Author Archives: Dean Napolitano

Hong Kong International Film Festival to Honor Michael Hui

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The retrospective of Michael Hui’s films will also include an appearance before an audience to discuss his career. 
PHOTO: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong International Film Festival has announced that veteran director and actor Michael Hui will be the subject of this year’s Filmmaker-in-Focus program.

The festival hailed Hui’s “career spanning half a century as producer, writer, director and actor,” who has “dazzled and entertained generations of Hong Kong audiences with his character-driven satires combined with a splash of slapstick alongside a unique Cantonese sensibility.”

The festival will present a retrospective of 10 of Hui’s films, including “Chicken and Duck Talk” (1988), “Front Page” (1990), “The Magic Touch” (1992) and “Always on My Mind” (1993). The 77-year-old Hui collaborated frequently with his brothers Ricky, Sam and Stanley.

“Michael is a living legend,” Albert Lee, HKIFF executive director, said in a statement on Jan. 23. “Just as the works of screen legends the ilk of Chaplin, Keaton and Tati, Hui’s mastery of his craft makes him a true icon of Hong Kong cinema, with an enduring influence on generations of aspiring filmmakers and comedians” Lee said. “We are thrilled and honored to be recognizing his massive contribution which redefined Hong Kong’s comedy cinema.”

The retrospective will also include a book on Hui’s films and an appearance before a public audience at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on March 28 to discuss his career.

The 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival runs from March 24 to April 6.

Venice Film Festival Honors Chinese Director Zhang Yimou

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Zhang.Yimou

Zhang Yimou, at the 75th Venice International Film Festival. 
PHOTO: La Biennale di Venezia

HONG KONG — Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou was honored by the Venice International Film Festival this week for a body of work that embodies the “global language” of cinema.

The 68-year-old director, whose films include “Raise the Red Lantern” (1991), “Hero” (2002) and “The Flowers of War” (2011), received the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker award on Thursday at a ceremony before the premiere of his new film, “Ying” (or “Shadow”), a period martial-arts drama set during the Three Kingdoms era.

“Zhang Yimou is not only one of the most important directors in contemporary cinema, but with his eclectic production, he has represented the evolution of global language of film, and at the same time, the exceptional growth of Chinese cinema,” Alberto Barbera, the festival’s director, said in a statement. “Zhang Yimou has been a pioneer thanks to his capacity to translate authors, stories and the richness of Chinese culture in general into a unique and unmistakable visual style,” he said.

Barbera noted that with “Ying,” Zhang has returned “to martial-arts films with the formal elegance and remarkable inventiveness that has always distinguished his cinema.” “Ying,” which screened Out of Competition, is about a clash between “two feudal groups.”

The celebrated director has twice won the Golden Lion — the festival’s top prize — for “The Story of Qiu Ju” (1992) and “Not One Less” (1999).

“In China, we think that if you have a long life you have a long time to study and learn,” Zhang told Reuters. “I think that although I have been making films for 40 years I still need to study,” he said. “If you are passionate about your job you don’t want to keep repeating yourself, you strive to improve and make something that is better than your previous work and this is what keeps me going forward,” he said in the interview.

The Glory to the Filmmaker award is “dedicated to a figure who has left a particularly original mark on contemporary cinema,” according to the festival said. Previous recipients include actor-director Takeshi Kitano of Japan, Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami and American actor Al Pacino.

The 75th Venice International Film Festival runs through Saturday, Sept. 8.

Interview: ‘Tomb Raider’ Star Daniel Wu Reflects on His Career

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Daniel Wu and Alicia Vikander in a scene from “Tomb Raider.”
PHOTO: Warner Bros. Pictures

HONG KONG — The “Tomb Raider” reboot opened worldwide this month, so it’s a good time to look at star Daniel Wu’s career. I interviewed Mr. Wu for a recent article in Cathay Pacific’s Discovery magazine, in which he talked about his television series “Into the Badlands,” his martial-arts background, and his love of South Africa, where he filmed “Tomb Raider,” in which he appears opposite Alicia Vikander.

From the article:

“Wu also began studying martial arts from an early age, taking up Shaolin kung fu in the Bay Area when he was 11. By his late teens he was training with Beijing-born Zhang Hongmei and her American husband Phillip Wong, both wushu masters.

“That childhood training has definitely paid off for “Into the Badlands,” a “Journey to the West”-inspired martial arts series set in a dystopian civilisation. Ruling barons battle for power in a feudal society, while marauding bandits roam the landscape reigning terror over the weak. Wu stars as Sunny, a warrior leading a band of fighters under the command of one of the barons.”

