April 1st, 2009
News Links: April Fool’s Day 2009
Happy April Fool’s Day! Alas, there won’t be an April Fool’s Day joke from me today. I was thinking of doing a fake story on EEG and Sexy Photos Gate. Something like this …
EEG announces co-operation with Japanese porn studio. First releases to be:
EEG-001: Former Teen Idol’s Scandalous AV Debut starring Gillian Chung
EEG-002: Sexy Accidental Public Exposure Tsimshatsui Edition starring Yumiko Cheng
… but you’re probably all tired of Sexy Photos Gate so I figured that I should devote my time and energy elsewhere.
Speaking of time and energy …
From the comments on News Links: March 27th, 2009
Sara Lee writes: You said that you didn’t have the time or inclination to chase down other sources for confirmation about the Gigi Leung story. I’m curious, what would you have done if you had the time and the inclination? Do you have connections of some sort?
First, I would have asked to speak to the fired flight attendant directly to ascertain the facts (date, names, flight number, etc.). I would also ask for a copy of the photo. Then, I would have put together a story then contacted Cathay Pacific and Gigi Leung’s management for a reaction. After that, I would write a final version of the story and publish it.
MANI SPEAKS:
Xinhua ran an interview today with EEG’s Mani Fok Man-Hei. Known as the “Mother of Emperor”, she has managed the likes of Nic Tse, Joey Yung, Isabella Leong, Twins and Yumiko Cheng over the course of her 16 years with EEG. Excerpts from the interview:
On the inspiration for Twins:
“I have a twin sister. Our company signed Ah Gil first then we signed Ah Sa. I thought to myself: ‘why don’t we pair the two young girls together?’
In the beginning, we dressed them the same then we slowly began to dress them differently. The only thing that didn’t quite work was that their personalities were completely different. Ah Sa is a lively extrovert while Ah Gil in an introvert.”
On Gillian Chung:
“I treat my artistes like they were my own family. When they have problems, I treat them like my own. At the beginning, I told her that ‘he (Edison Chen) is not a person you should be involved with’. However, when a young person is in love, they don’t listen to anyone.”
“Ah Gil’s mistake was that she didn’t think of her bottom line. She should have remembered that she was a public figure. In the end, though, the person who made the biggest mistake was Edison Chen.”
On Gillian Chung’s comeback:
“In the past year, I’ve had Ah Gil study dancing, acting and gymnastics to prepare her for her comeback. The only thing we didn’t plan on was that Cecilia Cheung Pak-Chi would do her interview first. But, it doesn’t matter who was first and who was second.”
“Work is very hard for Ah Gil now because she’s been out for so long. She didn’t sleep much in the days before her comeback. I’ve been with her the whole time. It was very gratifying to see all the support she received at her events in the Mainland. Her attitude is to come back slowly. Besides, restoring her confidence she’s winning back her respect.”
On Isabella Leong:
“I’ve worked with more than 30 artistes and the only who’s walked away is Isabella Leong. Although she left, I feel that I’ve done right by her. When I was working as her manager, I feel that I did the job to the best of my ability.”
RETIRED ACTRESSES NEWS:
The latest edition of East Weekly suggests that retired actress Cherie Chung Chor-Hung is experiencing some financial difficulty and that a comeback to the entertainment circle is imminent.
Former TVB leading lady Yammie Nam Kit-Ying was spotted outside of a Shau Kei Wan Circle K convenience store on Monday morning. She was smoking and asking passersby for money. Nam, a popular actress for TVB in the 1980s and early-1990s, has a history of mental illness.
SHINJUKU INCIDENT:
Derek Yee Tung-Sing: In the yakuza’s grip
Saving the world is still on Jackie Chan’s agenda
Not just any Hollywood role for Daniel Wu & Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan pitches his ‘different’ side in new movie
REPRINT: The Mirror’s (UK) review of SHINJUKU INCIDENT
IN PRODUCTION:
Hong Kong-Mainland producers announce “5510 Big Movie Plan”
Related Photo Gallery: Lee Lik-Chi, Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun among those who attended event
Photos from the IP MAN 2 press conference in Shanghai
A press conference was held yesterday in Shanghai formally announcing the production of IP MAN 2. Wilson Yip Wai-Shun returns as director while Sammo Hung Kam-Bo will, once again, handle the action. Donnie Yen, Xiong Dai-Lin, Fan Siu-Wong and Gordon Lam Ka-Tong will all reprise their characters. The sequel is set in late-1940s Hong Kong so the Bruce Lee character will not be appearing.
