Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing Prepares for New Year's Concert
Series
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Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing once again steps foot in Hong Kong Coliseum, confidently
saying he "definitely can" and never thought of the word "can't". Titled
Leslie Cheung Kwok Crossing '97 concert, the shows were originally set for
December 14, 1996 to January 2, 1997 with 20 shows straight. Now due to the
overwhelming demand 2 more shows are added for December 12 and 13. The December
31 New Year's Eve show will begin at 9:30 PM, crossing into '97 with the
audience. According to Leslie he has already broken his own record by holding
a total of 100 shows in Hong Kong Coliseum, because this time is his fifth
time doing shows there, the 4 times before has respectively 10, 20, 23, and
33 shows, adding to 22 shows this time and it would be exactly 100 shows.
He says he doesn't know if he would add more shows to go over that number,
but he would absolutely not do day shows, as the number isn't a big problem
for him. Leslie points out that the concert will have recent films and songs
as well as old songs to take care of both old and new fans. His costume designer
will be Cheung Shuk Ping, the costume cost will not go over HK$1,000,000.
The designer doesn't want to go the pure route, so the costumes will be more
colorful. The guests will be all female and there will be unexpected performances
not limited to singing or dancing, perhaps even acting. His good friend Anita
Mui Yim Fong is among those invited; because of Ah Mui's important place
in his heart, he hopes to schedule Ah Mui to cross the new year with him.
In recent days Leslie has lost weight due to an amoeba infection during filming
of Buenos Aires Affair (Chun Guong Ja Seet) in Argentina. On the fourth day
after his arrival he got sick, luckily Tony Leung Chiu Wai points out the
illness which was confirmed by Hong Kong doctors. Within the week he got
better after taking the medicine, but lost about 10 pounds. At 128 lbs, he
has to gain weight aggressively to be able to handle the 22 shows. He also
reveals that Wong Kar Wai is having problems working with the local Argentina
production crew and it has been 3 weeks without working, just for language
and dance lessons. Leslie took the opportunity to return to rest and will
be returning there later.
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The Stanley Kwan Kam Peng directed documentary Nam Sun Nui Sheung:
Chung Kwok Din Ying Ji Sing Bit (Male Birth Female Face: Chinese Film's Sexual
Identity) held its premiere at HKUST's auditorium. Ah Kwan expresses from
November to next January, he will be a guest lecturer for HKUST. While he
is there, the University Art Center will be holding a film retrospective
for him, showing many of his international award winners like Rouge (Yin
Chi Kau), Actress (Yuen Ling Yuk) and Red Rose White Rose, after the showing
they will invite Maggie Cheung Man Yuk and Anita Mui Yim Fong for special
interviews. Stanley Kwan is HKUST's third artist invitee and the first after
the completion of the school's art center. Ah Kwan reveals while he is there,
he will be doing a video autobiography for Beijing Opera star and one of
the "four famous actress" Chan Wing Ling. Some says HKUST invited him this
time mainly because earlier he publicly revealed he is a homosexual. Ah Kwan
says before making this film, HKUST has already contacted him.
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In Sea Root, Alice Lau Ar Lai plays a Mainlander who is sold
to fisherman Lau Ching Wan as a helper on his boat. In the film, who is her
favorite HK Pop Singer? Answer: Anita Mui Yim Fong
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Ann Hui On Wa will once again bring a Cheung Oi Ling novel to
the silver screen, with Boon Sun Yuen (Half Life Fate). Ann expresses that
the entire film will be filmed in Shanghai with portions filmed in Suzhou.
Currently the script has been handed to Chinese film board for approval,
if all goes accordingly the approval should arrive by mid-September and in
mid-October she will lead the crew to Shanghai to begin work. The cast for
Boon is basically settled, as Anita Mui Yim Fong and Ge Ye have agreed to
join the cast but have yet to sign the contracts officially. The other actors
will include Leon Lai Ming, Wu Chien Lien (Ng Sin Lin), Annie Wu (Ng Sun
Kwun) and Wong Lui. She estimates the entire shoot will last about two and
a half months, with a budget over $HK10,000,000. Hui On Wa feels Ah Mui is
a very sincere person, and is glad they have a chance to work together. She
says making Boon shouldn't involve difficult work, as she believes Ah Mui's
health has no problems, so she should be able to handle it. Toward this year's
Golden Horse Award's interest to invite Mainland films to attend, she says
they should have done it a long time ago, as Mainland films hold an important
position in Chinese films, although this would increase the competition,
none the less it is a good thing. Ann feels the competition will be greater
and greater, but in terms of films, this would only make things better and
better. Mainland directors mostly are academic style, while Hong Kong directors
mostly gained experience from working. Ann expresses the two's directors'
backgrounds are different, so an exchange of ideas would be good, contributing
to better the result of the products. When asked if Mainland talents coming
to Hong Kong thin out Hong Kong directors' work? She honestly says it is
possible, but only this way will make the film people work harder to compete.
