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The Wong Kar Wai directed film THE GRANDMASTER (YUT DOI JUNG SI) will represent Hong Kong at the Oscars with its Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design nominations. THE GRANDMASTER performed well last year with its North American release and came in third among foreign films; at the same time it was the highest grossing Chinese film in the past 10 years.

The U.S. distributor the Weinstein Company's Harvey Weinstein said, "Philippe Le Sourd and William Chan's nominations have proven that THE GRANDMASTER has received the Oscars' overall recognition." At the same time, in response to the growing demand from film viewers and online for THE GRANDMASTER U.S. version, THE GRANDMASTER's distributor Sil-Metropole expressed that it will push for the U.S. version's release in Hong Kong; the 108 minute U.S. version will likely be released this year.

Source: Mingpao, Singtao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten

A month after HKTV announced their venture into mobile television, arch nemesis TVB introduced their pay-to-watch internet service, GOTV, South China Morning Post reported.

On 14 January, TVB launched GOTV, a pay-to-watch internet service that allows subscriber to watch past dramas that the company produced since its establishment in 1967.

The launch was deemed as an attack towards Ricky Wong and HKTV, as the latter prepares for the July launch of its mobile TV service that renders viewers with various entertainment programmes and TV series produced by the company through internet-connected devices.

However, TVB General Manager, Cheong Shin Keong denied allegations that they stole Ricky Wong's idea, saying that the company has planned it for two years, though admitting that GOTV would be in indirect competition with HKTV.

He stressed "We are launching pay-to-watch services, not free TV. You may think that because of the timing, but the truth is that it is not."

With a subscription fee of HKD 59 a month (USD 7.61) or HKD 499 a year (USD 644.35), viewers will get to access to about 341 TVB dramas, which will be added gradually, via smart phones, tablets, or computers.

Meanwhile, Cheong revealed that TVB had already sent a letter to HKTV to request a meeting on the matter of the lease of their six transmitting stations, but had not received a reply.

Source: Yahoo! Entertainment

Ivana Wong Yuen Chi yesterday promoted GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS (GUM GAI SSS). She admitted that she and "Figure King" Eric So Cheuk Hong had a lot of fun on dates. "We have been together for awhile, over 100 hours. We met at a friendly gathering." Some pointed out that she became the third party between Eric and Helen To Yu Fung. Wong Yuen Chi replied, "They haven't dated in a long time, he and I have also been single for awhile. We spent a lot of time together before we decided to date. When the report used 'third party became the legitimate one' to describe me, I am truly helpless. Luckily we have chemistry. Mommy knew that I was on a magazine cover and immediately told Auntie to buy it in support!"

Speaking of her boyfriend being disloyal, Wong Yuen Chi said, "I would respect and trust him. If I don't we can't possibly be together." Did her boyfriend give her a figure? Wong Yuen Chi said, "Do you think I would agree only after accepting two toys! Everyone likes art, we have common interests. We share music and designs." Is he the one that she would marry? "I have restrain, I can't publicly talk about that."

Source: Mingpao, Singtao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten

Michael Hui Koon Man yesterday attended an event. Speaking of the war of words between Anthony Wong Chau Sun and Astrid Chan Chi Ching over the PAG presidential election, as the PAG permanent honorary president he said, "Only members can elect a president. As for whether instantly admitted members can run instantly, I am not certain. At first membership application required three film credits. When the PAG lacks people, it needs time to confirm certain things. Chau Sun of course meets the criteria, but the process it still needs to be done this way." He said that it was just a problem with the process.

Speaking of Chau Sun and others had to fill out their forms next to a garbage can, Hui Koon Man said, "That's unreasonable, very strange." He felt that Chau Sun was qualified to be the president. Chau Sun's artist performance abilities were great, he was a leader who could lead the new generation and he also had draw. Hui Koon Man was not worried that if Chau Sun became the president the PAG would become more political. "He is very smart, he wouldn't do that. If I vote, I would vote for Chau Sun."

