwater fight scene she was so scared that she kept asking about the production details. After the shoot she returned to the surface and was stunned. Lai Ming's performance was better than he has imagined. He took a lot of risk in his fight scenes. Thus after work he was so tired that he would be dead asleep. Kelly expressed that the premiere was like graduation as her family all came in support. As for her boyfriend, she said, "I would give him tickets. I don't want him to focus on chatting with me and not watch the movie. (Both Lai Ming and Yen Chi Tan are absent?) I feel like I am without my left arm." As for the underwater fight scene, Kelly expressed that the water was as deep as four Kelly's. Because she was not much of a swimmer and the shoot went from night to early morning she was very afraid. Guo Xiaodong said that in a fight scene with Kelly he did not understand how his shoulder was injured and needed half a year to recover. In Beijing he has been under physical therapy and thus has lost many jobs. * (3/20/2008) Film festival ambassador Sammi Cheng Sau Man two nights ago attended the 32th Annual Hong Kong International Film Festival opening party at the Convention Center. Sammi expressed that she appreciated both of this year's recommended films, the Ann Hui On Wa directed THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH) and the Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung) directed BESIEGED CITY (WAI SING) because both films could bring attention to Tin Shui Wai's community issue. Sammi herself has never been to Tin Shui Wai but she would gladly participate in the community's charity events. Would she perform a concert there like Liza Wong Ming Chuen? Sammi said that if she could perform with her church it would be rather decent. She even suggested a "wetland concert" at the wetland park. * (3/20/2008) Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Radha Mitchell starred ESCAPE FROM HUANG SHI would be released next month. Fat Gor in the film played a guerrilla team captain. In a sheep skin coat and a little gray hair, he looked completely like a cool hero. Fat Gor who has always been serious often made faces at the cameras on the set. Once due to an accident, Fat Gor and the lead actor's scenes in the valley had to be moved up. Fat Gor still did not forget to face the cameras and gave an emotional pose. Even lead actress Radha Mitchell could not help but describe him as full of energy. After countless films, Fat Gor knew that he studied English at age 40 and Mandarin at age 50 and worried that someone would scold him. "Chow Yun Fat, your Mandarin is so rotten. How dare to come to work in Beijing?" Thus he has always been working hard and humbly called himself the "old new comer". Fat Gor was an avid photographer, thus while he was not working on the set he took the time to take pictures. Earlier Fat Gor was rumored to be arrogant on the set, but according to the team, Fat Gor and the team have gotten along well. He even took photos with each of the 60 children and showed his usual friendly side. * (3/20/2008) Sundream Picture 2008 party two nights ago took place at the Hong Kong Film Market. It also celebrated its 3rd anniversary. Attendees included Sundream chief Tsui Siu Ming and artists Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Debbie Goh (Ng Tin Yu) and Wong Chui Yu. Sundream also signed a collaboration agreement with The Weinstein Company for its exclusive and first distribution rights. Cheung Wai Kin has been training for his new film DUET BIU and started to stretch and box. Everyday he trains for eight to nine hours. Later he would head to Hengdian, Shanghai and Nanjing for the 3 month long shoot. Cheung Sai is expecting in May. Gein Jai expressed that he would follow Patrick Tam Yiu Man's lead and return to Hong Kong as soon as his wife is ready to give birth. He joked that now he would bring birthing luggage including video camera, camera and identification. Although he would become a father soon, Gein Jai pointed out that man ultimately would not feel much since he was not giving birth. He joked that if man would give birth for woman he would be willing to suffer the pain for his wife. Ng Tin Yu later will work on the film DUET BIU, in which she would play a female runner. Recently he has already started to run but she worried that her legs would become thick from running. * (3/20/2008) Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) yesterday appeared on BE MY GUEST (CHI WAN FAN GUK). Cheung Ngai Ga expressed that not much would be off topic except her measurements and age. She has already been in the business for 30 years so everything else has been put on the table. Cheung Ngai Ga who rarely mentioned his son, who was already 18. Was he interested in show business? She pointed out that her son has never mentioned it but he loved to watch movies and art. She would not provide any special assistance because when she got into the business no one helped her. Yet she would not object to his son's entry into the business. If he has talent she would let it take its natural course. Lately the Mainland film inspection standards have become stricter and stricter. Cheung Ngai Ga's new film RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) has gone from a co-production to an import film and the financial split was different. The film also has to be delayed until May for a Mainland release. Was it postponed due to its mob subject? Cheung Ngai Ga would like to know the reason herself as she was uncertain for now. As for the Tang Wei blacklisting, she felt that every person had his or her own family rule. With such an enormous nation, she grew up in a different background so comparison would be difficult. Yet she felt that this matter would definitely impact Hong Kong film. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 25 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS NEW COMERS SHOULD NOT BE IN TOO MUCH HURRY TO SIGN WITH MANAGERS Management agencies have many types. If someone does not want to be tied down to a contract of ten to twenty years or more than half of the income going to commission, he or she can sign with some smaller scale ones or even some that only entertain job offers. These companies do not provide the complete management service. The advantage is that an artist can sign whatever he or she wants. All conditions only require both parties' agreement. Some managers only field certain region or certain part of performance work for an artist. When they get jobs they get commission. Both parties may not have a paper contract and may not have any term, a word or a paper notice can terminate cooperation. When someone signs with a small company, of course he or she cannot expect any salary standard or one shot payment. When new comers sign with big company their salaries are covered, in other words every month even without work they would have certain revenue. Some managers pay monthly salary like debts. When artists have income they take out. If the income is not enough, the remainder becomes debt. Thus some artists still owe debt even though they and the manager have ended their contracts. Managers have rights to demand contract extension or make up work. If the manager is a television station or a film company, contract artists do not have to worry about any lack of work. Television station has a high production rate. Actually it gets "people with quantity". If the production rate is reduced, naturally it would have less artists. When artists become famous, indeed they can become their managers' money tree. Yet they have even greater chance to become money trees. Management companies with their own productions can make new comers into stars easier because they do not need to rely on finding work for artists outside. As the record industry declines and can no longer only rely on record sales to make money, record companies now have become singers' managers and make up for record loss from other area revenue. Anyone who wants to be a singer but does not sign with a record company as a manager would find releasing a record very hard unless the management is willing to spend its own money for recording and only leaves distribution to the record company. New comers before joining the business should not be in too much hurry to sign with managers and consider whether their own future and the management company's operation direction are identical. If they do not understand, they can ask industry friends for advice. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 24 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS ERIC TSANG SPIRIT OF CHANGE AND SURVIVAL This year the Hong Kong International Film Festival selected Eric Tsang Chi Wai to be its "Filmmaker In Focus". Peter Chan Ho Sun on stage has said that 1/3 of the Hong Kong film industry has received help in one way or another from Tsang Chi Wai. The estimate was a little conservative. According to industry insiders, he has helped perhaps more than 50%. Someone has said that if show business does not have Tsang Chi Wai, it would truly be hard to imagine. Truly, film new comer cultivation relies on him; artist disaster relief relies on him; television game show relies on him; big show funny, solid and sentimental host is also him. The soon to take place Hong Kong Film Award production director is also him. Tsang Chi Wai is the filmmaker who has membership in the most film organizations. In his 30 year film career he seems to have done every job. He actually is the representative of the Hong Kong film elite, seeking change and survival continuously. From Sammo Hung Kam Bo bringing him from the soccer field into the film industry to be an action coordinator he has already shown his spirit of change. He saw that remaining in the soccer world he would have no tomorrow. From stuntman to screen writer, assistant director, actor, director, producer, he would always focus on the future. He has not only cultivated new comers in the film industry, in his television game show THE TRIO DELIGHTS he has also provided new comers with even more performance opportunities. In the past big companies cultivated new comers. Now such companies with such long range sight or strategy is absolutely rare. Most in the business do their own part. Tsang Chi Wai alone has already given rise to many new comers and added a lot of spirit of unity in the circle. With several more Tsang Chi Wai would the entertainment industry have even more motivation? Some focuses too much on whether his way is right or wrong, like pushing new comers too soon, with too less or too much resource, without a complete strategy, but who is more willing to do it than him? Anyone who does not do naturally does not make any mistake. He is not the only film professional who has stood firm in 30 years, but he should be the first who does the most for so many years without any care for winning or losing. Whether on or off screen, when anyone cares about winning or losing too much, he or she loses the ability to change. Tsang Chi Wai is a show business adventurer. The past Hong Kong film achievement is based on this type of adventure spirit. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 23 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS MANAGEMENT COMPANY IS VERY HARD TO OPERATE The Hong Kong Entertainment Expo organized an "artist, manager" discussion panel, which was rather timely. Nowadays perhaps would be the biggest headache days for Hong Kong artist managers. New artists may feel that management agency provided contract conditions are very brutal. Some would last 15 to 20 years. If they terminate the contracts, the compensation amount may be very sizable and they may not be able to work in show business for a very long time. Management agencies also charge very high commission from new comers. In the face of such extreme conditions, still many would sign. As long as the company has substance then they are willing to sign and even accept even more brutal terms. New comers do not have any negotiation ability. Before entering the business they almost have no market value. Seeing one successful example after another (failures are usually ignored), even if they feel they are being abused they can still have fame and fortune. Management agencies pay more to push new comers than the average person would