A belated Happy Tuen Ng Festival to all!  Hope no one stuffed themselves silly with 糭子 (rice wraps).

In case you missed it, earlier today: News Links: Sexy Photos Gate May 2009 Update

LINK OF THE WEEK:

Ronald Cheng suspected to be patron of prostitute

I could make all manner of jokes about this but most of them are tasteless and inappropriate for polite company so let’s just leave it at I’m compiling this post in front of a photo of S. 

FEATURES:

China changes Hong Kong film biz

Aaron Kwok: I’m in the golden period of my career

Yan Geling: ’My Novels Are Not My Babies’

IN PRODUCTION:

Producer: Lin Ching-hsia to play Ip Man’s wife

Ziyi Gives Lowdown on Her Landmark Role

Deleted scenes? Nothing to be inglorious of, says Maggie Cheung 

Arclight looks to ‘Future X-Cops’ from Wong Jing and Andy Lau

More from Cannes:

• Deals for ‘Storm Warriors’ roll in
• Continental drift evident in Cannes 

Production Photos:

• TREASURE HUNTER (Jay Chou, Lin Chi-Ling, Chen Daoming)
• Barbie Hsu and Louis Koo in FORBIDDEN CITY COP: SMART DOG
• Donnie Yen and Vicki Zhao on the set of 14 BLADES
• Sammo Hung Kam-Bo on the set of DETECTIVE DEE

MOVIE REVIEWS:

New Straits Times reviews I CORRUPT ALL COPS

San Francisco Chronicle reviews THE BEAST STALKER

GENERAL NEWS:

Hong Kong stars linked to June 4 escape plot

I can’t believe that next week brings the twentieth (20th!) anniversary of Tiananmen 6/4.  Time flies.

In light of recent controversies, I bet Jackie Chan makes himself scarce for the next few days.  At least that’s what I’d advise him to do if I was his PR guy.  If he pops up next week and flaps his yap about Tiananmen then you’ll know that he’s either really full of himself or he doesn’t have anyone around him to tell him no.

Shu Qi jaded to sex and violence

Zhang Ziyi unaffected by beach photo scandal

TV tops media in HK as Nielsen turns 40

‘If You Are the One’, the Most Bankable One

More Chinese Box Office:  China shows its strength

MacDowell, Lau and Im join Shanghai juries

Wedding bells ring for Christopher and Fann

Zoe Tay: Her assets are a liability

Jolin Tsai:

• Queen of controversy
  
• In spite of Her Injuries, Jolin Still Wants To Dance
• Jolin Gives Reporters The Eye to Prevent Unglamorous Photos

More Taiwan:

• Alexander Wang to Deliver “Music” to Africa
• Tank back and reloaded
• Ethan Ruan fighting for love
• Eddie Peng responsible for his own dip in popularity
• Taipei Times Pop Stop
  

Kelly Clarkson belts out signature songs during her visit to Hong Kong

AROUND TOWN:

Ekin Cheng Yi-Kin

In his capacity as their celebrity spokesperson, Ekin Cheng attended a Dragon Boat Festival related charity event for The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council.

The First Lady of the Kozo Entertainment Group

At Causeway Bay’s Times Square on May 27th, Karena Lam Ka-Yan was a celebrity awards presenter at the finals of the “Be A Little Teacher Campaign 2009″ Competition.  Speaking to reporters about childhood education, Lam revealed that when she worked as a tutor for two years, she learned as much from her students as they did from her.  Lam: “The direct way children express themselves is something that we adults should emulate.”

When reporters noticed the joy Karena Lam showed from being around the children at the event, Lam revealed: “I grew up with three sisters so our home was always very lively.   Because of that, I’d like to have lots of kids.”

Asked further about her plans for motherhood, Lam replied: “I have to wait until I get married first.”

Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Roger Kwok Jun-On

Promoting their new TVB series THE THRESHOLD OF A PERSONA (ID 精英), Roger Kwok Jun-On, Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Patrick Tang Kin-Wang, Natalie Tong Si-Wing, Sherming Yiu Lok-Yi and Toby Leung Jing-Kei went to Shatin from a Dragon Boat racing event.  THE THRESHOLD OF A PERSONA debuts on TVB Jade on Monday June 1st.