Hui Koon Man denied being opinionated during the DELETE (DELETE OI YUN) production and becoming at odds with director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum). He said, "We just had dinner the other day and had a great time. They respect me so much, it's hard to have a problem even if I wanted to."

Source: Mingpao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten

Derek Yee Tung Sing two days ago stated online that from now on he would not use "rolling schedule" actors but did not name who it was. Yee Tung Sing wrote, "I hereby openly announce, from now on I will not use any rolling schedule actors. Actors with real actor ethics would not roll the schedule to make another film, to tour, to perform shows, to make commercials, to do anything distracting! I won't be unfair to you either, like with where I live, what I eat at work, I guarantee it is the same as yours. I absolutely will not permit your treatment to be worse, since I have said it you can't ask for more than me."

Yee Tung Sing also said, "Also, when I make movies I can't get tired. Early shift -- from sunrise to sunset, night shift --- from sunset to sunrise. My contract doesn't have any terms like starting from the hotel......do you think you are a taxi? Conditions like when you get off work......I haven't stopped yet where are you going? In addition, try to minimize assistants and entourage, don't occupy space on the set. You can't bring your own make up and hair stylists, don't play with your phone on the set, keep quiet, focus, concentrate, etc; I support 'people have the right to choose' 100%, you really don't need me, and I don't have to have you!"

Yee Tung Sing listed his demands for professional actors, perhaps he has seen the common phenomenon among current actors and could not hold back any longer. Any actor who will work with Yee Tung Sing in the future have to watch out!

Source: Mingpao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten

Silent Majority for Hong Kong in order to raise operation funding selected Raymond Wong Pak Ming's Lunar New Year film HELLO BABIES (LUK FUK HEI SI) for one fund raising show on January 28. Yesterday a press conference was held, Wong Pak Ming attended in appreciation. Because the show was fully booked, Silent Majority that opposed to Occupy central and supported the Hong Kong electoral reform consultation thus raised HK$800,000. Show business has never interfered with politics, but Wong Pak Ming was not worried that viewers would reject HELLO. "Film is film. HELLO is joyous and suitable for the whole family."

Wong Pak Ming felt that Occupy Central was a big problem. "Central is Hong Kong's financial center, Hong Kong's heart like a human heart. If you aren't pretty you can get cosmetic surgery, breast enlargement, enema, but you can't mess with the heart. If you do you might drop dad, without any benefit to Hong Kong. As for general election it is something that everyone should do, but it has to be peaceful, harmonious, reasonable, logical and legal."

Source: Mingpao
Translated by: hktopten

Best Host Luisa Lai Chi San designed sunglasses for the local brand PEOPLE by PEOPLE. Yesterday the brand held a press conference and Chi San invited many television station host friends.

Lai Chi San also revealed her new assignment. "In February I will begin hosting a talk program with (Anthony) Wong Chau Sun. Each episode will not have any content restriction and guests will be industry insiders. Chau Sun is famous for asking pointed questions, he can ask questions that I have never dared to ask. If he and the guest have an argument, I am responsible for smoothing things over and balance the relationship of both sides." The program's guest list criteria first has to be daring to speak, for now Anita Yuen Wing Yi, Charmaine Sheh Si Man and Josie Ho Chiu Yi have been confirmed. Would she invite Astrid Chan Chi Ching who has been rumored to be at odds with Chau Sun to the program? Chi San said that she was under consideration. "A great suggestion! However I worry that when the program airs at the end of February, the incident will already have lost its steam. Actually they only had different ways of handling the matter, their goal was for the good of the PAG!"

Two days ago at the Sir Run Run Shaw memorial event, some claimed that Chau Sun and Chi Ching had zero exchange and seemed that nothing was settled. Yesterday Chau Sun suddenly changed his tune online. "Chi Ching and I aren't deadly enemies. It was about the matter and not the people before, now it has come to an end."

Source: Mingpao, Singtao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten