Movie Box Review

Irene Wan

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Jessica C.

Rose Chan (right), Huang Yi (center) and Sin Kwok Lam

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The 3rd Macau International Film Festival presented its awards yesterday.  Rose Chan Ka Wun in the company of master Sin Kwok Lam and co-star Huang Yi received the Best New Actor award for WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE.  Huang Yi also received Best Actress for the same time.  Best Actor went to Donnie Yen for THE LOST BLADESMAN (GUAN WON CHEUNG).  Irene Wan Bik Ha with 72 MARTYRS (YING HUNG DIP HUET) won Best Supporting Actress.

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Rose Chan Ka Wun yesterday along with mother and manager Ronnie attended the film WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE's Taiwan press conference.  The Taiwan media was rather concerned about the "molestation incident" and kept asking about it.  Rose seemed to be mentally prepared and kept her long missing smile.  Was her mood still affected?  She choked up and said that she indeed was upset but would continue to work to avoid affecting others.  Luckily the company added an assistant to keep her company and hoped that the outside would be able to give her and her family more space.  She also said that even after studying Wing Chun for three years she still was more style than substance.  "When something terrifying happens, I still wasn't able to respond in time.  I would be scared!"  Rose revealed after completing work in Hengdian she will head to Yunnan for another film GUONG FAI SHUI YUET with Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Felix Wong Yat Wa.  She pointed out that on this trip she wanted to visit the MONGA locations but she did not have time.

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The film THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE's actors Huang Yi, Rose Chan Ka Wun and others two nights ago attended the film company's celebration.  Chan Ka Wun said that this new film was tougher.  "Because I couldn't speak (character requirement) and had very little make up, I didn't look like me.  The production background wasn't modern so there was no sign language.  I could only act with looks and body language."  With a martial art background Chan Ka Wun said that Huang Yi before the shoot learned kung fu from her.  They spent a lot of time together and had a deeper relationship.  Chan Ka Wun even found an artist to draw Huang Yi's Qiu Jin image for her.

Huang Yi said that earlier she saw the film with Qiu Jin's descendant and both she and the audience were very touched.

Huang Yi said, "This time the production was very commercial and had many fight actions.  The production method was very fresh.  Earlier I studied kung fu with Chan Ka Wun, and I taught her calligraphy."  Huang Yi in the film had a lot of action performance like swordplay and horse riding, leading to many injuries.  However thought that the film was worth all that.  "Action film has a greater sense of accomplishment and
achievement than drama."

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Rose Chan Ka Wun two nights ago gave away film merchandise to promote her film THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE in Causeway Bay.  Rose personally gave away prop wooden swords, tee shirts, posters, postcards and other items.  She even raised the banner to promote and attracted many people.  Some pedestrians and tourists asked for photos and Rose complied.

Rose carried a lot of wooden prop swords in front her chest and some ladies reached for them without minding their manners and almost touched her chest.  Rose only giggled.  "Many people rushed for the wooden swords.  Their sudden moves scared me, luckily nothing happened.  Maybe they were rushing to practice Tai Chi with the swords."  Rose revealed that later she will head to the Mainland for a movie.

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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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Rose Chan Ka Wun and Dennis To Yu-Hung two nights ago attended the film THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE charity advanced screening to raise fund for Mainland lepers.  To Yu-Hung said that in two days he will go to Wudang for the movie, his character could be either good or evil.  Chan Ka Wun also said that she will work in Hengdian and continue to be an action actress.  Was she tired of fighting?  She said, "Not yet because I started with studying Wing Chun.  For this film for example I was able to learn swordplay.  I liked to learn as I worked, and learn more martial arts."  To Yu-Hung also hoped to try different characters.  "Then it wouldn't be so tough.  Actually I am OK with comedies."

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The Mainland actress Huang Yi took her new film WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE to Shanghai Fudan University for a screening.  The three teachers and students responded enthusiastically.  Students surrounded Huang Yi for autographs.  She said that being from Shanghai, this event was very important to her as she wanted to know young students' opinions of the film.