Shu Qi, Simon Yam Tat-Wah, his wife Qi Qi, Michelle Yeoh and Lynn Xiong were among the celebrities who attended the gala opening of The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957.  The exhibit, which runs until September 28th, showcases a collection of designer fashions borrowed from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.  Related links:

• Shu Qi: 1, 2
• Simon Yam and Qi Qi

Liza Wang, Law Kar-Ying

Earlier this month, Liza Wang and Law Kar-Ying married in Las Vegas.  On the evening of May 26th, the newlyweds held a banquet at the Manning House’s Kiangsu And Chekiang Residents (H.K.) Association restaurant.  Among the attendees were: Carol Cheng Yu-Ling, Teresa Mo Shun-Kwan, Margie Tsang Wah-Sin, Nancy Sit Ka-Yin, Alvina Kong Yan-Yin and Eileen Cha.

STALKIN’ THE STARS:

My cousin Tony and his lovely bride Carina Lau

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Carina Lau Ka-Ling hosted a dinner for family and friends on May 24th at Amigo Restaurant in Happy Valley.

Kenix Kwok Ho-Ying

Recently, Kenix Kwok took a break from working on TVB’s BORN RICH by doing a little browsing at a Causeway Bay fashion store.  TVB’s “grand production” for 2009, BORN RICH tells the story of a family feud set in the corporate world.  It boasts an all-star cast that features Kwok, Ray Lui Leung-Wai, Gallen Lo Ka-Leung, Anita Yuen Wing-Yi, Crystal Tin Yui-Lei, Nancy Sit Ka-Yin and Jamie Chik Mei-Chun among others.

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Lin Chi-Ling

Many, many, many photos of Lin Chi-Ling and Lin Chi-Ling’s legs “workin’ it” while promoting the OSIM uSqueeze Foot Massager.  Thanks to 軟體動物先生 (Mr. Mollusk?) for sending along the link.

Aaron Kwok promotes Longines watches

Lynn Xiong

Lynn Xiong, a bikini and blue screen technology combine to form an ad for a brand of body essence.

Lynn Xiong promotes Dior at their Fall Fashion Show

Kelly Chen Wai-Lam

Five months pregnant, Kelly Chen shoots an ad for DHC skin care products.

Eva Huang Shengyi does a cosmetics ad

BECAUSE I’M NOT ON TWITTER:

SUMMER HOURS, the new film from Olivier Assayas (the former Mr. Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk) sounds very intriguing.  Related links:

• Roger Ebert review
• David Edelstein review (NPR podcast)

Off to see if the Cleveland LeBrons can stave off elimination against the Orlando Magic.  I hate to say it but I think it could be curtains for the Cavaliers’ season tonight.

Sexy Photos Gate reared its ugly head again this week as news about the three main protagonists of the saga surfaced:

CECILIA CHEUNG:

A very public display of affection from Nicholas Tse to Cecilia Chung

EDISON CHEN:

• Fallout looms as Edison Chen returns to HK 
• Edison Chen takes a risk by returning to Hong Kong
• Edison back in HK 

Chinese media are speculating that Chen’s return to Hong Kong is a “hungry dog backed into a corner” situation.  He’s supposedly taking the risk because of the financial state of the Chen family.  His father, Chen Chak-Man, declared bankruptcy earlier this year.  Her sister, model Tricia Chen Kin-Fei, is seeing very little demand for her services.  Chen’s own image took another hit in February when he was crushed by Cecilia Cheung in a widely broadcast interview.  Market share for Chen’s clothing company, CLOT, is facing increased pressure from Juno Mak’s clothing line Chapel of Dawn.

More Edison Chen:

On the May 29th edition of the RTHK radio show MADE IN HONG KONG with Alex Lee, former Cookies member Angela Au revealed that she had heard from her circle of friends that ol’ EDC has broken up with girlfriend Vincy Yeung.  Au: “That’s what I heard.  I don’t know if they’ll get back together.  You know how it is with young people, they’re always breaking up and getting together.

