Movie Box Review

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Sammi Cheng Sau Man and Louis Koo Tin Lok earlier went to Shangri-La to make the film ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II).  Due to the location's high altitude, air was thin and they had a tough time during the shoot.  With an entire family of sinusitis sufferers, Goo Jai during the shoot had a nasal water build up that gave him a splitting headache.  However he praised Sammi's strength.  During the crying herself hoarse scenes, she still was more than able to handle it.

Goo Jai in the film did not have as many action scenes as Sammi, but in one scene he went to look for Sammi in the forest.  He had to scream there, due to the thin air he felt dizzy from just running while screaming.  During the shoot, Goo Jai's sinus had a water buildup and required long term medication.  In high air pressure locations he would have headache, eye and ear pain.  At the time he suffered from a lot of pain.  Although he had medicine, after taking it he was dizzy and nauseous.  Thus he tried not to take it.

Even so, Goo Jai liked the life in Shangri-La very much.  Everyday he saw very pretty lake and mountain scenery.  His work schedule was stable, life was simple and he was very happy.  When he returned to Hong Kong after the shoot, he discovered that his health was much better.  He hoped after retirement he would be able to live life like this.  Goo Jai also said that now at home he only ate and slept.  He would be in bed by 6PM and out of bed before sunrise.  Reporters said that he was so rich he could retire now; Goo Jai said that it was not a money issue.  Now he still wanted to work.

Sammi said that before she went to Shangri-La, her health was great.  Yet after arriving she needed some time to adjust.  In the film Sammi had to run like mad and even had many screaming until she was hoarse performance.  She even had a scene in which she had to pull Goo Jai out of the water.  She honestly said that after these scenes she was very tired, she needed to exert a lot of effort.  Goo Jai joked Sammi was very healthy because Gao Yuanyuan had a similar performance, after which she was almost dead.  Sammi on the other hand could perform several times.  Sammi said that after the shoot she had to try to catch her breath too.

Due to the dry climate, Sammi's skin condition during the shoot was not great but she did not mind.  She accepted her image in the film, but on the stage she had to be pretty.  Sammi also pointed out that the character's stubbornness toward love touched her.  She was not stubborn and thought love needed hard work to maintain.  Earlier when she made EVERLASTING REGRET (CHEUNG HUNG GOR) she could not leave the character and suffered depression.  This time she again had to make crying and screaming scenes.  How was she able to leave the character?  Sammi said that when making similar scenes she took a lot of time to get into character.  The directors did not dare to chat with her, but as soon as she heard cut she was able to leave.  She continued, when she made the EVERLASTING REGRET crying scene, she could not stop even the director yelled cut.  Perhaps because she was sick at the time, she learned a lot about handling the character.

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The 31st Hong Kong Film Award will take place on April 15 at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Center.  Yesterday a press conference was held to announce the nominations.  Every year Best Actor and Best Actress have been definite foci.  Lau Ching Wan this year with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) and OVERHEARD 2 (SIT TING FUNG WON 2) received Best Actor nominations, competing with A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)'s Andy Lau Tak Wa and LET THE BULLETS FLY's Ge You and Jiang Wen.  Best Actress favorite of course was A SIMPLE LIFE's multiple Best Actress award winner Deanie Ip Tak Han.  A BEAUTIFUL LIFE's Shu Qi is considered the dark horse.  WU XIA's Tang Wei, DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART (DAN SUN NAM NUI)'s Gao Yuanyuan and FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP)'s Zhou Xun were also nominated.  This year FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE and LET THE BULLETS FLY received the most nominations with 13 each.

Yesterday Lau Ching Wan, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and the Hong Kong Film Award Association members attended the press conference.  They announced the nominations.  When Ting Fung announced Best Supporting Actor nominees, he realized that he was nominated with SHAOLIN (SUN SIU LUM JI) and was embarrassed.  Later, Ting Fung said that he never thought that he would be nominated.  Because SHAOLIN was made awhile ago, even he forgot about it.  Speaking of the competition, he pointed out that his fellow nominees were all elders who he admired.  He did not want to participate for three years in a row.  This year he would already be very satisfied in the audience.  Was it because he has already won both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor he did not care?  Ting Fung denied that as he would be very happy that others recognized his hard work.  Among the nominees, he said that all were his elders.  When he saw Uncle Kenneth Tsang Kong's OVERHEARD 2 performance he truly was stunned.  Speaking of Lucas being hospitalized for illness, some said for four days, he said, "That's crazy, just one day.  He's fine.  During the New Year I had a stuffy nose too."

