Movie Box Review

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The Chen Kuo-Fu produced, Wuershan directed PAINTED SKIN: THE RESURRECTION (WAT PEI II) earlier held a Beijing press conference to officially announce the film's summer release.  Leads Chen Kun, Feng Shaofeng, Mini Yang Mi, Chen Ting-Chia attended the event and introduced seven mysterious posters.

The posters of the two female leads Zhou Xun and Vicki Zhao Wei were cold blue ice and water based.  Zhou Xun's "Xiao Wei" bared her shoulder with cold beauty while Zhao Wei's "Princess Jing" coolly covered her face with a golden mask.  Chen Kun's "Huo Xin" with a short sword and sharp eyes was raging with masculine fire.

Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei and Chen Kun reunited four years after.  What kind of story did they perform?  Chen Kun performed tai chi when he discussed his character, saying "Huo Xin" could either be a demon or a human.  As for the relationship between the two heavyweight female stars he said that the posters already clearly stated everything.  In the film he was like fire, Zhou Xun was cold and distant like ice and Zhao Wei was completely clear as water.  Fire, ice and water originally could not be together but in the end they all melted into one.

PAINTED SKIN: THE RESURRECTION was also the first film that Feng Shaofeng and Yang Mi worked together on.  Feng Shaofeng said that he was a "demon catcher with very little ability and has never seen a real demon."  Yang Mi humorously said that she played a "bird person" but being able to pick on the demon catcher was a benefit.  As for their relationship Yang Mi pointed out that their relationship between human and demon exceeded nature.

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Gordon Chan states that broadcast contracts require full version

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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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The Emperor Motion Picture THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI)'s leads Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, Yan Ni and Wu Gang wish everyone a Happy Year of the Dragon.  They transform from their early Republic costumes into something more modern.  In addition, Zhou Xun, Wai Jai and Ching Wan's love triangle has become the talk of the town as online polls appear to discuss where should Zhou Xun's love go.

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Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun and Yan Ni starred in THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI).  The film in a humorous way stated that as long as you believe and persist, dreams could come true.  In a movie shoot scene, Ching Wan's third concubine Yan Ni was in a bubble bath.  Ching Wan directed for the first in the film.

At the director's chair Ching Wan had the director's power in the film.  When asked when he would direct, Ching Wan humbly said that he did not have the talent for it.  On the set, Yan Ni had a bubble bath scene.  In the film a guy also took advantage of her in the bubble bath and her husband Ching Wan was steaming.  Early in the shoot preparation in order to create the bubble effect the crew used a lot of soap.  Yet because they used too much, Yan Ni almost drowned in the bubbles.  Her call for help made the crew laugh as they rushed to save her from the bubbles.  Ching Wan did not know whether to laugh or to cry.  "THE GREAT MAGICIAN's set truly has crouching tiger hidden dragon, even the crew knew magic.  I sat further away and saw more and more bubbles, in a flash they covered her."

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Director Derek Yee Tung Sing two nights ago led Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Zhou Xun to the Beijing premiere of THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI).  At the premiere, Tsui Hark, Soi Cheang Po Shui, Andrew Lin Hoi and Terence Yin (Wan Chi Wai) came in support.  Over the two hours, over 1,000 viewers laughed from the beginning to the end.  After watching they all praised this film was truly for the entire family.

After the premiere, over 1,000 viewers from the community expressed their satisfaction as they often laughed and applauded; Some even counted that they laughed every three minutes or so.  Viewers thought that GREAT on the foundation of entertainment would even be able to remain cultured without being rotten; Wai Jai's sorrowful mystery matched his Great Magician identity that was very handsome and humorous; Ching Wan as the villain warlord was extremely cute; Zhou Xun's performance was also very funny.

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THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) yesterday held a press conference in Beijing.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing and the cast including Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, Yan Ni and others attended.  Lau Ching Wan pointed out that in the film Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun hit him and even forced him to recite a Putonghua tongue twister.  Yee Tung Sing denied that and said that in the film he already put Lau Ching Wan in a romance with Zhou Xun, which was already considered a joy for him.  He even arranged seven wives for him.  Yet he never would have guessed that he still had complaints.  Next time he would arrange seven men for him.

Leung Chiu Wai also said that his image in the film was too serious, thus he was extremely envious and Yan Ni and Wu Gang's comedic performances.  Yee Tung Sing joked that Wai Jai in the film was responsible for being handsome with infinite charm.  Yet Wai Jai was very glad to work with Yee Tung Sing and so many excellent actors.  In addition it was a very happy comedy that left many beautiful memories in his life.  In the future when he will recall this production he will laugh.  Wai Jai even asked the director to save a spot for him in the sequel.  Zhou Xun also stated that she was very honored to be able to work with two Best Actors and thanked the director for giving her the opportunity.

Wai Jai has been working on Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) for over two years.  For the character Wai Jai has given a lot and was even injured on the production.  His wife Carina Lau Ka Ling's heart could not have ached more as she blamed Wong Kar Wai.  Wai Jai yesterday admitted that he would not work with Wong Kar Wai again for awhile.  THE GREAT MAGICIAN director Yee Tung Sing revealed that Wai Jai once said that he would make five more movies then retire, but Wai Jai denied that.  "I hope that my entire life is in acting, to have work at every stage."  Wai Jai said that he would like more chances to make comedies.  As soon as he said that people were reminded that he did not want to work with Wong Kar Wai who rarely made comedy films.  He said, "I just finished Wong Kar Wai's movie, both of us are very tired and need a long time to recover.  Maybe it will be a long, long while before we work together again.  No one should be too concerned about me working with him, for now we wouldn't."

Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi who Yee Tung Sing made into a star recently has been poison at the box office.  Yee Tung Sing spoke on her behalf and hoped that the media would not treat this matter as a joke.  He thought that Pak Chi should have someone around her to tell her the truth.  "I don't know why she was in such a hurry to take so many roles, but I understand that she alone has to feed her entire family.  Her poor box office doesn't mean that she doesn't know how to act.  I don't dare to confirm that I will work with her again or not though."

Albert Yeung shows his support

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The film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) held a premiere last night.  Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun and Derek Yee Tung Sing attended.  Carina Lau Ka Ling came in support of her husband Wai Jai.  Recently Lau Ka Ling was rumored to have purchased a 30 million yuan home for her husband.  Wai Jai said that he had no idea.  Although the gift has not arrived in his hands, old lady Lau Ka Ling's "flesh delivery" of love and company for the movie already melted him.

When asked about the gift, Wai Jai asked whether it was a surprise.  Perhaps the reporters ruined it, but he really had no idea.  Wai Jai said that Ka Ling has always had properties in Shanghai, maybe she just switched homes or bought one for Mommy.  The Shanghai home would be useless to him since he would not move to Shanghai.

Wai Jai said that normally he would exchange gifts with Ka Ling for fun, especially on holidays or birthdays.  Last month for Ka Ling's birthday he gave her a thoughtful gift that all women liked.  If he received the 30 million home would he return the favor?  He joked, "How can that be possible, don't be silly!  Stop testing me."

This Lunar New Year he might be in Hong Kong, with work on hand he had concerns despite wanting to go skiing.  He has not gone in two years already and he really wanted to go.  Wai Jai still had Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) to work on.  He looked awkward when asked about this film as he added that it will wrap soon.

Speaking of Andy Lau Tak Wa's impending fatherhood, would Wai Jai catch up in a hurry?  He said that it was up to nature, including whether he would accept artificial insemination.  He said that having a child could not be rushed, it was not like all he had to do was wish and it would be granted.  He wanted to win the lottery too!

Lau Ching Wan and Yee Tung Sing rushed from Shanghai to promote.  They were working on the film SIU SUT DIK JI DAN in the Mainland.  Speaking of his good friend Daniel Wu (Ng Yu Cho)'s good news as his wife Lisa S was rumored to be pregnant, Yee Tung Sing said that he immediately sent a congratulation text to him as soon as he heard, but Ng Yin Cho said that it was not true.  Yee Tung Sing was disappointed as he thought a little Daniel would definitely be very cute.  Some suggested for Yee Tung Sing to have his own as Lau Tak Wa too would become a father.  He said, "Wa Jai is younger than me!  I don't know if I can."

THE GREAT MAGICIAN is the first film that he directed in the Mainland.  He hoped that a comedy in the New Year would be suitable to Mainland viewer taste.  He was also adjusting to work in the Mainland.  Would he head north and stop making Hong Kong films? Yee Tung Sing really wanted to make a Hong Kong film, but finding a film investor in Hong Kong was hard.  If he found someone it would only be for 10 million small production.  He did not want to make it hard for his actor friends and ask them to lower their salaries to make his movies.

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Tony Leung Chiu Wai played a magician in THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI), which gave him many opportunities to play with fire.  He was able to control the fire and shot out a fireball.  Ching Wan and Zhou Xun even had to be trapped inside a wooden home on fire.  Due to the strong fire, they were sweating bullets.

Wai Jai demonstrated DRAGONBALL like ability to blow up the magic hall and the wooden home next door.  The fire even trapped Ching Wan and others.  With the explosion sounds everywhere, he also stated that he felt the intensity.  Inside Ching Wan and Zhou Xun played a couple that was suffering the same fate in the fire.  Because they had to act in the strong fire, Ching Wan joked that this was the scene that he sweat  the most since FIRE LINE (SUP MAN FOR GUP).  "The temperature during the shoot was warm, the fire was like being in the sauna.  I even felt like I was playing a firefighter in FIRE LINE."  Ching Wan did not forget to compliment Zhou Xun and said that she showed no fear in the fire.

Zhou Xun also said that Ching Wan had the quality of a good man, no wonder everyone had such high praises for him.  "Ching Wan in this film had to protect me as much as possible.  Due to his stature, he was very familiar when he blocked the fire from me with his body.  He made people feel very safe.  No wonder many viewer friends, especially female viewers, like him so much."

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Making her first wuxia film, Mavis Fan Hiu Huen worked with director Tsui Hark, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Zhou Xun, Kwai Lun-Mei and Chris Lee Yuchun.  Under such a strong ensemble, Siu Huen had to perform with an effort.  At first she regretted that she did not have any action scene, but seeing how tough each actor fought, she could not help but consider herself lucky.

Being able to work with her idol Director Tsui Har, Siu Huen felt very pleased.  She also did all the preparation to welcome the challenge.  However as for being assigned to play a gentle character, Siu Huen at first was completely lost.  "At first I thought why would I play this character?  Yet when I saw how pretty the costume was, I worked hard to play this fragile character.  After working with the director, I felt he was like a big kid.  He was not a modern person, but a hero.  I didn't know what he was thinking, he made people feel that he was beyond their grasp and without certainty.  Thus during the shoot she was also very nervous.  Actually all those gave people space to imagine.  The director wanted to give people a pleasant surprise!  Actually making wuxia film felt great.  This time was a Chinese traditional subject that merged martial arts and 3D into one.  The mix was very modern.'

Siu Huen even admitted that at first when she learned that she would make this wuxia film she regretted that she did not have any chance to show her skills.  Yet during the production, she witnessed how tough every actor fought and felt very lucky.  "In the film he had the protection of many masters.  I had more scenes with Zhou Xun.  I remembered on a desert shoot, the sandstorm was so strong I couldn't even open my eyes.  Yet we had to keep working.  Thus everyone's eyes were filled with sand and tears......when I saw all the action scenes of the other actors, I felt bad for them but I also thought they were a lot of fun."  Rarely making movies, Siu Huen said that each time she made a film she hoped to bring something fresh.  Like a vacation she could be in touch with different things.  The most memorable for her in FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATES (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) was the relationship with Zhou Xun.  "In a farewell scene with Zhou Xun, I had to play a feeling that I didn't agree with her leaving.  After the shoot, everyone said that this scene had quite a feeling.  I was very happy to hear that."

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Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, and Yan Ni yesterday attended THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) Beijing press conference.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing revealed through video that he originally intended to bring the audience a serious comedy for the whole family.  Ching Wan was very supportive on this position because he thought that life now has become too stressful.  Comedy during the New Year could provide some relief.  Zhou Xun who has always longed to make a comedy also hoped that
she would become a "female Stephen Chow Sing Chi".

At the event the final trailer has also been shown.  Wai Jai displayed fully his magician ways as a variety of tricks large and small appeared.  Much of the story was fun, like the comedy filled seduction between Ching Wan and Zhou Xun; Yan Ni's bathing scene also led to a lot of laughs, Ching Wan's "acrobatic" scene also appeared and in the end Wai Jai's sly wink hid a lot of mystery within his mischief.

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The Tsui Hark directed 3D wu xia epic FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) was released yesterday.  Originally the Hong Kong release was to be the Cantonese version, but because earlier during the professional screening film critics, directors and viewers all would like to watch the original Mandarin version.  The film company in accordance to the audience demand released the Mandarin version starting today.  The Mandarin version will have Chen Kun and Chris Lee Yuchun's real voices.  Lee Yuchun joked, "In one scene Kwai Lun-Mei and I fought over Brother Kun, I in particular got to slap him.  That slap was especially loud.  With my real voice I believe it would be very realistic."

