Hong Kong Film Honors article in the New York Times
Compiled by LAWRENCE VAN GELDER
Published: April 15, 2008
Jet Li, above, was named best actor when the Hong Kong film awards were handed out late Sunday in a glittering ceremony, Agence France-Presse reported. Mr. Li won for his performance in “The Warlords,” an action drama set in 19th-century China that also carried off the prizes for best film and best director (Peter Chan) among its eight awards. Andy Lau, a co-star of “The Warlords,” won the prize for best supporting actor for the crime thriller “Protégé,” and Siqin Gaowa of the quirky tragicomedy “The Postmodern Life of My Aunt” was chosen best actress. The award for best Asian film went to Ang Lee for “Lust, Caution,” and a lifetime achievement award was given to Raymond Chow, whose Golden Harvest studios fostered the careers of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. Read the rest of this entry »
Controversy at the Hong Kong International Film Festival which is in full swing right now with the shadow of Chinese censorship falling on three movies which have been withdrawn by their producers from the festival pending government approval.
The films are:
* Zhang Yibai’s Lost Indulgence, a drama set in Chongqing about a passenger who moves in with the family of a driver after he dies in a car accident.
* Han Yan’s Winds of September — The Chinese Mainland Chapter, part of coming-of-age trilogy.
* A Decade of Love, 10 short films, each 10 minutes long, by 10 new Hong Kong directors on the subject of love in Hong Kong.
While the films contain nothing overtly controversial and the Associated Press says no official reasons have been given for the lack of approval, filmmakers are concerned about China’s tightening grip on the media in anticipation of the Beijing Olympics in the summer.
Chinese director Lou Ye and producer Nai An were banned from making movies in China for five years after showing their romance, Summer Palace, at the Cannes Festival in 2006 without clearing it with Chinese censors.
There’s a taster of The Forbidden Kingdom starring martial arts superstars Jet Li and Jackie Chan on screen together for the first time ever in the trailer which has just appeared on the Internet…
Sad news in the Hong Kong entertainment world - popular Hong Kong actress and comedian Lydia Shum aka Fei-fei (Fatty) has died from liver cancer at 60. A memorable and much loved figure famous for her bouffant hairstyle and wing-tip frame glasses, Shum appeared in over 70 movies.
Fans of Jet Li should check out the three video segment highlights on line at CNN taken from an hour long interview he gave with Talk Asia’s Anjali Rao; he talks about his newest movies The Forbidden Kingdom and Warlords, as well as his humble beginnings, his escape from the Tsunami disaster and controversial topics like the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and Chinese unification.
Great article about Stephen Chow’s forthcoming movie CJ7 in the online New Straits Times today. Chow wrote, produced, directed the movie in which he stars opposite 9 year old child actor Xu Jiao.
My favourite Asian DVD store is running a great deal throughout the holiday period - 15% off selected region 1 releases - and free international shipping!
According to Star Central Hong Kong actor and heartthrob Edison Chen was spotted filming on location in Hong Kong with Oscar-winning star Morgan Freeman recently. He’ll have a cameo role as a baddie in the new Batman movie The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale and directed by Christopher Nolan.
There’s an excellent interview with Ang Lee over at the CNN Website. If you’re interested in reading about Lee’s working relationship with China and recent perceptions of him as the torchbearer of Chinese movies on the global stage check it out!
According to VarietyJohnnie To’s gangster thriller Exiled has been chosen by the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong as its submission in the best foreign movie Oscar category for next year’s awards, beating the historical epic A Battle of Wits, the action movie Invisible Target, Eye in the Sky, The Detective, The Sun Also Rises and Protege. Read the rest of this entry »
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