Watch a trailer for “Tomb Raider”:

Asian Film Awards Honors Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige With Top Prizes

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Louis Koo won best actor for “Paradox” and Sylvia Chang won best actress for “Love Education”
at the 12th Asian Film Awards in Macau on Saturday night. 
PHOTO: Asian Film Awards Academy

HONG KONG — Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s coming-of-age drama “Youth” picked up best film at the 12th Asian Film Awards on Saturday night, while the fantasy epic “Legend of the Demon Cat” — a Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China production from director Chen Kaige — picked up four awards, the most for any one film.

Louis Koo was named best actor for his role in the Hong Kong movie “Paradox,” which also won best action film.

Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang received double awards: best actress for her performance in “Love Education” and the AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Chang is one of Asia’s most prominent filmmakers, working both in front of and behind the camera.

“I’ve loved singing and performing since I was young, but I always felt uneasy in a photo studio. That’s how I gradually learned what I was good at,” Chang said in a statement prior to Saturday’s awards event. “You’ll always be attracted to what you like. If you keep running towards that forest, you’ll open up a world that grows bigger with time. That world has everything, and you’ll never stop learning about it.”

Previous recipients of the AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award include Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark, Korean director Im Kwon-taek, Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien, Hong Kong director Ann Hui, Hong Kong producer Raymond Chow, Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and Japanese director Yoji Yamada.

Chen, the director of “Legend of the Demon Cat,” is one of China’s most critically acclaimed filmmakers. In 1993, his film “Farewell My Concubine” won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the festival’s highest honor.

Film critic Maggie Lee described “Legend of the Demon Cat” as “a visually and mentally seductive piece of historic revisionism,” in her review for Variety, adding “this stunning blockbuster shows that a superior original source, vaunting artistic ambition and a $170 million budget can turn a potboiler supernatural whodunit into something of ravishing beauty.”

Other distinctions on Saturday night were given to Hong Kong actress Kara Wai Ying-hung, with the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award; Lim Yoon-a of South Korea with the AFA Next Generation Award; and the mainland Chinese blockbuster “Wolf Warrior 2” for the 2017 Top-Grossing Asian Film Award.

This year’s total 89 nominees were among 32 films from 10 countries competing in 17 categories, including two new sections: best new director and best action film. The awards ceremony was held at the Venetian hotel in Macau.

The full list of nominees and winners:

Best Film

  • “Angels Wear White” (France/Mainland China)
  • “Newton” (India)
  • “The Day After” (South Korea)
  • “The Third Murder” (Japan)
  • “Youth” (Mainland China)  – WINNER

Best Director

  • Chen Kaige, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)
  • Sylvia Chang, “Love Education” (Mainland China/Taiwan)
  • Ann Hui, “Our Time Will Come” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
  • Hong Sang-soo, “The Day After” (South Korea)
  • Yuya Ishii, “The Tokyo Night Sky Is Always the Densest Shade of Blue” (Japan)  – WINNER
  • Feng Xiaogang, “Youth” (Mainland China)

Best New Director

  • Vivian Qu, “Angels Wear White” (France/Mainland China)
  • Anucha Boonyawatana, “Malila: The Farewell Flower” (Thailand)
  • Huang Hsin-yao, “The Great Buddha+” (Taiwan)
  • Dong Yue, “The Looming Storm” (Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Derek Hui, “This Is Not What I Expected” (Hong Kong/Mainland China
  • Yoshiyuki Kishi, “Wilderness” (Japan)

Best Actor

  • Kim Yun-seok, “1987: When the Day Comes” (South Korea)
  • Sukollawat Kanarot, “Malila: The Farewell Flower” (Thailand)
  • Rajkummar Rao, “Newton” (India)
  • Louis Koo, “Paradox” (Hong Kong)  – WINNER
  • Duan Yihong, “The Looming Storm” (Mainland China)

Best Actress

  • Yu Aoi, “Birds Without Names” (Japan)
  • Sylvia Chang, “Love Education” (Mainland China/Taiwan)  – WINNER
  • Marsha Timothy, “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (France/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand)
  • Kim Min-hee, “The Day After” (South Korea)
  • Zhou Dongyu, “This Is Not What I Expected” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Supporting Actor

  • Yoo Hae-jin, “A Taxi Driver” (South Korea)
  • Geng Le, “Angels Wear White” (France/Mainland China)
  • Tian Zhuangzhuang, “Love Education” (Mainland China/Taiwan)
  • Eddie Peng, “Our Time Will Come” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
  • Yang Ik-joon, “Wilderness” (Japan)  – WINNER

