3 April, 2016

2016 Hong Kong Film Awards Hong Kong Film Industry Flourishes as Port of Calls Dominates with 7 Awards

On April 3, 2016, the 35th Hong Kong Film Awards, one of Asia’s most prominent film honors, was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. Leading figures of the Chinese cinema gathered on the red carpet roll-out to enjoy the glitz and glamour of the big event.

The red carpet lit up, as some of the biggest names battled it out on the big screen and the night’s fierce fashion war.

Judge for Best Dressed Award, Ms. Kathy Chow, set the bar high by exposing her slender figure and sheer elegance with a glamorous tight see-through Stello gown. She asserted that celebrities would be judged on their confidence and the dress’ wow factor and presence of own character.

Best actress frontrunner Ms. Miriam Yeung Chin-wah has picked a nude Elie Saab gown with intricate prints and revealing lace details that gave her a classy, yet sexy look. Ms. Miriam Yeung shared that she has been training really hard in order to fit into this garment. Although her husband Mr. Real Ting candidly joked about her chances of winning tonight, he showed great affection and appreciation to her choice of attire.

Nominated for Best Actor for the portrayal of a desperate father searching for his lost son, Mr. Andy Lau Tak-wah arrived to the cheers and applause of his fans at the red carpet.

Queen of the Red Carpet, Ms. Carina Lau, looked stunning in a turquoise feathery Versace gown with a thigh-high slit, delicate ruffles and glittering sequins that added dimensions and texture to the piece.

However, Ms. Janice Man, Best Supporting Actress nominee from Helios, had undoubtedly stolen the spotlight on the red carpet. She made a breathtaking entrance with a daring bare back high-slit Versace black gown that showed off her stunning physique. She revealed that she has put into consideration the cool and composed image of her role as a villainous killer in the film when she picked her outfit, and has even drawn the killer’s fake mole at her canthus for a more realistic depiction.

Heaven in the Dark co-stars, Ms. Karena Lam (right) and Mr. Jacky Cheung (left), strolled down the carpet in matching black and white outfits and successfully clinched the title of Best Dressed Award. The vintage off-white Dior couture highlighted Ms. Karena Lam’s darling look and natural beauty. Ms. Kathy Chow complimented Mr. Jacky Cheung at the backstage for his unique, stylish suit and high boots.

This year’s Hong Kong Film Awards is arguably one of the most intensely contested years in its history. Locked in some fierce face-offs, Port of Call, directed by Mr. Philip Yung Tsz-kwong and staring Aaron Kwok , Jessie Li, Michael Ning and Elaine Jin dominated the night by sweeping 7 major awards, including all individual categories, as well as Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

The race for Best Actor was extremely unpredictable, especially with a probable winners list leaked online earlier that has heated up the intensity of the buzz.

The Best Actor category had a star-studded line-up with “Double Ka-fai” Mr. Nick Cheung Ka-fai, Keeper of Darkness and Mr. Tony Leung Ka-fai, The Taking of Tiger Mountain, as well as three of the “Four Heavenly Kings” Mr. Aaron Kwok, Port of Call, Mr. Jacky Cheung, Heaven in the Dark, and Mr. Andy Lau Tak-wah, Lost and Love.

Excitement aroused immediately when Mr. Aaron Kwok finally took home his first Hong Kong Film Awards after 5 previous nominations, for his portrayal of the disheveled veteran Detective Chong in the movie.

Besides expressing his gratitude to the Association, voters, his friends and family and in particular, his manager, Xiao Mei, Mr. Aaron Kwok confessed that he has already given up pursuing awards after all these years of waiting and was not prepared to deliver his speech. He did not mourn over past failures and he thanked God for opening doors of opportunities on his long road to glory. He understood that life is a series of experiences and he did not regard this as his professional peak. He also thanked those that have once treated him badly. They were his motivation to stand strong and keep pushing forward.

In his backstage speech, he thanked Xiao Mei again, and claimed that receiving this recognition is a huge encouragement to his future career and his hopes of being a director.

Beating out stiff competition from previous winners like Miriam Yeung, Little Big Master and Karena Lam, Heaven in the Dark, 23-year-old Chinese actress Ms. Jessie Li took home the Best Actress Award with her valiant breakout performance in Port of Call.

This is Ms. Jessie Li’s first Hong Kong Film Awards nomination and win. Although she remained calm on stage, she indicated afterwards that she was actually very nervous and was unable to identify and react to her inner emotions.

Nevertheless, she did not get away forgetting to thank the cast and crew of Port of Call and her co-actor “beloved Michael Ning”. She saw herself as a transparent glass, as it was her role as Wang Jia Mei that brought her to the spotlight. She concluded her speech in Cantonese, with gratitude towards the Hong Kong film industry for allowing her to “earn a living chasing her dream”, and the Hong Kong Film Awards for boosting her confidence to excel and achieve further goals.

Ms. Jessie Li and Mr. Michael Ning, who plays the killer Ting Chi-chung in Port of Call, have managed to make an astonishing breakthrough in their feature debut. The two fresh faces stole the show with their fascinating chemistry both onscreen and off-screen.

As widely expected, Mr. Michael Ning scooped both Best Supporting Actor and Best New Performer. He has already won six trophies including the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actor, the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards for the Best Actor and a Special Mention at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival with his awards-worthy performance.