• RELATED LINK: RTHK webpage where you can listen to the show

GILLIAN CHUNG:

Gillian Chung Yan-Tung spent her Tuen Ng Festival performing in a show in Tongling, China.  By all accounts, she was warmly received.

• I guess the comeback isn’t proceeding that well.  This has the feel of looking up a popular TV star from the 1980s/1990s and seeing that she’s now “appearing in a production of the award-winning Broadway play THE GLASS MENAGERIE” but it’s “regional theatre” in Lincoln, Nebraska.  No offense to the good people of Tongling and Lincoln.
• Photos 

Back later with a regular news links post.

A Happy Memorial Day to all the American readers out there.  I know many people have issues with the military and its political masters but many of us rise and sleep under the blanket of freedom that the veterans and troops have provided.  Sometimes, you just got to put all the grievances aside and say “thank you” then go on your way because, as Colonel Jessop said on the stand, most of us probably can’t handle the truth.

BECAUSE I’M NOT ON TWITTER:

- The promo cast pics for BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS look cool — especially the ones for Nic Tse and my other cousin Tony.  The only one that looks kind of cheesy, sadly, is Leon Lai as a beggar.  It looks like “Leon Lai is going to a Halloween party as a Rastafarian” more than anything.

- Toss Up: Who looked hotter at the Cannes closing ceremony: Shu Qi or Zhang Ziyi?  Shu Qi.  Hard to resist a girl who shows a little tongue.  It’s also hard to like a girl whose lips eschew the simple pleasure of instant noodles.  (See below for relevant links)

- Why I need surgery to remove the foot from my mouth:

“Sanney, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Sabrina.”

“Ah, Sabrina, like the teenage witch …”

Think it might have gone better if I had said: “Ah, Sabrina, like the chaffeur’s daughter … “

Probably not.

* * * * *

From the comments on News Links: Mother’s Day 2009:

glenn writes: Wow, you have a thing for Karena Lam! Or you are more infatuated with her than previously.

No, no, I don’t have a thing for Karena Lam. It’s just that she’s now the boss’s wife so proper respect must be paid.

laicheukpan writes: Since when did Karena Lam become Mrs. Kozo? 

Kozo recently told everyone that he went to “Italy” for a “film festival” but, c’mon, look at the picture of Kozo with Nick Cheung.  Was that really taken in Italy?  Or was it taken in the lobby of the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel where Nick Cheung was the best man at Kozo’s wedding to his secret girlfriend of twenty years?  Look outside the window behind Kozo’s shoulder, isn’t that one of the Petronas Towers in the background?

Enough nonsense, let’s get to the links …

JOHNNIE TO AND VENGEANCE AT CANNES:

Hollywood Reporter Q&A: Johnnie To

Two Johnnies bid for Cannes glory

Johnnie To leads Asian charge at Cannes

Reviews:

• The Hollywood Reporter
  
• David Phelps for The Auteurs
• Cannes’09 Diary-Day 5: Johnnie To’s Vengeance
  
• Roger Ebert blogs about VENGEANCE (scroll down, appears near the middle of the entry)
  
• Mike D’Angelo for The A.V. Club (scoll down, appears near the bottom)
• Positive blurb from Manohla Dargis of The New York Times (scroll down to paragraph 6)

Johnnie To poses with cast members at the VENGEANCE premiere

• Sina.com photo gallery featuring Michelle Yeoh, Anthony Wong, my cousin Tony, Simon Yam, Michelle Ye and others
• ‘Vengeance’ Photocall At Cannes Film Festival
• Vengeance Premiere - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
  
• Johnnie To Receives Award - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
  

VENGEANCE star Michelle Ye Enjoys Cannes

MORE CANNES:

Asian directors show realism of gangland violence

Asian cinema gains traction as Hollywood takes a tumble

Ang Lee Partnership Gives Him Broad Film Focus

Ang Lee is `Taking Woodstock’

Taking Woodstock scenes really marijuana inspired

Ang Lee’s 10-minute standing ovation

Asia’s dark pics make a splash at Cannes

Cannes’ red carpet is blood-soaked

Cannes wrap-up:

• Lush images, audience walk-outs as Cannes winds up
• Unhappy ending in Cannes, best film hard to call
• Veteran auteurs dominate Cannes
• ‘White Ribbon’ wins Palme d’Or

Sina.com slideshows of Cannes closing ceremony:

• Shu Qi
• Zhang Ziyi

More Shu Qi and Zhang Ziyi:

• Cannes Closing Night
• Bringing Sexy Back 
• Photos and video of Shu Qi

Oops! Be Careful with Your Lipstick, Ziyi!

