Movie Box Review

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Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam and director Herman Yau Lai To yesterday attended a forum with their film LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) advanced screening viewers.  The film opened earlier in the Mainland, but Elanne did not see the film because To Man Jat asked her to wait and watch at the Hong Kong premiere together.  Even though she did not see the film yet, she had the director on hand and were still able to share production
highlight with the audience.

The film is released now, half a year after its completion, and ran into strong competition from A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH).  Elaine said, "That's good too.  They are doing great at the box office, Hong Kong films are films that need love, hopefully everyone will spread the word.  After our film's Mainland release, everyday many posted on Ah Jat's and my microblog to say it was so touching that they cried from watching it."  Elaine also said that viewers at the Mainland premiere were teary eyed.  A woman said that she normally did not treat her husband too well, after watching the movie she wanted to treat him better as she learned to
cherish those in front of her.  This time she gained weight to play the weightlifter and was injured as well, would she like to win an award for her enormous sacrifices?  She said about her first heart warming film, "I only hope that viewers would be moved to tears."

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Last night, Chapmant TO Man Jat and Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam personally promoted their film LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) in Shenzhen.  Director Herman Yau Lai To this time switched To Man Jat and Kong Yeuk Lam's gender roles, so To Man Jat became an "all purpose husband" who has fallen for love and family.  Director Yau said that that he attempted this type of romantic film for the first time in hopes of calling out the "house husband" instinct that was hidden within men.  This film also was a true story that deeply touched Director Yau.  Meanwhile, a chubby Hong Kong fan came from Hong Kong and hoped to take the chance with the help of two stars to express his love to the girl he liked.  Regrettably the girl turned him down.

To Man Jat admitted that he like in the film was a "house husband" at home so he performed true to his nature.  He said, "Because of my family, since fifth grade I began to cook.  Now I can cook very well.  As for cuisine, my wife and I are both vegetarians.  However I truly can't forget a Yunnan restaurant in Xiangmihu, its food's too delicious."  To Man Jat joked, "I am not good looking, but I treat my family very well.  I take care of all the chores.  With the old lady's steady income if we save here and there it's enough."  Kong Yeuk Lam bashfully said that she too hoped to be able to run into a good men like To, who would treat her and her family well.  Ordinary love was what she longed for the most.

Playing the strong woman in the film, Kong Yeuk Lam cut her beloved long hair and even gained weight in a short time.  Due to all the eating she felt nauseous.  For the later weight loss, Kong Yeuk Lam said it was very easy.  She revealed to the ladies that actually maintaining weight was controlling food combinations, reducing greasy food and not eating after 6PM.

To Man Jat even said that he was someone without a dream and needed to follow the dreamer (the director).  Under his old lady's "super economical person" management he had much less pressure.  He said, now he only wants to be a good actor and has an open mind.  However he would not bring any emotional color to complete the character's image in the script.  As a producer, he said, "If I can help someone else, fulfill someone else's dream, I would."

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The Chapman To Man Jat and Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam starred LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) will be released on March 8, Women's Day, in the Mainland.  Yesterday they attended a Beijing press conference.  The event even prepared a certificate for Ah Jat to commend his perfect performance as a husband in the film.

Ah Jat praised this film as a rare script with sincerity in recent years.  "Although many viewers may laugh as soon as they see me, but to me this movie has moved me more."  Elanne pointed out that Ah Jat in real life treats his wife very well, as he makes coffee for her every morning.  Ah Jat even shared his "good man secret" of treating his wife like his boss.  "You would never argue with your boss."  He felt that harmony was the most important between a couple.  Someone had to take the blame and usually he would.  When his wife was unhappy then he was unhappy.

The film's Hong Kong film release will be March 22 with advanced screenings.  Elanne's line in the film was the most memorable to Ah Jat.  "I used to lift weights for myself, now it's for my husband."  At the time Ah Jat watched the film with his wife, who was moved to tears.  Elanne said that the challenge that the film provided her was not just gaining weight or weightlifting, but also the crying scene in which director Herman Yau Lai To did not design his lines for her.  He said that the camera was there, she could say whatever she wanted.  For one of the crying scenes, many of the workers around Elanne were shedding tears.  She said, "The director left right away.  Then the next day he told me, he at the time could not help but cry either."

