Movie Box Review

courtesy of on.cc

Popular Taiwan idol Ko Chen-Tung and Angelababy will work together for the first time on the Clarence Ford (Fok Yiu Leung) new romantic film.  Yesterday, Ko Chen-Tung secretly came to Hong Kong for pre production work.  Only a few lucky fans ran into their idols at the airport and could not be more pleased.

Taiwan hunk Ko Chen-Tung and Angelababy lately have become new film industry favorites.  Ko Chen-Tung last year won the Golden Horse Award Best New Actor.  Many directors have made offers to him.  Baby has long been a rising film star, making film after film.  Two popular actors will work together for the first time on the Fok Yiu leung directed new film JING CHUP MUK YU (DETECTIVE SWEET WORDS), a romantic film that will consist of three stories.  Ko Chen-Tung and Baby will star in one of the story and be in a love triangle with Bosco Wong Chung Chak who will play Baby's superior!  In another story "the Strongest of the Universe" Donnie Yen Chi Tan will be paired with Taiwan otaku godden Michelle Chen.

Derek Yee feels pure Hong Kong films cannot find financing

John Chong feels Stephen Chow's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY will be able to break the Chinese film Hong Kong box office record

Daneil Lam is less than optimistic about Stephen Chow's new film box office courtesy of mingpao.com

Co-Productions Drag Hong Kong Films Down

The Giddens Ko directed, Michelle Chen, Ko Chen-Tung starred Taiwan film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE broke Stephen Chow Sing Chi's KUNG FU HUSTLE HK$61.27 million highest grossing Chinese film Hong Kong box office record with a total box office of 61,801,081 and left "Eastern Hollywood" Hong Kong film industry in shame.  Will Hong Kong film be able to fend off the competition and regain the box office championship?  Let's keep our eyes open and see.

John Chong Sees Sing Yeh As Favorite To Break YOU Record

In 2012 Hong Kong film market will have many giant production releases, including the Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Donnie Yen Chi Tan starred THE MONKEY KING (DAI LAU TIN GUNG), Jackie Chan's CHINESE ZODIAC (SUP YI SUN CHIU), Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling's DWELLING IN THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS, and Stephen Chow Sing Chi's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY (SAI YAU GEI ji CHUI MOR OI JUEN).  Sing fans have been starved for four years so his new film will have hope to regain the glory of Hong Kong.  Media Asia vice chair John Chong Ching favors the idea, but Derek Yee Tung Sing and Universe Entertainment company boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming disagree.  They deeply feel that Hong Kong film will have difficulty with creating another miracle locally.  Looking north to China gives Hong Kong film professionals a new direction, but when they accommodate Mainland viewer tastes Hong Kong audience's "co-production" resistance becomes a burden.  Hong Kong film is dying, you know?

Daneil Lam Is Less Optimistic About Stephen Chow

Many, including Giddens Ko, hope Chow Sing Chi's new film NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY will break YOU's record.  Chong Ching feels it will have a chance.  "Sing Yeh is so talented, with all the starving Sing fans the box office will have certain motivation."

Derek Yee: Non Co-Production Has Financing Difficulties

Lam Siu Ming does not feel that Chow Sing Chi's CHINESE ODYSSEY will be able to break YOU's record.  "Sing Yeh's last film CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG CHUT HO) struggled to pass 50 million at the box office.  Actually this isn't Chow Sing Chi's problem, but the overall market's problem.  This is the general trend, everyone have to 'co-productions'.  Hong Kong viewers want to see Hong Kong films, but don't want to see any 'co-production'.  Yet now basically everything is 'co-production'.  Without co-production movies don't have funding.  Film ultimately is a merchandise, if you make a Hong Kong film with a 10 million budget you can't even hire actors.  Now actors are used to making 'Yun Jai' (RMB), how can they be willing to accept 2 million in salary?  If you don't approach them, plenty of directors in the Mainland would; you can't make movies that cost more than 50 million either, with only the Hong Kong market it is impossible.  You can't go back.  Ultimately no one is willing to invest in a purely Hong Kong film, this is a problem of the chicken and the egg!  Even Chow Sing Chi has to make 'co-productions'.  CJ7 was a co-production, Universe this year will make a few movies, all of which will be 'co-productions'."