Best Supporting Actress

  • Choi Hee-seo, “Anarchist from Colony” (South Korea)
  • Hana Sugisaki, “Blade of the Immortal” (Japan)
  • Kitty Zhang Yuqi, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Estelle Wu, “Love Education” (Mainland China/Taiwan)
  • Suzu Hirose, “The Third Murder” (Japan)

Best Newcomer

  • Zhou Meijun, “Angels Wear White” (France/Mainland China)
  • Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, “Bad Genius” (Thailand)  – WINNER
  • Lim Yoon-a, “Confidential Assignment” (South Korea)
  • Ling Man-lung, “Tomorrow Is Another Day” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
  • Akari Kinoshita, “Wilderness” (Japan)
  • Zhong Chuxi, “Youth” (Mainland China)

Best Action Film

  • “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” (South Korea)
  • “Blade of the Immortal” (Japan)
  • “Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield” (Mainland China)
  • “Paradox” (Hong Kong)  – WINNER
  • “The Thousand Faces of Dunjia” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Screenplay

  • Hwang Seong-gu, “Anarchist from Colony” (South Korea)
  • Tanida Hantaweewatana, Vasudhorn Piyaromna, Nattawut Poonpiriya, “Bad Genius” (Thailand)
  • Sylvia Chang, You Xiaoying, “Love Education” (Mainland China/Taiwan)
  • Mayank Tewari, Amit V. Masurkar, “Newton” (India) – WINNER
  • Yan Geling, “Youth” (Mainland China)

Best Editing

  • Li Nien-hsiu, “mon mon mon MONSTERS” (Taiwan)
  • Mary Stephen, Kong Chi-leung, “Our Time Will Come” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
  • Shin Min-kyung, “The King” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Hirokazu Kore-eda, “The Third Murder” (Japan)
  • Zhang Qi, “Youth” (Mainland China)

Best Cinematography

  • Cao Yu, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)
  • Yunus Pasolang, “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (France/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand)
  • Kim Ji-yong, “The Fortress” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Nagao Nakashima, “The Great Buddha+” (Taiwan)
  • Mikita Takimoto, “The Third Murder” (Japan)

Best Original Music

  • Jo Young-wook, “A Taxi Driver” (South Korea)
  • Wen Zi, “Angels Wear White” (France/Mainland China)
  • Joe Hisaishi, “Our Time Will Come” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Lin Sheng-xiang, “The Great Buddha+” (Taiwan)
  • Taro Iwashiro, “Wilderness” (Japan)

Best Costume Design

  • Shim Hyun-sup, “Anarchist from Colony” (South Korea)
  • Rama Rajamouli, Prashanti Tipirineni, “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” (India)
  • Yuya Maeda, “Blade of the Immortal” (Japan)
  • Chen Tongxun, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Shirley Chan, “The Thousand Faces of Dunjia” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Production Design

  • Lee Mok-won, “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” (South Korea)
  • Tu Nan, Lu Wei, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Frans Paat, “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (France/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand)
  • Yohei Taneda, “The Third Murder” (Japan)
  • Ben Luk, “This Is Not What I Expected” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Visual Effects

  • Jin Jong-hyun, “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” (South Korea)
  • Ankur Sachdev, “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” (India)
  • Shingo Kobayashi, “Gintama” (Japan)
  • Norio Ishii, “Legend of the Demon Cat” (Hong Kong/Japan/Mainland China)  – WINNER
  • Huang Mei-cing, Pao Cheng-hsun, “mon mon mon MONSTERS” (Taiwan)
  • Jang Seong-ho, Park Young-soo, Son Ohh-young, “The Thousand Faces of Dunjia” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Sound

  • Wang Gang, “Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield” (Mainland China)
  • Khikmawan Santosa, “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (France/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand)
  • Tu Du-chih, Wu Shu-yao, Tu Chun-tang, “mon mon mon MONSTERS” (Taiwan)
  • Choi Tae-young, “The Fortress” (South Korea)
  • Tu Du-chih, Wu Shu-yao, “The Great Buddha+” (Taiwan)  – WINNER
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Director Feng Xiaogang accepting the award for best film, “Youth,” from Mainland China.
PHOTO: Asian Film Awards Academy

Taiwanese Actress Brigitte Lin to Receive Gala at Italian Film Festival

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Cloud of Romance 我是一片雲

A scene from ‘Cloud of Romance’ (1977)
PHOTO (above): Hong Kong International Film Festival
FEATURED IMAGE PHOTO: Far East Film Festival

HONG KONG – The Far East Film Festival will celebrate the career of Taiwanese actress Brigitte Lin at this year’s event in April, the festival organizers said this week.

The Udine, Italy-based festival will honor Lin with its Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award and a “small and precious” retrospective of her films. Lin is considered the “goddess” of Hong Kong and Taiwan cinema, the festival said in a statement.

Lin has starred in more than 100 films, the festival organizers noted, appearing in “sentimental melodramas and wuxia titles, to thrillers and eccentric experimental projects,” which the festival will “distill” into a retrospective that will include the European premiere of “Cloud of Romance” (1977), which was recently restored by the Taiwan Film Institute.

The 63-year-old Lin, who retired from her acting career in 1994, will be accompanied by Hong Kong producer Nansun Shi, who has previously collaborated with Lin on films. Shi herself received the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award three years ago.

The announcement comes after the Hong Kong International Film Festival also unveiled plans to honor Lin at this year’s 42nd edition in March. The HKIFF will screen 14 of Lin’s films and hold a public seminar, in which the actress will discuss her film career.

The Far East Film Festival, which describes itself as the “European epicenter of Asian cinema,” is known for drawing audiences from Italy, across Europe and around the world to honor Asian movies, filmmakers and actors.

Udine, a picturesque city of about 100,000 in northeast Italy, is situated between Trieste and the Italian Alps.

The Far East Film Festival this year marks its 20th edition, which will be held April 20-28.

HKIFF to Honor Taiwanese Actress Brigitte Lin

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ChungkingExpress 重慶森林

Brigitte Lin in ‘Chungking Express’ (1994), by director Wong Kar-wai.
PHOTO: Hong Kong International Film Festival

HONG KONG – Taiwanese actress Brigitte Lin will be honored by the Hong Kong International Film Festival next month as this year’s “Filmmaker in Focus,” the festival has announced.

At the 42nd edition of the HKIFF, the festival will screen 14 films starring Lin, considered one of the greatest actresses in modern Chinese-language cinema. “Lin is an enduring iconic figure for her legendary beauty and distinguished performances,” the festival said in a statement.

The 14 films include a restored version of “Outside the Window” (1973), which marked Lin’s screen debut. Other films to be shown at the festival include “Peking Opera Blues” (1986), directed by Tsui Hark; director Ann Hui’s “Starry is the Night” (1988); “The Bride with White Hair” (1993) from director Ronny Yu; and “Chungking Express” (1994) and “Ashes of Time” (1994), both from director Wong Kar-wai.

Lin won best actress at the Golden Horse Awards for her performance in “Red Dust” (1990), which also will screen at the festival.

Lin will also appear at the festival’s “Face to Face” seminar at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre on March 31 to share with the audience memories and stories about her films and her personal life.

The 63-year-old Lin has largely led a private life since retiring from her acting career in 1994, making only occasional public appearances.

The 42 Hong Kong Film Festival opens on March 19 and runs through April 5.

Ashes of Time Redux 東邪西毒終極版

Brigitte Lin in director Wong Kar-wai’s ‘Ashes of Time’ (1994).
PHOTO: Hong Kong International Film Festival

‘Trivisa’ and ‘Mad World’ Are Favorites at Hong Kong Film Awards

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Kara Wai Ying-hung paid tribute to her mother while accepting
the award for best actress in ‘Happiness.’
Featured image photo: Gordon Lam Ka-tung accepting the best actor award.
PHOTOS: Hong Kong Film Awards, via Facebook

HONG KONG — The gangster drama “Trivisa” took top honors at the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday night, winning best film, director,  actor, screenplay and editing.

“Trivisa,” about three gang leaders facing a changing criminal landscape amid Hong Kong’s 1997 handover, was directed by a trio of new directors and produced by Johnnie To. The film, which premiered at last year’s Berlin International Film Festival, received strong reviews and was named best film by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society in January.

The award for best film was presented by Hong Kong movie royalty: Nansun Shi, Raymond Wong, Eric Tsang, Teddy Robin, Karl Maka and Dean Shek, the team behind Hong Kong’s legendary Cinema City studio, which produced a string of hit movies in the 1980s.

One of the night’s highlights came as Kara Wai Ying-hung won best actress for  “Happiness,” a drama about a woman with dementia. It was Ms. Wai’s third Hong Kong Film Awards honor for best actress.

Ms. Wai, who began her career as a martial-arts performer, gave an emotional acceptance speech in which she paid tribute to her mother, who died recently of Alzheimer’s disease.

“I want her to know that I have brought glory to the family,” Ms. Wai said, as tears streamed across her face. “I hope she would say ‘I am proud of you,’ and, mom, I didn’t cause the Wai family to lose face.”

Ms. Wai also thanked Albert Yeung, the head of Emperor Motion Pictures, for investing in a film that was close to her heart but had limited commercial prospects.

