courtesy of on.cc

Tsui Hark, Shi Nansun
courtesy of singtao.com

Donnie Yen, Chow Yun Fat, and Aaron Kwok take to the red carpet with their significant others in tow

Feng Chaofeng and Ni Ni display their affection

Jay Chou is thinner despite the nourishment of love
courtesy of mingpao.com

The 16th Shanghai International Film Festival held its opening ceremony last night, with several hundred stars on the red carpet. Chow Yun Fat led THE MONKEY KING (SAI YAU GEI JI DAI LAU TIN GUNG) team that included Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Joe Chen Chiau-En, Peter Ho Yun Tung, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai. Other stars included Andy Lau Tak Wa, Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Mini Yang Mi, Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen), Huang Xiaoming and others. Tsui Hark and Oliver Stone received "Chinese Film Award For Outstanding Contribution" and "Film Award for Lifetime Achievement" respectively.

Still recovering from his leg ailment, Huang Xiaoming walked the red carpet with the MOTHER ANDROID II and AMAZING teams. Tall Korean hunk Jo In-Sung walked the red carpet alone to the shrieks of female fans like at a fan club meeting. Sammi Cheng Sau Man was unable to attend, as Andy Lau Tak Wa, Johnnie To Kei Fung and Wai Ka Fai made an appearance for BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM). Lau Tak Wa's fans welcomed him. Chow Kit Lun appeared as THE ROOFTOP's director and actor. He said that he participated in the music creation and action design as well.

The committee presented the Chinese Film Award For Outstanding Contribution Award to Tsui Hark. Andy Lau said, "I am very happy to be invited to introduce this friend. I have been in the business for over 30 years and made over 130 films, but I have only worked with him once. That time I learned how to act, how to find a movie that both the audience and I like. He enabled me to see the world from another angle, without forgetting my expectation and respect of you."

Tsui Hark said that he was very happy to receive the award. He thanked his collaboration partners, investors and good friend of many years Shi Nansun.

Anke Beilke

Producer Hsu Feng grabs shy guy Tony Leung Chiu Wai for a photo, much to the joy of Chen Kun

Praised for her crying scene, Carina Lau says they were "gratifying"

Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau exchange sweet glances during the toast
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Carina Lau Ka Ling and Chen Kun spoke to the media in Cannes about their film BENDS. In the film they played a Hong Kong upper class socialite and a Mainlander driver. Their character struggled through many emotional scenes. Ka Ling could not help but shed real tears as true emotions flowed.

They at the press conference exchanged compliments. Ka Ling said, "I am older than him, he is my junior. I am very lucky to run into an excellent actor like Chen Kun. I would make different attempts with every one of my movie, emotional scenes in particular. He was able to receive them." Chen Kun said that when he first met Ka Ling he already sensed her charm. On and off camera she was very happy to take care of others.

Their characters had class and cultural differences. Ka Ling joked that in real life she only belonged to the upper middle class. "Happiness is not measured with money, happiness is for you to find in life, to see how you face life and your so-called happiness. At home (Tony) Leung Chiu Wai concentrates on his model building and Wing Chun, while I am busy with bills and chores. Yet I am very happy too, I don't want to keep an eye on my husband. I only want to help him achieve."

Speaking of the growing conflict between China and Hong Kong, Ka Ling felt that being on the same earth everyone should coexist peacefully. "We shouldn't create hypothetical or deliberate conflict. We would have conflict, which is understandable. Originally Hong Kong and the Mainland have completely different backgrounds, now the relationship is closer. We should think about the premise first and shouldn't blow up the matter too much." She praised new director Flora Lau Wan Man for not adding bed scenes or controversial scenes for commercial elements and persisting on her original idea. She has won her respect.

Ka Ling and Chen Kun said that this collaboration has been very pleasant. Ka Ling said, "People need exchanges, after understanding each other then we can get into characters. Chen Kun and I had great exchanges!" She even said that Chen Kun will be a great actor. Chen Kun said, "I was both excited and nervous about working with Sister Ka Ling!" He pointed out that he worked on a film in Hong Kong for an extended period of time for the first time. A stranger in a strange place, he appreciated Ka Ling for taking care of her.

Foreign media raved about Ka Ling's touching break down scene. Ka Ling said, "At the time the shoot was about to come to an end, so I was already in character, captured the feeling. After finishing it it feels very gratifying!" She even talked about her philosophy. "No one knows what will happen tomorrow. I am already at this age, I am more relaxed with a lot. Unless I don't want to live, if I do I have to keep going and look ahead!" Producer Shi Nansun pointed out that BENDS was an art film so it had no box office pressure.

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

With her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai by her side Carina Lau is even more confident

Carina Lau blows kisses to the media like a queen on a parade

After the premiere Carina Lau and Chen Kun embrace each other to the applause of many, including director Jia Zhangke (left)
courtesy of mingpao.com

Carina Lau Ka Ling's BENDS (GOR GAI) two nights ago held its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Once Cannes Best Actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai played bodyguard to his wife all night, accompanying Ka Ling down the red carpet and giving his wife a queen's arrival. After the premiere, Wai Jai and viewers including director Jia Zhangke who deliberately came in support applauded. Many viewers stood up and applauded for 10 minutes. With both Chinese and foreign film critics alike praising Lau Ka Ling's performance, her Cannes Best Actress chances heated up.