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Earlier Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam for her first LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) attended a Harbin Ice and Snow Film Festival press conference with director Herman Yau Lai To and Chapman To Man Jat.  That day Harbin's temperature was 17 degrees Celsius below zero.  Kong Yeuk Lam had no fear of the chill and visited Harbin's World of Ice, all the structures of which were made from ice.  With the lights at night the scene was very pretty.  Many artists who attended the Ice and Snow Film Festival took the chance to visit.

World of Ice also had an ice slide, which Kong Yeuk Lam wanted to try.  The cold however put a layer of ice on its surface and made it very slippery, even for Kong Yeuk Lam with her stable footing from her weightlifting training.  She slipped several times before she got to the slide.  Director Yau Lai To jokingly called her "clumsy".  Kong Yeuk Lam said, "The World of Ice is very pretty, but the floor was really slippy.  I fell several times and my butt hurt!"

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Tonight, the 24th Harbin ice and snow film festival and the 2nd Chinese Film Industry Celebration takes place in Harbin.  Famous director and superstars glitter on the red carpet.

Chinese Film Industry Celebration Awards is the Harbin city party committee, Harbin city government, China Film Critic Society organized and attracted the attention of Chinese film industry people.  Leon Lai Ming, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei, Tong Dawei, Wang Xuebing, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Chopstick Brothers and others appeared.

This Ice and Snow Film Festival continues to make the "Chinese Film Industry Celebration" into the Chinese film industry's film celebration with the most modern features of industry trends.  As the nucleus activity the 2nd Chinese Film Industry Celebration this year will continue to make the entire Chinese film industry its discussion background.  According to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's publication comprehensive film special funding office and cinema circuit receipts the previous year's Chinese film industry awards were handed out.  At the same time, special design awards were set up to encourage Chinese film industry development and promote film professionals and companies that have made outstanding contribution.

Lai Ming came to Harbin without his wife Gaile Lok.  He attended with Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting) but he was just as happy.  Although Lee Chi Ting has not been in the business for too long, he already has certain recognition in music and movies.  This year he receives the event's 2011 Chinese Film Industry Outstanding Cross Over Performance Award.

Lee Chi Ting in 2009 won the Best New Performer Hong Kong Film Award and received opportunities from a variety of big time directors to get in contact with different characters.  This time he was very happy to have a chance to accept the award in Harbin.  This year he has two film releases, THE ALLURE OF TEARS (KING SING JI LUEN) and COLD WAR (HONG JIN).  Has he asked Leon for advice on how to prepare for a performance?  He picked up Leon's golden words, "Inaccuracy is the best preparation!"  He said that he remembered Leon has said that the most important thing in acting is be yourself, start with your own feelings and not too watch too many performance of other people, then you would have individuality.

In addition, the film LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) yesterday held a Harbin Ice and Snow Film Festival press conference,  Director Herman Yau Lai To, leads Chapman To Man Jat and Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam attended and shared their production experience.

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The Herman Yau Lai To directed LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) will be released in March.  In the film Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam played a weightlifter Li Li who retired due to diabetes and fell in love with a divorcee whose business failed, To Man Jat.  In the film Ah Jat tossed aside his usual comedy image and played a good man who gave his all for his wife and made money alone for the family.  Kong Yeuk Lam also fell for Ah Jat's good man image.  During the shoot she felt very warm and very fortunate.  After the shoot she was reluctant to part with this good "hubby".

Kong Yeuk Lam in order to bring to life the weightlifter kept eating to gain weight.  She also accepted a series of hellish weightlifting training and strengthened her arms.  On and off screen she was called "Strong Girl".  She said that this was the furthest she went for a movie.  She not only cut her beloved long hair short but also gained 20 pounds and muscles all over.  Ah Jat instead had to lose weight to match her.  He did not mind losing weight, but he lost 30 to 40 pounds.  During meals, he and Kong Yeuk Lam's special meals would become strong contrast.  He had to eat the diet meal while she had roast goose leg.