Another favorite going into the awards was “Mad World,” a drama about a young man with mental illness. It picked up three awards, for best supporting actor and actress, and best new director for Wong Chun.

The full list of nominees and winners:

Best Film

  • “Soul Mate”
  • “The Mermaid”
  • “Cold War 2”
  • “Trivisa”  – WINNER
  • “Weeds on Fire”

Best Director

  • Wong Chun, “Mad World”
  • Derek Tsang, “Soul Mate”
  • Johnnie To, “Three”
  • Stephen Chow, “The Mermaid”
  • Frank Hui, Jevons Au, Vicky Wong, “Trivisa”  – WINNER

Best Actor

  • Shawn Yu, “Mad World”
  • Francis Ng, “Shed Skin Papa”
  • Tony Leung Ka-fai, “Cold War 2”
  • Richie Jen, “Trivisa”
  • Gordon Lam Ka-tung, “Trivisa”  – WINNER

Best Actress

  • Zhou Dongyu, “Soul Mate”
  • Ma Sichun, “Soul Mate”
  • Nina Paw, “Show Me Your Love”
  • Tang Wei, “Book of Love”
  • Kara Wai Ying-hung, “Happiness”  – WINNER

Best Supporting Actor

  • Eric Tsang, “Mad World”  – WINNER
  • Paul Chin, “Book of Love”
  • Ng Mang-tat, “The Menu”
  • Philip Keung, “Trivisa”
  • Liu Kai-chi, “Weeds on Fire”

Best Supporting Actress

  • Charmaine Fong, “Mad World”
  • Elaine Jin, “Mad World”  – WINNER
  • Zhang Yuqi, “The Mermaid”
  • Fish Liew, “Sisterhood”
  • Janice Man, “Cold War 2”

Best New Performer

  • James Ng, “Happiness”
  • Jelly Lin, “The Mermaid”
  • Jennifer Yu, “Sisterhood”
  • Wu Tsz-tung, “Weeds on Fire”  – WINNER
  • Tam Sin-yin, “Weeds on Fire”

Best Screenplay

  • Florence Chan, “Mad World”
  • Lam Wing-sum, Li Yuan, Xu Yimeng, Wu Nan, “Soul Mate”
  • Stephen Chow, Kelvin Lee Si-zhen, Ho Miu-ki, Lu Zhengyu, Fung Chih-chiang, Chan Hing-kai, Y. Y. Kong, Tsang Kan-cheung, “The Mermaid”
  • Longman Leung, Sunny Luk, Jack Ng, “Cold War 2”
  • Loong Man-hong, Thomas Ng, Mak Tin-shu, “Trivisa” – WINNER

Best Cinematography

  • Jake Pollock, Jing-ping Yu, “Soul Mate”
  • Cheng Siu-keung, To Hung-mo, “Three”
  • Jason Kwan, “Cold War 2”
  • O Sing-pui, “Weeds on Fire”
  • Peter Pau, Cao Yu, “See You Tomorrow”  – WINNER

Best Film Editing

  • Derek Hui, Li Dianshi, Zhou Xiaolin, Tan Xiangyuan, “Soul Mate”
  • Jordan Goldman, Ron Chan, “Cold War 2”
  • David Richardson, “Operation Mekong”
  • Allen Leung, David Richardson, “Trivisa”  – WINNER
  • David Wu, “See You Tomorrow”

Best Art Direction

  • Zhai Tao, “Soul Mate”
  • Silver Cheung, Fion Lee, Wu Zhen, Chong Kwok-wing, “Sword Master”
  • Daniel Fu, “The Monkey King 2”
  • Raymond Chan Kam-ho, “The Mermaid”
  • Alfred Yau, “See You Tomorrow”  – WINNER

Best Costume and Makeup Design

  • Dora Ng, “Soul Mate”
  • Stanley Cheung, “Sword Master”
  • Kenneth Yee Chung-man, Dora Ng, “The Monkey King 2”  – WINNER
  • William Chang, Lui Fung-shan, “League of Gods”
  • William Chang, Cheung Siu-hong, “See You Tomorrow”

Best Action Choreography

  • Yuen Bun, Dion Lam, “Sword Master”
  • Sammo Hung, “Call of Heroes”
  • Sammo Hung, “The Monkey King 2”
  • Chin Ka-lok, “Cold War 2”
  • Tung Wai, “Operation Mekong”  – WINNER

Best Original Film Score

  • Yusuke Hatano, “Mad World”
  • Peter Kam, Yusuke Hatano, “Soul Mate”  – WINNER
  • Peter Kam, “Cold War 2”
  • Day Tai, “Weeds on Fire”
  • Nathaniel Mechaly, “See You Tomorrow”

