[TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film Top 10 Box Office (July 23, 1997)

[Wolverine]

[FLUFF OF THE WEEK] Courtesy of Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Apple Daily, and
Ta Kung Pao

1. This week's Top 10 is dedicated to Sibelle Hu (Wu Wai Chung), who will
marry Dr. Ho Chi Ping, a top Hong Kong eye doctor in mid September.
This is a major event for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Why? Wu Wai
Chung started with the classic Taiwan youth film Foon An, Ho Chi Ping is
a superstar in the Hong Kong medical field. One is involved in politics
and the other is involved in business, thus the couple has tight interaction
with many high level officials in China. It is believed there must be
several tables in order to fill everyone at the wedding banquet.
In recent years Wu Wai Chung has been doing business in China more
than making movies, which indirectly allowed the two to get together.
This is Wu Wai Chung's first wedding. As a member of the "Artists'
Home", their wedding will be Christian.

2. Simon Yam Tat Wa wins the Coolest Nude Male title

Different people from different levels of society have different
views of beauty. Recently when Apple Daily surveyed a group of Institute of
Technology students and public relation escorts at nightclubs for The
Coolest Nude Male in Your Heart survey, the result of both sides are
completely the same: Simon Yam Tat Wa defeated Sky King Andy Lau Tak Wa,
Leslie Cheung Kwok WIng and Tony Leung Chiu Wai by far!
On the 21st Apple Daily selected 6 celebrities who have posed nude
recently, including Lau Tak Wa, Tsui Kam Kong, Yam Tat Wa, Cheung Kwok Wa,
Leung Chiu Wai and Ko Man On (famous designer), then survey a total of 33
people from the Institute of Technology and a certain nightclub in
Tsimshatsui East. The result was over 50% felt Yam Tat Wa was the "most
beautiful nude" and the most attractive, a well rounded cool man.
The second is Lau Tak Wa, but he was far behind Yam Ta Wa. As for
Tsui Kam Kong and Ko Man On, the extreme performances in their photo
collections failed to be noticed by those interviewed.
Summing of the female students' opinions, the majority believes Yam
Tat Wa besides being in great shape, his muscles are tight and he is manly;
Lau Tak Wa got votes because mainly he is very healthy.
Also, some of the answers Apple received from the escorts at the
nightclub were rather entertaining, for example:
Maggie, 23: No matter how I look at it Yam Tat Wa is the sexiest. Tsui Kam
Kong? No way, Yam Tat Wa looks like an excellent sexual partner, handsome
and cool. Although Lau Tak Wa is handsome, he is too short.
So So Ma, 35: Of course I like Yam Tat Wa who is oozing with masculinity!
Tsui Kam Kong has a good body too, but his looking is lacking, perhaps
some older women will like him. Cheung Kwok Wing and Leung Chiu Wai are
too feminine, there isn't too much room for imagination.
Jackie, 25: Yam Tat Wa is the best and in great shape. I think he will
really treat his wife well. These men are the best, well rounded. Cheung
Kwok Wing and Leung Chiu Wai are like little girls.
Shirley, 24: Tsui Kam Kong is really cute, but he looks like he "can't".
Yam Tat Wa is cool enough, he looks smart; Lau Tak Wa doesn't have much to
look at, Leung Chiu Wai and Cheung Kwok Wai are even worse, completely
naked like kids playing. The other guy Ko Man On is big, full of muscle,
but there isn't much beauty to talk about.
Cat, 24: My favorite is Lau Tak Wa, that's it, his good looks kill all.
Yam Tat Wa is pretty good, manly and sexy. Leung Chiu Wai and Cheung Kwok
Wing are like they are still being breast fed. The other man (Ko Man On)
is too huge, like a rock, in term of feeling Lau Tak Wa is better.

Simon Yam Tat Wa: 51.5%
Andy Lau Tak Wa: 21.5%
Tony Leung Chiu Wai: 6%
Tsui Kam Kong: 3%
Others: 18%
Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing and Ko Man On have no supporters

3. The 97 Book Fair is full of Movie Giveaways

The annual Book Fair began also on the 23rd at Wanchai Exhibition
Center. Like years past, this year's book fair has some stands that
sell exclusively film posters and star memorabilia. The most popular this
year is believed to be Wong Jing and Manfred Wong (Man Jun)'s BOB and
Partners Limited film company stand, because there they would have 4 new
film posters and specialties on sale.
Also, Golden Harvest's Leo Koo Kui Kei, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei film
Yit Huet Jui Keung (Hot Blood is the Strongest) will also have a giant
special package available and is expected to lead to a buying frenzy.
In this year's stand, BOB besides selling the soon to be released
We're No Bad Guys (Oi Seung 100% Ying Hung)'s posters and mousepads will
also release Stephen Chiau Sing Chi's new film Lawyer Lawyer (Suen Sei Cho)
mousepads; Leon Lai Ming, Sammi Cheng Sau Man's Killing Me Tenderly (Oi Nei
Oi Doe Sat Sei Nei)'s poster and the production team tee shirt for the large
production Storm Warriors (Fung Wan), all of which are first time releases.
Also, Golden Harvest's Yit Huet Jui Keung also announced during this year's
book fair it will release the film's special package, for HK$30 one can get
mousepads, the soon to be published comic book by Koo Kui Kei, some
discount theater tickets and others. Koo Kui Kei will also sign
autographs at the fair.

Available at the fair:
* Yit Huet Jui Keung special package: mouse pad
* $5 off on the purchase of Leo Koo Kui Lei's album Foon Lok Gum Siu
(Pleasure Tonight) and voucher for his comic book adaptation of the film
* Theater ticket discount and comic version of the poster
*Other film specialties:
We're No Bad Guys mouse pads and posters
Lawyer Lawyer posters
Storm Warriors Tee Shirts
First Love Unlimited VCD and posters

4. Ning Jing suddenly marries and has a baby

The director of the film Lan Ling Wong Wu Shuet Wa days ago arrived
in Hong Kong. Lan is his first time at the director's chair, but he is
full of directorial experience on stage. He once was the youngest stage
director in China, in 87 Jung Gok Mong (China Dream) which he directed
received China Art Festival's Best Performance award. After 87 he went to
study aboard in America and received a Masters and a doctorate in film.
In 95 he returned to China and made Lan. Wu Shuet Wa expressed he
is interested in moving his film making base back to China. Although China's
film market has its ups and downs, television late being more popular than
film, he felt film still is an important media in cultural exchange and
thus movies must be made. Would he abandon the stage? He expressed no
matte what he would leave the stage behind. He hoped on his free time from
making movies to do stage work as well.
Although Lan is a 2 year old work, Wu Shuet Wa felt this is a
production that can stand the test of time. Lan has his innovation. The
film doesn't have much dialogue and completely depends on the cast's body
language to express. The leads in the film aren't purely of Han descent,
Ning Jing is of mixed descent of the Lap Sai tribe and the Han tribe, Yeung
Lai Ping is Caucasian, and the male leads have even more different bloodlines.
Wu Shuet Wa expressed when he chose Ning Jing, she was still an
unknown. He only saw a photo of her and chose her because of her beautiful
eyes which are appropriate for the film's character. After working together
he felt Ning Jing is not a bad actress. Toward Ning Jing suddenly getting
married and having child, he isn't surprised at all. He believed in fate
and it is appropriate it is time for marriage, like himself, who had many
girlfriends overseas, but he met his wife when he returned home to make Lan.
She is also an actress and they have been married for half a year. He said
Ning Jing on June 15th gave birth to a boy. He has seen her before she
gave birth and felt she was very lucky. She even expressed half a year
later she would return to film.
He gave himself 80 points for Lan. The film has earned many
excellent praises and awards and opened to good reaction in America.
Because of that the American company Wayne Wong is a part of asked him to
make Hawaii Story, which will film in Hawaii and South Pacific islands
and in the studio in Shanghai. Because of resources, the entire film
couldn't be filmed in Hawaii. The entire cast will be made up of Americans.
His wife will be with him on this trip and might even play a minor
character.

5. Karen Joy Morris's identity as Stephen Chiau Sing Chi's girlfriend is
clearing up

It would appear Karen Joy Morris (Mok Man Wai) is so in love with
Stephen Chiau Sing Chi she would probably die for him. Besides being
affected by him fashion wise, she even wore Sing Ye's costume from a film?
Chow Sing Chi and Mok Man Wai being a pair has been an open secret
in the industry, but few knows the two have already reached the level of
an old married couple and Mok Man Wai's love for Sing Ye has reached the
level beyond.
After Chow Sing Chi and Mok Man Wai wearing the same style of
undershirt publicly, during the Hong Kong premiere of Men in Black, Mok Man
Wai wore a jacket similar in size and style to the Prada imitation Chow Sing
Chi wore in Lawyer Lawyer!
Reportedly, the Joe Ma Wai Ho directed film Lawyer Lawyer has a
series of Prada imitation costumes that Sing Ye wore during film. After
the film wrapped it wouldn't be surprising that as Sing Ye's other half Mok
Man Wai would select some for herself.
The press would like to find out more from Mok Man Wai, but she
seemed evasive and after pictures for the press she ran into the theater
without saying a word.
Actually by wearing this costume, Mok Man Wai has hinted to the press
that her relationship with Sing Ye is gradually clearing up.

6. Leo Koo Kui Kei is welcomed at the Book Fair

The 8th Annual Hong Kong Book Fair officially opened on the 23rd.
Like years past, many film companies made some of the valuable film posters
and merchandise available. During the first day of the fair, out of all
the merchandise, the out of print Wong Kar Wai film series posters and the
poster of the Leon Lai Ming Sammi Cheng Sau Man film Killing Me Tenderly,
(Oi Nei Oi Doe Sat Sei Nei) is the most popular. Leo Koo Kui Kei's
appearance at the fair also led to a moment of disorder.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, Koo Kui Kei was signing autographs at
the stand where merchandise from his new film Yit Huet Jui Keung (Hot Blood
is the Strongest). As soon as Gei Jai appeared, over 200 fans rushed to
the line. In the end Gei Jai spent 2 hours to satisfy all of the fans'
autograph and photo requests.
Also at the fair, the director Shu Kei distributed Japanese films
Love Letter and Swallowtail Butterfly which stars Andy Hui Chi On also had
merchandise available. Among them the HK$30 Swallowtail Butterfly stamp
set sold fairly well to Hui Chi On.