imagine. In addition not every one of them would become famous. The ones who do not during the term of the contract still have to be provided with living expenses. The more sizable entertainment group would even pay to make their records and movies. Music and movie award shows would tell how many new comers rise every year, how many would actually succeed? If they are lucky in the first two years and show some performance, by the third year they face another test. Some's popularity takes a dive after two to three years. Management agencies truly do not know whether to allow them to continue on. If two or three out of ten new comers succeed then the company would already be great. Perhaps the entire company would rely on these two to three people's support to make up for other people's losses. New comers are like gambling. Some management agencies have many artists but none makes money. The famous ones who switch over would not pay a lot of commission. Management agencies make extremely little from them. When the company signs several top stars at once, during days before show business has rebounded it has to keep arranging work for them. Otherwise the cost of their switch could not be made back. New or old, when stars become stars they are hard to manage. This is human nature. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 23 2008 FILM FINANCING FORUM MATCHMAKING The Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum has always been the meat of the Hong Kong Entertainment Expo. In its sixth year HAF earlier has just been unveiled. As usual, HAF again played the role of "matchmaker" as it matched up directors and investors. Back then HAF indirectly made THE CRAZY STONE into a success. Everyone was looking forward to whether another "stone" would appear on this film financing platform and splash up waves amid the depressed film market. In comparison to last year's Pusan Film Festival Pusan Promotion Project's 35 qualified film projects and Rotterdam International Film Festival CineMart's 45 qualified projects, HAF this year maintained its 25 projects. In terms of scale it remained rather "young", but participating directors all held different dreams and goals. To them, quantity was not important. The result was worth the most anticipation, which was related to HAF's past performance. Worth Participating In Mainland director Ning Hao's box office miracle THE CRAZY STONE itself was not a HAF project, but he truly sowed seeds there with investors for future collaboration. This example undoubtedly encouraged later followers and attracted investors. This year, his 7 DREAMS again has won the HAF prize and reapt great reward. With the second time that he has used this platform for financing, Ning Hao points out that HAF is a great exchange platform and negotiation opportunity that is well worth for directors to participate in. For example the last time he came he ran into Andy Lau Tak Wa who came to invest in movies. Although at the time he brought the RED RACECAR film project, finally THE CRAZY STONE was made. Yet he still felt that the credit went to HAF. "This time 7 DREAMS project needs more financing and longer preparation time. The budget is near US$10 million. HAF has been a great bridge." Promotion Project He honestly says, he rarely looks for outside financing as usually money comes to find him. "With HAF I would come, without then I would go back and write screenplays because I don't like entertaining much. I feel this is unrelated since this doesn't waste time. During this period I can prepare many things, once prepared then I can start. This is what a director should do, not all the directors are out looking for money." He describes that he comes to the forum to introduce his film projects. Like stores that hang clothes for customers to come in and see whether they want to buy them, anyone who is willing to pay gets them. "Chinese film is rather new entertainment property. Many do not understand it too much. Some foreign investors don't know how much box office Chinese film would have on the foreign market." He feels, even if media like internet and mobile entertainment further develop, that does not represent that film would definitely be impacted. Viewers would not stop watching movies because of television because movies on television does not have that resonance from watching them in the cinemas. Does he look forward to HAF to be able to make his movies international? He honestly says that he has never thought about this problem. "To me, making good movies is the most important. Whether it can go out or now, that depends on its luck." - Tang Yin Yi 5. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 23 2008 PANG HO CHEUNG: CASH PRIZE IS THE MOST PRACTICAL Three time HAF qualifier Pang Ho Cheung hhas already been a frequent guest of this financing forum early on. He believes that HAF in Southeast Asia is a rather decent financing forum. He points out that how much financing can be found is the most practical to independent filmmakers. Thus if the event can increase the cash prize, it can definitely further attract even more good screenplays to look for financing opportunities. Finding Financing With THE BUS (GUNG CHEH) Pang Ho Cheung who has won HAF's 100,000 big prize honestly says, finding financing is the main reason that he repeatedly returns to the embrace of HAF. "We young directors on many occasions would participate in this type of financing platform because we have to have financing to make our movies, which is very practical. If a financing forum is done well, more investors would attend. We naturally would also bring good film projects there. Otherwise, even with good projects you wouldn't see many investors and the entire event becomes meaningless." Another reason that makes him like to use financing forum to find collaboration partners is the consideration that not all film subject can meet Hong Kong investors' tastes. "Some projects are harder to find investors in Hong Kong. Then I would use HAF or Korea's PPP to find investors. For example last year I had a story about the Kenyan draught, the entire cast is African children. Hong Kong investors would question why