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March 7th

Above images courtesy The Sun.

Despite suggestions of some sort of paranormal phenomenon by Oriental Daily, concurrent television and movie adaptations of the CHAT HO CHAI KWOON (lit. POLICE STATION # 7) began co-incidentally yesterday. At TVB Studios, Maggie Cheung Ho-Yi and Nancy Sit Kar-Yin (centre) attended a costuming session (left) for the television serial adpatation of the story. Also in attendance were fellow cast members Lau Dan, Johnny Teng Siu-Juen, Siao Leung, Lawrence Ng Kai-Wah, Angela Tong Ying-Ying, Cheung Siu-Fai, and Wong Lam. In the television version, Nancy Sit will be playing the ghost that haunts the ill-fated police station.

Meanwhile, at a Tsimshatsui East location, the opening lens ceremony (right) of the film version was held. Written by Simon Lui Yu-Yeung, the movie version of the film will be directed by Herman Yau Lai-To. Loletta Lee Lai-Chung and Andy Hui Chi-On head a cast that also includes Fennie Yuen Kit-Ying, Celia Si Lim-Chi, Raymond Wong Bak-Ming and writer Simon Lui. Former beauty queen Lo Suk-Yi will play the ghost in the movie version.

Asked if they thought concurrent adaptations of the urban legend meant that occult phenomena were at work, both the producers of the movie and film versions dismissed it as a co-incidence:

Film producer Ng Kin-Hung: "We planned this movie since before the Lunar New Year. We also scheduled to begin work today a long time ago. So it's all just a co-incidence. Besides, our story is completely different from theirs. I'm not worried about any comparisons."

TVB producer Siao Hin-Fai: "The fact that both projects are starting out today is just a co-incidence. Maybe today is just a good day to start things. Actually, we planned this out one month ago. Anyway, our projects are entirely different. Theirs is a pure ghost story. Ours is a romantic drama about love between a ghost and a human. I actually hope that they will do well so that they will whet the appetite of the public for our series when it comes out next year."

The movie version is slated for release sometime in May. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily unless otherwise indicated):

http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010307/ent/0307enew07p3.gif (Nancy Sit. Courtesy Oriental Daily News.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07ex42p.jpg (Nancy Sit)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07ex46p.jpg (Angela Tong)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07ex41p.jpg (Loletta Lee)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07ex43p.jpg (Lo Suk-Yi)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07ex44p.jpg (Andy Hui, Raymond Wong, Fennie Yuen, and Simon Lui.)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010307/ent/0307enew08p1.gif (Andy Hui and Loletta Lee. Courtesy Oriental Daily News.)

      ZOOM      

Above images courtesy The Sun (centre) and Oriental Daily News (left, right).

Ada Choi Siu-Fan (left) spent yesterday with Joyce Tang Lai-Ming shooting promotional stills for their new TVB series ARMED REACTION III. Despite alarming rumours that Choi's mother was in hiding to avoid the wrath of loan sharks, Choi refused to talk to reporters about the matter. Related images:

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07eb10p.jpg (Choi and Tang. Courtesy Apple Daily.)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010307/ent/0307enew19p1.gif (Choi and Tang. Courtesy Oriental Daily News.)

In her new film CHIN HEI YUEN (lit. MILLENNIUM WISH), Astrid Chan Chi-Ching plays a character who has an affair with a married man (played by Cheung Sui-Jit; centre with Chan). Also starring in the film are Annie Man Jung-Han and Kwan Tak-Fai.

Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai was a guest model at a fashion show for Cerutti fashions yesterday (right). With her popularity on the rise due to her work in the TVB serials THE FRESHMAN and HEALING HANDS II, Mung is a much sought after commodity these days. Recently, she shot ads for an eye drops product and a shampoo product. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07eb8p.jpg (Mung at the fashion show.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07eb9p.jpg (Mung's eye drops ad.)

Above images courtesy The Sun (centre, right) and Oriental Daily News (left).

