Could it be third time lucky for mainland actress Zhang Jingchu? Her role as a young migrant wife in Night and Fog, director Ann Hui On-wah's drama about life in the troubled community of Tin Shui Wai, has earned her a third nomination at the Hong Kong Film Award, this time for best actress.
Her previous nominations - for best supporting actress and best actress, respectively, in The Seven Swords in 2006 and Protege in 2008 - failed to win her a prize. But Zhang (right) said she is happy and will not be too disappointed even if she loses again at this year's awards ceremony, which will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre tomorrow.
'I think you need some luck to win awards,' says Zhang, 30, who is competing against Wai Yin-hung (At The End Of Daybreak), Zhao Wei (Mulan), Shu Qi (Look For A Star) and Sandra Ng Kwan-yu (Echoes Of The Rainbow).
'The nominees are from very different movies. Being the winner doesn't mean your acting is much better than the others. The story, script and the role itself play a major part,' she says. 'I'm already very happy to receive a nomination. At least people found my performance convincing.'
She also hopes Lau Ching-wan (Overheard) or Simon Yam Tat-wah (Night and Fog and Echoes of the Rainbow) win the best actor prize this year. 'I've worked with both of them and they are great actors. I hope they will win,' she says.