Chinese media continue to show their love for Zhang Ziyi

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS premiere: Michelle Yeoh, Shu Qi, Zhang Ziyi

IN PRODUCTION:

Decipher Confucius’ Alleged Romance

More Production photos:  Sina.com, Oriental Daily News via Xinhua

John Woo: Fox in Chinese production with ‘Ransom’

‘Sophie’s Revenge’ nabs buyers (Zhang Ziyi’s new romantic comedy)

Photo of Fan Bingbing from SOPHIE’S REVENGE

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASINS:

• Basketball-Playing ‘Bodyguard’
• More promo pics and trailer
• Trailer from CRI English

DETECTIVE DEE promo logo released

Jiang Wen Will “Let the Bullets Fly”

Fortissimo picks up international rights to Yonfan’s Prince of Tears

RELATED: Art house pic ‘Prince of Tears’ finds home

Retired Actress Brigitte Lin Returns to Martial-Arts Film

There’s no new news in the article.  Same old speculation based on Yip Chun’s rambling.  Nothing official yet.

FEATURES:

Simon Yam: Breaking The Boundaries

Malaysia Star feature on Tony Leung Ka-Fai and I CORRUPT ALL COPS

Variety’s Hong Kong Cinema at 100 feature

• China central to Hong Kong’s film future 
• Spotlight: Hong Kong talent (Isabella Leong?  Immense screen potential?  Really?)
  
• Hong Kong cinema timeline 

Vanishing history `robs city of movie magic’

Carina Lau: Nude photos my lowest point

More Carina Lau: Actress Carina Lau ready for motherhood

Surviving a blacklist brought Tsai Chin new found freedom

MOVIE REVIEWS:

HK Magazine reviews NIGHT AND FOG

Taipei Times reviews TRUE WOMAN FOR SALE

GENERAL NEWS:

‘Red Cliff’ to Hit North America

Did Aaron Kwok accidentally expose himself during a concert?

Maggie Cheung Okay with ‘Basterds’ Cut

Director Chu: Lin Chi Ling is more than empty vessel

Charlene Choi: $100,000 for screen kiss

Wedding bells for Miriam Yeung?

Air stewardess complains about Zhang Ziyi’s arrogance

Apparently, Zhang Ziyi does not eat instant noodles.

Faye Wong’s shampoo advertisement exposed

Ad photos courtesy Sina.com

Taipei Times Pop Stop: Jay Chou, Lee-Hom Wang, Stefanie Sun, Faye Wong

Fann Wong marries Christopher Lee

• Straits Times
  
• CRI English

Zhang Yimou’s Turandot Fervor a Riddle for Critics

Zhang Yimou honoured

JACKIE CHAN:

Jackie Chan plays the underdog

RELATED: SHINJUKU INCIDENT review

Jackie Chan takes on media “toughies”

Big Brother Jackie in South Korea:

• Jackie Chan Returns to Korea 
• Jackie Chan to Volunteer in Tongyeong for 3 Days 
• Jackie Chan to bring ‘gift of hope’

OPINION: Jackie Chan, Gao Zhisheng, and the True Meaning of Bravery

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Nic Tse performs in Shanghai

Maggie Cheung, Simon Yam and Qi Qi, Kathy Chow Man-Kei, others

On May 21st, Louis Vuitton opened their “A Passion for Creation” exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art

Fan Bingbing graces Elle Magazine

Lynn Xiong (aka Aaron Kwok’s secret girlfriend, actress who played Ip Man’s wife)