it has no Chinese actors. So I took the place to PPP. Finally the Pusan government gave me a prize. I also found Japanese and Singapore investors. They would accept non native actors starred foreign films more." He continues, "If the market is big enough, it can even accept some more alternative subjects. Investors would prefer to find stories with a common world language. These stories can occur in the director's own nation, but they have to be relatable to people of different language and nations without losing its own local color. Otherwise overseas viewers wouldn't like them." According to his multiple HAF participation experience, overseas investors independently considers each film project. To them, whether the movie is a Hong Kong film or stars Chinese actors it is unimportant. They all treat it as foreign film investment. All they care about is whether the project is attractive or not. Mutually Beneficial Thus, he feels that HAF's scale of only selecting 25 qualifying film project every year is already close, otherwise investors would have no way to consider all the qualifying projects in a few short days. "Instead HAF can consider increasing the cash prize, which is the most practical to filmmakers. If HAF's prize is the highest in all of Southeast Asia, everyone with a good screenplay would choose Hong Kong first. If a financing forum has many projects, it would attract even more investor participation; which is mutually beneficial and is positive to the entire matter. I remember in 06 I received US$20,000 at PPP, but HAF's highest prize was only HK$100,000. It still can't exceed PPP. As for Taiwan film market, aside from cash prize, some studios sponsor post production cost or film printing company sponsor film printing. HAF also has similar prizes, which is also good. If it has film company sponsoring film, it would be an enormous half to film production. As for the problem of new media's continuing rise, he does not eliminate investors while investing in film projects may also consider online and mobile download potential; but to directors their creative process has not been impacted. "Film is only a content. Different media have different content demand. The difference is only viewers' film watching habit has changed. They may not go to the movies. Cinema box office and other media revenue ratio may be arranged." Yet he also admits, Hong Kong film's recent depression is an indisputable fact. Under this condition, he feels colleagues should not limit film in Hong Kong or the Greater China region. He personally feels that exploring the Southeast Asia market would be a good choice. 6. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 23 2008 YEE CHIN-YEN: FOCUS ON CHINESE FILMS Taiwan director Yee Chin-Yen sees Rotterdam International Film Festival's CineMart, Pusan's PPP and Hong Kong's HAF as the three most important film financing forums. Thus after attending the other two financing platforms earlier this year he finally has the chance to bring his CAFE ASTORIA to Hong Kong. He feels, what is special about hAF is it focuses on Chinese films more than the other platforms. Expanding Socially In the three day financing forum, Yee Chin-Yen's producer has taken most of the investment negotiation work for him. The fact is, coming to HAF is also the producer's decision. Because his film project content involves Hong Kong, Shanghai and Taipei, it is more suitable to find financing in Hong Kong. The director says, "In 1996 when I made my first movie I went to Rotterdam. IN 02 I brought BLUE GATE CROSSING to Pusan. The third time I came to Hong Kong. What is special about HAF is it is Hong Kong organizes, so it feels more focused on Chinese films. My impression of Rotterdam is it is more focused on the so-called non mainstream or independent films. Pusan PPP is mainly Korean films, ultimately it is Korean organized; as for HAF, I see its qualifying projects from mainstream to more independent ones. With more variety, it has enormous investments as well as independent productions." "Because several of my earlier films still had some international word of mouth, basically I already have some connection. Although I don't make many movies, they remain interested in my work. I usually through my social network handle my funding. This project's overall investment is larger as the budget needs HK$11.7 million, so I have to come up with financing at the same time. On one hand I continue to find funding personally, on the other HAF is an important channel because it is more systematic and has more ways. It may be ten to twenty times fuller than our connections. Many people who I have met here didn't know me before. This platform enables me to be able to find funding without relying on my own connection at all." Undying Film CAFE ASTORIA takes a documentary film and improvisation performance style to connect the once popular in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei CAFE ASTORIA's history and emotions. Yee Chin-Yen says, his film has never stressed Chinese personality and leans to be more metropolitan and middle class. He feels, foreign investors who participate in financing forums actually do not target "Chinese films" but "foreign films". Their angles are the same when they Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese or Iranian films. "As for whether they like Chinese films, that is very hard to use a reason to sum up. Perhaps they do them for the actors, perhaps they treat them like foreign films, or perhaps they are curious about foreign cultures or treats them as a type of trendy fashion." He feels, any broadcast media development and transformation would influence directors' storytelling content and film art. For example movies that are too peaceful and too deep thinking would not be suitable for the mobile phone screen and noisy environments. "For example from the cinema to television, movies would have many more close up and also comparative sensational content to be able to capture viewers' attention. Both are ways to tell stories visually, on television everything becomes very over; in the future when mobile phone entertainment becomes trendy, story content would have to become even simpler and more over." Yet he stresses that film will never die and only appear in another format. As for what market he would focus on, he honestly says that the so-called market is only a past figure calculation. He would pay attention but would not completely rely on it to create. "Of course I also wouldn't deliberately do anything just for me because I am very certain that film has to have an audience. Only this way would film be considered truly completed." 7. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 23 2008 CAROL LAI: FORMAT LIKE HOLLYWOOD Carol Lai Miu Shuet this year brings her film project to be financed at the HAF for the first time. She directly says that her project SHUFFLE (GEI BUT HEI, NEI OI NGOR?) originally already has investors in negotiation, but she feels that more ample funding would make the film even more detailed. In comparison to directors looking for film companies, she expresses, HAF as a platform takes more initiative because it can attract even more international investors. While directors have choices they can also receive the results of promotions. Ample Funding Makes Things Easy "Hong Kong filmmaking originally cares a lot about the budget, but I feel that this project actually can be done a little better. Yet this way I need to find co-funding, so at the last minute I handed this project to HAF. This is a story about jumbled memories and has more artistic things. If I have more funding my technique would be even more agile and the film would be made in even more detail. I can also have even more persistence, which is what I have gained from past filmmaking experience." HAF has already reached its sixth year, but Lai Miu Shuet who has always insisted on creativity in the Hong Kong film industry is using this platform to finance for the first time. This is related to a long term collaboration relationship with a stable producer when she first started. Now her producer Chow Keung is Mainland director Jia Zhangke's old partner. She says, "Chow Keung recommends this platform heavily and feels that it will grow stronger and stronger. In addition ultimately it is a Hong Kong project, at its own home it would be more convenient. I can direct negotiate again with some local investors." Directors Have Even More Choices She points out, as a promotion or funding gathering start path, this type of financing forum is good. In 02 she brought FLOATING LANDSCAPE to Korea's PPP and finally successfully attracted funding. Thus even when she participated in film financing forum she would prepare a lot of documentation and visual explanations. She still feels that it would help with the film's future successful production start. "In the past I mostly would 'call clients' locally. The flaw of this method is each time I would have to wait for the film company's reply about its interest to be able to find another investor. Time would drag on longer. In addition if we don't meet we would have no way to know their live reaction, ultimately this is a type of communication; in comparison, events like HAF takes more initiative in nature because it can attract many international investors or producers. We can have more choices and can in conversations learn their opinions. It is closer to Hollywood's film financing method." Yet she also admits, foreign investors are more interested in thriller or action films than more artistic work. "This mainly is a market issue. Because viewers like romantic comedy or tragedy they must be able to enter the leads' world. If the actors are Chinese, foreign viewers may have a harder time with recognizing and accepting the message, which would affect this type of Hong Kong films' international path unless it can come up with a new direction. I have come in contact with at this HAF mostly European and French investors, which is due to my producer. I have two producers. Chow Keung's focus in Europe. The other is French. Finding financing depends on the producer's connections and how to sale to investors." As for the impact that new media's appearance has brought, she feels that with too many channels to watch video film will be impacted. This will have no resolution and can only bring change like the use of internet platform or YouTube. "This is a social change that can't be resisted. You can only think about how to use it. No matter what, film has to have something that it insists upon, only the format may change." 8. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 22 2008, THE FILM FESTIVAL KILLS FILM, 2008 I AM ENRAGED! Until now as I pick up the pen, I remain enraged. How can I possibly not be? I am not the only one. On the night of March 18, 2008, the Hong Kong Convention Center Screening Room One was filled with rage; and I am not the only one who feels as though I have been stabbed in the heart! I am enraged because the Hong Kong International Film Festival has publicly insulted KABEI OUR MOTHER, the opening film that they supposedly has invited with the most respectful mood and attitude! I am enraged because they have insulted director Yoji Yamada. This humble yet sincere master has used his entire life's work, with love and endless memory made this possibly the most important work in his life; he through the film's final two minute drama attempts to deliver to the audience the message of love and regret, which the "film festiavl" has brutally shattered! I am enraged because they have insulted "film" (This season every year, shouldn't their so-called "event" celebrate "film" as an art form?)