Best Original Film Song

  • “(It’s Not A Crime) It’s Just What We Do,” Composer/Lyric/Sung by: Leah Dou, “Soul Mate”
  • “Wu Di,” Composer/Lyric: Stephen Chow, Sung by: Deng Chao, “The Mermaid”
  • “Anthem of Shatin Martins,” Composer: Day Tai, Lyric: Saville Chan, Sung by: Supper Moment, “Weeds on Fire”  – WINNER
  • “Better Tomorrow,” Composer/Lyric/Sung by: Yusuke Hatano, “Happiness”
  • “Keep Me by Your Side,” Composer/Lyric: Tang Hanxiao, Sung by: Eason Chan, “See You Tomorrow”

Best Sound Design

  • Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu-keung, Yiu Chun-hin, Lai Chi-hung, “Sword Master”
  • Jay Yin, “The Monkey King 2”
  • Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu-keung, “Cold War 2”  – WINNER
  • Nopawat Likitwong, Kaikangwol Rungsakorn, Sarunyu Nurnsai, Stan Yau, “Operation Mekong”
  • Robert Mackenzie, “See You Tomorrow”

Best Visual Effects

  • Luke Sungjin Jung, “Sword Master”
  • Luke Sungjin Jung, Kim Sang-hun, Kim Chan-soo, Kim Chul-min, “The Monkey King 2”  – WINNER
  • Ken Law Wai-ho, Lee Inho, Kang Taegyun, Marco Ng, “The Mermaid”
  • Yee Kwok-leung, Raymond Leung, “Cold War 2”
  • Yee Kwok-leung, Felix Lai Tsz-fei, Kang Taegyun, “Operation Mekong”

Best New Director

  • Wong Chun, “Mad World”  – WINNER
  • Derek Tsang, “Soul Mate”
  • Jazz Boon, “Line Walker”
  • Andy Lo, “Happiness”
  • Steve Chan (a.k.a. Stevefat), “Weeds on Fire”

Best Film From Mainland China and Taiwan

  • “Godspeed”  – WINNER
  • “Chongqing Hot Pot”
  • “The Road To Mandalay”
  • “Mr. Six”
  • “I Am Not Madame Bovary”

South Korea and China Sweep Asian Film Awards

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Tsui.Hark

Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
PHOTO: Asian Film Awards Academy

HONG KONG — Films from South Korea and China grabbed the majority of honors at the 11th Asian Film Awards on Tuesday night, with “The Handmaiden” from South Korea leading with four awards and “I Am Not Madame Bovary” from China grabbing three.

“I Am Not Madame Bovary” took home the night’s top honor – best film – as well as two other awards: best actress for Fan Bingbing and best cinematography. “The Handmaiden” won best supporting actress for Moon So-ri, best newcomer for Kim Tae-ri, best costume design and best production design.

Japanese movies picked up a pair of awards – best actor for Tadanobu Asano in “Harmonium” and best visual effects for “Shin Godzilla” – while films from Hong Kong, Singapore and Iran picked up one award each

One of the night’s major highlights came as veteran Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for “recognition of his fundamental achievements and a lasting impact of outstanding artistic, cultural and commercial significance in Asian cinema,” the AFA said in a statement.

Previous recipients of the AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award include Hong Kong action choreographer-director Yuen Wo-ping, Korean director Im Kwon-taek, Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien, Hong Kong director Ann Hui, Hong Kong producer Raymond Chow, Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and Japanese director Yoji Yamada.

Other honorees at the 11th AFA on Tuesday night included Hong Kong actress and singer Sammi Cheng, who received the Excellence in Asian Cinema award for her “distinguished talents and affirmation of her achievements and contributions to Asian film industry and culture,” the AFA said.

The Rising Star of Asia award went to Chinese actress Jelly Li “for her exceptional talent and breakthrough in Asian cinema in the past year.” Ms. Li also was a nominee this year in the best newcomer category for “The Mermaid.”