Many students spoke up at the event and Huang Yi responded with humor one by one.  When asked about her view on marriage, she also responded and stated that she suggested her divorce first.

Huang Yi said, "I feel woman should have the right to choose marriage.  When a woman feels marriage is no longer suitable for her, she should suggest separation.  I want to say, I suggested the divorce first."  Huang Yi encouraged students to face the inequalities between the sexes in society and continue to work hard.

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Rose Chan Ka Wun, Ellen Loo (Lo Hoi Tung) and Jun Kung Shek Leung yesterday attended a phone event.  Rose just finished promoting the film WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE in the Mainland and returned to Hong Kong.  Although Huang Yi had the heaviest role in the film, every character had a different meaning.  She played a mute girl and required advice from those with experience.  Thus her pressure was huge and her skin even broke out because of it.

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WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR KNIGHT female lead Huang Yi recently promoted the film in many cities.  Yesterday while promoting in Hengzhou Huang Yi appeared with her suit look from the film.  Speaking of Qiu Jin's descendants praising Huang Yi's convincing interpretation, Huang Yi said that she did all her homework before hand and everyday she had to face impossible missions.  She pointed out that Qiu Jin was a jill of all trade and master of all, everyday she had to practice with a variety of weapons and work on wires.  Everyday as soon as she opened her eyes she had to spar with Xiong Xinxin.

Huang Yi was teary eyed when she spoke about Qiu Jin.  She in order not to "vilify" the heroine everyday fought from morning to night.  Later her body was exhausted, she could not even stand firmly or extend her arms.  Sometimes she was unable to respond in time and was injured.  At the time people joked that she lost all of her "heroine look" and looked more like a "bear" from the beating that she took.  Huang Yi said that she was very demanding of herself as well because the character Qiu Jin was not fictional and was an actual person.

WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE earlier faced suspicions and boycott from Qiu Jin's grand nephew Qiu Jingwu.  The release date was postponed time and after.  Qiu Jingwu stated that Qiu Jin's great grand daughters Lai Qishan and Lai Qixiang were "false descendants and false authorities".  Executive producer Sin Kwok Lam said that Lai Qishan said something that she admired very much.  She said that Qiu Jin belonged to the people of the nation, not just to any one descendant.  Sin Kwok Lam pointed out that Huang Yi in order to play Qiu Jin lowered her own salary.  She truly liked this script and making money was not in her mind at all.

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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.

Bernice Liu, Kevin Cheng

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Bernice Liu

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Earlier at work Huang Yi was hospitalized for stomach infection.  Two nights ago she attended the film WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE charity premiere with Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Kevin Cheng Ka Wing, Rose Chan Ka Wun, Lau Siu Ming, Dennis To Yu Hang and Sin Kwok Lam.  Others guests included Elaine Lok Yi Ling, Wong Cho Nam, Christine Ng Wing Mei and Bernice Liu Bik Yi.

Huang Yi said that she has recovered a lot.  After the shot and rest she immediately returned to work.  Actually to promote the film she almost worked from morning to night.  When she arrived in Hong Kong on
October 1 she already had some stomach pain but did not have time for treatment.  Earlier she finally succumbed.  "After I got to the hospital, my stomach hurt so much I wanted to die.  Yet because of the holiday no specialty doctor was on duty.  I could only get in line and sleep on the sofa.  Luckily a doctor found me and arranged for a bed.  I never paid attention to it before and thought that I would be fine with a little medication.  If you don't treat your body right, it would show you something."  She will have to go to Beijing and other places to promote.  She said that she already has many medication on hand and was not afraid of further stomach pain.

Chan Ka Wun two nights ago wore million dollar diamond jewelry and joked that she and To Yu-Hang who also had diamond accessory would protect each other.  Thus she would not feel nervous.  Later she will work on two action films, in one of which she will have to put on a male disguise.  She said that she was not afraid that her chest would change shape because it would shrink a little in the winter and would not affect her size too much.  November 8 will be her birthday.  After three birthdays away from Hong Kong she originally wanted to tell everyone that she would only turn 19 this year, but because she will have to work on a film she will not be able to have a birthday party.  She still hoped that she will be able to celebrate it in Hong Kong.