John Woo’s Titanic runs aground
Production Stills: TREASURE HUNTER
Taiwanese stars Jay Chou and Lin Chi-Ling began work last week on their new film TREASURE HUNTER. The time travel romantic/action/comedy is being directed by Chu Yen-Peng (KUNG FU DUNK) and co-stars Eric Tsang Chi-Wai. Producers hope to have the film ready for the Christmas 2009 holiday movie season.
Confirmed: Chow Yun-fat plays Confucius
Related Photos: Chow Yun-Fat, Zhou Xun attend opening lens ceremony for their Confucius biopic at a Confucian temple in Beijing
Stranglehold Movie Apparently Won’t Star Chow Yun-Fat
‘Karate Kid’ redo retitled ‘Kung Fu Kid’
GENERAL NEWS:
Fans Pay Tribute to Leslie Cheung on Sixth Death Anniversary
Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow named Asia’s best selling actors & directors
Jackie Chan to sing in bird nest
Jet Li, Zhang Yimou Named “Chinese of World Influence”
Daniel Wu willing to sacrifice privacy for movies
Miriam Yeung: Miriam’s girl-next-door charm
Tang Wei: “Lust Caution” is history
ASHES OF TIME REDUX: Lovers and Fighters
HK pop star Kelvin Kwan released from police custody
Stefanie Sun’s new boyfriend exposed!
Rain confident of winning appeal
SEXY PHOTOS GATE:
Eason Chan: Edison Chen missing Hong Kong badly
HKIFF: Edison Chen sex scandal sure to make Sniper a hit
Edison Chen ‘tests water’ with role as sex pervert
MOVIE REVIEWS:
Variety reviews Ann Hui’s latest NIGHT AND FOG (Simon Yam, Zhang Jingchu)
Variety review of Feng Xiaogang’s IF YOU ARE THE ONE (Ge You, Shu Qi)
California Chronicle reviews Oxide Pang’s BASIC LOVE
FEATURES:
Chow Yun-Fat Talks Dragonball Evolution
Chow Yun-Fat: DRAGONBALL’s Dirty Old Sifu
Jolin Tsai: Jolin talks about scandal and Mr Right
Super Band: ‘It’s really not about money’
PHOTO GALLERYS:
ASHES OF TIME REDUX event in Hong Kong
Director Alan Mak Siu-Fai marries
This past weekend, director Alan Mak Siu-Fai (INFERNAL AFFAIRS, LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK) married his longtime girlfriend Chung Wai-Tak. Reportedly, Mak met Chung, eleven years his junior, at an event five years ago. To celebrate the nuptials, a 20-table banquet was held at the Aberdeen Marina Club. Among the attendees were Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Shawn Yue Man-Lok, Michelle Ye and Jade Kwan Sum-Yin.
Wong Jing and his latest “Jing Girl” Natalie Yao Meng
Following in a line that includes Chingmy Yau Suk-Ching and Kelly Lin, Natalie Yao Meng is Wong Jing’s latest “Jing Girl”. Wong spotted Yao in Mainland director Huang Jianzhong’s SILVER ORNAMENTS and imported her to Hong Kong where she can now be admired in such films as THE VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME and BEAUTY AND THE 7 BEASTS. Yao can next be seen alongside Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, my other cousin Tony, Eason Chan, Alex Fong Lik-Sun, Kate Tsui and Wong Jing himself in I CORRUPT COPS. The film opens in Hong Kong on April 23rd.
Shu Qi, Aloys Chen and Sylvia Chang shoot ad for Cartier
Related: Shu Qi, Syliva Chan promote Cartier
Cecilia Cheung shoots ad for a bedding company in Guangzhou
Michelle Reis Poses for Marie Claire
Tang Wei poses for Chinese edition of Vogue
Ada Choi Siu-Fan and hubby attend event promoting Moiselle
Promotional stills from the upcoming Mainland film WHEAT (Fan Bingbing, Wang Xueqi)