“Guest Editor in Chief” Zhou Xun

RELATED: Photos courtesy Sina.com

Takeshi Kaneshiro wants you to buy Sapporo Beer

Ruby Lin in New Ad

Vivian Chow promotes Elyze Body Rejuvenation Centres

Big S and Little S pose for P Style Image Studio

Karen Mok sells shampoo in Shanghai

• Xinhua
• Sina.com

Louis Koo promotes Pepsi

Fan Bingbing, Tian Shin, others promote Forevermark diamonds

AMERICAN MASTERS HOLLYWOOD CHINESE:

A Chinese Legacy in Tinseltown

Asians still waiting for equality in film roles

Image credits: Kozo Entertainment Group (Kozo/Nick Cheung), Agence France-Presse (Shu Qi)

Many, many links today so let’s just get straight to the nitty gritty …

MOVIE REVIEWS:

Screen Daily review of VENGEANCE

Variety reviews VENGEANCE

Variety reviews CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH

bc Magazine reviews:

NIGHT AND FOG

ASHES OF TIME REDUX

IN PRODUCTION:

14 BLADES:

Donnie Yen in for Bond-esque actioner

Donnie Yen Longs for Romance in New Film

Photos from the 14 BLADES press conference

• General photos
• Vicki Zhao

Focus, Edko seal three film deal

Dadi Film moves into sales for Confucius

Confucius Chow

We Distribution closes sales on Bodyguards And Assassins

More: Variety, Hollywood Reporter

China Daily: “Bodyguards and Assassins” posters released

Sina.com: Large-size photo gallery of BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS posters

RELATED: Production stills featuring Fan Bingbing

Peter Chan, Dante Lam news: Cinema Popular unveils China’s first superhero movie

Peter Chan Brings Demon-Slayer to Life

Michelle Yeoh: Fortissimo takes on Tian’s Warrior, Indian doc

Cast Promotes MULAN at Cannes

PHOTOS: Vicki Zhao and Aloys Chen promote MULAN at Cannes

I’m a red-blooded hetrosexual male but, damn, Aloys Chen is a handsome man.

Universe releases poster for STORM WARRIORS 2

The film, which reportedly has a budget of HK$93 million, opens on December 17th.

Top Actresses Pass on ‘The Message’

Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing production stills courtesy Sina.com

Production stills from THE MESSAGE

Korea’s Sidus to co-produce One Armed Swordsman remake

Ethan Ruan replaces Jay Chou as triad member in new film

GENERAL NEWS:

New H.K. sales firm embraces actresses

Tiger8 and Wuxi launch $150m fund to take Chinese films global

Faye Wong’s Comeback Ad Released

Zhang Ziyi’s rude antics exposed

Zhang Ziyi coy over marriage and baby plans

Zhang Ziyi Shows Care for Children

Andy Lau’s girl moves out after wedding is called off

Michelle Reis antagonises mother-in-law on mothers’ day

China Daily on Michelle Reis and Charlene Choi

Charlene Choi makes plans for motherhood

Jackie Chan:

Jackie Chan Sings with Young Quake Survivors

Jackie Chan’s Pandas

Barbie Hsu: Vic Zhou was overly possessive

Want a date with Taiwanese female stars? Pay up

Taipei Times Pop Stop

‘Celebrity’ love dolls in hot demand in China

SEXY PHOTOS GATE:

`Killer’ on loose as techie jailed for Edison pics

Chen Sex-Pix Thief Gets Prison

Gillian Chung: The end of innocence

OPINION:

Ambitious Lu Chuan Succeeds with CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH

FEATURES:

Reality Bites: bc Magazine feature on HK documentary filmmakers

Don’t bow down to vices, says Tsai Chin

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Shu Qi at Cannes:

• VENGEANCE premiere
  
• Jury Press Conference
• Jury Photo Call
• Opening Ceremony
• UP premiere: 1, 2, 3

More Shu Qi at Cannes: Sina.com, Xinhua

Nick Cheung Ka-Fai celebrates his HKFA Best Actor win

On May 9th, Nick Cheung celebrated his HKFA Best Actor win with a party at a Tsimshatsui area restaurant. Among the attendees were his wife Esther Kwan Wing-Ho, their daughter Brittany, Ann Hui On-Wah, Julian Cheung Chi-Lam and Anita Yuen Wing-Yi, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Danny Lee Sau-Yin, Wong Jing, Francis Ng Jun-Yu, EEG boss Albert Yeung Sau-Sing and EEG manager extraordinaire Mani Fok Man-Hei. No word on whether or not his pal Kozo attended the party.