Lau Ching Wan this year had two Best Actor nominations.  He thanked everyone for their support as he hoped to do his best for Hong Kong film.  Which film was he more confident about?  He said that the news was very sudden and he liked both characters.  Was he worried that his votes would be divided up?  He said that he would worry about that later, he was already very pleased to be nominated.  He also said that every year the competition was very strong, he only hoped that the award show would be entertaining.  Earlier he received the Film Critic Society Best Actor, was his confidence increased?  He said that this situation has already happened many times, but each time he would be excited.  Ultimately two organizations had different judging standards.

Jiang Wen and Ge You were both nominated for Best Actor.  Ge You was truly very happy to be nominated again with LET THE BULLETS FLY.  He was happier that he was nominated with director Jiang Wen.  He thanked the voters for their support and recognition.  Jiang Wen was working on a film in France.  His office responded, "LET THE BULLETS FLY received 13 Hong Kong Film Award nominations, which is the best recognition for Hong Kong film professionals who participated in this film on and off screen.  Thank you (Carina Lau) Ka Ling, Uncle (William Chang Suk Ping) and all the on and off camera workers.  The happiest was the Best Action Choreography nomination as we remember director Sit Chun Wai."  Nominated for Best Supporting Actress with LET, Lau Ka Ling was very grateful for everyone's recognition of her work.  She thanked director Jiang Wen and Ge You, Chang Suk Ping for the exceptionally wonderful costumes, she also thanked all viewers who liked her character.

Ip Tak Han was again nominated with A SIMPLE LIFE for Best Actress.  She only responded with "extremely honored".  Shu Qi was very happy and thanked director Andrew Lau Wai Keung and co-star Liu Ye.  Without those two handsome men A BEAUTIFUL LIFE's Shu Qi would not exist.  She would definitely attend if she would be in Hong Kong.  Gao Yuanyuan was both surprised and excited about her nomination, as she thanked everyone for recognizing her.

Tsui Hark said that he was very happy about FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE's 13 nominations, which was a honor for the entire creative team.  The film also was the result of the workers' hard work, the joy of nominations had to be shared with everyone.  Johnnie To Kei Fung with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE was nominated for Best Director and Best Picture.  he said that this was a film that he liked very much.  He thanked the cast for their patience and giving him three years to make the film.  Ann Hui On Wa with A SIMPLE LIFE was nominated for Best Director.  She is in Taiwan and was very happy to be nominated, the happiest about the Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Cinematography nominations.  In addition, this year the Hong Kong Film Award received HK$5,668,400 from the film development council to assist in the production.  This year the award show will air live on TVB and Now.

31ST HONG KONG FILM AWARD NOMINATIONS

BEST PICTURE
A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)
LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM)
FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP)
OVERHEARD 2 (SIT TING FUNG WON 2)
LET THE BULLETS FLY