Yee Tung Sing agrees with Lam Siu Ming, "co-production" is at fault for Hong Kong film market's fall.  "'Co-productions' have subject restrictions, many subjects can't be made and movies can't speak freely.  The results often lack power and become terrible to watch.  Helplessly non 'co-productions' have difficulties with financing.  If you spend 10 million on a purely Hong Kong film, it will be very hard to make and won't be attractive.  I want to make PROTEGE (MOON TOH) sequel and ONE NITE IN MONGKOK (WONG GOK HAK YEH) continuation, but when the subjects get to the Mainland market I don't want to accommodate the Mainland market and change the concept and certain plots."  He feels that the world goes round and round, Taiwan film has fallen for 20 years and now finally has shaken itself off.  Hong Kong films look north and accommodating the Mainland market has become an inevitable fact.  Because the Mainland population the box office return is strong.  Last year the box office reached 13 billion yuan RMB, naturally it has more investors as funding floods in; he believes after a few battles the film industry will look completely different.

Although Chow Sing Chi's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY is a 'co-production', everyone still is waiting for Hong Kong film to return to glory.  The film costs over 100 million yuan and finally has completed production after more than three months.  Currently it is conducting massive post production special effect production in Korea.  It should be able to be released this year.

Media Asia Invades the Mainland

Chong Ching feels that YOU was a coincidence, only a movie that is suitable for young people.  He also believes that Giddens Ko will not deliberately make a movie to break a record.  "If he deliberately makes a movie to break YOU's box office, the movie may not be good.  Thus Media Asia's future big films first have to be good movies.  Future movies will still target the Mainland market, including the 100 million Johnnie To Kei Fung directed, Andy Lau Tak Wa and Sammi Cheng Sau Man starred BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM), Lin Chiling and Lau Tak Wa starred DWELLING ON THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS.  Both are 'co-productions' because minding only the Hong Kong market truly is very dangerous."

Film in order to accommodate the Mainland market, will Hong Kong film have difficulty recovering its lost ground?  Chong Ching says, "This is a return rate issue, Mainland return rate is high.  In 2011 top ten Hong Kong film box office, 3 movies THE LOST BLADESMAN (GUAN WON CHEUNG), MR. AND MRS. INCREDIBLE (SUN KEI HUP NUI) and LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) only made 8 million.  With Hong Kong releases, anything less than 10 million at the box office is a failure."

2012 ANTICIPATED FILM RELEASES
FilM: ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II)
Cast: Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sammi Cheng Sau Man
Release Date: Mid February

Film: LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING)
Cast: Miriam Yeung Chin Wa, Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: March

Film: A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)
Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wa, Deanie Ip Tak Han
Release Date: Mid March

Film: FIRST TIME
Cast: Angelababy, Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting)
Release Date: March

Film: NIGHTFALL (DAI JUI BO)
Cast: Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Kay Tse On Kay
Release Date: Mid March

Film: MOTORWAY (CHEH SAU)
Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: Tentatively May

Film: DIVA
Cast: Joey Yung Cho Yi, Mag Lam Yun Tung, Chapman To Man Jat
Release Date: June

Film: THE LAST SUPPER
Cast: Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Liu Ye, Chang Chen
Release Date: Mid June

Film: THE GUILLOTINES (HUET DIK JI)
Cast: Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin), Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: Tentatively July

Film: VANISHING BULLET (SIU SUT DIK JI DAN)
Cast: Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Lau Ching Wan, Mini Yang Mi
Release Date: Mid July

Film: CHINESE ZODIAC (SUP YI SUN CHIU)
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: December 12

Film: NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY (SAI YAU GEI ji CHUI MOR OI JUEN)
Cast: Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Shu Qi, Wen Zhang
Release Date: Tentatively Year End

Film: THE MONKEY KING (DAI LAU TIN GUNG)
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Donnie Yen Chi Tan
Release Date: Tenatively Year End