7. Jordan Chan Siu Chun shows signs of being in love

The mood of Jordan Chan Siu Chun has been lightened quite a bit
since falling in love. On the press conference of the 23rd he even hinted
being with his rumored girlfriend Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen has made him
happier.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the Teddy Chan Tak Sum directed Downtown
Torpedoes (Sun Tau Dip Ying) held a press conference to announce a charity
show to raise fund for the Hong Kong Film Reporters Association formed by
a group of local entertainment reporters. Reportedly Chow Yun Fat has taken
the lead and bought ticket to show support, other superstars in contact like
Jackie Chan and Alan Tam Wing Lan is expected to follow suit.
On the meeting, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei and Mark Wong Hup Hei's
attention was completely stolen by Jordan Chan Siu Chun's happy emotions.
Siu Chun continued to joke with the press as if he took the happy pill.
Suddenly a reporter asked Siu Chun, "Today you look so happy, did you eat
Seung Yuen Ho (Che Yuen Yuen)?" At this time not only did Siu Chun not
get mad, he also replied with a smile, "Yeah! I had the Seung Yuen Ho
(Double Pill Ho), so now I am laughing, Ho Ho Ho!"
The press followed, "For the premiere of Downtown Torpedoes, will you
invite Che Yuen Yuen to come along?"
Siu Chun smiled brighter, "Sure! (Thought for awhile) I will invite
many friends to see this movie, but she doesn't show up then there is
nothing I can do."
Perhaps Siu Chun is really in a great mood. Later he talked to the
press about women and mentioned something from 6 years ago. He said,
"Speaking of women, the one who I fell for the most is (Josephine) Siao Fong
Fong. 6 years ago when I met her for the first time, I was still a dancer.
Because Fong Fong Je saw me dance at a concert, she wanted me to teach her
two daughters to dance. So I went to Fong Fong Je's place and taught the
two children for a period of time. I even danced with Fong Fong Je. She
is naturally elegant." What attracted him to Fong Fong is not just her
well kept looks, her intelligence and manner also attracted him.
On the poster of We're No Bad Guys (Oi Seung Bat Fun Bat Ying Hung)
Chan Siu Chun had to place his head on Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Yuen)'s chest.
Some joked sayig he is a lucky man, but Siu Chun said it's Tsui Yeuk Yuen's
luck having him leaning on her chest.
He admitted during the poster shoot he felt a little awkward and didn't
dare to get too close. When asked about his feeling during the shoot, he
joked it was like hugging a pillow.
Siu Chun expressed making Downtown Torpedoes was very difficult, but
he was very satisfied with the outcome. Even he would never thought he
would be as "cool looking" as the film's special agent design.
In September Siu Chun will begin work on Duke of Deer Cauldron
(Lok Ding Gei) for TVB which will rest for 5 months. He had no expression
since he really likes the character of Wai Siu Bo. He pointed out his
personality is close to that of Wai Siu Bo, as he would begin drooling as
soon as he sees good looking girls.

8. Anita Mui Yim Fong's Vogue cover earned her an article by Stanley Kwan
Kam Peng and photos from Christopher Doyle

Due to their decade long friendship, when Anita Mui Yim accepted the
cover of the Chinese edition of Vogue magazine, director Stanley Kwan Kam
peng helped by personally writing an article titled "Mui Yim Fong's
problem is My problem".
According to sources in Taiwan, because a decade ago Ah Mui and Kwan
Kam Peng worked on the successful Rouge (Yin Ji Kau). After ten years of
friendship, recently Ah Mui's new video gained his help successfully as a
director. When Vogue's Chinese edition recently asked Ah Mui to do their
August cover, Kwan Kam Peng deliberately asked Wong Kar Wai's official
cinematographer To Ho Fung (Christopher Doyle) to photograph her. He even
personally volunteered to write the "Mui Yim Fong's Problem is My Problem"
article for the magazine.

9. Chingmy Yau Suk Ching is punished to eat noodles for bad takes

Recently Sunny Chan Kam Hung finished the Stanley Kwan Kam Peng new
film Yuet Fai Lok Yuet Dor Lok (The Happier The Further Fallen) but expressed
he would have to apologize to Yau Suk Ching because there was a scene in
which Dau Dau was having noodles and he was speaking the dialogue, but for
some reason he had 30 some bad takes in a row and forced Dau Dau to eat
5 or 6 bowls of noodles.
Dau Dau expressed she didn't blame him because he didn't do it on
purpose. After many bad takes, Dau Dau joked she was still hungry and
could eat more, trying not to make Chan Kam Hung feel nervous and affecting
his performance, because he already broke his own record of bad takes.
Dau Dau laughed, "That scene took several hours. I ate full 5
or 6 bowls of noodle. In the film I had to pretend they were good. At
first they did taste pretty good, but after the row of bad takes, my stomach
was full. Later I had to throw up in the washroom, but I couldn't get rid
of all of them. I threw up about 3 of them and still had 3 in my stomach!"
Dau Dau has completed Yuet Fai Lok Yuet Dor Lok and Lawyer Lawyer
(Suen Sei Cho). She would go to Nepal then to Tibet. She has friends
there and she would bring dried mushroom and instant noodle to them.

10. Michelle Khan (Yeung Chi King) becomes the highest paid Hong Kong
actress

After many struggles, Michelle Khan (Yeung Chi King) finally pulled
ahead of Josephine Siao Fong Fong and became the highest paid Hong Kong
actress.
According to reports from Hollywood, Yeung Chi King has accepted the
role in the new film Confucius Brown and her salary has increased to US$1
million. Although that is still quite a distance from other Hollywood
actresses, she has become the highest paid actress in Hong Kong films,
exceeding Siao Fong Fong's HK$5.5 million price tag of last year by 40
some%.
Currently working on Tomorrow Never Dies, Yeung Chi King due to
Supercop is known in Hollywood as the "female Jackie Chan". Earlier,
Hollywood announced officially that the Jackie Chan Wesley Snipes film
Confucius Brown, after Jackie turning down the role and Wesley Snipes
following suit, finally decided to take aim at a different target and asked
"the female Jackie" Yeung Chi King to star with Martin Lawrence.
Reportly, recently Yeung Chi King's salary was hovering around HK$3
million. When she made Ah Kam years ago, because it's her own investment,
her salary was hard to calculate. On the other hand since winning Best
Actress at Berlin Film Festival, Siao Fong Fong's salary got more expensive
film by film. When she announced her retirement last year, her salary
has reached HK$5.5 million.
As for the current top 5 highest paid actresses, the rest are Maggie
Cheung Man Yuk, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Anita Yuen Wing Yi.

Current Hong Kong Actress Salary Chart
Actress Film Salary (HK$)
1. Michelle Khan (Yeung Chi King) 7.8 Million
2. Josephine Siao Fong Fong 5.5 Million
3. Maggie Cheung Man Yuk 3 Million
4. Anita Mui Yim Fong 2.5 Million
5. Anita Yuen Wing Yi 1.5 Million

11. Operation Condor angers the Muslims

According to sources in the U.S., the Jackie Chan and Carol Cheng Yiu
Ling film Operation Condor after being described as defamatory by Arabs,
the local Muslims also used the same term to describe the film and added
Operation Condor is no different than some NAZI films.
Miramax which released Operation Condor in the U.S. replied saying
the film is a classic action film and expressed the film's plot is conveyed
in a humorous fashion and in no way deliberately try to hurt anyone.

12. The category III star "Japanese Winnie Lau Siu Wai" hits Hong Kong films

After Maiko Yuki (Jik Shu Mo Ji), there is a storm of another Japanese
Adult Video star brewing, because the star who has held the number one
spot on the Category III VCD chart for two months at two Mong Kok shopping
centers, Siu Chat Yuen, is scheduled to come to Hong Kong in the beginning
of September to star in the Chan O To directed film 97 Nam Foon Nui Oi
(97 Man Pleasure Woman Love).
Reportedly, known as "the Japanese Lau Siu Wai", Siu Chat Yuen's
current popularity in Japan is soaring through the roof. For her first
time on the big screen, Siu Chat's manager asked for US$200,000. The
Hong Kong film company still felt she is worth every cent.
The 18 year old Siu Chat Yuen not only is the most popular category
III queen in Japan, but also has been number one on the AV star chats for
many weeks. For the past two months in Hong Kong, she has been on the top
of the charts at Mong Kong's Shun Wo Center and Sin Tak Square.
Soon to begin production, Chan O To's 97 Nam Foon Nui Oi besides
successfully signing Taiwan sexy star Tong Tak Wai as its lead actress also
through Siu Chat's management company Japan's Space Planning successfully
signed Siu Chat who also promised during the period not to perform in another
film. It is expected that this Siu Chat heat wave will sweep across Hong
Kong.

13. TVB's Anniversary Serial recycles old recipe

Last year TVB showed a serial Food of Love (Hup Fu Tung Ching).
Although it didn't have a strong cast, starring only Wong Hei and Fannie
Yuen Kit Ying, but the subject of food still made the rating soared. This
year TVB plans to recycle the old recipe and begins production on its
Anniversary Serial Mei Mei Tin Wong (Good Taste Sky Wong) in an attempt to
increase its rating during its November anniversary.
Mei Mei Tin Wong has a stronger cast. Besides attracting an audience
with the delicious food, the show will also have two generations of love
triangles.
On the 24th, Mei Mei Ting Wong's cast appeared with their costumes.
Lydia Shum Din Ha who hasn't made a serial in a long time changed her decade
old hairstyle for the show. In the show her relationship with Paul Chun
Pui will be joined by the recently popular Aunt Ho (Nancy Sit Ka Yin). The
ages of them are over 100 in total, but they are still involved in this
love triangle.
As for the younger generation, Bobby Au Yeung Chun Wa, Kwan Ying Ho,
and Jessica Hester Husuan (Suen Huen) will be involved in a complicated
love story. Two beauties fighting over Au Yeung Chun Wa sounds like a
comical ratings bonanza.
Au Yeung Chun Wa's hair on the 24th suddenly grew back. Although it's
only a wig, he satisfactorily said, "Very satisfying! It's been a long time
since I have so much hair here!"
Also, perhaps because "Fei Je" was there, the serial's press
conference was scheduled for 9:00AM, other actors like Maggie Cheung
Ho Ying, Suen Huen, Kwan Wing Ho and others would not dare to be late
when Fei Je arrived earlier than the scheduled time. Cheung Ho Ying said
she has to pay more attention so she wouldn't become the target of
someone else. Kwan Wing Ho expressed because she will play Fei Je's
daughter and will constantly perform with her, so she doesn't dare to slack
off!

14. Law Siu Fai is caught with Paulyn Sun Kai Kwan

Did the divorce of well off businessman Law Siu Fai have anything to
do with the alleged relationship with Carina Lau Ka Ling? Only those
involved would know; but in the latest issue of Next Magazine, within the
article titled "Special Brokers bring ladies to accompany the wealthy",
there were photos of Law Siu Fai, half intoxicated, whispering into Paulyn
Sun Kai Kwan's ear. It would appear that Ms. Sun's relationship with Law
Siu Fai is as believable as the rumored one with Lau Ka LIng.
In the latest issue of Next, Law Siu Fai on the night of the 14th
spent the night with Sun Kai Kwan at a karaoke place of a Happy Valley
hotel, constantly kissing and embracing outside the hotel, and finally
both left in car heading to the Peak.

15. Model Michelle Saram signs with Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's manager Siu Mei

According to reliable sources, the model from the "Freedom 2"
commercials Michelle Saram has signed with Siu Mei to officially enter the
entertainment business. She would become Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's "little
sister", aiming to work in both music and film.
Michelle is of Chinese and Indian origin and has just finished college.
A part time model, Michelle has expressed interest in the entertainment
business and has her family's support.
Since starring with Kwok Fu Sing on the Freedom 2 commercials, Michelle
immediately became the target of 5 or 6 management companies. Reportedly
both China Star and Wong Kar Wai have approached her.
During the commercial Siu Mei with her unique sights for stars invited
Michelle to star in a Kwok Fu Sing video and also tried to sign her.
Siu Mei admitted she has talked to Michelle about signing with her and
the probability is high. "Until the day she signs nothing has set, but we
are almost done with the talks and are just waiting to sign the contract."
Being able to sign Michelle, Siu Mei said that is because she has
worked with her so Michelle has more confidence in her. Siu Mei said,
"The talks have been very successful, perhaps I have a good reputation!"
Michelle will develop in both the music and film industry. "I have
heard Michelle sing in English, I have confidence in her."

16. Jet Li's My Father is a Hero will be released nation wide in the U.S.

After Jackie Chan's films were released nation wide in the U.S., Jet
Li (Lee Nin Kit) also broke into the American market with his real martial
art. At the beginning of next year in over a thousand U.S. theater My
Father is a Hero (Cup Ba Ba Dik Shun) starring him and Anita Mui Yim Fong
will be released.
Earlier Jet Li arrived in New York to attend the 20th Annual Asian
American International Film Festival, which chose over 30 films worldwide
including from U.S., Canada, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and other places.
Jet Li's Black Mask (Hark Hup) is chosen by the committee as the opening
and closing film, each show individually had over a thousand viewers as
both shows were sold out. The festival has an annual "Asian American
Media Award" to honor those who has contributed to the advancement of Asian
films. Past Chinese winners include Wayne Wong, Ang Lee, Joan Chen,
and Russell Wong.
During the festival one of America's top distributors Miramax has
bought rights to his past films and next year will first release My Father
is a Hero nation wide in America.
Jet Li felt the news strengthened his goal in the U.S., "I found out
I have a lot of fans on this trip to New York. They even made the trip to
New York to see me. I am very happy. Knowing my own movies are this
popular and would be released in America, I have more confidence in opening
the American market. Hopefully this is a new start for me."
Reportedly the American buyers were attracted by his fighting and
the serious production of Father, plus the film's characters are more human.
On the festival, Kit Jai even met international directors Ang Lee and
Wayne Wong. Kit Jai found out Ang Lee is planning an action film and would
like to work with him if opportunity knocks.
Later, Kit Jai will begin work on the Gordon Chan Ka Seung directed
Sat Sau Ji Wong, which of course will not lack action scenes. The film also
stars Simon Yam Tat Wa.

17. Cheung Kam is chosen for the film business

Cheung Kam, a young singer from Shanghai, has signed with Hong Kong
Sum Shun film company as a basic actor. The company currently is focusing
its effort on the special effect production directed by Wong Tai Loi, Sai
Yau Gei (Journey to the West) which will be shooting in Beijing. Cheung
Kam will stay in Shanghai to continue her singing career. Recently
former Chinese Best Actress and Hollywood star Joan Chen will return to
Shanghai to invest in a television serial Lok Kat Juk (Green Card Tribe).
Besides starring herself, she was interested in Cheung Kam for the show.
Cheung Kam also has officially begun her acting work.
In order to concentrate on the series and its U.S. shoot in August,
Cheung Kam quitted her singing gag at a disco nightclub. Joan Chen
encouraged her to concentrate on acting and perhaps the result would be
better than singing, since lately there are too many new singers and it's
not easy becoming a best selling artist. So instead of just becoming a
club singer, she might as well become an actress.

18. Sammi Cheng Sau Man's concert in her new film goes all out with the
promotion

The film Killing Me Tenderly (Oi Nei Oi Doe Sat Sei Nei) was shooting
Chu Kam Mui (Sammi Cheng Sau Man)'s first concert at the Kowloon Tong
College auditorium. Although it's only a film, the production was serious
prop wise. Fresh flowers, promotional poster, and fans club tee shirts were
full prepared, even fans were "created" by the prop crew. Without looking
at it carefully, one would think the cardboard people to be real fans.
Although Cheng Sau Man only acted to paper people, but she didn't
slack off at all, as she goes all out on the prop stage with a full fledge
performance.

19. John Woo felt lucky being respected

John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) on the morning of the 26th arrived in Hong Kong
with his wife. He made the trip to attend the Hong Kong press conference
for Face/Off and his film retrospective on the 27th. Meeting the press, Ng
Yu Sum looked rounder, but still full of spirit.
Having been away from Hong Kong for a year, Ng Yu Sum honestly said
he is more excited than nervous, happy, and moved because in the end Hong
Kong is still his home. Ng Yu Sum's latest Face/Off has been released in
the U.S. for about a month and the box office receipt is near US$100
million. Toward the popularity of the film in America, Ng Yu Sum felt
compensated.
He admitted it was very difficult making this film, but he felt lucky
and respected because he was able to make films that he likes anywhere he
goes. He didn't expect that a 30 year retrospective would be held in his
honor since he always has been low key.
Ng Yu Sum pointed out in the past 30 years he has different stages of
development. During the first decade he worked at Golden Harvest, the second
at Golden Princess and the third in Hollywood.
Ng Yu Sum would like to thank Golden Harvest bosses Raymond Chow Man
Wai, and Leonard Ho Koon Cheung; Golden Princess bosses Ng Siu Chan and Lui
Kok Kwun; every friend who has supported and encouraged him, especially
Tsui Hark and Michael Hui Koon Man.

20. The ban on Happy Together leads to media criticism

Hong Kong Wong Kar Wai fans really don't know how lucky they are,
because they only have to spend a thousand or so at the Book Fair to buy
the Wong Kar Wai film series posters; but in Korea, Wong Kar Wai's out of
print posters cost at least HK$5,000. Recently when he was promoting Happy
Together (Chun Guong Ja Sit), Wong Kar Wai auctioned off a Days of Being
Wild (Ah Fei Jing Juen) personal collection at a Seoul university for
over 10,000 which is likely to be a Hong Kong film industry record.
Days ago, Wong Kar Wai traveled to Korea to promote Happy Together
and also held his touring poster auction which stopped to raise fund for
University of Korea's "Axe Hill Film City". Wong Kar Wai brought his
personal collection of posters with him, a collection which includes the
British version of Days of Being Wild; the French version of Ashes of Time
(Dung Che Sai Duk) and the Hong Kong versions of Chung King Express (Chung
Hing Sum Lum) and Happy Together (Chun Guong Ja Sit) posters. The money
raised would be donated in total to the Film City to nurture new directors.
The poster auction originally was scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM, but
passionate fans began to line up the night ago. During the auction, the
English poster of Wong Kar Wai's earliest work Days of Being Wild had a
base price of K$1, but in the end it was sold for K$1.17 million (about
HK$10,000). The posters currently available at the Book Fair, Happy
Together and Chung King Express, were surprisingly sold for as high as
K$700,000 (about HK$6,300).
What was most moving however is during the auction a loyal Wong Kar
Wai fan rode the train for hours to attend the auction but because the
poster were sold for surprisingly high prices, Wong Kar Wai finally placed
a bid himself as he used K$600,000 (about HK$5,400) for the Ashes of Time
poster then presented it to the fan. The fan without anything to repay
him instantly gave his own pair of glasses to Wong Kar Wai.
Also, although Wong Kar Wai's new film Happy Together is listed as a
banned film in Korea, but when he was promoting there, he still received
the support of the local press. The best selling paper in Korea Central
Daily even ran a four day article condemning the local film board's
unfairness in the treatment of Happy Together and expressed that the Korean
government has killed the right of Koreans to admire Wong Kar Wai's film.

21. Yu Ho Yun returns to Hong Kong to announce her return to the
entertainment business

Earlier posed for a nude photo layout in the Taiwan edition Playboy,
Andy Lau Tak Wa's former girlfriend Yu Ho Yun plans to return to Hong Kong
next week to meet with the viewers here. Yu Ho Yun wouldn't be promoting
for Playboy on the trip but to announce her plans to return to the Hong
Kong entertainment circle.
Yu Ho Yun once worked in the Hong Kong film industry a decade ago. At
the time she was in love with Lau Tak Wa, unfortunately the relationship
did not come to fruition. Her disappointing film career only brought her
back to Taiwan. Years later, Yu Ho Yun's girl next door image has been
broken by her nude photos, which brought attention to her again.
Would Yu Ho Yun attract the attention of category III film makers on
this trip to Hong Kong? Would she meet with her old flame Wa Jai?
Reportedly Wa Jai is filming in Taiwan but next week might take a few days
off for work in Hong Kong. If the pair of old flames meet again in Hong
Kong, would the feeling be different?

22. Lai Sun becomes the fifth theater closed Hong Kong within the year.

Only about 8 months of 97 have passed, no one would have expected 5
theaters to close down due to business maintenance difficulties. With a
decade of history, Lai Sun theater officially closed on the 28th.
Located in Cheung Sha Wan, Lai Sun was the property of Lam Pak Yun's
Lai Sun Group. After the closing, the group will utilize the property for
other commercial purposes.
Reportedly, although Lai Sun did not notify the customers the news of
its closing, the group months ago has decided to close the theater.
According to someone in charge of the theater, currently Lai Sun has about
20 employees, some of whom would be dismissed according to labor laws, and
others would be transferred to service other sections of the Lai Sun group.
On its last day Lai Sun showed The Lost World: Jurassic Park and
Yesterday You Yesterday Me (Gei Dut Heung Jiu Sing Suk Si III Wai Nei Jung
Ching). From the 5:30 PM show, the attendance was nowhere near 10%. Those
who attended were mostly made up of nearby residents. Among them Mr. Lee
expressed indifference toward the sudden closing, saying, "The closing of
Lai Sun wouldn't have any great effect, it's just (go to the theater) not
as convenient."

