Our Time Will Come wins five awards, including best film, at star-studded Hong Kong Film Awards
Wartime drama had 11 nominations going into city’s equivalent of the Oscars
Ann Hui On-wah’s wartime epic Our Time Will Come was the big winner at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday evening, bagging five awards out of 11 nominations, including best film and best director.
Meanwhile, three of the four recipients of best actor and actress awards – whether in a leading or supporting role – were maiden winners, including Teresa Mo Sun-kwan, who finally got the nod in her third nomination for best actress.
Paradox , which earned Louis Koo Tin-lok his first best actor trophy, took home three prizes, while Chasing the Dragon and Tomorrow is Another Day snatched two each.
Hundreds of local and overseas fans swarmed the entrance to the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on Sunday, the biggest night in the city’s film industry calendar, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars on the red carpet.
Organisers of Hong Kong’s equivalent of the Oscars were hoping to see less political tension this year, after their live broadcasts of the past two events were partially censored in mainland China over films deemed sensitive.
The patriotic undertones of Our Time Will Come, based on the heroics of a resistance group fighting Japanese occupation in wartime Hong Kong, were not expected to stir controversy however.
Already named best picture of 2017 by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society, the espionage thriller also helped Hui, who turns 71 in May, get the best director nod for the sixth time.
Fellow director Sylvia Chang Ai-chia was left disappointed after the film she directed and starred in, relationship drama Love Education , went home with only best screenplay after securing nine nominations.
10 most stylish moments at Hong Kong Film Awards
But it was all smiles for Koo, who was presented the best actor trophy by Indian superstar Aamir Khan for his performance in Paradox.
“I have been thinking how we can all make Hong Kong film thrive,” Koo said in a heartfelt speech. “Hongkongers must be united … the industry needs your support.”
Also a first-time winner, Mo shed tears as she walked onto the stage to receive the top actress award for the first time.
The 57-year-old, who has starred in numerous comedies, played the mother of an autistic and mentally handicapped teenager in Tomorrow is Another Day.
The awards this year were broadcast live – with simultaneous English translation – to audiences in 30 territories around the world, including a number of South American countries.
Once again, coverage by mainland Chinese media will be a focal point. The best film at the 35th edition of the awards, Ten Years , touched a raw nerve with Beijing authorities for its dystopian portrayal of Hong Kong’s future sociopolitical development under the Chinese Communist Party. The segment during which the result was announced was completely taken off the air.
Trivisa , winner the following year, was also censored during the ceremony, believed to be due in part to the fact co-director Jevons Au Man-kit had also directed one of five short films which made up Ten Years.