TVB 5-12 Earthquake Anniversary Show

Stephy Tang Lai-Yan, Miriam Yeung Chin-Wah, Sheren Teng Sui-Man, Myolie Wu Hung-Yi, Fiona Sit Hoi-Kei, Annie Yi and others made an appearance on a TVB show to commemorate the one year anniversary of the 5-12 Earthquake.

Chinese Stars back in Sichuan

Vicki Zhao poses for the Chinese version of Harper’s Bazaar

Zhang Ziyi promotes Armani

Barbie Hsu shoots an ad for Tissot

Vivian Chow shoots ad for a weight loss company

Gaile Lok promotes Neutrogena

Nic Tse and family promote his latest music video

Stefanie Sun Embarks on World Tour

Lee-Hom Wang celebrates his 33rd birthday

CULTURAL NEWS:

Bruce who?: Review of Ken Ing’s WING CHUN WARRIOR

‘Evil’ China sex park torn down: state media

Online car hysterics drive Shanghainese round the bend

Time to clear out some of the items that I’ve been keeping in my little notebook:

BOX OFFICE NOTES:

I CORRUPT ALL COPS made HK$2.14 million last week to boost its total to HK$4.60 million from 11 days in theatres. The Mainland epic CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH (aka NANKING! NANKING!) opened with a take of HK$1.24 million over the weekend while TRAIL OF THE PANDA made HK$725,123.

IP MAN 2:

IP MAN director Wilson Yip Wai-Shun gave an interview to the Beijing Times earlier this week in which he revealed details about IP MAN 2.  Yip denied rumours that Andy Lau Tak-Wah will be joining the cast as Ip Man’s rival.  Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, rather, will do double duty as action director and the main opponent.  While Yip expects the cast from IP MAN to reprise their roles in the sequel, they will not be continuing the Japanese resistance storyline.  Instead, the sequel will be set in the 1950s and focus on Ip Man’s struggle to open a kung fu school in Hong Kong.  According to Yip, the sequel’s storyline will be driven by the conflict Ip Man generates when he upsets the balance of power in the Hong Kong kung fu school jiang wu by opening his own school.

Asked if a Bruce Lee character would appear in IP MAN 2, Yip replied: “Only briefly.  The movie is set in the 1950s and Bruce Lee is still only a child so he won’t have a big part in the film.  Besides this movie is called IP MAN 2 not BRUCE LEE.”

Yip is currently scouting locations around Shanghai for the sequel.  Shooting is slated to being in August.

IP MAN recently took home the Best Film prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards.  Commenting on the victory, Yip said: “Before the Best Film award was presented, our film only had Big Brother Sammo Hung win for Best Action Design.  No one else from the IP MAN team won an award.  It was impossible for me to imagine that an outstanding film like IP MAN would win just one award.  Although I really liked THE WAY WE ARE, if we didn’t win Best Film that night, I would have stormed out of the room right away.”

TANG WEI:

The latest issue of Sudden Weekly (Issue #719) includes an article on rising star Tang Wei.  According to the article, Tang met with Harvey Weinstein, boss of The Weinstein Group, and Vice President of Asian Acquisitions & Co-Productions Bey Logan on April 12th at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central.  While there are rumours that Tang, who reportedly speaks fluent English, is already considering five or six Hollywood projects, Bey Logan told the magazine: “That day, it was just a simple, preliminary meeting where we got to know one another.  We just wanted to learn a little bit more about her.  She is a very special talent who can work in Cantonese, Mandarin or English.  If we have a suitable role, we would definitely consider her for it.”

RELATED LINKS:

• Original Sudden Weekly article (subscription required)
• Sina.com article (contains photo of meeting)

BRIGITTE LIN:

In recent weeks, there has been a lot of smoke but no fire yet surrounding a comeback by Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching-Ha).  Rumours have connected the retired actress to Tsui Hark’s DETECTIVE DEE and future projects with Jackie Chan and Sylvia Chang.  Two weeks ago, Ip Chun, the son of Ip Man, linked Lin to Wong Kar-Wai’s THE GRAND MASTER — Wong’s long-planned bio-pic of the legendary Wing Chun master.