! I am enraged because afterward, no one among them honestly and wholeheartedly expressed the most basic apology to KABEI OUR MOTHER, Yamada sensei, "film" and the audience. In the film after Sayuri Yoshinaga as the tough mother passed away, the subtitle only appeared for no more than three seconds (the screen at the same time showed a flashback to her youth) when the film's soundtrack abruptly cut. Blasting from the amplifiers was the smooth vocal of that extremely disrespectful host from being the screening, time and time using a threatening tone to repeatedly recite a script that urges viewers to attend the opening party after the screening, roughly cutting off the film's breathing and destroying the mood that the film has used 138 minutes of storytelling to operate! Later a worker (non voluntarily) explained to me that the event has not provided the Convention Center projectionist with "ample guidance". Yet crystal clear is, to the HKIFF which only focuses on flashing lights and red carpets (see last year and this year's terrible poster designs), the star studded, song and dance cocktail party has already exceeded "film" itself. Everything said and done was just rubbish! I thank my student (that's right, he cried brokenheartedly) for reminding me: as a viewer, shouldn't HKIFF's least compensation aside from an apology be another complete screening and return KABEI OUR MOTHER to us? This is my very serious demand! - SHU KEI 9. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 22 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TANG WEI SHOULD BE RECOGNIZE FOR "STRIPPING TO FAME" Reportedly the State Administration for Radio, Film and Television has demanded Tang Wei to reduce her exposure because it is afraid that she would give young people a negative influence -- stripping can lead to fame. The writer feels that the concern is excessive. For Tang Wei's "fame" today, "stripping" is a fact. Yet her "stripping" is not like the average female star's "stripping" in a category III films; she "stripped" in international director Ang Lee's work, along with Best Actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Even if young people overlook her performance in the film, only narrowly attribute her success to "stripping" and receive negative influence. If they are to truly imitate, can they possibly get Ang Lee to make a movie for them and Leung Chiu Wai to star with them? The authority may worry about many "fake Ang Lee" and "fake Wai Jai" who would swindle young people and make a bunch of low class category III films that imitates LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI). Yet the approval remains with the authority, can they be approved for release? When swindlers swindle young people, they would not use something as expensive as filmmaking. They can just simply ask them to pose for nude art photos. In Mainland as long as it is in the name of "art" anyone can publish nude photography collection, without any plastic cover and nudity is permitted on the cover. This is more open that this little Special Administration Region of Hong Kong's obscenity ordinance, which is worthy of our study. Mainland internet users have started debating Tang Wei's incident. Some feels the official way is reasonable. Art does not have to bare all, which is right. It is not necessary but it is not necessarily unnecessary either. Art workers should be provided the freedom to decide for themselves whether it is necessary because the body belongs to them. Ang Lee is already an internationally recognized master director. His work's artistic value has already been recognized. Tang Wei's performance in his work, her "stripping" should receive the nation's praise for teaching young people positive that "stripping" can lead to fame, but first they have to find this top director and also co-star with a Best Actor. - KWOK HIN CHING 10. TA KUNG PAO, MARCH 22 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH ASIAN FILM AWARD AWAITS IMPROVEMENT The Hong Kong International Film Festival Association organized Second Annual Asian Film Award took place on Monday, March 17 and kicked off the Fourth Annual Hong Kong Entertainment Expo. The entire award ceremony was considered star studded but many segments still awaited improvement. The evening's award ceremony was broadcast live on TVB Pearl. Due to television commercial breaks, the live audience for a majority of the time had nothing to do or watched some very short informational footage, which was a rather severe mishap. Since television stations are used to live broadcast, it should remind the organizer to prepare ample entertainment program for the live audience and the timing should be well calculated. This arrangement has made many buyers (the audience mostly came from the Film Market's distributors) leave halfway. As for the reason that the event was not "taped" for broadcast, it should be the fear that the winners would be announced earlier on other media than the television station. This award show's performance was rather weak, with Stefanie Sun Yanzi performing several songs. The performance is rather bland and does not have enough variety. The most entertaining instead is the event's translator, as award winners' words become completely unrelated "standard" thank you speeches. The most obvious was MONGOL's Best Supporting Actor Sun Honglei. He said, "I am very excited. Film is my life. The nomination is my fortune, the award is today's success......" The translation however was "very happy to win the award......I am very luck." When the audience heard the translation it roared each time as it almost wanted to protest on stage. Some felt curious and investigated. Actually from the position and the direction where the translators stood, they had a very hard time hearing the award winners' words. This is an intolerable mishap. How can such an enormous event not even have a "rehearsal"? In this Asian Film Award, many Hong Kong actors spoke Cantonese on stage, which was another specialty. As an international metropolis hosting an international event, speaking the local dialect of Cantonese instead of English or Putonghua truly is a little awkward. Obviously many Hong Kong film professionals still are not prepared to step out of the local market. The Hong Kong Entertainment Expo has already reached its fourth year, but many areas still await improvement. Among them film and music events have not have the chance to connect. Basically nine film, television, music, digital events have been held in one period and "granted" one general event title. Some film events like the Hong Kong Film Awards had basically nothing to do with other film events. Entertainment Epxo participants were not invited to attend. With the appearance of the Asian Film Award, its positioning was even more awkward. All these are worth entertainment "leaders" evaluation. - TIN LIK 11. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 20 2008, FILM WORDS THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS: ENTERTAINING KELLY CHEN WAI LAM THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) is not a remake of the Shaw's Huangmeidiao film of the same Chinese title, but a robe and armor "epic" with war, martial art action, love and power struggle. This film has shades of HERO, THE BANQUET (YEH YIN), A BATTLE OF WITS (MUK GUNG) and even THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG), as well as fairy tale style romantic princess and forest romance. With plenty of entertainment elements its production was rather sizable. Yet the story is quite formulaic, contrived and unable to reach higher expectation. Luckily the bloody war action is decent, and lead actress Kelly Chen Wai Lam also had an entertaining performance. The Ching Siu Tung directed THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS seems to take place in the Spring Autumn warring nations era. Actually is is completely beyond Chinese history as it becomes an independent creation that mixes packaging from the West, Japan and China. Chen Wai Lam plays a princess who father is killed. As an evil official plots to take power she takes the important duty of protecting her nation and her people. In turn she, loyal general Donnie Yen Chi Tan and hidden forest hero Leon Lai Ming develop a love triangle. This time Ching Siu Tung reduces his expertise of flight action and focuses heavily on hardcore fighting and battle exchanges. The horse carriage chase is rare in Chinese films. The film also has a shield formation and arrows vs. poisoned darts. The most brutal is Yen Chi Tan's fight when he is surrounded, which resembles the Chang Cheh style gut spilling battle. The film's armies look grand and their new helmets and armors pretty. The film also has many elegant country scenery and forest romantic encounters. Yet, this film frequently loses common sense. For example how can the heavily injured king be left untreated? Yen Chi Tan's one against the army fight is too exaggerated. Lai Ming creates a balloon in the forest to fly with the princess can make sense but the execution lacks any realism. In comparison to Ching Siu Tung's famous work in A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON) and TERRACOTTA WARRIOR, this new film is stylish in parts, but overall it lacks luster. However his shots of women remain moving. In the entire film the most attractive is Chen Wai Lam, who is loyal, brave, willing to toil and train in martial arts, but also has a feminine tenderness and shows her heroine way. She stands out more than Lai Ming and Yen Chi Tan. Several decades ago Lee Han Hsiang's THE KINGDOM AND THE BEAUTY is a story about Emperor Te Cheng (Zhao Lei)'s prank of Meilong Town's Sister Feng (Linda Lin Dai). In 2002 Jeff Lau Chun Wai added material to it and turned it into the Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chang Chen, and Faye Wong starred CHINESE ODYSSEY 2002 (TIN HA MO SEUNG). Now the new film is James Yuen Sai Sun, Cheung Ngan, Chun Tin Nan written, the princess Chen Wai Lam becomes the beauty who protects the kingdom and finally becomes the Empress. In comparison to the old style it respects women's rights more and gives new meaningful to the Chinese title. The flaw is often it overlooks the story and detail credibility, which is a flaw that Hong Kong films often make. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkeiluklei) 12. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 20 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS HIGHER FILM SALARY, LOWER INCOME Hong Kong stars' film salaries are often accused of being too high and not proportional to box office and overseas sale prices. Some low box office films truly cannot reached even one of its leads' salary. Now Hong Kong stars who have box office guarantee like when viewers would see their names they buy tickets are few and far between. Yet the media still trumpet how high their income is. The writer has always been very suspicious of these numbers. The Japanese media announced the 2007 female star revenue chart. In comparison to the local media revealed Hong Kong female star's, they definitely lose by a block. Perhaps the Japanese media's estimates tend to be conservative and not as exaggerated as Hong Kong's? Hong Kong star's mad price increase is as real as steel. Some who has never had box office guarantee pull up their prices just the same and hardly gets any taker. The entertainment industry remains weak. No matter how much more Hong Kong stars tend to get than Japanese stars, their revenue in recent years has drastically dropped; which is another fact. With less record release, sales drop, few movies and fewer local advertisements that are willing to pay, anyone with a little recognition in Mainland may still be well. They still have income protection from making series and advertising. Anyone who rely on Hong Kong alone can spend money than they make at any time. Everyone can see that stars with higher salary has drastically less workload. Entertainment pages rarely show news of their work as they would only attend some charity organization or brand name label promotion events. Yet they are not the advertisement spokesmodel. When star film salary or any price, the market would adjust. With an astronomical price, even if someone is willing to pay others may not follow suit. Thus the workload would not be much. Instead the cheap ones may not perform the best but receive endless job offers. - 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 MOSS Can : Ching Toi 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 : 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) 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. SCARED 2 DIE Can : Hat Sei Nei Lit : Scare You To Death d. Chin Kong Hong Sam Lee Chan Sam, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Tommy Yuen Man On, Lawrence Chou Chun Wai, Tsang Kwok Cheung, Raymond Wong Ho Yin Opening April 3 2008 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 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. 