Film: WINDSEEKER (TING FUNG JEH)
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhou Xun, Wang Xueqi
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: BAUHINIA WOMAN (JI GAING HUP)
Cast: Chrissie Chau Sau Na
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: 3D THE ICEMAN COMETH (3D GUP DUNG KEI HUP)
Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG)
Cast: Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Wu Chun, Raymond Lam Fung
Release Date: To Be Determined

courtesy of takungpao.com

The 6th Asian Film Award will take place on March 19th.  Yesterday the nominations were announced.  The Tsui Hark directed FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) received the most nominations with seven.  As for Best Actor and Best Actress, A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)'s multiple Best Actress award winner Deanie Ip Tak Han was the favorite.  After her Golden Horse Award, she and YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYES' new generation goddess Michelle Chen will battle for the crown.  Andy Lau Tak Wa also with A SIMPLE LIFE will face FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE's Chen Kun and Japan's Koji Yakusho for Best Actress.  Ko Chen-Tung only received a Best new Actor nomination.

The award ceremony press conference took place yesterday.  Attending guests included the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society chair Wong Ying Wai, Hong Kong Film Development Council chair Jack So Zak Kwong, vice chair Peter Lam Kin Ngok and jury chair Eric Khoo (Yau Kam Hoi).  FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE received seven nominations including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Visual Effects and Costume Designs.  Zhang Yimou's FLOWERS OF WAR and Wei Te-Sheng's WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE each received six nominations.  The Golden Globe Best Foreign Film Award winner A SEPARATION received five nominations.

As for Best Picture, the Golden Globe winner A SEPARATION naturally is the favorite, but competition FLOWERS OF WAR and SEEDIQ BALE both have substance.  Best Actress conceivably has to go to A SIMPLE LIFE Ip Tak Han, Michelle Chen could only play along.  Instead A SEPARATION's Leila Hatami was seen as the dark horse.  The Best Actor competition could be said as strong, FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE's Chen Kun and A SIMPLE LIFE's Lau Tak Wa both had substance.  Ko Chen-Tung blew up with YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE but did not receive a Best Actor nomination.  He only received the Best New Actor nomination and competed with FLOWERS OF WAR's Ni Ni.

Competing for Best Actress again, Ip Tak Han said, "To me being able to participate in a movie isn't easy, the movie receiving an invitation to compete is a bonus."  Fellow nominee Lau Tak Wa said, "I am very honored, I know the fellow nominees are very strong.  Chen Kun obviously is a good actor who I am more familiar with.  In addition, the Iranian actor has already won Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival.  His film A SEPARATION also just won the Golden Globe Best Foreign Film.  His momentum is very strong.  I am already very happy about the nomination.  I have even more confidence in Best Actress nominee Sister Deanie winning, and Ann (Director Hui On Wa) will also receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.  A SIMPLE LIFE already has award winning representatives, hahaha....."

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress with FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE, Kwai Lun-Mei said that this was her first acting nomination so she would cherish it and be grateful for it.  She also thanked everyone.  Currently in Taiwan, SEEDIQ BALE director Wei Te-Sheng responded that he was very honored to receive the Asian Film Award jury recognition.  He has already shared this good news with all the nominees and will attend with them.

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

Taiwan film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE producer Angie Chai, writer and director Giddens Ko, lead actor and actress Ko Chen-Tung and Michelle Chen yesterday officially announced that the film after 73 days in release with a box office of HK$61,295,651 (as of December 31 2011) the film successfully broke the $61,278,897 box office record that Stephen Chow Sing Chi's KUNG FU HUSTLE set 7 years ago to be the highest grossing Chinese film in Hong Kong history.

Reportedly the team would make a romantic mystery.  Ko Chen-Tung and Michelle Chen both had no idea.  Giddens Ko also said that the report was made up; Angie Chai said that Giddens Ko did not understand the reporters' Cantonese questions, which led to the trouble.  Giddens Ko said, "The romantic mystery report was made up, actually my plans have been very confidential even with reporters asked.  Now so far I haven't planned to make another film with the same team."  What ideas did he have lately?  He said, "I won't say them, only my girlfriend would know.  Even Sister Chai doesn't know."    Producer Angie Chai revealed that YOU will compete a film festival in Italy in April.  She thought it was wonderful because earlier Michelle Chen said that she would go to Italy to celebrate the box office success, now her wish came true.