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Huang Yi and Rose Chan Ka Hung yesterday attended the film WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE costume unveiling ceremony.  This exhibit will be on display until the 16th in 3D Gold Jewelry's Tsim Sha Tsui headquarter store.  They even received a film still golden glitter card from the company's vice chair Tsui Chuen Shun (Cathy Tsui Chi Kei's father).

Huang Yi and Rose worked together again after THE LEGEND IS BORN: IP MAN (IP MAN CHIN JUEN).  After two collaborations they became close like sisters.  On the set they often chatted and trained together.  Rose said, "In the film I played a mute, but after work I would become very noisy."  Because other cast members like Wong Yau Nam were all young people, after work they would have hot pot casserole together and they had a lot of fun.  Because Qiu Jin was both educated and well trained in martial art, Huang Yi had many fight scenes.  Was she injured?  She said, "Injuries basically took place everyday, but they were all minor.  I don't have much to talk about them because I have to give to play a heroine."

Huang Yi also said that in the beginning of the shoot, she did not have too much understanding of the character of Qiu Jin.  Yet after the shoot she could not help but admire her.  In particular she and Rose both
broke down in tears at her execution scene.  She said, "I thought she was very noble.  This film is also worth children to learn from because children now all grow up in greenhouses and can't withstand any turbulence."  What expectation did she have for the box office?  She said that this time was not a commercial film.  The investors made it based on a type of spirit and hoped everyone would support it greatly.

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The Huang Yi starred film WOMAN KNIGHT OF THE MIRROR LAKE will soon open.  Earlier she was interviewed along with her co-star Rose Chan Ka Wun.  They worked together again after THE LEGEND IS BORN: IP MAN (IP MAN CHIN JUEN), but this time they were no longer romantic rivals but close sisters.

In order to play the revolutionary heroine Qiu Jin well, Huang Yi did all her homework before hand.  She not only read many books about Qiu Jin but also practiced rolling on the ground for several hours to coordinate the character's literary and action sides, but because it was too tough she dropped to only 97 catties.  She said, "This character Qiu Jin was very hard to play because she did so much in her 34 years of life.  Aside from cultural pursuits, she also learned Wing Chun, spear, Japanese swords, horse riding, and even studied in Japan, operated a women independence daily newspaper, finally she grabbed a gun to the Revolution and made the ultimate sacrifice.  In historical books she only had a few lines but the more I understood Qiu Jin the more of a sense of duty because she was too strong."  Although it was tough she also gained something from the shoot.  Qiu Jin taught her to be independent, brave and strong.  As long as she was strong and tough inside she had nothing to be afraid of.  She said, "Relying on others doesn't work.  My way of living and handling things also changed.  When I used to run into some matters I would avoid, abandon or compromise, but now I would bravely face them.  Only by facing them could I change."  After a lightning wedding and divorce, has she let go of all her past?  She honestly said that for now she did not dare to try love again because love was beyond her control.  Thus she would focus on work and work hard to perform well.  She said, "I now am not prepared to open up my heart.  When fortune knocks, I don't have the courage to open up.  Right now the door is closed."

Rose earlier in THE LEGEND IS BORN: IP MAN played Huang Yi's romantic rival, but this time they played close sisters.  Huang Yi even saved her life.  In the film Rose played Huang Yi's speech impaired servant.  Because she could not speak she had to rely on expressions to act, which she thought was very special.  In the film she still had many action scenes, before which she had to learn swordsmanship.  Luckily during the shoot although she suffered injuries and bruises, they were minor.  This time elders Anthony Wong Chau Sun and Pat Ha Man Jik participated.  She honestly said that with Chau Sun on the set the pressure was enormous but she could take the chance to pick up a few tricks.  She also said that working with Ha Man Jik was very pleasant.  Although she could be her daughter, they had no generation gap at all and even got along great.  When they were not in a scene, they talked about astrology and dogs.  They even realized that they both were Scorpios!