The awards ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The full list of nominees and winners:

Best Film

  • “The Wailing” (South Korea)
  • “The Age of Shadows” (South Korea)
  • “Harmonium” (Japan)
  • “Godspeed” (Taiwan)
  • “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (China)  – WINNER

Best Director

  • Na Hong-jin, “The Wailing” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Koji Fukada, “ Harmonium” (Japan)
  • Derek Tsang, “Soul Mate” (Hong Kong/China)
  • Feng Xiaogang, “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (China)
  • Lav Diaz, “The Woman Who Left” (Philippines)

Best Actor

  • Michael Hui, “Godspeed” (Taiwan)
  • Gong Yoo, “Train to Busan” (South Korea)
  • Tadanobu Asano, “Harmonium” (Japan)  – WINNER
  • Fan Wei, “Mr. No Problem” (China)
  • Richie Jen, “Trivisa” (Hong Kong)

Best Actress

  • Son Ye-jin, “The Last Princess” (South Korea)
  • Fan Bingbing, “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (China)  – WINNER
  • Haru Kuroki, “A Bride for Rip Van Winkle” (Japan)
  • Kara Wai, “Happiness” (Hong Kong)
  • Charo Santos-Concio, “The Woman Who Left” (Philippines)

Best Supporting Actor

  • Jun Kunimura, “The Wailing” (South Korea)
  • Ma Dong-seok, “Train to Busan” (South Korea)
  • Go Ayano, “Rage” (Japan)
  • Dong Chengpeng/Da Peng, “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (China)
  • Lam Suet, “Trivisa” (Hong Kong)  – WINNER

Best Supporting Actress

  • Elaine Jin, “Mad World” (Hong Kong)
  • Moon So-ri, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Atsuko Maeda, “The Mohican Comes Home” (Japan)
  • Shabana Azmi, “Neerja” (India)
  • Lynn Xiong, “See You Tomorrow” (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

Best Newcomer

  • Kim Tae-ri, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Takara Sakumoto, “Rage” (Japan)
  • Fir Rahman, “Apprentice” (Singapore)
  • Wu Tsz-tung, “Weeds on Fire” (Hong Kong)
  • Lin Yun, “The Mermaid” (China)

Best Screenplay

  • Asghar Farhadi, “The Salesman” (Iran) – WINNER
  • Lav Diaz, “The Woman Who Left” (Philippines)
  • Makoto Shinkai, “Your Name” (Japan)
  • Park Chan-wook, Jeong Seo-gyeong, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)
  • Mak Tin-shu, Lung Man-hong, Thomas Ng, “Trivisa” (Hong Kong)

Best Editing

  • Kim Sang-bum, Kim Jae-bum, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)
  • Tsuyoshi Imai, “Rage” (Japan)
  • Yang Jin-mo, “Train to Busan” (South Korea)
  • Lee Chatametikool, Natalie Soh, “Apprentice” (Singapore)  – WINNER
  • David Richardson, “Operation Mekong” (Hong Kong/China)

Best Cinematography

  • Yutaka Yamazaki, “After the Storm” (Japan)
  • Kim Ji-yong, “The Age of Shadows” (South Korea)
  • Luo Pan, “I Am Not Madame Bovary” (China)  – WINNER
  • Zhu Jinjing, “Mr. No Problem” (China)
  • Du Jie, “The Wasted Times” (China)

Best Original Music

  • Yusuke Hatano, Peter Kam, “Soul Mate” (China)
  • Mowg, “The Age of Shadows” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Xavier Jamaux, “Three” (Hong Kong)
  • Tseng Si-ming, “Godspeed” (Taiwan)
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Rage” (Japan)

Best Costume Design

  • Kenneth Yee Chung-man, “The Wasted Times” (China)
  • Jo Sang-gyeong, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Kazuko Kurosawa, “The Sanada Ten Braves” (Japan)
  • Kwon Yoo-jin, Rim Seung-hee, “Train to Busan” (South Korea)
  • William Chang, Cheung Siu-hong, “See You Tomorrow” (Hong Kong/China)

Best Production Design

  • Ryu Seong-hee, “The Handmaiden” (South Korea)  – WINNER
  • Kang Seung-yong, “Pandora” (South Korea)
  • Kyoko Heya, “A Bride for Rip Van Winkle” (Japan)
  • Alfred Yau, “See You Tomorrow” (Hong Kong/China)
  • Feng Ligang, “Railroad Tigers” (China)

Best Visual Effects

  • Jung Hwang-su, “Train to Busan” (South Korea)
  • Tetsuo Ohya, “Shin Godzilla” (Japan)  – WINNER
  • Sun Li, Sheng Yong, Sam Wang, Sun Jing, “Railroad Tigers” (China)
  • Perry Kain, Johnny Lin, Thomas Reppen, “See You Tomorrow” (Hong Kong/China)

Best Sound

  • Kim Dong-han, “The Wailing” (South Korea)
  • Fang Tao, Hao Zhiyu, “Crosscurrent” (China)  – WINNER
  • Jun Nakamura, “Shin Godzilla” (Japan)
  • Kinson Tsang, George Lee, “Cold War 2” (Hong Kong/China)

South Korea’s Kim Min-hee Wins Best Actress at Berlin

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BERLIN — Kim Min-hee has won the Silver Bear best actress award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival for the South Korean film “On the Beach at Night Alone.”