BEST DIRECTOR 
Ann Hui On Wa (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Johnnie To Kei Fung (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE)
Tsui Hark (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung (OVERHEARD 2)
Jiang Wen (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Susan Chan Suk Yin (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Wai Ka Fai, Yau Nai Hoi,
  Ray Chan Wai Bun, Jevons Au Man Kit (DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART)
Milky Way Creative Team, Au Kin Yee,
  Wong King Fai (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE)
Alan Mak Siu Fai, Chong Man Dor (OVERHEARD 2)
Zhu Sjjin, Shu Ping, Jiang Wen,
  Guo Junli, Wei Xiao, Li Bukong (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST ACTOR
Andy Lau Tak Wa (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Lau Ching Wan (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLES)
Lau Ching Wan (OVERHEARD 2)
Jiang Wen (LET THE BULLETS FLY)
Ge You (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST ACTRESS 
Shu Qi (A BEAUTIFUL LIFE)
Tang Wei (WU XIA)
Deanie Ip Tak Han (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Gao Yuanyuan (DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART)
Zhou Xun (FLYING DRAGONS OF DRAGON GATE)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jimmn Wang Yu (WU XIA)
Paul Chun Pui (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Nicholas Tse Ting Fung (SHAOLIN)
Lo Hoi Peng (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE)
Kenneth Tsang Kong (OVERHEARD 2)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Wai Ying Hung (WU XIA)
Qin Hailu (A SIMPLE LIFE)
So Hung Suen (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE)
Kwai Lun-Mei (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Carina Lau Ka Ling (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST NEW PERFORMER
Jam Hsiao (THE KILLER WHO NEVER KILLS)
Shiga Lin (LAN KWAI FONG)
Zheng Shuang (MURAL)
Karena Ng Chin yu (MAGIC TO WIN)
Sheng Chien (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Jake Pollack, Lai Yiu Fai (WU XIA)
Nelson Yu Lik Wai (A SIMPLE LIFE)
Johnny Choi (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Anthony Pun Yiu Ming (OVERHEARD 2)
Zhao Fei (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST FILM EDITING
Derek Hui Won Yu (WU XIA)
David Richardson (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE)
Yau Chi Wai (FLYING SWORDS OF DFRAGON GATE)
Curran Pang Jing Hei (OVERHEARD 2)
Jiang Wen, Cao Weijie (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST ART DIRECTION
Yee Chung Man, Sun Li (WU XIA)
Yee Chung Man, Ben Lau Man Hung (SHAOLIN)
Yee Chung Man, Ben Lau Man Hung (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Daniel Lee Yan Kong (WHITE VENGEANCE)
Wong Kar Lang, Gao Yiguang, Yu QInghua (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN AND MAKE UP
Dora Ng Lei Lo (WU XIA)
Bobo Ng Bo Ling (MURAL)
Lai Hsuan-Wu (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Eddie Mok Kwan Kit, Debby Wong Ming Ha (WHITE VENGEANCE)
William Chang Suk Ping (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST ACTION DESIGN
Ching Siu Tung (THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE)
Donnie Yen Chi Tan (WU XIA)
Corey Yuen Kwai, Yuen Tak, Li Chung Chi (SHAOLIN)
Yuen Bun, Nam Hoi Hong, Sun Kin Kwai (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Ailen Sit Chun Wai, Li Chun Chi (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE
Chan Kwong Wing (A BEAUTIFUL LIFE)
Chan Kwong Wing, Peter Kam Pui Tat, Chatchai Pongprapaphan (WU XIA)
William Hu, Li Hanjiang, Gu Xin (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Henry Lai Won Man (WHITE VENGEANCE)
Chan Kwong Wing (OVERHEARD 2)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
MISSED ADDRESS (A BEAUTIFUL LIFE) Ivana Wong Yuen Chi
TWO HEARTED FLOWER (HI, FIDELITY) Sandy Lam Yik Lin
WANDERING LOST IN THE WORLD (WU XIA) Dou Wei
COMPREHEND (SHAOLIN) Andy Lau Tak Wa
FLOODED GOLDEN MOUNTAIN (LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE) Ngok Mei

BEST SOUND DESIGN
Nopawat Likitwong, Traithep Wongpaiboon (WU XIA)
Kim Seok-Won (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Phyllis Cheng Wing Yuen, Lam Siu Yu (WHITE VENGEANCE)
Kinson Tsang King Cheung (OVERHEARD 2)
Wen Bo, Wang Gang (LET THE BULLETS FLYING)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ryu Hee-Jung, Eddy Wong Won Hin,
  Ken Law Wai Ho (THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE)
Yung Kwok Yin, Andy Kang Chung Cheung (WU XIA)
Christopher Bremble (MURAL)
Wook Kim, Josh Cole, Frankie Chung Chi Hung (FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)
Victor Wong Won Tat, Eman Tse Yi Man (LET THE BULLETS FLY)

BEST TWO COASTS CHINESE FILMS
YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE
THE FLOWERS OF WAR
IF YOU ARE THE ONE 2
STARRY STARRY NIGHT
WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE

BEST NEW DIRECTOR
Jessey Tsang Tsui Shan (BIG BLUE LAKE)
Calvin Poon Yuen Leung (HI, FIDELITY)
Bill Yip Kim Fung (CURE)

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Sammi Cheng Sau Man and Louis Koo Tin Lok yesterday attended their new film premiere in Beijing.  Sammi's on screen husband Li Guangjie also appeared.  During the event, Goo Jai and Sammi were full of witty remarks and even sang the film theme song DO RE MI.  When Sammi was asked about Valentine's Day gift, she said, "I would give myself to him as a present."