Theaters closed within this year
Date Theater
July 28 Lai Sun
July 10 Kwok Tai
July 3 Sun Wa
June 1 Pak Lok
March 1 Wong To

23. Charlie Yeung Choi Nei invests a million to establish an image
consultant company

Charlie Yeung Choi Nei's dream since she began working is to own an
image consultant company. Her dream finally came true on the 26th because
she secretly took a million of her hard earned money to invest in an image
consultant company in Kuala Lumpur with friends. During its opening, Gigi
Leung Wing Kei even made the trip to congratulate this young boss and
volunteered to cut the ribbon for Charlie's new company.
On the 26th, The Starz Agency opened in Kuala Lumpur. This consultant
company which provides image redesign and professional photography is
Charlie's million dollar investment. Charlie appeared to be very happy
being promoted to boss.
She said, "I am so happy it's indescribable, because besides being a
boss for the first time, opening this kind of company that creates image
for others has been my dream of many years. I have always wanted to open
a company like this. Why did I choose Malaysia? Because my partners did
market research in Malaysia and discovered currently the people of this
city is beginning to require this service."
"I never thought of the problem of the profit margin, as long as we
receive a project from a large record company the cost would quickly be
even out. In order to get this business going, I have turned down several
film offers. I will be in charge of the company's everyday business,
cosmetics and fashion, so in the short term I will spend a lot of time on
this company."
Among those from Hong Kong who were in Kuala Lumpur for the opening,
besides record company executive Chan Kwok Kei and director James Yuen Sai
Sun, Gigi Leung Wing Kei also appeared and volunteered to be the opening
guest for Charlie's new company. Gigi said, "I always thought Charlie is
very talented in this area. In reality as a live product sample she already
shows quality, so I wouldn't eliminate the possibility of hiring her!"

24. Leon Lai Ming kisses passionately

Leon Lai Ming made a normal and decisive choice! In Killing Me
Tenderly (Oi Nei Oi Doe Sat Sei Nei), Leon Lai Ming, playing the assistant to
singer Sammi Cheng Sau Man, has to pretend to be gay and hold her shoes. As
a sky king he really has done more than his share. The film's director Lee
Lik Chi in order to compensate Leon has arranged two kiss scenes for him,
one with each sex. The guy is the always feminine Wyman Wong Wai Man who
plays the gay manager in the film, and the gal is the flat but good looking
lead actress Cheng Sau Man. Lai Ming can't get any luckier than this!
Although Lee Lik Chi is smart, Lai Ming also made a smart choice.
When he did the scene with Wyman, he did it with camera angles, but when he
kissed Sammi he went all out with a passionate kiss. Even Sammi laughed,
"The deepest impression I got from this shoot is that scene. The result
was very passionate, how passionate? You will know when the film is
released!"
As for Lai Ming, he said, "The scene in which Sammi and I kissed,
because there were several cameras surrounding us, of course we couldn't
use camera angles like I did with Wyman! Actually I don't mind kissing
guys in a film, but if it could be done with camera angles, then I would
definitely follow the director's orders!"
Sammi Cheng Sau Man currently is working on Killing Me Tenderly with
Leon Lai Ming. Cheng Sau Man in the film plays a 3rd or 4th rate singer.
When the screen writers were researching, they asked Cheng Sau Man about her
experience before she became a star.

25. Tsui Hark's book is gaining popularity

Tsui Hark appeared at the Book Fair on the 27th to sign autographs,
attracting many of his fans to attend. A Taiwan publisher has taken the
drawing boards, production processes and others from The Chinese Ghost Story
(Siu Sin) and made a special edition book. Although the price tag of HK$200
was high, it was sold out in the matter of minutes.
Tsui Hark said, "The Taiwan publisher only shipped 300 books to Hong
Kong. Many didn't get a copy and could only bring CD, bookmarks, and posters
for autographs. I kept apologizing while signing autographs, because they
are very disappointed when they missed out on the book purchase."
He expressed his first book and autograph session felt fresh. After
the signing he took a walk to see what other new books are out. He took
the signing very seriously. When there is room he would add a personal
drawing, some fans even brought cameras to take pictures with him.
When asked if he would write a book because many asked him questions
about him and film, he revealed over a decade ago he has begun writing,
writing down his personal feeling toward matter and creativity in order to
understand how his thinking has changed.
He said, "One time James Wong saw them and tried to persuade me into
publishing the essays, but I feel as soon as they are published they become
work and would lead to many criticisms, so I would rather continue to keep
them as my own collection."

26. Turning from strip star to angel, Vivian Hsu buys back rights to her
category III work

Because she worried about her past work will affect the gorgeous
youthful image she has worked so hard to create in Japan, Vivian Hsu (Tsui
Yeuk Suen) is willing to sign a three year deal with her Japanese
management company. After the three years, she can completely regain the
Japanese rights to two past category III films Naked Angel (Chet Lor Tin Si)
and Devil Angel (Mor Gwai Tin Si).
According to sources in Taiwan, recently concentrating her firepower
in a Japanese career, Tsui Yeuk Suen in order to maintain her current healthy
image is willing to do anything to buy back the Japanese rights to the two
category III films she made in Taiwan years ago, Naked Angel and Devil Angel.
Tsui Yeuk Suen said, "I never regretted during category III films and
photo layouts, since it was an attempt. But now I hope to use only my
acting, singing and hosting abilities to attract attention and not to use my
body as the focus."
Actually before Vivian Hsu, Yvonne Yung Hung has used the same method
hoping to buy back from a Taiwan publishers past photos from her category
III films and cable television films, but Yung Hung still doesn't have the
right. On the opposite Tsui Yeuk Suen's Japanese management company Sky
Planning has spotted Naked Angel and Devil Angel and the possible damage to
Vivian Hsu's image early on and has bought the Japanese rights from the
Taiwan company. Tsui Yeuk Suen is still afraid that one day the Japanese
would go back on their words so she came up with the idea of buying the
rights using her name.
Finally, Tsui Yeuk Suen signed a three year deal with Sky Planning,
which stipulated in the contract that a certain amount of the commission
will be held up to buy back the two films' rights. After three years when
Siu Suen's contract is up, she will own the Japanese rights to both films.
Tsui Yeuk Suen is willing to sacrifice in order to completely remove these
two "obstacles". "No matter what, these two films cannot be shown in Japan.
This move has finally removed the nightmare of my heart." Spending two
years to establish a healthy image in Japan, Vivian Hsu is on her way as
she plans for the release of her second album in Japan.

27. Alfred Cheung Kin Ting plans a new film

Alfred Cheung Kin Ting is planning to make a new film about Robin
Hood (Hup Doe Law Bun Hong) which will take place in the modern times. He
hoped to find a foreigner to play the priest and also ask Christine Ng Wing
Mei to join the cast. Ah Ting joked, "But 'Ng Goo Leung' has so much
inheritance she might not accept the work!" Speaking of a foreign priest,
Ah Ting in the past has already benefited from one. When he didn't have
money to make an experimental film it was a Baptist priest who loaned him
HK$2,000. He even remembered the priest's name was "Ha Gau" (Shrimp
Dumpling), but he never returned the money to him because he couldn't find
him. Besides Robin Hood, he will also direct a film for China Star and he
is interested in Maggie Cheung Man Yuk for the lead role but she turned him
down. "Cheung Man Yuk is busy dating so she turned it down, now I can only
find another appropriate actress for the role."
Once presented China in the Olympic Games and took home many gold
medals, Chinese swimmer ?Chong Wing has moved to Hong Kong after her
retirement. Recently he has been the target of director Alfred Cheung Kin
Ting as she will appear in his new Robin Hood film as an action actress.
Cheung Kin Ting said, "This time is really Chong Wong's first time as
a lead, in the past she only did cameos and commercials."
"I feel Chong Wing is very built and is appropriate for the action
roles. In this film I will arrange for her to fight with Almen Wong Pui Ha."

28. Tony Leung Ka Fai refuses to reveal Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's romance

Tony Leung Ka Fai flew to Taiwan on the 27th to film Ching Yi (Love
Loyalty). His wife Kong Ka Nin and their twin daughters were also there at
the airport. Leung Ka Fai's twin daughters are already 5, will Kong Ka Nin
try for a son? She answered, "Definitely!" But Kong Ka Nin and the girls
didn't want to be photographed.
Leung Ka Fai said this trip would only be one day long and returned
the next day. After that he has a 10 day vacation which he will spend with
his family in a sunny and sandy vacation land in Southeast Asia. Last time
they had a family trip was at the end of last year when Leung Ka Fai flew
to Hokkaido for a film festival with he attended with his wife and daughters.
As for Ching Yi, the shoot will continue until the end of September.
He said the shoot hasn't been too rushed, but because of the heat in Taiwan
and he has to always be in a suit in the film, every time work began he
would be in a pool of sweat.
Has he seen his buddy Maggie Cheung Man Yuk lately? Leung Ka Fai
expressed it has been half a year since he has seen Maggie. Although they
are both busy, they still keep in touch through e-mail. When asked if
Maggie will get married soon, Leung Ka Fai expressed the content of e-mail
isn't about love.
Some pointed out the entertainment business has a lot of "sudden"
events, like Christy Chung Lai Tai is "suddenly" rumored to be pregnant.
Someday Maggie might also suddenly be married. Leung Ka Fai answered when
Chung Lai Tai wore loose clothing it doesn't necessarily mean she is with
child, but if she is, he will congratulate her.
Leung Ka Fai hoped outsiders wouldn't hastily say Chung Lai Tai is an
"unwed mother" and joked perhaps Chung Lai Tai is married without the
reporters knowing. The reporters struck back saying perhaps Maggie is
married without them knowing. Leung Ka Fai replied as Maggie's good friend
it isn't his place to ask about Maggie's love life, but Maggie indeed is
very happy, as everyone in love should be.

29. Ah Leck makes Old Time Buddies

Nat Chan Pak Cheung has revealed later he would make a film version
to the successful TVB serial Old Time Buddies (Lan Hing Lan Dai). In the
film he will play Choi Tak Wa and Monica Chan Fat Yung will play Yu So Chau,
and they will appear in their Force of Buddha's Palm (Yu Loi Sun Jeung)
costumes. Besides starring, he will also be the producer and executive
producer of the film. The film will be an million dollar investment and
Hsu Chi will play Josephine Siao Fong Fong instead. He expressed he hopes
the film will have the feel of a film and wouldn't use the entire television
cast thus giving the viewers a feeling of freshness.

30. Raymond Wong Pak Ming hints at Christy Chung Lai Tai's pregnancy

Is Christy Chung Lai Tai really pregnant? Finally there is a clearer
answer! Raymond Wong Pak Ming spoke about her at John Woo's party. He
honestly said first he was suspicious, but lately he believed the chances
are bigger.
Christy Chung Lai Tai's manager Raymond Wong Pak Ming pointed out Tai
Tai has already applied for a 7 to 8 month long vacation and will return to
work in early 98. Wong Pak Ming stressed now he dares not Tai Tai is
pregnant because if she is she herself wouldn't have come out and announced
it.
He pointed out when he signed Tai Tai last May, she just broke up with
her boyfriend and said she would concentrate on work, saying this year she
must make 2 to 3 films. Unfortunately, after Aces Go Place 97 (Jui Gai Pat
Dong) Tai Tai has disappeared.
Wong Pak Ming revealed the loss of the several commercial and films
Tai Tai was negotiating will be over US$1 million. So Wong Pak Ming felt
love is the greatest. He believed Tai Tai at her current level no longer
cares about money and has placed love first.
Rumor has it that Tai Tai's child is fathered by Theresa Lee Yi Hung's
boyfriend. Wong Pak Ming felt the possibility is high because Tai Tai
doesn't have too many friends in Hong Kong and is only more familiar with
Lee Yi Hung and Sheila Chan Suk Lan.
He said, "I really don't know how long Christy has been pregnant, but
during Aces Go Places 97, she constantly jumped around. At the time during
the series of promotions she was very enthusiastic, but later after coming
back from a trip to South Africa and South Pacific with Lee Yi Hung she
began to not be as enthusiastic as before. I would guess 'it' happened
during the trip!" Pak Ming also revealed originally their contract pays
Chung Lai Tai monthly, but Christy didn't take the recent paychecks, hoping
to suspend her position temporarily and return to work after giving birth.
He said although pregnancy is a joyful matter, he has learned his
learn and from now on when he signs a female artist he will stipulate during
the contracted period she would not be allow to carry child.