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South Korean actress Kim Min-hee accepts her Silver Bear award for best actress.
PHOTO: © Ali Ghandtschi / Berlinale 2017

The film, directed by Hong Sang-soo, follows a young actress who retreats to a wintery Germany after the messy end of an affair with a married film director. Returning later to South Korea, the actress tries to sort out her life at a seaside town with the help of her friends. Mr. Hong stays true to his cinematic style: a measured drama with long takes about adult characters discussing and dissecting their complicated relationships, and laced with wry — sometimes uncomfortable — humor and observations.

“On the Beach at Night Alone” received strong reviews, with critics singling out Ms. Kim’s performance. The Hollywood Reporter said Ms. Kim gives her character “a modern aplomb and a desire to live her own way that makes her easy to identify with.” Variety wrote that Ms. Kim takes a “marvelous lead turn,” putting in “a subtle, intuitive performance.”

Ms. Kim previously appeared in Mr. Song’s well-received “Right Now, Wrong Then” (2015), and she starred in last year’s critically acclaimed thriller “The Handmaiden.”

The Berlin awards ceremony was held on Feb. 18. Here is the full list of winners for the Prizes of the International Jury:

Golden Bear for Best Film:

  • “Testről és lélekről” (“On Body and Soul”)
  • Hungary
  • Director: Ildikó Enyedi

Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize:

  • “Félicité”
  • France/Senegal/Belgium/Germany/Lebanon
  • Director: Alain Gomis

Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize:

  • “Pokot” (“Spoor”)
  • Poland/Germany/Czech Republic/Sweden/Slovak Republic
  • Director: Agnieszka Holland, in cooperation with Kasia Adamik

Silver Bear for Best Director:

  • Aki Kaurismäki, for “Toivon tuolla puolen” (“The Other Side of Hope”)
  • Finland/Germany

Silver Bear for Best Actress:

  • Kim Min-hee, in “On the Beach at Night Alone”
  • South Korea
  • Director: Hong Sang-soo

Silver Bear for Best Actor:

  • Georg Friedrich, in “Helle Nächte” (“Bright Nights”)
  • Germany/Norway
  • Director: Thomas Arslan

Silver Bear for Best Screenplay:

  • Sebastián Lelio and Gonzalo Maza, for “Una mujer fantástica” (“A Fantastic Woman”)
  • Chile/United States/Germany/Spain
  • Director: Sebastián Lelio

Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution:

  • Dana Bunescu, for the editing in “Ana, mon amour”
  • Romania/Germany/France
  • Director: Călin Peter Netzer

‘212 Warrior’: Indonesian Martial-Arts Book Series to Hit the Big Screen

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PHOTO: Fox International Productions and Lifelike Pictures

Indonesian actor Vino G. Bastian will star in “212 Warrior,” a film version based on his father’s popular martial-arts novels. Fox International Productions and Lifelike Pictures will co-produce the film, which is due for release next year.

Mr. Bastian will portray Wiro Sableng, or 212 Warrior, a character from a series of Indonesian martial-arts (known as silat) books written by Bastian Tito, who died in 2006, according to a statement released this week from Fox International Productions, a division of 20th Century Fox Film Corp., and Lifelike Pictures, an Indonesian-based production company.

The statement said the series consisted of 185 titles and described it as “one of the longest-running book series in Indonesia,” which appeared from 1967 to 2006. “Each novel in the series sold hundreds of thousands of copies,” the statement said, “and several titles sold more than one million copies. Wiro Sableng has become the legendary hero of Indonesia, and even until today it still has very strong fan base.”

Angga D. Sasongko will direct the film from a screenplay by Sheila Timothy, Tumpal Tampubolon and Seno Gumira Ajidarma. Martial-arts actor Yayan Ruhiyan (“The Raid,” “The Raid 2” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) will also join the production.

Mr. Bastian posted a photo from the press conference in Jakarta, where the project was announced, on his Twitter account:

The film is Fox International Productions’ first co-production with an Indonesian company. Fox International Productions President Tomas Jegeus, producer Sheila Timothy, and executive producer Michael J. Werner announced the deal.

“I am truly thrilled about this project and couldn’t be more satisfied to be working with such an inspiring and creative team from Lifelike Pictures on ‘212 Warrior,’ ” Mr. Jegeus said, adding that Fox was “honored to be the first Hollywood studio to co-produce a movie with an Indonesian partner.”

Mr. Werner said the recent “growth in the Indonesian movie landscape made this the right project and the right time to move forward.”

The film will be distributed in Indonesia and possibility to other countries, the statement said.