Although rain has been falling for days in Cannes, it could not stop the guests' enthusiasm. Lau Ka Ling and Chen Kun were BENDS' leads, of course they dressed up for the occasion; Leung Chiu Wai who was used to being the lead this time would rather played support and bodyguard to his wife Lau Ka Ling. He stayed by her side and silently supported her. Yet on the red carpet how could anyone not see this superstar? Thus he and Lau Ka Ling all became the foci of the camera flash bulbs, making Ka Ling's red carpet appearance like a queen's arrival. The team naturally was very happy, at least she brought attention to the film.

The film's new director Flora Lau Wan Man, producers Shi Nansun and Winnie Yu Tseng and one of the investors Hsu Feng flew to Cannes for the event. Everyone placed a lot of importance on this film. After the global premiere two nights ago, everyone stood up and accepted the cheers of the audience. The applause even lasted 10 minutes. As everyone experienced the excitement, they embraced each other. The scene was both joyous and touching. Although Wai Jai remained in his seat to keep from stealing the spotlight, he applauded hard to provide endless support to his wife and the team.

After the screening many Chinese and foreign film reviews appeared, most praised Lau Ka Ling's performance in the film as the wife or a rich man to be very convincing and had depth. After the premiere, Lau Ka Ling's acting was recognized even more. Her chances at Best Actress heated up again. With her husband Leung Chiu Wai's lucky assistance, would she win Best Actress and receive international recognition for her acting? If she and Wai Jai both won at Cannes, then they would become an international Best Actor and Best Actress couple!

A French national television station reporter said that the film had a very meaningful story and reflected the difference between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Its display of Hong Kong was not exaggerated at all. Lau Ka Ling's performance was very detailed and had many emotional scenes. The feeling for Chen Kun as the driver was average. A German broadcast radio film critic praised the film to be very sentimental and had depth, from the film viewers could understand a lot about China and Hong Kong. The visuals were beautiful and very persuasive. A Mainland reporter agreed that the characters were more outstanding, the film was very smooth including the ending and was expected to win awards. Yet an Italian reporter said that the story of the rich and the poor has been seen before and could not completely win over people.

Lead actor Chen Kun said that before walking the red carpet he was very nervous because he has not seen the entire film. Yet after watching it he was very moved! The director also said before the premiere that from planning to production BENDS to her was a long journey. She hoped that viewers would enjoy and liked her film as much as she did.

Ang Lee

Chen Kun 

Carina Lau (left), Flora Lau (third left), Shi Nansun (second right), Tony Leung Chiu Wai (right)

Tony Leung Chiu Wai covers his head from rain then goes slow motion a la THE GRANDMASTERS for press photos

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of mingpao.com

Currently in Cannes, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Carina Lau Ka Ling, director Ang Lee, Chen Kun, Shi Nansun and others met at a seaside restaurant for dinner. Wai Jai and Ang Lee after working together on LUST, CAUTION rarely saw each other, this time they had a rare chance to catch up overseas. Wai Jai expressed hope to work with Ang Lee again.

Wai Jai and Lau Ka Ling after arriving in Cannes caught up with friends there before walking the red carpet. Aside from the Oscar winning director Ang Lee, they also met with Chen Kun, Shi Nansun and others. They had dinner at a seaside restaurant. Chen Kun with his assistant left first, then Ang Lee stepped out of the restaurant.

Since the film LUST, CAUTION, Ang Lee and Leung Chiu Wai rarely saw each other. He said that this time they talked casually and were very happy. Will they have a chance to work together again? Ang Lee said not right now.

Speaking of Zhang Ziyi also being in Cannes, he said, "Last night at an evening I met with Zhang Ziyi, which was very pleasant. After working together I feel that we have quite a connection, so when I saw them I was very happy and hoped to work with them again. However, it would depend on Zhang Ziyi."

After 1 hour, Leung Chiu Wai and Lau Ka Ling stepped out of the restaurant. Wai Jai said that he has not seen Ang Lee for a long time and would like to work together again very much. Will he be resting all year and not making a movie? He smiled and said, "Yes, I want to rest properly."

Will he take the chance to travel? Wai Jai said that this trip was to support his wife Lau Ka Ling. Will he wearing matching clothing on the red carpet? He laughed, "That's not necessary, right?" When they ran the restaurant rain came down. Wai Jai seemed to be THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) possessed as he would rather get wet and let the ladies get into the vehicle first.

Lau Ka Ling's film BENDS (GOR GAI) was selected for the Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard segment. With her husband Leung Chiu Wai accompanying her, her confidence was increased. BENDS' trailer was unveiled in Cannes. In the film she had a ballroom dance scene and looked very convincing. She also had a scene in which she was on a bed.

After 10 years without singing, Carina Lau performs the BENDS theme song
courtesy of mingpao.com

Carina Lau Ka Ling yesterday headed to Taiwan for a store opening. She returned in the afternoon to prepare for the Cannes Film Festival, as her film with Chen Kun, BENDS (GOR GAI), has been selected for its Un Certain Regard segment. Was she looking forward to winning Best Actress? She said that she never thought about it. Now she took everything very easily. She just wanted to work seriously and enjoy the process, the result was unimportant. She revealed that her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai will tag along.

Ka Ling even performed the theme song THE BEGINNING OF THE END. After not singing for over 10 years, Ka Ling said that once at dinner with Shi Nansun, Winnie Yu Tseng and Chen Kun they thought that she was the most suitable to sing it. Thus she agreed to give it a try.

She said, "In the studio I had pressure too, I could only adjust my emotions. This song was performed with half singing and half narration, the feeling was decent."