[Ed. Note: This is getting out of hand. Will Christy PLEASE stand up before
more innocent blood gets involved! Now they are saying the baby is Corey's?
What the ...?]

31. Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing refuses to make a foreign film

Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing flew to Beijing to judge the Fitto Cup
Youth Singing contest. This will also be his last appearance before his
vacation.
Cheung Kwok Wing's vacation will end in October. After the
break he will star in Yim Ho's assassin romance film. In the film he will
play an undercover cop. Reportedly, the film is funded by foreign sources
and will star Hong Kong actors, so half the cast will speak Mandarin and
the other half will speak English. When asked if Gor Gor has any ideal
choice for lead actress, he expressed Maggie Cheung Man Yuk has other
contracts on her hands. As for Rosamund Kwan Chi Lam, he joked if he asked
she would do it, but actors should do their duties first and shouldn't get
involved in casting.
Previously Gor Gor swore he has no interested in making a foreign
film, has he changed his mind? He said, "In the Asian market, Hong Kong is
the best place to work. I still have no interest in making a Western film,
unless the script is good, has meaning, and can speak something for the
Chinese people."
Gor Gor felt foreigners still has a misunderstanding about China,
idea wise there still is a log jam today. Gor Gor expressed there hasn't
been too many foreign films being offered to him because he wouldn't give
his contact number to foreign producers. Last week however a Los Angeles
producer contacted Mrs. Chan (his manager) through the internet and expressed
interest in offering a role to him.
Cheung Kwok Wing didn't response, explaining, "I am not resisting him.
If the character is good it would be left for Tom Cruise! Although in Hong
Kong I can't say I have complete control, but I have worked with many good
directors; I can't go back to playing small roles, sigh! I am too old, I
can't take the shock!"

32. John Woo returns home a successful man

John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) returns to Hong Kong to promote his latest Face/
Off. Because his stay would be short, his schedule was tight. As soon as
he got off the plane he headed to Mei Lai Wa theater to treat his friends
to the movies. On the afternoon of the 28th he attended the press conference
for his new film, and that night he also attended his 30 year film
retrospective to get together with his friends in the business. On the 29th
he headed to Taiwan.
Ng Yu Sum has successfully become a part of Hollywood, the American
box office figure of his new film has surpassed US$100 million. Returning
home with success, John Woo said he finally has "face to see the elders".
Even with today's success, Ng Yu Sum didn't forget the debt he owes his
teacher Cheung Chit.
He said, "While making movies in Hollywood, the advice Si Fu (Cheung
Chit) gave me was to mix the Western techniques with the Eastern spirit,
stressing Eastern spirit to be the traditional one, the spirit of heroes. I
have always used this advice to make movies." Before Ng Yu Sum's talent as
a director was even tapped, Cheung Chit was able to spot it. Ng Yu Sum
expressed soon after he joined Shaws he was still a minor screen writer.
At the time Ti Lung and (John) Chiang Dai Wai was very enthusiastic and
arranged a screen test for him as a third or fourth rate actor. Everything
was ready when Si Fu found out and ordered a cancellation to everything
because Si Fu felt he should concentrate on directing.
Ng Yu Sum said, "At the time I had been in plays and was interested in
becoming an actor also. Since Si Fu and I weren't in contact too often, I
would never guessed he has already noticed my potential. The ones who
understood me the most usually wouldn't be me but the elders, my wife, or my
children. Si Fu's decision then also changed my life." Just the U.S. box
office alone for his latest has passed US$100 million. Even with that
result, Ng Yu Sum expressed making movies still has its pressure, which
isn't from the box office but from the will to make the film better. As for
the box office, he will let the bosses worry about that!
Has Ng Yu Sum gotten a raise? Ng Yu Sum expressed for each film he
only took the director's salary and didn't fight for shares. He didn't
want to reveal how much he is making and only said it is reasonable. With
a good box office performance, making movies from now on will be more
convenient. In the past there were those who made small gestures when he
makes movies, now that no longer happens.
On the night of the 27th Ng Yu Sum arranged at the Mei Lai Wa theater
a special screening of Face/Off for his friends. Out of the insiders who
attended, the most surprising attendees was his Si Fu Cheung Chit.
Earlier when the Golden Bauhinia award honored Cheung Chit, Wai Ying
Hung accepted the award for him and revealed Si Fu is living in seclusion
in Hangzhou. The reporters asked Director Cheung if he came to Hong Kong
just for the film, surprisingly he said Siu Hung made it up and he has
always been in Hong Kong. He even gave the reporter his fax number for
convenient contact.
He said, "But the truth is I am old and am not too appropriate to
attend these public affairs. This time I came for Ng Yu Sum. I care about
how he is doing recent and also admire the love he has placed in his film."
He expressed currently he also abandoned film production. Normally
he reads and writes a little. Although his health isn't great, he was
spirited.
In the past Mrs. Ng Yu Sum has complained that her husband has given
all the romance to film. After going to America, John Woo began to pay
more attention to family. Every time he returned to Hong Kong his wife is
always by his side and the couple has been a lot of loving. Mrs. Woo used
The Emperor of Japan and Queen of England to describe her position.
"When we were in Hong Kong, Ng Yu Sum is the Emperor of Japan. I
always walked a step behind him. After arriving in America, I became Queen
of England and walked ahead of him, and he has become the Royal Consort
taking 3 steps behind me."

33. Chow Yun Fat and John Woo team up again after 5 years

When John Woo returned to Hong Kong to promote Face/Off, he received
a hero's treatment. Besides the entertainment veterans, even international
superstars like Chow Yun Fat and John Lone attended the showing.
Attendees of the television program Guong Sing Ching Wai 30 Nin (Movie
Memory 30 years) includes Golden Harvest boss Choi Wing Cheung, Michael Hui
Koon Man, and Tsui Hark, Simon Yam Tat Wai, Karen Morris (Mok Man Wai), Tony
Leung Chiu Wai, Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Michael Wong Man Tak, Waise Lee Chi
Hung, Ng See Yuen, Crystal Kwok Kam Yun, Paul Chun Pui and Terry Robin Kwan.
Most of the attention however fell on the appearances of Chow Yun Fat and
John Lone. Chow Yun Fat even revealed he has set to star in John Woo's new
film King's Ransom, the first time the two have paired up in 5 years.
On working with Fat Jai again, Ng Yu Sum said, "In the beginning of
next year we will film King's Ransom, a Fox picture which will cost about
US$80 million. Fat Jai is the main lead. The genre is an treasure hunting
adventure action comedy."
As for Fat Gor, he honestly said he has wanted to work with Ng Yu
Sum for a long time and isn't afraid others say he is Ng's official actor.
When asked about Time Magazine comparing him and John Woo to the team of
Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, Fat Gor said, "Each director has his
or her favorite actors, like Wong Kar Wai who always uses Tony Leung Chiu
Wai. Only Ng Yu Sum and I had worked together for many years at Cinema
City, we have a bond." He felt he can work just as well with Ringo Lam
Lan Tung. He personally hopes he can create sparks with different directors.
When asked to describe Ng Yu Sum with one phrase, Fat Jai said, "Ng
Yu Sum is a good chef, besides cooking well, he also makes outstanding
films."
Recently the talk of the show has been Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Leslie
Cheung Kwok Wing bearing their behinds for Happy Together. Actually in
term of showing the rear, who can compare to the King of last generation
Chow Yun Fat. Years ago Fat Jai has been showing his backside and showed
it over and over. After getting married, however, Fat Jai saves it all for
Fat So. Fat Jai joked that now he is in Hollywood Fat So has to hide the
goods for herself.
Fat Jai said, "I can't do it now, I am not in as a good shape as Wai
Jai and Gor Gor, seeing them makes me tense and wants to pinch them."
Some said the foreign moon is room. After "soaking in foreign water"
perhaps his "moon" is rounder than before. "It is rounder, but it's
round and loose. It isn't tight enough."
Seeing many past classics at the John Woo retrospective, Fat Jai said
these films brought him many joy, fame, fortune and different views on life.
"Seeing many old friends, I felt time has certainly passed by quickly. Just
like that it has been ten years. Although I lost some time and a little
freedom, acting is a happy job. The only pain is from not having a movie to
make, luckily for now there isn't that kind of pain."

34. Ng See Yuen and John Woo get along well

On the 28th Ng See Yuen supported his buddy John Woo's film. He
expressed what made him happiest is he could ask Ng Yu Sum to attend next
April's Hong Kong Film Award ceremony as a guest. This year he also
invited him, but because he has to rush through the shoot, he couldn't
attend.
He said after becoming the chair of HKFA, every year he has many
target figures in his mind who he hopes to invite as attendees because HKFA
also needs many stars to support it. Although they have never worked
together, he expressed as someone from Hong Kong he felt proud for his
buddy.
Ng See Yuen joked he also has made films overseas, but they are
different from Ng Yu Sum's because his films are independent productions
and Ng Yu Sum's films are large company productions.
Tony Leung Chiu Wai praised Ng Yu Sum to be a good man because he
lets his actors loose. He said, "When we were filming Bullet in the Head
(Dip Huet Seung Hung) in the Philippines, he saw I was afraid of the dark
and gave me his larger room and took the smaller room instead; also, in
order to give me a good night sleep, he got me drunk every night. Once I
overslept, the director didn't wake me and waited for me at the lobby. I
will never forget that." He also said he is very happy for the director for
his success in Hollywood. As for when he will join him, Wai Jai joked his
English isn't fluent enough how can he make a movie?
Mui Shuet Si attended the showing by herself. She expressed she was
in the Ng Yu Sum directed Opera film Princess Chang Ping (Dai Nui Fa). At
the time he was already a famous director, but it was his first film of the
sort. His attitude toward work is very serious. In order to have them
performing with real emotions, he waited quietly for the cast even when
everyone is ready.