The film's six leads Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Zhou Xun, Kwai Lun-Mei, Chen Kun, Lee Yuchun and Mavis Fan Hiu Huen all stated that this film was the most difficult.  Several beauties all became "wind eating beauties".  Zhou Xun said, "The shoot took place under below freezing temperature.  Even my hands and the sand under my feet were frozen.  My head and ears ached.  Sand storms also kept appearing at the location.  As soon as cameras rolled, the wind making equipment blew.  I couldn't even open my eyes."  Chen Kun and Lee Yuchun in the film had the most fight scenes and every time they wielded their weapon they ate sand.  Although they suffered "abuses" at the hands of Tsui Hark, everyone still appreciated him.  Chen Kun said, "this time I played both the good guy and the bad guy at the same time, I felt like I had a personality split.  I also had to fight with Big Brother Lee Nin Kit.  Although it was tough the director very patiently displayed the actors' potential.  We truly both loved and hated him."

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The Alan Mak Siu Fai and Felix Chong Man Keung directed, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhou Xun, Mavis Fan Hiu Huen and Wang Xuebing starred WIND SEEKER (TING FUNG JEH) yesterday held a wrap press conference in Shanghai.

Leung Chiu Wai in the film played someone with extrasensory power.  Due to a childhood accident he lost his sight but gained exceptional hearing, which came in handy during the intelligence unit 701's tough rescue mission.

Wai Jai said that this film was the most difficult and the most challenging in his career.  With his mesmerizing eyes Leung Chiu Wai in the film played the blind Bing.  Leung Chiu Wai joked that playing "Blind Bing" was quite a challenge but unfortunately when he shot the scene in the poster he had food poisoning.  As soon as he reached the set he began to vomit.  After six times the director asked him, "Can you still work?"  It was quite an abuse.

Although he played blind before in movies like SOUNDS OF COLOR (DEI HA TEET).  Leung Chiu Wai was truly not used to it this time.  He said, "Especially when this film was a collaboration with Zhou Xun.  In an earlier film I had to watch her performance to react, but this time I was blind and my character couldn't see her.  Perhaps I should say, I had to pretend I couldn't see, which was very tough.  I was used to express my emotions with my eyes, but this time I had to think of other ways to express the character's emotions like body language and camera assistance.  I wasn't used to that.  In addition, I had action scenes as soon as the movie started and I was being chased.  During the shot I wasn't sure whether my performance worked.  At the time I just joined the team.  I thought when I walked I didn't walk like someone blind.  At the time I thought my mood was quite confused.  I always thought my body language performance was very weak."

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The Tsui Hark directed first 3D Chinese wuxia film FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) was based on the 1992 film NEW DRAGON GATE INN (SUN LUNG MOON HAT JANG) and starred Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Chris Lee Yuchun and Mavis Fan Hiu Huen.  The cast aside from Kit Jai did not have any martial art background.  With the 3D production, the difficulties could be imagined.  No wonder Chen Kun described this film as the toughest in his ten year film career.

Chen Kun and Fan Hiu Huen earlier met reporters together.  When talking about the film, Chen Kun admitted, "This was the toughest film in my ten year career.  The weather was the coldest, the condition was the worst, the director was the most demonic, the character was the hardest to play.  With the 3D effects, action had to be complete and couldn't be edited.  (Would you make the sequel?)  If it would be made then I would, after all my relationship with Old Master is great."  Fan Hiu Huen said that although the film was shot under horrible weather, everyone was very united and very close.  They even formed the Dragon Gate Alumni Association.

Since the shoot was so tough, was he injured?  Chen Kun said, "Anyone who wasn't injured seemed to not have been a part of this film.  Thus everyone more or less was injured.  I fell from a horse."  Fan Hiu Huen was not injured.  She said, "I played a very fragile woman and didn't need to fight too much."  However due to the desert shoot, sandstorm occurred nearby.  With the cement and corn starch used to create the effect, her eyes, skins and airways all suffered.  She said, "Everyday when I got back and washed my face it was like sanding paste.  Everyday I needed facial therapy.  When delivering my lines I would keep eating sand, but the director did not yell cut and demanded for the performance to continue.  The performance went from sound to silence."

Chen Kun in the film had fight scenes with everyone, the most memorable of which of course was the fight with "Kung Fu Emperor" Kit Jai because Kit Jai fought the best.  With a kung fu new comer like him, even if Kit Jai was better he still had frequent bad takes.  Chen Kun said, "Although Brother Kit was the Kung Fu Emperor, I took 30 takes and he still kept my company."  Later he apologized to Brother Kit.  Speaking of the romantic scenes in the film, Fan Hiu Huen advertised, "The romantic scenes are very exciting, with real and fake ones and everyone has a motive.  it's not just relationships between men and women, but a little same sex relationship.  Because women in the martial art world would often wear a male disguise, ambiguous identities were very normal."  Chen Kun said that everyone's face was filled with frost in the severe weather.  Their faces were so frozen that they could not move.  Thus emotional scenes were particularly painful.