Giddens Ko hoped that YOU's record would only be temporary.  "Because I like Sing Yeh too much, too too too too too much.  I like him so much that I think anyone would like to see Sing Yeh's comeback with a new movie.  YOU's box office record looks forward to Sing Yeh's new film breaking it."

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Known for YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE in Hong Kong an Taiwan, Ko Chen-Tung and Michelle Chen yesterday came to Hong Kong to be guests at a New Year's Eve countdown event.  Several dozen fans welcomed them at the airport and the event arranged for several security guards for their protection.  Michelle Chen and Ko Chen-Tung reportedly received 500,000 and 250,000 to be the guests.  Michelle Chen said, "Is it that much?  It's too exaggerated."  Ko Chen-Tung said that he did not know how much he made.

Their film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE yesterday already broke the Stephen Chow Sing Chi directed and starred KUNG FU HUSTLE's Hong Kong highest grossing Chinese film box office record.  Michelle Chen said that she read the report and was very pleased.  At the same time she thanked the Hong Kong audience for its support.  Ko Chen-Tung said, "Of course I am very happy.  This is my first movie.  Such a performance has made me very happy."  As for whether they would celebrate, Michelle Chen said, "Definitely, but Giddens Ko isn't in Hong Kong.  We will celebrate when we return to Taiwan."

Michelle Chen said that this would be her first countdown in Hong Kong.  Although she and Ko Chen-Tung had to work separately, she still felt great.  As for rumors of them working with Giddens Ko again on a new romance, Ko Chen-Tung said that he still has not received any notice.  Michelle Chen looked forward to working with everyone again very much.

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Giddens Ko directed film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE after 57 days in release in Hong Kong (as of December 15) accumulated HK$ 60.41 million at the box office to become this year's highest grossing Chinese film and only 870,000 from breaking the highest grossing Chinese film in Hong Kong, KUNG FU HUSTLE (61.28 million).  In order to break Stephen Chow Sing Chi's KUNG FU HUSTLE record, YOU's goddess Michelle Chen yesterday came to Hong Kong for two days to promote the film.

Michelle Chen was very happy about YOU being such a hit in Hong Kong and said that she grew up on Hong Kong films.  She truly never imagined that her movie would be so popular with the Hong Kong audience.  Her box office guess was less than half of the current amount.  She admitted that at first she worried whether Hong Kong viewers would be able to accept the Taiwan storm.

Was she confident about breaking Sing Yeh's KUNG FU HUSTLE record?  She said, "I like to watch Chow Sing Chi's movies very much.  He is my idol.  He has already reached god status.  To be so close to god is quite a honor.  Whether the KUNG FU HUSTLE record can be broken the audience will determine that.  With YOU's current performance I am already very touched."

Caught with Joseph Cheng Yuen Cheung and Tony Yang (Yeung Yau Ning), Michelle Chen admitted meeting them but denied dating either one.  She pointed out that they were only good friends.  She often went for hot pot casserole with a big group of friends.  Was Ko Chen-Tung the real deal?  She said no, currently she was single.  Because work has been too busy she did not have time to be with a boyfriend.  Would they have any chance to develop into a couple?  She said that life was full of infinite possibilities and admitted that they were all her type.  If she did not like their type she would not be friends with them.

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Ann Hui shares the joy with screen writers Lee Yan Lam and Chan Pui Wa

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Andy Lau Tak Wa with A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH) and Deanie Ip Tak Han won the Golden Horse Best Actor and Best Actress.  Wa Jai won again after seven years, which made him very happy.  Wa Jai's wife Chu Lai Sin was rumored to be pregnant.  Two nights ago Wa Jai at the celebration was asked but Wa Jai neither denied nor admitted it, only saying that he did not want to talk about his family.

