Gritty docudrama steals the show on big night
Local director Ann Hui On-wah's low-budget, truly made-in-Hong Kong production The Way We Are swept the floor at last night's 28th Hong Kong Film Awards with four major awards, but lost the best film title to Ip Man, a biopic celebrating the life of Bruce Lee's kung fu master.
The Way We Are, a docudrama casting a brighter light on Tin Shui Wai, the New Territories town dubbed the 'City of Sadness' owing to a string of brutal domestic violence cases, won best director, best actress, best supporting actress and best screenplay.
Cheers erupted at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre when Hui accepted the best director award. 'When I was younger, I thought that only winning awards at film festivals like Cannes would be the best. But now I realise that winning an award from the hands of the locals means even more. May we work hard for the next 100 years of Hong Kong films.' Last night's ceremony also honoured the centenary of filmmaking in Hong Kong.
When the tearful Paw Hee-ching went on stage to collect the best actress award for her role as an optimistic single working mother in The Way We Are, the applause was thunderous.
'This is a very big 60-year-old birthday present for me,' said Paw, who turns 60 in July. 'When I was making this film, I never imaged myself winning any awards. I only wanted to support Ann to make a meaningful film when she had no cast, no money, only passion.'
Her co-star Chan Lai-wun took best supporting actress for her portrayal of an isolated old lady whose depressing life is lifted by her neighbour (Paw). Chan burst into tears as she accepted the trophy.
'I've been working for 43 years in the TV industry and I have been in many before- and behind-screen positions. I never imagined I would be honoured by the Hong Kong Film Awards,' Chan said.
The best screenplay award went to Lou Shiu-wa for her realistic script for the same film.
Another veteran, Nick Cheung Ka-fai, who played a reluctant professional killer in action-packed thriller The Beast Stalker, won the best actor award for the first time.
'When I saw [Barack] Obama winning the US presidency, I thought I stood a chance,' said Cheung, with tears in his eyes. 'I waited for this award for a very long time.'
Cheung's co-star Liu Kai-chi was awarded best supporting actor for his role as a loyal veteran police officer - the second time he has won the award since 1993.
Asked how he was going to celebrate his triumph, Liu said: 'I will put my children to bed, kiss my wife before she sleeps, and place the trophy next to my youngest son's photo and share this happiness with him.' Liu's youngest son died of leukaemia in 2006.
Child actor Xu Jiao, who made a rare girlish appearance wearing a blue gown, won the best new performer with her role as the son of a poor father played by Stephen Chow Sing-chi in CJ7. 'I'm very emotional now,' Xu, 11, said as she tried to hold back her tears. 'I must thank my father [Chow] for giving me this chance. I have finally achieved 100 points!'
Historic war epic Red Cliff won five technical awards including best art direction and best costume makeup design, both by Oscar-winning Tim Yip.
Wong Kar-wai presented the lifetime achievement award to Josephine Siao Fong-fong. Organisers arranged a silent applause with the audience waving glow sticks for the hearing-impaired Siao.
Director John Woo said that over the past 100 years, a lot of great Hong Kong films had been made and the Hong Kong film industry had achieved an enormous amount. 'I hope that there will be another 100 years of Hong Kong films,' Woo said.