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. 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 BASEBALL 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. 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... MASKED RIDER THE NEXT d. Ryuta Tazaki Masaya Kikawada, Kazuki Kato Opening April 17 2008 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 Goo Si Lit : Shinjuku Story 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 * SUNDAY ENTERATINMENT CONCEPTS INC. AND RESORTS ATLANTIC CITY PRESENT JEREMY CHANG HUNG LIANG AND EVONNE HSU (HUI WAI YUN) LIVE DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, April 13 2008 @ 1 AM VENUE LOCATION : Superstar Theatre Resorts Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES : $108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: Chinatown P & M Music 2 Elizabeth Street New York NY 10013 212.732.3828 Flushing 41-46 Main Street Flushing NY 11355 718.358.5678 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 25 2008 10 JUNO d. Jason Reitman Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons 9 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN d. Joel and Ethan Coen Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin 8 CASSANDRA'S DREAM d. Woody Allen Colin Farrell, Hayley Atwell, Ewan McGregor 7 ARCTIC TALE d. Adam Ravetch, Sarah Robertson Baby Polar Bear Nanu, Baby Walrus Seela, English Narrator : Queen Latifah 6 10,000 B.C. d. Roland Emmerich Steven Strait, Camilla Belle 5 CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR d. Mike Nichols Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman 4 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) 3 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 2 HORTON HEARS A WHO d. Steve Martino, Jimmy Hayward ANIMATION Voice: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell Cantonese Voices: Chan Fai Hung, Eric Kot Man Fai 1 THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES d. Mark Waters Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES AKA : L FOR LOVE L FOR LIFE 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. THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS AKA : AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS Rating : IIB Length : 95 mins. Opening March 20 2008 Official Site : http://www.anempressandthewarriors.com [ 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? ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, March 22 2008 15 PAIN THAT CAN BREATHE Can : Wui Fu Cup Dik Tung Jasmine Leong Jing Yu 14 LIGHT YEAR Can : Guong Nin Sam Lee (Lee Sing Kit) 13 FLY ALONG WITH DREAMS Can : Chui Mung Yi Fei Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Leon Lai Ming 12 LOVE SONG KING Can : Gaing Gor Gum Kuk ji Ching Gor Wong Leo Ku Kui Ke 11 DEAR THAT IS NOT LOVE Can : Chun Oi Dik Na But Si Oi Ching Angela Chang (Cheung Siu Hom) 10 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY Can : Yut Jau Nin Bibi Zhou Bichang 9 I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SING Can : Ngor But Wui Cheung Gor Alan Luo (Law Chi Cheung) 8 MAZE Can : Mai Gung Joanna Wang (Wong Yat Lam) 7 ONION Can : Yeung Chung Yang Chung Wei 6 WALLED CITY Can : Wai Sing Jane Zhang Liangying 5 SIMPLE IS THE MOST ROMANTIC Can : Gan Dan Jui Long Man Fang Datong 4 LOOKING FORWARD TO LOVE Can : Kei Doi Oi JJ Lin Junjie (Lam Chun Kit), Jin Sha (Gum Sa) 3 HI HI BYE BYE Cyndi Wang (Wong Sum Ling) 2 HOW TO BE LONELY Can : Jum Mor Wui Jik Mok Ivana Wong Yuen Chi 1 WRITE POETRY FOR YOU Can : Wai Nei Seh Si Wu Kequn ------ [ 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. One of the worst part of aging is outliving some of your favorite people. This week one of Your Chaffing Editor's favorite people, his cousin Dai Jeh Jeh, has passed away. She has always treated Your Chaffing Editor well and been like a second mother to him, so he is comforted by the fact that Dai Jeh Jeh is finally at peace and freed from the pains of diabetes in recent years. You and Dai Gor Gor are missed. Lately diabetes seem to have stricken people around Your Chaffing Editor. For more information, please visit the American Diabetes Association Home Page (www.diabetes.org). On a lighter note, while Your Chaffing Editor has picked the Presidential candidate who would best represent his dermographics (the insane) he also has finally found a reason to support all the kids' favorite Presidential candidate (www.theonion.com/content/news/black_guy_asks_nation_for_change). With the way of the U.S. economy is going, the particular skill that is attributed to this candidate in this article, serious or not, may be an important and very handy one as we kowtow to our Middle Kingdom masters. Speaking of the Commie Fux, Your Chaffing Editor has always despised hardline crackdowns (unless he is doing the beating) and the enemy of an enemy is almost always a friend; however, he found himself extremely confused by the situation in Tibet. If Buddhists are supposed to be peaceful, how would the Tibetans' increasingly violent unrest help the cause? The leader instead of calling for a peaceful resistence is almost encouraging violence for freedom. Wait, ChiPpy, what do you mean their leader isn't that furry thing at the sandwich shop? Isn't he the Deli Llama? [ pause for jeers ] Finally, Your Chaffing Editor is getting a dislocated-ly feeling on his elbow. Perhaps it has to do with losing his Wii-ginity last week. At least this time he 1. remembers where he is and how he gets there 2. wakes up next to a game console, not a stranger 3. does not scream and run home without his clothes 4. has not prematurely released the controller, thanks to the use of "protection" (the wrist strap) Alas, Wii Bowling is so addictive that Your Chaffing Editor is possibly getting Wii-itis. However, is anyone else doing worse and worse with every try? At this rate Your Chaffing Editor will bowl the reverse perfect game in no time soon. How the heck does anyone toss the ball from one side of the lane to the other side's gutter? WTF! Perhaps Your Chaffing Editor should stop drinking. Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038