After the 48th Golden Horse Awards ended, the organizer held a farewell party.  WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE, A SIMPLE LIFE, and YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE teams attended.  At the event YOU and SIMPLE's team met and they exchanged congratulations.  YOU director Giddens Ko did not win Best New Director, but he said that not winning was not important.  The most important was a photo with Wa Jai, which made Wa Jai smile ear to ear.  Wa Jai knew YOU had good word of mouth and asked Giddens Ko in advance, "When will you work with me?"  Before Giddens Ko even spoke up, Michelle Chen could not wait to raise her hand.  "Count me in, count me in."  Even Ko Chen-Tung joked that he could work the lights.

Wa Jai pointed out that this was his second Golden Horse Award, the last time was seven years ago.  He said, "Seven years ago I already thought the jury spoiled me, maybe the jury thought that I haven't won in many years and gave the award to me."  he said that this time the jury spoiled Sister Peach (Ip Tak Han) and the movie A SIMPLE LIFE itself.  Such an ending was truly very perfect.  Wa Jai also pointed out that earlier when Ip Tak Han won at the Venice Film Festival he was not present.  This time he was not only there but even presented the award to her and witnessed the director's victory, it was extraordinarily meaningful.  Ip Tak Han said that she was very excited to win with Wa Jai.  Would she lose any sleep?  She said that she would not because she had to pack too.  A SIMPLE LIFE will open in March.  Now the film has won so many awards, will its release be pushed up?  Wa Jai pointed out that it will depend on distribution because it will be distributed along with the Mainland.  Hui On Wa wanted to work with Wa Jai and Ip Tak Han again and joked that it would be the best to win at the next Hong Kong Film Award as well.

In addition, recently Wa Jai's wife Chu Lai Sin was rumored to be pregnant.  Wa Jai was asked about but neither admitted nor denied the rumor.  He only said, "Today I am not talking about family."  Wa Jai, Ip Tak Han and Hui On Wa yesterday arrived in Hong Kong.  Shu Qi was asked whether she was disappointed that she did not win Best Actress.  "With many excellent actors, the nomination is already a type of recognition.  I very willingly concede defeat to Ip Tak Han."

Shu Qi, Ko Chen-Tung

courtesy of on.cc

Michelle Chen, Andy Lau courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Although YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE has been a Hong Kong and Taiwan box office hit, director Giddens Ko and Michelle Chen did not win the Golden Horse Best New Director and Best Actress.  However they still attended the celebration after the show and were happy for the Best New Actor Ko Chen-Tung.  Executive producer Angie Chai once stated that the winner would receive her big red pocket of NT$1 million.  Two nights ago at the celebration, Ko Chen-Tung excitedly displayed the check.  How would he use it?  Ko Chen-Tung said that he would give some of it to his parents and take them to visit either Paris or India.  The rest would be shared with the team in appreciation of their help, with very little left
for himself.  Two nights ago his parents and brother also attended in support.

Ko Chen-Tung gave special thanks to director Giddens Ko for giving him the courage to play this film.  He also declared that he loved his co-star Michelle Chen very much, only because of her he had the chance to step foot into the Golden Horse Award.  He pointed out that the award made his age 20 perfect.  Because the Best New Actor award was once in a lifetime, to him it was very valuable and it felt great to win.  Speaking of his red underwear, he joked that red underwear was the most basic item at award shows.  From now on when he will compete for other awards, he will wear red underwear.

Ko Chen-Tung also said that he was very happy to run into his idol Shu Qi.  As for Michelle Chen she also had the chance to meet her idol Andy Lau Tak Wa.  Wa Jai even expressed on stage that he loved her very much.  Michelle Chen excitedly said, "At that moment, I felt I had enough today, whether I won or not it was not important.  YOU gave me a lot of things, in particular the love of viewers was my greatest reward."  Michelle Chen said that she has been Wa Jai's fan since she was little.  She asked Wa Jai whether they will have a chance to work together.  When Wa Jai said definitely, she felt like she was dreaming.  Would she get a share of her co-star's NT$1 million cash prize?  Michelle Chen joked that she definitely will chase him down for it.