Releasing simultaneously on Thursday in the Mainland and Hong Kong, ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II) yesterday held its premiere in Beijing and attracted over 100 media members and fans.  The event first arranged for two children to play the film theme song, then played the music video before leads Sammi and Goo Jai appeared.  Always quick to the point, Goo Jai Jai was asked about his high plains production experience.  He said, "I have worked on the high plains before, I also have worked with Gao Yuanyuan before.  Actually the most difficult scene was when Sammi went mad and ran into the forest.  I had to carry her and deliver a very long lines.  At that time my leg was just injured.  It was deeply memorable."

Sammi sweetly smiled on the stage and kept "whispering" to Goo Jai and Li Guangjie.  When asked what she would recommend as a Valentine's Day gift.  She awkwardly smiled and said, "I think I will give myself to him as a gift!"  She directly caused a stir in the audience.  Later she again said, "If in reality my husband vanishes like in the film, I wouldn't give up either.  Even if I make a mess it's OK because I feel this is an expression of love."  How would she encourage people who are still single?  She said, "I need everyone's encouragement too!  Single people don't be anxious, married ones don't be arrogant."  Goo Jai also jokingly asked the host, "I am single too!  If I encourage them, who encourages me?"  The host said that as good friends if they had any relationship issues would they look for comfort from the other?  Goo Jai joked, "Why would she need comforting?  She can comfort."  Laughter arose.  In addition, playing Sammi's husband Li Guangjie said that he in the film actually played his wife's idol Koo Tin Lok.  He seriously treated his own love.  Did Goo Jai feel they resembled each other?  Goo Jai joked, "We look alike, including what everyone can see and what can't be seen too."

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ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II) will be released on Valentine's Day.  Aside from Louis Koo Tin Lok and Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Gao Yuanyuan also guest starred as Koo Tin Lok's girlfriend.
Yuanyuan and Goo Jai worked together last year on DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART (DAN SUN NAM NUI).  That time Yuanyuan chose Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), this time in ROMANCING IN THIN AIR Yuanyaun played a runaway bride!

During the shoot when Goo Jai proposed to Yunanyuan, Yuanyuan joked, "Last time he proposed to me in DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART and I didn't agree.  This time I agreed, but my fate with me was doomed.  On the wedding day, my miner first love (Wang Baoqiang) successfully stole me away and embarrassed Goo Jai in front of everyone."

Goo Jai joked that after Yuanyuan dumped him twice in a row, from now on whenever he saw her he would think of the words "eating lemon" (rejected).  He truly thanked To Sir (Johnnie To Kei Fung) for the double impact.  However, if not so his story with Sammi would not have started.

On the day of the wedding shoot, Goo Jai was reminded of THE BUND and laughed.  Goo Jai said that the wedding interruption was too classic.  Overseas it happened in THE GRADUATE and in Hong Kong in THE BUND.  He never imagined that one day he would work on one and be the victim at that.  Yuanyuan during the shoot had to wear a low cut wedding gown, but Wang Baoqiang dragged her away in the crowd.  She was afraid that her gown would be stepped on.  How would Goo Jai react if it happened to him?  He admitted that he had no idea.  If the bride wanted to go with someone else, he could not get her back even if he wanted to.

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Louis Koo Tin Lok, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Gao Yuanyuan and others yesterday attended the Fresh Wave 2011 International Short Film and Video closing ceremony and award presentation.  Goo Jai said that he was very supportive on new directors and hoped that they would have even more opportunities.  He said, "Hong Kong films have their own specialty, our support is also very important."

Goo Jai revealed that he planned to work on two new directors' films.  These two directors have never directed before.  Will he invest as the boss?  He said no as he would only do his own job.  Film productions not only needed money but also other coordination like film production companies.  However Goo Jai said that he would charge less or accept symbol laisee when working with new directors.  He did not mind the money, in addition actor prices have always been seasonal and fluctuated.

Gao Yuanyuan worked with Goo Jai on the film ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN).  Earlier they worked on a mobile phone ad in the Mainland.  Did Yuanyuan like Goo Jai's type?  She said that every time she worked with Goo Jai, her female friends would ignore her as they would be more concerned with Goo Jai.

Cheung Ka Fai also said that he encouraged the young new generation to support Hong Kong films.  He wished Hong Kong films would return to the glory days.  He was glad to play the role of assisting colleagues.  Speaking of Taiwan film's improving performance recently, Ka Fai said that every place's film had highs and lows.  Hopefully the Hong Kong depression was a little shorter.  As someone from Hong Kong he of course would help Hong Kong films.

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JJ Jia

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Louis Koo Tin Lok and Larisa Angela (Shui Sa)

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Johnnie To Kei Fung, Louis Koo Tin Lok

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