Appearing on a Hunan Satellite TV talk show on April 28th, Ip claimed that Lin has agreed to play the headmistress of a kung fu school in Wong’s film.  Asked by reporters to confirm Ip’s claim, a spokesperson for Wong Kar-Wai’s Jet Tone Studios refused to comment.

In the interview, Ip went on to say that he has been helping Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, who has been cast by Wong to play Ip Man, prepare by teaching him Wing Chun.  Ip: “When he first started learning it, he didn’t feel much affinity for Wing Chun but now that he’s been working on it, I think he’s become more and more interested.  When he’s at home, he’ll ask Carina Lau (Leung’s wife) to practice ’sticky hands’ with him.  He’ll also ask me to test his skills once in a while.”

On the set of DETECTIVE DEE, Tsui Hark was asked to comment about the rumour.  Reporters wondered if Tsui felt snubbed by Lin.  Tsui: “I’ve been busy working on my new film so I haven’t heard anything about that.  Ching-Ha is my friend of many years, as long as she thinks it is the right decision, I’ll support her.”

LOUIS KOO:

With an amazing pedigree that includes Derek Yee Tung-Sing and Henry Fong Ping as its producers and Alan Mak Siu-Fai and Felix Chong Man-Keung as its co-directors, OVERHEARD (竊聽風雲) is one of the most anticipated films of the summer.  Starring Lau Ching-Wan, Louis Koo Tin-Lok and Daniel Wu, the movie tells the story of a HK Police surveillance squad investigating a case in the world of corporate finance.

As he plays Lau Ching-Wan’s mentor in the film, Louis Koo had to gain 30 pounds to make himself look older than Lau.  Asked if he was pulling a “DeNiro” and making a bid for a Hong Kong Film Award next year, Koo replied: “Robert DeNiro gained 60 pounds for RAGING BULL so comparing me to him is like comparing a little fish to a big fish.  Gaining a little weight is nothing.  I’m just doing my part for the role.”

Principal photography of the film has been completed.  It is currently in post-production.

RELATED LINKS: 1, 2

Along with Big S Barbie Hsu, Louis Koo was on location in Beijing a couple of weeks ago shooting palace scenes for the new Wong Jing comedy FORBIDDEN CITY COP: SMART DOG.   In the film, Koo plays a royal cop who falls in love with a lady hero played by Big S.  Koo’s character doesn’t know kung fu so he has to rely on his brains to get out of sticky situations.  Speaking to the media during a break in shooting, director Wong praised the talents of his lead actress by remarking: “Big S is a very versatile actress.  She can do everything.  The way she played a mother (in CONNECTED) shows the depth of her skills.  This is a time of great opportunity for her.  With Shu Qi being selective about what she’s doing, she’s throwing away one or two good scripts each year that Big S can pick up and do.”

Yesterday, work continued on the film at the Hengdian Studios in Zhejiang.  Wrapped in an elaborate costume for more than 12 hours a day, one would think that the biggest complaint supporting actress Sandra Ng Kwan-Yu has is the 30°C+ temperature on the lot.  It was not.  Ng: “It’s been seven days since I’ve seen my daughter.   Luckily, we’re going to be finished here in a couple of days.”

Louis Fan Siu-Wong, Tong Dawei (Vicki Zhao’s playmate in RED CLIFF 2), Lee Kin-Yan (the cross-dressing nosepicker from various Stephen Chow movies) and Liu Yiwei (a Mainland television personality) also star in the film.  Newlywed Law Kar-Ying plays a character based on Marco Polo.

FORBIDDEN CITY COP: SMART DOG is scheduled to hit Hong Kong theatres on August 4th.  If the movie is successful, Wong hopes to make sequels with Louis Koo as the star.

RELATED LINKS:

• Louis Koo and Barbie Hsu
  
• Louis Koo and Sandra Ng
• Law Kar-Ying
• Photos and video from the Beijing set