Giddens Ko said that he ran into Wa Jai in the bathroom.  Wa Jai tapped him on the shoulder and encouraged him not to give up.  He even said that he had to work hard for years before his achievements today, which made him feel warm.  Before the race Ko Chen-Tung was considered the dark horse.  Some online criticized him for "defeating three shotguns with one handgun (masturbation)", Giddens Ko hoped that no one would be pity.  Nominees should be happy but when they do not win they should face reality, at the same time wish the competition well and examine themselves.  Ko Chen-Tung did not mind the criticism and in the future he will challenge different film standards.

Chen Bo-Lin, Aoi Miyazaki

Wai Ying Hung

Eric Tsang and Tsang Bo Yi

The SEEDIQ BALE team

A-Lin performs Leslie Cheung's CHASE in memory of film professionals  who passed away this year

S.H.E.'s Ella and Vic Chou

Chie Tanaka and Joe Chen

Boken Kosang, Tang Qun

Sandy Lam performs classic film songs courtesy of on.cc

Shu Qi

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The 48th Golden Horse Awards took place last night.  With its Venice Film Festival success earlier, A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)'s master and maid pair Andy Lau Tak Wa and Deanie Ip Tak Han won Best Actor and Actress respectively.  Director Ann Hui On Wa won Best Director.  With 11 nominations Taiwan film WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE won four awards including Best Feature Film and Best Supporting Actor to become the big winner.  With 9 nominations LET THE BULLETS FLY won two awards.

Wa Jai defeated Ge You, Eddie Peng Yu-yen, and Wang Qianyuan to win Best Actor.  He said, "Like I said, I paid to win Best Actor.  Honestly, I never imagined it.  After I saw A PIANO IN THE FACTORY I  fell in love with him (Wang Qianyuan).  After Taiwan film toughed out its most depressed period, now Hong Kong film is at its lowest.  I too hope we will be able to tough it out."  After winning the Venice Best Actress, Ip Tak Han again won the Golden Horse Best Actress.  After "sonny" Lau Tak Wa announced her victory, he went on one knee to present to present the award to Ip Tak Han.  She said, "In the film I had a stroke, now I won an award.  Thank you Hui On Wa, Lau Tak Wa for giving luck in my old age."  Before unveiling Best Actress, Wa Jai critiqued the nominees.  He joked that Qin Haliu could act, direct and was cheap so she could go to work at his company.  Eric Tsang Chi Wai joked, "I understand who at your home doesn't spent money."  Wa Jai glared at him; Wa Jai continued and said that Shu Qi was the best woman to hold and even pushed Chi Wai to give it a try; as for Michelle Chen he directly said he loved her, which made Michelle Chen so happy that she made a heart gesture with her hands.  Chi Wai's daughter Bo Yi said Chi Wai was daring but finally still did not dare to ask whether Wa Jai's wife Chu Lai Sin was pregnant.  Chi Wai only dared to ask whether Wa Jai would have a child.  Wa Jai continued to avoid the question, "Let's see the nominees!"

When Hui On Wa heard that she won Best Director she immediately hug Lau Tak Wa.  After accepting the award she joked, "I am afraid that I am about to have a stroke!  Hopefully in the future when I receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Big Brother Wang (Jimmy Wang Yu) will present it to me."  She said that this was a very gratifying film.  She was very happy to win an award, so happy that she would have a stroke.  Later she also wanted to share this award with Roger Lee because the story was his.  She also said that she did not have a hard time with Lau Tak Wa and Ip Tak Han.  Both gave a lot of opinions and exchanged ideas, their suggestions were great.  This was the film's second award after the Venice Film Festival.  She hoped that the film will be able to win even more awards and be a bigger hit.  She also hoped to more people would make this type of movies.

Best Supporting Actor and Actress went to SEEDIQ BALE's Bokeh Kosang and RETURN TICKET's Shanghai actress Tang Qun.  Boken Kosang defeated WU XIA nominee Wang Yu to win his first Golden Horse Award.  He said that he finally could breathe a sigh of relief.  He also said that he worked very hard on this character and thus he was more confident about acting in the future.  He also said that he never thought that he would win and thanked his mother and wife.  The award was worth all the hard work.  Later when Wang Yu presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to his late friend Ting Shan-Hsi he did not forget to poke fun at himself.  "I had a stroke but I definitely won't have an award."  Speaking of her award, Tang Qun said that she was just lucky.  Although this was her first film award, it might be her last.  She will always learn from her colleagues; Carina Lau Ka Ling, Wai Ying Hung and others lost to their elder Tang Qun before still congratulated her.