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Michael Tse Tin Wa and Francis Ng Chun Yu yesterday worked on TURNING POINT 2 (LAUGHING GOR ji CHIM JUI FAN).  In his prison uniform Tse Tin Wa opened fire in the stairway.  Wai Ying Hung and a group of actors worked on a struggle scene.  The film's actors Ng Chun Yu, Tse Tin Wa, Wai Ying Hung, Liu Kai Chi, Lau Siu Ming and director Herman Yau To Lai shot at a factory.  The always direct Chun Yu took the chance to poke fun at Tse Tin Wa and revealed that he was asked to present the award to Tin Wa on December 5.  Chun Yu said, "There really is an inside story and a fix, he asked me to present the award to him!"  Tin Wa looked helpless as Chun Yu said to him, "The entire world knows you will win!"

Chun Yu stated that this film will wrap in a few days.  Reportedly TVB asked Chun Yu to sign a long contract and could not come to an understanding to make TRIUMPH IN THE SKY 2 (CHUNG SEUNG WON SIU II).  Chun Yu said, "I never said I won't make it.  My manager is currently negotiating the price with TVB.  Let's wait until after TVB celebrates its birthday!"  Speaking of him acting up and might not take the role, Chun Yu was puzzled and urged the media to ask the person who wrote it.  Speaking of TVB's long hours, it was no different from his past Mainland television productions.  Chun Yu said that a series production taking a long time was expected and thought the standard would be hard to change.  He said, "I want to finish TURNING POINT 2 to keep it from dragging on."  He said that his wife saw Fat Gor (Chow Yun Fat) on the street.  Many asked Fat Gor for pictures and he would do so without fail.  Thus an actor deeply understood a series required both studio and location shoots.  Chun Yu said, "I was trained with the standard!  However even I do I would only make one or two series!"

As for long term contract, Chun Yu stressed that he left everything for his manager to discuss.  He said, "Series production has always been tough, TVB wouldn't release artists.  Film productions feel more complete and comfortable.  Situation series would be better, and I have made many."  Chun Yu pointed out that even if he would make TRIUMPH IN THE SKY II it will be next year.  If confirmed he will work with TVB Best Actress favorite Myolie Wu Hung Yi.  He explained that it still will depend on TVB's arrangement.  Chun Yu said, "Who knows how the world will turn out then, maybe I don't know who will work with her!"

After Chun Yu's revelation, Tin Wa came prepared.  He said that because Leung Ka Shu's daughter (Tobey Leung Ching Kei) was getting married he knew Chun Yu would stay in Hong Kong.  Thus he asked whether he could attend the ceremony.  He said, "Chun Yu won't necessarily present the award to me."  Would he like to win TVB Best Actor with Chun Yu as the presenter?  Tin Wa said, "Who knows what award he will present then, the Best Actress award probably won't go to me!"  Tin Wa said that his wife would be responsible for what he wore to the awards.  He would focus on making the movie.  He will not be able to attend the TVB anniversary show until after work.  Chun Yu did not hold back with Tin Wa.  "I received the notice, the whole world knows you will win.  Even the guests are fixed!"

Yesterday Wai Ying Hung had coconut tarts on the set.  She revealed that she had low blood sugar and lack of strength in her arms and legs.  Thus she had to constantly have sweets.  The director heard that there were cakes and desserts and he immediately grabbed some.  Siu Hung also said that lately she has been busy with guest starring roles in movies.  Later she will attend the Taiwan Golden Horse Awards on the 6th.
She said, "I will leave on the 25th.  That day I will attend several dinners with Taiwan friends."

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The film TURNING POINT 2 (LAUGHING GOR ji CHIM JUI FAN) yesterday began work in Tuen Mun.  Michael Tse Tin Wa, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Janice Man Wing Shan, director Herman Yau Lai To and others participated in the shoot.  Yesterday they shot a prison scene, Ng Chun Yu played a professor.  Yesterday TVB announced its award nominations.  Both Tse Tin Wa and Wong Chung Chak were nominated for Best Actor with LIVES OF OMISSION.  Tin Wa said that he was already very happy with the nomination and was the happiest about being nominated with Wong Chung Chak, which proved that the audience accepted that series.  He admitted that he had confidence and thanked Damien Lau Chung Yan for picking him as the favorite.  Was his biggest rival Kevin Cheng Ka Wing?  Tin Wa did not directly respond and only said that the nomination was already great.

Bosco received two nominations, one of which was his first Best Actor nomination.  He knew that Cheng Ka Wing was a favorite and Tin Wa was popular.  Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung's new series had decent ratings too.  He was the one with the least experience among them.  As for his Best Actress favorite, Bosco said that of course would Myolie Wu Hung Yi.  Her series THE RIPPLING BLOSSOM (YU YEUK JOI FA GEIN) had good word of mouth and now CURSE OF THE ROYAL HAREM (MAN FUNG JI WONG) also had great response.  Would he like to with Best Actor and Best Actress with Hung Yi?  He said that it would depend on the audience's preference.  Would they wed if they both won?  Bosco said that for now they have no such plan.

Tsui Tsz Shan was very happy to have scenes with Ng Chun Yu, from whom she could take the chance to learn from.  He also gave her a lot of suggestions.  Tsz Shan with LIVES OF OMISSION was nominated for Best Actress.  She said that her work opportunities would increase as would the money making opportunities.  Reportedly TVB asked Ng Chun Yu to make the sequel to TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES (CHUNG SEUNG WON SIU) but Chun Yu said that nothing has been confirmed.

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Once signed with Jackie Chan's company, film star Christopher Wong Sung Wai studied art history and education at the university.  After joining the business he liked to make art films.  In his new film LOVE ACTUALLY SUCKS (OI HUNG LAN) he performed in the nude and challenged the sensitive subject of "incest".  He had confidence in the director Scud (Wan Cheung) and the production team.  He had a nude bed scene with Mainland star Li Zihan.  For a bed scene in a remote island, photographer Herman Yau Lai To even climbed on a tree to shoot.  It was truly dangerous for Yau Lai To who was less than mobile.

Because of the story's sensitive subject, the film was rated category III.  The censors still cut the sibling bed scene in the film. Christopher said, "The bed scene wasn't particularly outrageous, but the characters being siblings made the censors cut the bed scene and blur the screen.  Other actors' 'hard core' scenes were not asked to be cut."

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The film THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE after numerous obstacles finally was successfully released in the Mainland.  Lead actress Huang Yi two days ago accompanies Qiu Jin's descendants to watch the film in Shanghai.  Along on hand were director Herman Yau Lai To and producer Sin Kwok Lam.  Huang Yi shed tears as she watched the film.  She said that after watching she felt her blood boiling and hoped the spirit of Qiu Jin would always influence future generations.  Instead she did not pay attention to the box office.  In addition, being accused of being a fake descendant, Qiu Jin's great grand daughter was extremely upset and might take legal action.

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WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE yesterday held a Beijing premiere.  Director Herman Yau Lai To and actors Huang Yi, Kevin Cheng Ka Wing, Dennis To Yu-Hang, Rose Chan Ka Wun, Wong Yau Nam, Yan Qing attended in support.  Huang Yi as Qiu Jin and Cheng Ka Wing as her husband in the film had a reverse love story and they explained the relationship in person.  In the video shown, Qiu Jin had the unique characteristics of post 90s, which erupted the passion of the venue.  At the premiere, each actor revealed their fight scenes and production highlight and stated that although the content displayed was exciting, they suffered a lot during the actual shoot.  To Yu-Hang revealed that Xiong Xinxin during a fight scene for realism never wore protection; Huang Yi also revealed that she trained three months in advance for her numerous fight scenes.

From the interview videos, many people said that Qiu Jin in the film was "too forward", in modern times she would have been a "cultured young woman with martial art training and ideals".  Faced with everyone's reviews and responses, Huang Yi and director Yau Lai To said that everything was within grasp.  In the feudal age when wives must order three obediences and four virtues, Qiu Jin fought for the right for education, studied in Japan, had her own career and was financially independent.  She not only was able to create poetry but also was well trained in martial art.  Such a woman naturally would not be outdated even in      modern times.  About such a modern character creation of Qiu Jin, Yau Lai To admitted that this was the  general director of the film from the beginning.  He only wanted to restore Qiu Jin in his heart through the  movie.

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The Herman Yau Lai To directed, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam and Chapman To Man Jat starred film GO GUI OI CHING (HIGH LIFT LOVE) two nights ago held a wrap banquet.  In the film Elanne played a weightlifter so she was asked to carry Ah Jat.  Ah Jat's face unexpectedly turned red.  He joked, "With this pose of course I would have a reaction!"  Elanne's birthday would be on the 30th.  The film company made a bar bell cake for her.  The director and Ah Jat even gave her a celebration kiss.

Speaking of the production, Elanne not only had to lose 20 pounds but also due to the fitness beverage powder her skin suffered a reaction.  Now she had to see a Chinese medicine practitioner and lose weight.  She already has lost five to six pounds.  In addition, because she had many weightlifting scenes, she injured her shoulders and hip.  Was she worried about fertility?  She said, "It's not that spot, higher on the hip, only the soft tissue muscle damages."  This time the team even shot at the weightlifting home Shek Lung.  She said, "In the film I have many classmates who in reality are real weightlifters."  She not only gained weight but also strength from the training.  She remembered at the wrap she broke the dressing room door knob.

Because on the day after her birthday she had to work in Dunhuang, she hoped to have a simple meal with her family to celebrate.

Ah Jat revealed that this year he already made eight films, has he made a lot of money?  He joked, "I have always been very poor, my monthly income has been around 15,000 only.  It's lower than 16,000 when I left ATV in 1999.  Because my salary goes directly to my wife, my wife pays me a monthly salary.  My expenses are mainly 'treating' and gas.  (Did you ask your old lady for a raise?)  No, she said that now was a stock market low point and that no flower would blossom forever."

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WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE yesterday held a film press conference in Hengzhou.  Aside from director Herman Yau Lai To and lead actress Huang Yi, Qiu Jin's descendants also attended to give recognition and support to the film.

Huang Yi said, "Earlier many people had a misunderstanding of this film, they feared that we only minded the commercial market and vilified Heroine Qiu Jin.  Some also thought that this film was a pure action film that borrowed the name of Heroine Qiu Jin and had no story; actually Yau Lai To used an easy to understand way for viewers to experience the woman's dual identity and at the same time brought out the spirit that Qiu Jin promoted about equality between the sexes, patriotism and family, and sacrificing for the greater good.  This indeed is a good movie that is both historically accurate and entertaining, so I am very honored to be invited to play the role of Heroine Qiu Jin."

Qiu Jin was China's first female revolutionary so when Huang Yi took this role she was not only happy and excited but also had a lot of pressure.  "In order to play this character well, I not only read the director's script in detail but also studied many books and information about Ms. Qiu Jin as I attempted to understand her inner world.  I remembered when I visited Ms. Qiu Jin's tomb last time, I was very emotional inside and my respect grew for her.  Today I am also very happy.  The film finally overcame all the difficulties to be released; although earlier it faced many people's misunderstanding or ran into other unpleasantness, now the film finally with the hard work of the team and all its workers is finally released."  She also said, "In my film career I am able to play this character of Heroine Qiu Jin I truly feel infinitely honored and lucky.  I hope all viewers like this film and at the same time can experience equality between the sexes, and the spirit of patriotism and family."

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Elanne Kong shows off her injury courtesy of mingpao.com

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Elanna Kong Yeuk Lam in the Herman Yau Lai To directed new film GO GUI OI CHING (HIGH LIFT LOVE) played a weightlifter.  In order to coordinate with the weightlifting athlete image, Elanne gained weight and everyday practiced weightlifting for three hours.  For the ideal result, even after the shoot she did not dare to rest at home as she continued to keep eating and doing push ups.

In one scene Elanne participated in a weightlifting contest and needed to truly lift up 30 kilogram weights.  Before the shoot the director asked her many times whether she was confident that she would succeed.  She said, "All the tough training is for this scene to be realistically made, in addition during practice I was able to lift it successfully."  Yet during the official shoot, when she lifted up the weight her arms had no strength to support it, her hands loosen and the weight dropped on her back, putting her entire body on the ground.

After the fact she was still frightened.  "When I fell on the floor I screamed.  The director and the crew were very nervous.  Everyone ran over but didn't dare to move me.  The director immediately called for an ambulance but I felt I could still move.  So I told them to let me rest for a while before deciding."  However the director was still worried and decided to halt production, demanding her to go to the hospital to be examined.  Luckily she only injured her muscles and not her spine.  Thus Elanne quickly put on bandage, took some pain medication and returned to the set to continue the shoot.  She believed that this was the most painful film production experience in her career.

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