35. Carina Lau Ka Ling and Tony Leung Chiu Wai make Hoi Seung Fa

Carina Lau Ka Ling and her boyfriend Tony Leung Chiu Wai team up to
make Hou Hsiao Hsien's new film Hoi Seung Fa (Flower on the Sea). In the
film they wouldn't be a couple. She felt this way is more free.
Ka Ling said, "In real life we are already a couple, so on the film
I don't want to because we are used to each other's looks in real life and
on film the exchange wouldn't be as free. This time is the director's
arrangement, as Wai Jai pairs with Maggie Cheung Man Yuk. Wai Jai and I
only have scenes together. The other lead actress is Michelle Reis (Lee Ka
Yun)." She said the film will begin production in October. Currently Wai
Jai and she have begun preparing for their performance. They are studying
the position of opium smoking for the film. The film will shoot in Taiwan
and Suzhou. Because the film will require Suzhounese, she joked she is in
a better position. What makes her the happiest is working with Hou Hsiao
Hsien. Since Wai Jai worked with him on City of Sadness, she has wanted to
work with him. She doesn't feel large pressure because she has confidence
in the director. Also the cast is full of good actors, she expects the
shoot will be very joyful.

36. Bruce Lee Association keeps the spirit alive after over 20 years

Upon studying the Hong Kong Bruce Lee Association publication, I
discovered it was until 1995, 22 years after Bruce Lee's passing, when Hong
Kong officially established the Bruce Lee Fan Club. Many people, myself
included, thought there was already a fan club when Bruce Lee was alive.
Who knew there wasn't, at least not an official one.
Establishing a fan club as late as 95, the association founders are
all very young, proving Bruce Lee's attraction is no less. When their idol
passed away in 73 perhaps they were even born or just a few years old. It
is rare they would work so hard to form the organization to "spread Bruce
Lee's martial art, philosophy and cinematic art". Recently the club also
held an exhibit and a film showing to memorialize the 24th anniversary of
Bruce Lee's passing.
Bruce Lee was born on November 27, 1940, and died on July 20th, 1973.
If he didn't die, he would have been 56 and perhaps still a superstar, or
perhaps he would have gone through hell and lost his legendary light.
Dying young added mystery to his legend, but the lost is great because life
is too expensive.
I always feel Bruce Lee's contribution to the spread of Chinese Kung Fu
in the world is great, but to further Chinese kung fu which strengthens the
body, improves the inner self, promotes both mind and body excellence and
the union of the body and the spirit there must be followers to study and
to spread the message and to complete Bruce Lee's dream of making martial
art and philosophy as one.
Bruce Lee's great contribution is bringing pride to Chinese kung fu, to
show the world kung fu isn't the outdated punches and kicks and instead
is an agile and intelligent martial art. If one only learned his strong,
masculine and cocky outside without concentrating on the strengths of the
agile changes and openly accepting the strengths of each martial art one
cannot be exactly Bruce Lee. If one ignores the training within, there is
no way to realize Bruce Lee's unfulfilled wish.
Of course, the magic of film exaggerated his "special power". At the
same time he also brought to Hong Kong films a new spirit, a new identity,
and a new movement which also affected film everywhere including Hollywood.
In reality, Bruce Lee is a born again performer. Earlier in the 50's as a
child star he performed in ?Sai Lo Cheung (Kid Cheung), The Orphan (Yun Hoi
Goo Hung) and other Cantonese films in which he already showed his unique
identity, spirit, and movement.
Bruce Lee isn't the first international Chinese film star, but he is
the first one who truly had international drawing power. Among the world of
film stars, only a few could be like him and have many biographic films,
including the 90's Hollywood version Dragon: Bruce Lee Story. His son
Brandon Lee Kwok Ho's fatal accidental during filming added to the tragic
legend.
During the 50's and 60's Hong Kong had an unbelievable amount of
child stars and not just Bruce Lee. Josephine Siao Fong Fong is still
popular today, Fung Bo Bo's acting is very good, Yuen Siu Fai is a multi
talented Cantonese opera star, and there is the "Broadcast Prodigy" Raymond
To Kwok Wai, who is now a famous Hong Kong screen writers. - Shek Kei

37. Ricky Hui Koon Ying gets help from his brothers for his concert

Ricky Hui Koon Ying in September will have a 2 show concert at the
Hong Kong Coliseum, a dream he has waited for 20 or 30 years!
So far the only performing guest will be his brother
Michael Hui Koon Man. Michael will support his brother in a stand up
routine. As for his younger brother Sam Hui Koon Kit, it has been rumored
Ah Sam will step foot on stage again for his brother. Ah Ying again
clarified, "Ah Sam this time will only help me doing the planning, he isn't
my guest performer because Ah Sam doesn't want to diverge everyone's
attraction from me, so he doesn't even plan to attend the press conference."
Speaking of Ah Sam, Ah Ying is so moved he was choked up, "This
little brother is really devoted to me. What I owe him I can never repay
in this lifetime, like for my concert, he is more nervous than I am.
Everyday as soon as he gets up he is thinking about the concert for me.
Sometime I really don't want to see him work so hard for me. I once said
to him I would rather abandon the idea of the concert than to have him work
so hard, but he consoled me instead. I know without Ah Sam's support, I
would never see the day my dream comes true."

38. Alan Tam Wing Lan will sing the song that made Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing
famous

Alan Tam Wing Lan ran into Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing at the Fitto Cup
National Youth Singing Contest, since both are judges for the contest. Alan
said he had fun talking to Cheung Kwok Wing and on his next collection he
will remake the song that made Gor Gor famous, Fung Gai Juk Chui (Wind
Continues to Blow). He joked, "I am a Nineties new comer. After singing
Fung Gai Juk Chui I will definitely be famous, just like Cheung Kwok Wing
in the past." Alan expressed he tried his best to introduce golf to Cheung
Kwok Wing, hoping someday they can play together.

39. Michelle Khan (Yeung Chi King) will promote the New James Bond film
worldwide

Terence Chang (Cheung Ka Chun) is the manager of Chow Yun Fat and
Michelle Khan (Yeung Chi King). He felt Fat Jai recently has reduced his
production and he needs to increase his work load. As for Yeung Chi King
she is currently shooting the new James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies in
English and has another film in negotiation.
Cheung Ka Chun expressed he has visited Yeung Chi King earlier. The
film has designed many action scenes for her to show her skills. Being
also the Bond girl who has the heaviest role in Bond film history, Yeung
Chi King has given her all to perform. When he visited her on the set, she
had to jump with two heavy machine guns in her hands. Perhaps due to the
weight of the guns, Yeung lost her center of balance and fell on the floor.
Since her waist injury hasn't heal completely, she was in so much pain she
had to see the doctor. Among the many doctors on the set she has one who
specializes in acupuncture. Although the injury wasn't major, he is familiar
with her personality. Even in a lot of pain she didn't say a word so he can
only ask her to be careful. The film is expected to wrap by August.
The other film in negotiation was originally offered to Jackie Chan,
but Jackie has turned it down and now after changing the script Michelle is
approached. Because Yeung has to promote the James Bond film in December
world wide, if the film can begin shooting in October, be completed in two
months and has a good script, the chances of her accepting is high.
Cheung Ka Chun also revealed recently he and John Woo formed a Lion
Mountain Production Company. From now on when Woo makes a movie, this
company will be responsible for production. As for John Woo's collaboration
with Tom Cruise which plans to shoot in China, Terence has made initial
contact with the authorities. Since the script is still in preparation,
there is no estimated time when the film will begin production.

40. Silver Short Take, Sing Tao Daily, Friday, July 25th, 1997
6 Summer Hong Kong films took in 44 million total with Full Alert leading
the pack

The Summer Hong Kong movies have reached its third slot. Speaking in
terms of income, the result is mixed. Since the end of June there has been
six Hong Kong films rushing to open in the Summer season, taking in a total
of HK$44 million.
Comparing to the past, the figure is very low. Last summer the same
two months had 17 films released, taking in a total of 130.4 million.
The year before that also saw 17 films opened with a total of 202 million.
Obviously there is no comparison.
Although one can say this year Hong Kong only has 3 theater chains
naturally the income would be less, the box office figures of the films are
still disappointing. The highest grossing one so far is L-O-V-E Love (Chiu
Cup Mo Dik Jui Nui Jai) which only took in 100.03 million, quite a distance
from the 30 or 40 million figure from 95.
Recently, the two UFO productions have been sacrifice lambs under the
weaken market. Aces Go Places 97 (Jui Gai Pat Dong) also did not make any
money due to its enormous cost. Cause We Are So Young (Kau Luen Kei) left
the theaters with over 6 million which is also disappointing. Destination
9th Heaven (Chung Seung Gau Chung Tin) opens today, from the reaction of
the midnight sneak preview show, its box office is also expected to perform
poorly.
This summer the entire world is focusing on Sing Jai (Stephen Chiau
Sing Chi)'s Lawyer, Lawyer (Suen Sei Cho). If the film's total receipt
doesn't exceed 30 million, this year's Hong Kong film total income might
fall through the 100 million mark. Even discount day everyday wouldn't be
much use.
Among the films the better performer at the box office is the Ringo
Lam Lan Tung directed Full Alert (Go Doe Gai Bei). Its opening day figure
(950,000) and the holiday box office (1.3 million) leads the Hong Kong films.
On Monday it even beat all of the Western films and became the daily box
office champ (720,000) which led to high hopes for its box office. Lam Lan
Tung's The Adventurers (Dai Mo Him Ga) in 95 with Andy Lau Tak Wa only took
in 100.04 million, we will see if Full can break that figure. So far it
has taken in nearly 6 million.

41. South China Moring Post Internet Edition, July 25th, Entertainment
Dancer who became an all-round star

So who's a Big Deal then? Jordan Chan Siu-chun, that's who. At least,
that is the name of his debut solo album, a name he says he was "forced" to
use be cause of the way the public makes mountains out of molehills.
"It's all because of the way people behave. Some things are really
simple, but they make such a big deal out of things," he said in a deadpan
manner.
"I think it is great and really appropriate that someone has written a
song about it."
The song, composed by Grasshopper member Calvin Choi Yat-chi with lyrics
by Commercial Radio disc jockey Wyman Wong, about how people gossip about
totally irrelevant things, is the first single from Chan and marks a new
beginning for the former dancer turned actor.
"I'm quite happy with the album," said Chan. "And the feedback I have
heard so far has been that people like the album.
"But I only give myself 80 . . . no, 70 points for this. Better to leave
some for later.
"But I think this album is quite representative of who Chan Siu-chun is.
You know, the songs are kind of playful and sor sor tei [a little crazy]
which is what I am, but it also has its serious moments.
"And, the cover of the album is also very typically me, I think. If you
put another face on it, would it work as well? I don't know. I think I have
really found the right sound for myself and I hope that people will listen
to it and find out what I'm like."
The former public housing estate boy is certainly a big deal in the film
world these days, although he never started off with dreams of being an
actor.
Chan drifted into a show-business career when his fondness for
discos led him to audition for a TVB dancers' training class.
He ended up being a backup dancer for established singers such as Alan
Tam Wing-lun, Roman Tam and Anita Mui Yim-fong. Four years ago, when image
designer and star manager Clarence Hui Yuen decided to form a singing-
dancing trio, Chan officially became "Wind" of Wind Fire Sea.
A year later, however, Chan got his big break in Twentysomething,
playing a young man who lived for casual sex until one partner kills herself.
Twentysomething was followed quickly by a smaller, but no less
outstanding role in Peter Chan Ho-sun's He's A Woman, She's A Man. The
former dancer was star of the year when he won the best newcomer award for
Twentysomething and best supporting actor for the latter film at the Hong
Kong Film Awards in 1995.
Since then he has appeared in about 20 films: the latest to make it to
Hong Kong screens being Yim Ho's Kitchen and the comedy Wedding Days, now
playing at Hong Kong cinemas.
He has also managed to nab the starring role in Springtime Productions'
first full-scale stage musical That's Entertainment, and was also recently
roped into do the dubbing for Tsui Hark's new animated feature, A Chinese
Ghost Story.
In between doing promotion work for Big Deal, he is working on a new
movie and will be flying off to Bulgaria to make another one with Shannon
Lee, daughter of late kung fu legend Bruce Lee.
Not a bad track record for one who has been a frontline player for
only three years. Things certainly have been going well for Chan, but while
others may have felt a little overawed at the speed with which it has all
happened, Chan proclaims it "just right".
What else is there left to do, one is tempted to ask. "There are always
plenty of things to do," he said.
"Just because you have done something, does not mean you cannot come up
with something new when you do it again. Each role can be interpreted
differently."
Most of the parts he has played have been supporting roles, although he
is slowly taking on more important parts, such as in Kitchen. Chan does not
mind playing second fiddle to someone else.
"I've never minded that. I think that is the only way of making sure I
don't limit myself. When others cast me in a role, they will naturally
choose me because I am suitable. Whether it is the male lead, or the second
lead, or even a 20 second cameo, it is the director's choice. As long as he
thinks I am suitable, then that's it," he said.
His next project - due to start in September - will be a long one
involving more scenes than he has ever done before: the 40-episode remake of
the popular TVB series Duke Of Mount Deer, which made a household name of
Tony Leung Chiu-wai more than a decade ago.
The 30-year-old is not in the least worried that his performance might
draw comparisons to Leung's.
"There's nothing to worry about. The old show was more than 10 years ago,
the new one will be different," he said.
"In fact, I can't wait to start work on it because I have heard so much
about how arduous television work is. I want to experience it for myself.
Right now, I am confident I can tackle it without any problem."
Whatever roles he takes on, admitted Chan, he will still largely be
playing himself. "Every role is me," he said. "For every role any actor
takes on, he has to first understand and absorb the role and then re-
interpret it using his own insights into the character. You can't really
'act' out a role because you won't be convincing."
He knows that some critics have accused him of "being himself" too much
in his acting.
It does not bother Chan any more. "It's a lot better now. Before that,
I was always confused about who I really was. I mean if I acted myself then
people criticised me," he said.
"If I didn't, then people said I didn't do well enough.
"It's the same with singing. If I put a lot of effort into it and dance
a lot, then some people say I am trying to emulate so-and-so.
"But if I just stand there and sing, then they say I'm not showing
respect for the occasion. You can't live your life worrying about what
people will say; it is better now that they have accepted me the way I am."
Working on Big Deal has been a new experience for Chan. Not only was it
the first time he has been in a studio to record an album, he was also doing
it fresh from his stint as the male lead in That's Entertainment, which
required him to sing, dance and act. "It was a really good experience. All
those months of rehearsals and brushing up on singing and dancing really
taught me a lot.
"When I went into the studio again, I felt different and I know I just
adopted a new way of singing," Chan said. It is an experience he is quite
eager to repeat, adding that director Clifton Ko has already promised him
another role to star in.
"I hope he keeps his word. I want it to happen quickly," he said.
Films, records, stage musicals and television series are a tall order
for the hardiest of stars, but Chan says with the vigour that he is known
for: "I can handle it."
---
[New Films]

The Chinese Ghost Story
Can: Siu Sin
Producer, Story, Original Screenplay: Tsui Hark
Director: Andrew Chen Wai Man
Character image design: Frankie Chung Hong Chiu
Character Animation Director: Tetsuya Endo (Yuen Tung Jit Joi)
Cantonese Voices: Jan Lamb Hoi Fung (Ning), Vivian Lai Shui Yun (Lan), Tsui
Hark (Solid Gold), Eric Kot Man Fai (Ten Miles), Raymong Wong Lau Man (White
Cloud), James Wong Jim (Red Beard), Anita Yuen Wing Yi (Shine), Charlie
Yeung Choi Nei (Butterfly), Kelly Chan Wai Lum (Madame Trunk), Jordan Chan
Siu Chun (Mountain Evil), Ronald Cheng Chung Kei (Fu)
Mandarin Voices: Nicky Wu (Ng Kei Lung) (Ning), Linda Wong Hing Ping (Lan),
Tsui Hark (Solid Gold), Tommy Su (So Yau Pang) (Ten Miles), Sammo Hung Kam
Bo (White Cloud), Lee Li Chun (Red Beard), Sylvia Chang (Cheung Nga Ka)
(Shine), Liu Jo Ying (Butterfly), Madame Trunk (Yon Fan), Lo Ta Yu (Mountain
Evil), Ronald Cheng Chung Kei (Fu)
Rating: I
Length: 80 mins

Ning is a righteous youth who works hard to survive and abandons his
girlfriend Siu Lan. One day, Siu Lan marries, but the groom isn't him.
Siu Lan even returns the puppy Gum Kin (Solid Gold) he gave her to him.
Ning continues with his travels and meets fierce ghosts and nasty monsters,
luckily he is rescued by ghost catching monks Bak Wan (White Cloud) and Sup
Fong (Ten Miles). Ning arrives in ghost town Kwok But Yuen, but instead of
being a scary city, it is cute and strange which leads to comedy. During
the period he meets female ghost Siu Sin (Shine), who Ning falls for in
first sight, unfortunately Siu Sin is ordered to seek souls by her master,
who even sends Siu Dip (Butterfly) to find her......

Destination -- 9th Heaven
Can: Chung Seung Gau Chung Tin
Lit: Rush Up 9 Levels of Heaven
Producer: Raymond Wong Pak Ming
Original work by: Leung Fung Yi
Director: Wong Chun Man
Casting: Tony Leung Ka Fai, Winston Chao (Chiu Man Suen), Gigi Lai Chi,
Christine Ng Wing Mei, Poon Hung, Sunny Chan Kam Hung
Rating: I
Length: 91 mins.

Wealthy merchant Chin Ching, for his daughter Chin Mong, took the pain of
leaving his beautiful and individualistic girlfriend Yik Cho Wai, who then
leaves Hong Kong. Seven years ago, Chin Mong is a researcher at Harvard's
physics department. Writing a thesis titled "China's Aeronautics
Development", she receives help from scientist Jiang San through her
father. Gradually, Chin Mong finds herself deeply attracted to Jiang San,
but Jiang San still deeply loves his wife. Meanwhile, Yik Cho Wai
suddenly returns to Hong Kong......

Village of Dream
Can: Mong Ji Chuen
Lit: Dream Village
Director: Higashi Yoichi (Tung Yeung Yut)
Cast: Matsuyama Keigo (Chung San Hing Ng), Matsuyama Shogo (Chung San Cheung
Ng), Harada Mieko (Yuen Din Mei Ji Ji), Nagatsuka Kyozo (Cheung Chun Gaing
Sam)
Rating: IIA
Length: 112 mins.

Kochi Japan 1948. Twin brothers Seizo and Tashima Yukihiko are full of
artistic talent but are made fun of by classmates in the village, so the two
pair up in play, fishing by the stream, bird catching in the forest and
becoming one with nature......

Surveillance
Can: Mai Fok
Lit: Ambush
Director: Huang Jian Xin (Wong Kin Sun)
Cast: Feng Gong (Fung Gong), Niu Zhen Hua (Ngau Chun Wa)
Rating: I
Length: 100 mins.

Murder rate recently rises in a city by the sea. The police feels it is
the work of a criminal organization and sets many surveillance points in the
area in order to catch the killer. A factory health department worker Yip
Man Ju and chief Old Din are transferred to the police department and are
placed in charge of the surveillance of a lonely little red house. The two
have always done their jobs until Yip Man Ju's girlfriend mistakes him for
having an affair and wants to break up with him, as Yip Man Ju decides he
can no longer continue the surveillance duty......

The File Of Young Kindaichi
Can: Gum Din Yut Siu Nin Si Gei Bo
Lit: Kindaiichi Youth Incident Book
Original work: Masamaru Amaki (Tin Shu Jing Yuen)
Original art: Yosaburo Kanenari (Gum Sing Yeung Sam Long)
Director: Chiugo Araki (Fong Muk Chung Ng), Michi Himeno (Gei Ye Mei Ji)
Art Direcotr: Junichi Taniguchi (Guk Hau Heung Ji)
Music: Tetsuya Komuro
Rating: IIA
Length: 94 mins.

Musical Murder Case -- Kindaiichi (Gum Din Yut) and Miyuki (Mei Shuet) are
invited to attend Phantom of the Opera at an open house on Utajima island.
Soon after their arrival, a series of murder occur as the cast members of
the show are mysteriously murdered. The traces the murderers left are
unbelievably similar to that of the show......Kindaiichi like his
grandfather the famous detective Kindaiichi swears to reveal the true killer!

[ Info from Ryan's Movieworld, http://www.movieworld.com.hk and Netvigator,
http://www.netvigator.com ]

Chinese Chocolate
Can: Lok Liu
Lit: Fallen Bird
Director: Chu Yin
Cast: Diana Peng Tan, Chu Yin, Wong Pak Siu, James Purcell

In 1986, two young Chinese women who don't know each other board a plane
to Canada full of hopes for the new land. Once arrived, the pair change
their names to Jesse and Camille and quickly meet up with all kinds of men.
For survival and love, they bitter struggle until the end, when fate
finally brings the two together......