Best New Performer went to YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE's Ko Chen-Tung, who not only thanked director Giddens Ko for encouraging him to play this character but also Michelle Chen for continuously teaching him.  Only because of them did he have the chance to stand on the stage.  He said, "You have made my age 20 very perfect!"  Ko Chen-Tung was so happily back stage that he jumped.  Last night he said that he would wear a pair of red underwear for luck, finally he really won.  Reporters asked him to show everyone his red underwear.  At first he said that he had to ask his company, but after reporters persuaded him he finally dropped his pants for press photos.  Giddens Ko lacked a little luck and lost the Best New Director.

Becoming the New Taiwan Goddess with YOU, Michelle Chen said that she loved Lau Tak Wa the most.  Reportedly she called Lau Tak Wa Hubby.  Last night when she and Simon Yam Tat Wa presented an award, Yam Tat Wa who was also called Wa Jai joked, "Michelle Chen actually wants to work with this Wa Jai instead."  He then held her hands and could not let go, she could only awkwardly giggle.

Although this year's venue only had a capacity of 1,000 people and has been criticized as the smallest Golden Horse venue in history, the event was still star studded and attracted a lot of press coverage.

Before the race on the red carpet, Lau Tak Wa, Vic Chou Yu Man, Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin) and Peng Yu-yen all wore suits and looked very handsome.  The ladies as usual dressed up.  Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) walked the red carpet with the over 50 people SEEDIQ BALE team.  Because the entire team danced the Seediq dance of joy and celebration for their entrance, she perhaps did not want to destroy the beauty and just stood in the middle dumbfounded.  Later she admitted that she did not take any wardrobe malfunction precaution because the material was bigger than her chest.  Shu Qi's long dress look was low key yet sexy.  Solo attendee Carina Lau Ka Ling appeared in a gray and black evening gown that was elegant and graceful.  Others like Angelica Lee Sinjie, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) and Wai Ying Hung all appeared in low cut evening wear.

Japanese star Aoi Miyazaki walked with Chen Bo-Lin.  Aoi Miyazaki was very happy to be a part of this event and praised Bo-Lin as a very gentle gentleman.  The hosts were father and daughter Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Tsang Bo Yi.  Bo Yi hoped to work with her father to make the program its best.  She also said that this year was Taiwan film's take off year so she believed it definitely would be very exciting.  When Lau Tak Wa appeared with Deanie Ip Tak Han and director Ann Hui On Wa on the red carpet, fans cheered enthusiastically.  Speaking of his wife Chu Lai Sin's pregnancy rumors, Wa Jai continued to keep his mouth shut about his family, "Don't ask about family matter, don't ask about our home now."

During the opening, Chi Wai and Bo Yi both wore aboriginal costumes and school uniform for a SEEDIQ BALE and YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE nominated film medley.  Chi Wai's facial tattoo turned out to be seaweed accessories.  Bo Yi delivered YOU's classic line, 'Big idiot, you are a big idiot!"  Chi Wai said, "If I wasn't an idiot why would I have you."  Bo Yi also joked that many people wanted to asked Lau Tak Wa a question but did not dare to, but her father dared to raise his middle finger at the the Great Hall of the People so only he would dare to ask.

