[2011.01.21] LET THE BULLETS FLY TAKES AIM AT THE ASIAN FILM AWARD

The 5th Asian Film Award yesterday announced its nominations. Hong Kong International Film Festival Association chair Wong Ying Wai along with the 5th Asian Film Award jury chair Yonfan and consultant Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) attended the press conference to announce this year's theme of "LET'S MEET HERE". The award ceremony will take place on March 21 with 14 award categories. This year 4 awards were added to honor film workers, including Asian Film Lifetime Achievement Award, Asian Film Outstanding Contribution Award, Asian Film Promotional Contribution, and 2010 Highest Grossing Box Office Asian Film Award.

The Chow Yun Fat starred LET THE BULLETS FLY and the Takako Matsu starred CONFESSIONS each received six nominations. Taiwan film MONGA received five nominations. With four nominations was AFTER SHOCK. LET THE BULLETS FLY, AFTER SHOCK, CONFESSIONS were all nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. Carina Lau Ka Ling with LET THE BULLETS FLY received a Best Supporting Actress nomination. SACRIFICE's Huang Xiaoming and IP MAN 2's Sammo Hung Kam Bo received Best Supporting Actor nominations. Competing for Best Actor will be LET THE BULLETS FLY's Chow Yun Fat, SACRIFICE's Ge You and MONGA's Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin). Competing for Best Actress will be REIGN OF ASSASSINS (GIM YU)'s Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), CONFESSIONS' Takako Matsu and AFTER SHOCK's Xu Fan.

Yonfan said that he has already seen the films but stated that he will not favor Chinese films and will focus on film quality. Yonfan said, "I am on the jury, I won't include personal feeling." Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) earlier through Yonfan praised Jiang Wen as a genius. Lam Ching Ha felt that the Jiang Wen directed LET THE BULLETS FLY was one of the great films of the past ten years; Yonfan said that Lam Ching Ha's choice might not be his. He said that he would objectively judge the event.

Wong Ying Wai said that this award's production cost was similar to past years of 10 million. The Entertainment Expo spokersperson will remain Tony Leung Chiu Wai. When asked why no female star was chosen, Wong Ying Wai said that other artists might not be able to accommodate

with their schedules.