Can: Boon Sun Yuen
Lit: Half Life Fate
Director: Ann Hui On Wa
Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Ng Sin Lin, Ge You

Lawyer, Lawyer
Can: Suen Sei Cho
Lit: Calculate Death Grass
Director: Joe Ma Wai Ho
Cast: Stephen Chiau Sing Chi, Eric Kot Man Fai, Karen Joy Morris (Mok Man
Wai), Chingmy Yau Suk Ching, Wyman Wong Wai Man, Lan Sai, Bowie Lam Bo
Yi, Lee Kin Yan, Moses Chan Ho, Chung King Fai, Lee Siu Kei, Law Kar
Ying
Guest Stars: Cheung Tat Ming, Vincent Kuk Tak Siu, Simon Lui Yu Yeung,
Tats Lau Yi Tat, Spencer Lam Seung Yi, Paul Foronoff (Fong Bo Law),
Annabelle Lau Hiu Tung

Downtown Torpedoes
Can: Sun Tau Dip Ying
Lit: Godly Thief Spy Shadow
Director: Teddy Chan Tak Sum
Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Charlie Yeung
Choi Nei, Theresa Lee Yi Hung, Mark Wong Hap Hei

A.T.M is a high tech industrial espionage organization, its member are
Jackal, Cash, and Titan, who will field all kinds of industrial espionage
assignments for the organization. One day, they are all arrested by G-team,
as the mysterious go between who has never been seen turns to be a woman,
Sam. G-team superior Stanley coerce them into helping the police on a
secret mission: to steal counterfeit currency plates out of the British
intelligence agency's Hong Kong base. The four finally accept this
mission. Sam finds a national defense network expert Phoenix to help the
trio. The five collaborate and come up with a detail plan to enter the
base. Although they successful obtain the plates, they fall into Stanley's
trap......

Killing Me Tenderly
Can: Oi Nei Oi Doe Sat Sei Nei
Lit: Love You to Kill You
Director: Lee Lik Chi
Cast: Leon Lai Ming, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Wyman Wong Wai Man, Lai Yiu
Cheung

Theft Under the Sun
Can: Ho Ching Koi Tin
Lit: Passion Cover Sky
Director: Cha Chuen Yi
Cast: Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Gigi Lai Chi, Michael Wong Man Tak, So Chi
Wai
---
[Yakety Yak]
The views and opinions Expressed here are purely those of the Chaffing
Editor and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office,
its contributors and affiliated web sites.

Just out of curiosity, how many readers here face the problem I have lately:
I put in a tape in the VCR, a movie I have been wanting to see, then all of
a sudden I got so bored and uninterested and suddenly I am doing my taxes?
I found myself doing this in the theater too of all the places. Is it my
attention span or have movies world wide turned into something uninteresting
and dull? So far the only movie that kept me awake in the theater is Men
in Black!

Someone said it's the darkest before the dawn. I don't think the Hong Kong
film industry can get any darker than this. (Just wait until next year,
huh?)

Your Chaffing Editor.

"I think the best way to celebrate The Opium War's release in cities all
over China is to utilize the open free market. By giving away toy opium
smoke pipes with the purchase of a hamburger at every McDonald's in China,
everyone is reminded not to forget the lesson history has taught."

- Ho Si Wing, Sing Tao Daily film critic
---
[Matt's URL]

Lawyer, Lawyer
http://www.meiah.com/lawyer/index.htm

A Chinese Ghost Story
http://imsp008.netvigator.com/chineseghoststory/poster/index.html

Cause We Are So Young
http://www.chinastar.com.hk/rele/left.htm

The Wedding Days
http://www.movieworld.com.hk/ufo

The File Of Young Kindaichi
http://www.hkstar.com/one

Television Broadcast Limited
http://www.tvb.com.hk

Fly Boy, Fly
http://www.hkstar.com/fly

Ah Fai The Dumb
http://www.meiah.com/ahfai/index.htm

City Entertainment Magazine
http://www.webhkcorner.com/cityent/

Tai Seng's Home Page (In Chinese)
http://www.taisengentertainment.com/

[The Classified Ad]

* Hong Kong Top 10 Box Office is STILL looking for volunteers for the
assistant news editor position(s). Ability to read and translate
Chinese is a must. Ability to view Chinese on the internet,
especially the World Wide Web is required. If interested, please
send inquiries to the addresses below.

[New York Area Concerts]

* Grasshopper in Concert '97
Trump Marina Hotel and Casino
Atlantic City NJ
Sunday, AUG. 17, 1997 1AM
$90, 60, 45

Tickets are available at:
Starbright Lucky Inc.
396 Broadway Rm 200A
Tel: 212-965-1020
Fax: 212-965-1019

Man Nin Wa restaurant: Sat., Sun. 8:30 AM-3:00 PM
Hoi Wan seafood restaurant: Mon. to Sun. 8:30 AM-closing

* Cass Phang (Peng Ling) and Andy Hui Chi On in Concert 1997
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
Mark G. Etess Arena
Atlantic City NJ
Sunday, AUG. 24, 1997 2AM 2PM
$110, 70, 45, 30 All Taxes Included
One Ticket for One person only, regardless of age
Audio or video recording are prohibited

Tickets are available exclusively at:
Raymond Miu Production Inc.
195 Canal St., Suite 201,
New York NY 10013
(212)966-0800

--
[ Trivia of the Week ] SPOILER CITY!

Love Amoeba Style
Year: 3/1997
Cantonese: Oi Ching 'Amoeba'
Mandarin: Ai4 Qing2 Amoeba
Literally: Love Amoeba

Which comic book brought (Julian Cheung Chi Lam) and (Annie Wu [Ng Sun
Kwan]) together?

[ Last Week's Answer ]
97 All's Well Ends Well
Year: 2/1997
Cantonese: 97 Ga Yau Hei Si
Mandarin: 97 Jia2 You3 Xi3 Shi4
Literally: 97 Family Has Happy Affairs

In the elevator, Kung and Siu Huen (Christy Chung Lai Tai) ran into the
ALL of Kung's past lovers. Who claims Kung has a crush on her?

Josephine Ho Chiu Yi

Who was the guest popstar who appeared at the opening of Lo's Chicken and
Duck shop and congratulated Lo Leung on his new store?

Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing
------------------------------------------------------------
Box office info : Variety, July 27 - August 3, 1997
The usual suspects : Jerry Chan, Internet Movie Database
Erors : ye olde chaffing editor, Uncle Prawn

For The Week ending Wednesday, July 23, 1997

Title Gross Scrns Wks Cumulative
($US) ($US)
$1 = HK$7.73

1 Batman & Robin 1,315,101 30 1 1,315,101
d. Joel Schumacher
Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney,
Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman,
ALICIA SILVERSTONE
[ Editor drowned in drool; film at eleven ]

2 Full Alert 854,655 27 1 854,655
Can : Go Doe Gai Bei
Lit : High Level Prevention
d. Ringo Lam Lan Tung
Lau Ching Wan, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Ko Chit,
Amanda Lee Wai Man, Monica Chan Fat Yung,
Chin Kar Lok, Yung Kam Cheung, Kwan Bo Wai
[ Summary below ]

3 Lost World: The Jurassic Park 491,973 18 4 7,113,186
d. Steven Spielberg
Dinosaurs, Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore

4 ?
[ Ed. Note: Variety made an error and reprinted number 3 in the number 4
spot ]

5 Cause We Are So Young 307,437 20 2 889,214
Can : Kau Luen Kei
Lit : Seeking Love Period
d. Vincent Kok Tak Siu
Leo Koo Kui Kei, Mark Lui Chung Tak,
So Chi Wai, Gigi Lai Chi,
Nicola Cheung Sun Yu, Cheung Yuen Mei,
Kathy Chau Hoi Mei
[ Summary below ]

6 Hercules 279,881 18 2 775,189
d. Ron Clements, John Musker
Disney Animated Feature

7 Yesterday You Yesterday Me 257,982 22 2 292,456
Can : Gei Duk Heung Jiu Sing Suk Si III Wai Nei Chung Ching
Lit : Remember When Banana Ripes III Falling For You
p., d. Jacob Cheung Chi Leung
Tang Yut Kwan, Yeung Jung, Eric Tsang Chi Wai,
Law Koon Lan, See Lim Chi
[ Summary below ]

8 It's Gorgeous 24,141 1 1 24,141
Category III feature

9 Legend of Mad Phoenix 21,132 2 10 529,745
Can : Nam Hoi Sup Sam Long
Lit : South Sea 13 Son
d. Clifton Ko Chi Sum
Tse Kwan Ho, Poon Chan Leung,
So Yuk Wa, Ng Yi Lei
[ Summary below ]

10 Con Air 11,506 4 7 2,189,163
d. Simon West
Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich

Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS
From Next Magazine http://www.nextmedia.com.hk/next

FULL ALERT
Rating: IIB

High level officer Chris is assigned to the case when an architect's body
was found. Chris discovers the murderer is former engineer Mak Kun and
leads a team to arrest him. At Mak's home they discover weapons, explosives,
and safe designs, which leads Chris to believe Mak is planning a major
robbery. Mak refuses to talk about the plan. Meanwhile Mak's girlfriend
Hung secretly contacts Mak's Taiwan gang mate Gentleman and
prepare a rescue from prison......

CAUSE WE ARE SO YOUNG
Rating: IIA
Length: 95 mins.

Chuen, Choi, and Paul are buddies and housemates, each with a different
personality and faces different encounters on the road of love. The
relationship between the straight faced Choi and his girlfriend Mimi
originally was going well, but after Mimi's mother criticizes their looks
don't match, Choi dresses more fashionably which Mimi cannot accept.......
Playboy Paul on a rainy night meets Yung Yung whose personality is hard to
determine, as all of Paul's tricks for the ladies failed completely.
Actually Yung Yung......The introvert Chuen after being dumped meets Mrs.
Chan who was beaten by her husband. Two lost souls took comfort from an
one night stand......

YESTERDAY YOU, YESTERDAY ME
Rating: IIA
Length: 100 mins.

Jean is a top second year student at Chinese University who is beautiful yet
has an unique personality, which made Bo Jai, A new student at the Chinese
University fall head over heels for her. Jean is better than Bo Jai in
every way and in her eyes Bo Jai is only a child. When Bo Jai and Jean
gradually become good friends, she suddenly drops out of school and
disappears from the face of the earth. Soon they run into each other at an
anti-Japanese rally. She explained to him she dropped out in order to avoid
an immoral affair. Meanwhile, Bo Jai's father is hospitalized for throat
cancer and Bo Jai is greatly affected......

MAD PHOENIX
Original creation, Screenplay: Raymond To Kwok Wai
Producer, Director: Clifton Ko Chi Sum
Length: 110 mins.
Rating: IIA

Nam Hoi Sup Sam Long is a famous Cantonese Opera song writer and
playwright, teacher of another famous playwright Tong Tiu Sun and the
official playwright of famous Cantonese Opera actor Sit Kok Sin. Sup Sam
Long's life is stuff of legends: during his childhood, he set the
headmaster's room on fire due to his sense of justice; in college, he in
order to go after the girl he loved abandoned his academics and headed to
Shanghai; during World War II, he got into a fight with people in his
troupe because he felt the performance was too crass......

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HK Fluff Of The Week and Box Office | Past reports available at HK Cinema :
hkto...@ugcs.caltech.edu | http://egret0.stanford.edu/hk/reports
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