GOLDEN HORSE AWARD WINNERS
BEST FEATURE FILM: WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE
BEST DOCUMENTARY: HOMETOWN BOY
BEST SHORT FILM: THIEF
BEST DIRECTOR: Ann Hui On Wa (A SIMPLE LIFE)
BEST LEADING ACTOR: Andy Lau Tak Wa (A SIMPLE LIFE)
BEST LEADING ACTRESS: Deanie Ip Tak Han (A SIMPLE LIFE)
BEST NEW DIRECTOR: Wuershan (THE BUTCHER, THE CHEF AND THE SWORDSMAN)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Boken Kosang (WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Tang Qun (RETURN TICKET)
BEST NEW PERFORMER: Ko Chen-Tung (YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE)
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Yang Nan-Chian, Teng Yung Shing, Qin Hailu, Ge
  Wen-Zhe, Xi Ran (RETURN TICKET)
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Zhu Sujin, Shu Ping, Jiang Wen, Guo Junli, Wei
  Xiao, Li Bukong (LET THE BULLETS FLY)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Zhao Fei (LET THE BULLETS FLY)
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Yung Kwok Yin, Andy Kang (WU XIA)
BEST ART DIRECTION: Yee Chung Man, Sun Li (WU XIA)
BEST MAKEUP & COSTUME DESIGN: Hao Yi (THE BUTCHER, THE CHEF AND THE SWORDSMAN)
BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY: Donnie Yen Chi Tan (WU XIA)
BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE: Ricky Ho (WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE)
BEST ORIGINAL FILM SONG: PERFECT LANDING (JUMP ASHIN!)
BEST FILM EDITING: Chen Hsiao-Tung (THE MAN BEHIND THE BOOK)
BEST SOUND EFFECTS: Tu Duu-Chih, Tang Hsiang-Chu, Wu Shu-Yao (WARRIORS OF
  THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE)
OUTSTANDING TAIWANESE FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR: Wong Wei-Liu
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD: WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE
FIPRESCI PRIZE: THE PIANO IN A FACTORY
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Ting Shan-Hsi

Wei Te-Sheng

Wang Qianyuan

Wai Ying Hung

Jimmy Wang courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

The Taiwan Golden Horse Award nominee party took place last night in Hsin Chu, on the eve of the award presentation nomination certificates were presented to the nominees.  This year's Golden Horse Best Actress favorite Deanie Ip Tak Han met "otaku goddess" Michelle Chen for the first time.  Like a little fan Michelle Chen was very excited to see Ip Tak Han.  She could not help herself as she ran on stage for a photo with her and even gave her a loving embrace.  After the photo she was teary eyed.  Michelle Chen said, "She has been my idol since I was little.  The first time I saw her I only dared to look from afar."  Giddens Ko said, "Ip Tak Han has a lot of momentum, as soon as she appeared everyone applauded.  After seeing her I really wanted to console Michelle Chen."  Ip Tak Han is the fresh out of the oven Venice Best Actress.  When asked how she would defeat Ip Tak han for the Golden Horse Best Actress and whether she was worried that she would suffer the same fate as Golden Bell television Best Actor Will Pan (Poon Wai Pak), Michelle said, "If the award would really go to me, that meant that the jury truly recognized me."

Full of smile, Ip Tak Han said that everyone had an equal change.  She felt very lucky to be nominated and looked forward to YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE.  "It was just released in Hong Kong, every show was sold out and I couldn't get a ticket!"  For this Golden Horse Awards, Ip Tak Han brought over 40 pairs of gloves and picked the pretty pair.  She also prepared three dresses that Andy Lau Tak Wa's concert designer designed.


Taiwan film SEEDIQ BALE yesterday drew first blood with the Golden Horse Audience Choice Award.  Director Wei Te-Sheng said that today he will follow the aboriginal tradition and slaughter eight boars to celebrate in advance.

"Thank you very much.  I can sense the viewers' recognition of this film with this award.  (Are you confident about a sweep?)  I originally wasn't nervous, after the media said the film was the favorite then the pressure mounted.  I want to win Best Picture the most.  Tomorrow we will follow the Seediq tradition and slaughter eight boars to celebrate in advance."

The FIPRESCI Prize went to THE PIANO IN A FACTORY.  Its Best Actor nominee Wang Qianyuan accepted the award.

Jimmy Wang Yu yesterday attended as the Best Supporting Actor nominee after his stroke.  He said, "Fortunately I have no major health issues.  (Will you act again?)  I am not mobile, don't speak clearly, I can't control the left side of my face, I can't make any expression.  No one will make me any offer."  Ko Chen-Tung and SEEDIQ's three new actors compete for Best New Actor.  He said, "The award is already in Nolay Piho's pocket, but I will still wear red underwear for luck."