Mr. Michael Ning could barely hide his excitement onstage and at the backstage. As an alumni of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) School of Drama, he felt exceptionally honored to be able to receive the award at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and was overwhelmed with gratefulness over the unfailing guidance and support from his family, the crew and all teachers and fellow HKAPA schoolmates and friends.

He stressed that the award belongs to the team and he shall remain humble. He also reminded himself and the younger generation that time is limited and we should follow our hearts and do what we love.

Port of Call has also won Ms. Elaine Jin her third Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress. She struggled to contain her tears of happiness. “I am now 61 years old and the reason why I chose to make my comeback in Hong Kong after every divorce is because Hong Kong is the only place where I was given chances and strength to start all over again,” said Ms. Elaine Jin as she made her emotional speech.

She continued to elaborate on her speech at the backstage, saying that she was deeply touched to receive recognition after so much twists and turns in her life. Upon thanking her close friends Mr. William Chang, Ms. Rosamund Kwan Chi-lam and Ms. Suzie Wong, she also expressed her thankfulness towards Philip Yung, director of Port of Call, for his trust and encouragement. She felt lucky to be able to work against the most united cast and crew she claimed she has ever met. She regarded everyone as her family, which made the prize more meaningful.

Port of Call garnered another victory with Best Cinematography. With honor and excitement, seven-time winner Mr. Christopher Doyle, declared that we should view the world with women’s eyes, imagine a future with women’s perspectives and produce new movies with women’s soul, in order to usher Hong Kong movie industry into a new era and help it groom.

Tsui Hark (1st from right) won the Best Director for The Taking of Tiger Mountain.

To celebrate this year’s theme “Forever Young”, various renowned child actors and actresses were invited to present the Best Director award. It was a truly heartwarming moment as it was very rare that they could make a joint public appearance on stage.

Child star representative Ms. Petrina Fung Bo-bo was thankful for Mr. Derek Yee Tung-sing’s invitation, allowing her to reminisce on her childhood and share an enjoyable night with her son and fellow peers.

Ms. Fung also stated that although some people think that pursuing acting career at such an early age may ruin the actor’s life, she found herself very lucky instead, as she could document her childhood and capture her youthful spirit perfectly in movies.

Although the five child actors from Little Big Master missed out on the Best New Performer nomination, their natural and infectious acting are this year’s hidden gems.

Competing against formidable competition, it was hard for anyone to stand out above the rest. Monster Hunt, directed by Mr. Raman Hui, managed to earn three victories, including Best Costume & Make Up Design and beat the likes of actor-director Mr. Nick Cheung Ka-fai of Keeper of Darkness to win Best New Director.

Mr. Jason Snell, Ms. Ellen Poon (middle) and Ms. Tang Bing-bing (right) also bagged Best Visual Effects for Monster Hunt.

Mainland’s top grossing Taiwanese film Our Times was nominated for Best Film from Mainland and Taiwan. Rising to prominence, main lead Ms. Vivian Sung (left) and Mr. Darren Wang (right) attended their first Hong Kong Film Awards red carpet ceremony.

Mr. William Chang Suk-ping and Mr. Yau Wai-ming were awarded Best Art Direction for Office.

‘We Almost Fly’, original soundtrack of She Remembers, He Forgets, won Best Original Film Song. Although performer Ms. Feanna Wong (middle) aged just 14, her angelic vocal touched the very essence of our heart and soul, and created musical imagery and resonance to its simple lyrics and melodies.

Expert lighting technician Mr. Chow Wing-kwong received The Professional Achievement Award. With his outstanding work and skills, he dedicated half of his life to the Hong Kong film industry and made over hundreds of films. He has earned great respect and achieved high status within the business.

The 35th Hong Kong Film Awards successfully concluded amid cheers and celebrations. Films both from major production companies and local independent producers have received their share of recognition and triumph this year. Despite heated debates about the decline of domestic film markets, emergence of a new blood of young talents in 2015 has undoubtedly rejuvenated the industry. On that dazzling evening, we witnessed the industry’s commitment to continuous innovation and ability to staying “Forever Young”. A bright future awaits Hong Kong cinema and we shall continue to support it and remain hopeful.

Here is a full list of winners at the 35th Hong Kong Film Awards::

Life Achievement Award: Ms Li Li-hua

The Professional Achievement Award: Mr. Chow Wing-kwong

Best New Performer: Michael Ning, Port of Call

Best New Director: Raman Hui, Monster Hunt

Best Cinematography: Christopher Doyle, Port of Call

Best Film Editing: Cheung Ka-fai, Ip Man 3

Best Art Direction: William Chang Suk-ping, Yau Wai Ming, Office

Best Costume & Make Up Design: Yee Chung-man, Monster Hunt

Best Visual Effects: Jason Snell, Ellen Poon, Tang Bing-bing, Monster Hunt

Best Sound Design: Kinson Tsang, George Lee Yiu-keung, Yiu Chun-hin, The Taking of Tiger Mountain

Best Supporting Actress: Elaine Jin, Port of Call

Best Original Film Song: She Remembers, He Forgets, “We Almost Fly”, Feanna Wong

Best Film From Mainland and Taiwan: The Assassin

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Ning, Port of Call

Best Screenplay: Philip Yung Tsz Kwong, Port of Call

Best Action Choreography: Li Chung Chi, SPL 2: A Time for Consequences

Best Director: Tsui Hark, The Taking of Tiger Mountain

Best Actress: Jessie Li, Port of Call

Best Actor: Aaron Kwok, Port of Call

Best Film: Ten Years

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