Originally slated to return to Hong Kong this month to shoot the HK portion of RUSH HOUR II, news emerged yesterday that Jackie Chan (left) will not be returning until April as shooting in Las Vegas is taking longer than planned. RUSH HOUR II is tentatively scheduled for release in June on the same weekend as JURASSIC PARK III. After he finishes promoting the film, Chan will begin work on his next Hong Kong movie -- Gordon Chan Ka-Seung's THE HIGHBINDERS.

The recently reclusive Pauline Chan Bo-Lin (centre, right) was spotted at the airport yesterday evening where she returned after spending the past months in Thailand. Wearing a trendy red 'qi po', Chan was non-responsive when asked by reporters what her plans were for the future. Related image (courtesy Oriental Daily News):

http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010307/ent/0307enew03b1.jpg

MISCELLANEOUS FLUFF:

- Michelle Reis attended the premiere of Sylvia Chang Ai-Ka's new film FOREVER AND EVER the night before last. Asked what her plans were for the future, Reis revealed that she will be taking a brief vacation before she starts work on a new film in April. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010307/Article_ent/07es10p.jpg

March 8th

 ZOOM    

Above images courtesy The Sun (left) and Oriental Daily News (right).

Japanese model / actress Asaka Seto and Leon Lai Ming drew a crowd yesterday as they shot their new movie BAT SEI CHING MAI (lit. ENDLESS LOVE RIDDLE) on location at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. With the famous big statue of Buddha as a backdrop, scenes in which Lai's policeman character meets Seto's hitwoman character for the first time were shot. Director of the film, Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, revealed that the Hong Kong Tourist Association helped arranged permission for the film to shoot at the famous landmark in exchange for a donation to the monastery. When filming in Hong Kong wraps, the shoot will move to Paris. Asked how she was adjusting to Hong Kong, Seto answered: "I love it at home in Japan so I'm feeling a little lonely and a little homesick. I hope that I will adjust later on." Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ec1p.jpg (Lai and Seto)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ec2p.jpg (Lai and Seto)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ec3p.jpg (Seto draws a crowd of reporters.)

In other movie news, rumours abound that Stanley Tong Kwai-Lai is set to cast Tony Leung Ka-Fai opposite Norika Fujiwara in his new action film ATM. With a budget of HK$100 million, the film will shoot on location in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Los Angeles. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/250pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ex10pnew.jpg (Tony Leung Ka-Fai)

      ZOOM

Above images courtesy The Sun.

The Sun reports that Cecilia Cheung Bak-Chi (left) will be replacing Ruby Lin (Lam Sum-Yu) as a spokesperson in Coca-Cola's Chinese advertising campaign for Summer 2001. Of last year's celebrity spokespersons, only Nicolas Tse Ting-Feng is being re-signed as Lin and Jeff Chang (Cheung Jun-Ngok) are being dropped (right with Tse.) Reportedly, Coca-Cola will choose one more HK celebrity from among Gigi Leung Wing-Kei, Rain Li Choi-Wah and Miriam Yeung Chin-Wah to round out the new promotional team.

Recently, Coca-Cola Ltd. replaced the beleagured Chang A-Mei as Sprite's celebrity spokesperson with Mainland diving star Fu Mingxia.

MISCELLANEOUS FLUFF:

- In today's edition of Stalkin' The Stars, Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam was spotted the night before last in the Red Rock night spot in the Lan Kwai Fong district at the birthday party of model Jimmy Wong Ka-Lok. Inside the bar, reporters from Apple Daily observed an apparently close relationship between Wong and Kwan as they frequently held hands and pecked each other on the cheek. Reportedly, Wong and Kwan have been dating for four months. Further, Wong has apparently dumped his girlfriend to be with Kwan. When Kwan left the party at around two in the morning, Kwan was asked if she and Wong were dating. Kwan: "Of course not! Today is Jimmy's birthday and I'm here for the party. We've known each other for a long time and are good friends but we aren't dating!"

When Wong left about five minutes later, he was surrounded by reporters but was saved from having to respond to their questions when friends Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung and Remus Choi Yat-Kit came to his rescue. Cheung: "Leave him alone! It's his birthday. Don't ask him questions!"

Following a recent trend of elder sister - younger brother relationships, Kwan is 38 years old while Wong is reportedly 30 years old. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ea2p.jpg (Kwan)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ea1p.jpg (Kwan)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ea3p.jpg (Jimmy Wong)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ea5p.jpg (Remus Choi and Roy Cheung come to Wong's rescue.)

- At an event yesterday, DUKE OF MT. DEER 2000 star Dicky Cheung Wai-Kin met up with his old friend Jacky Cheung Hok-Yau. Further, Dicky Cheung revealed that he is thinking of adopting children: "I really want to be a father. I'm thinking of adopting children like Tom Cruise did. That way, there'll be a few less orphans in this world. I'm thinking of adopting two children and not telling them that they are adopted. I want them to think that I'm their biological father. Maybe I will tell them when they are adults." Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ed5p.jpg

- Kenix Kwok Ho-Ying worked on her new TVB series SI LAI SI YE (lit. HOUSEWIFE LAWYER) on location yesterday at the cemetery in the Cheung Kwun O district. To ward off evil spirits, Kwok was given $1 in lucky money by a TVB colleague. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ej9p.jpg

- After attending a promotional event for a cosmetics company with Rosemary Vandenbroucke and Margaret Chung Lai-Kei, Teresa Lau Sai-Lei and Natalie Ng Man-Yan joined Diana Pang Dan and Rain Li Choi-Wah at the Hong Kong premiere of the Hollywood film PAY IT FORWARD. Also at the event was Ellen Chan Nga-Lun. Chan revealed that a Taiwanese publisher is interested in featuring her 34B-22-34 figure in a pictorial book. However, Chan has turned them down. Chan: "I probably will never do a pictorial book again. My demands are too high. I need total control of the project. If I don't have that, then I won't do it."

Chan reveals that she is currently in discussion with Taiwanese and Hong Kong producers for work in television and movie projects. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily unless otherwise indicated):

http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010308/ent/0308enew12p1.gif (Ellen Chan. Courtesy Oriental Daily News.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es1p.jpg (Teresa Lau)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es11p.jpg (Natalie Ng)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es12p.jpg (Rosemary Vandenbroucke)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es4pnew.jpg (Diana Pang)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/250pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es13p.jpg (Margaret Chung)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08es6p.jpg (Rain Li)

- Recently rumours abounded that Claire Yiu Ka-Lei's TVB contract barred her from appearing in public with her boyfriend -- ATV actor Lam Tso-Fai. TVB has since denied the rumours. Yiu herself belied the rumours the night before last as she attended the Hong Kong premiere of BILLY ELLIOT with boyfriend Lam. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08et6p.jpg (Yiu and Lam.)

- In more stars at premieres news, Athena Chu Yan and boyfriend Paul Wong Kwoon-Chung attended the Hong Kong premiere of CHOCOLAT. Also in attendance were Crystal Kwok Kam-Yan and her husband as well as Pauline Yam Bo-Lam and her non-entertainment circle boyfriend. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ex1p.jpg (Chu and Wong.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ex2p.jpg (Kwok and husband.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ex3p.jpg (Yam and boyfriend.)

- Retired singing star Vivian Lai Sui-Yan accepted an interview with HK Commercial Radio yesterday. Asked when she and her longtime boyfriend were going to get married, Lai answered: "Soon. But please don't rush us. I have two more years before I turn 30. Marriage is something you can't rush. I want my wedding to be perfect."

When asked if she plans to hold a farewell concert, Lai replied: "It's something I might think about." Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010308/Article_ent/08ex22p.jpg

March 9th

Above images courtesy The Sun.

More shots of Karen Mok Man-Wai and Cecilia Cheung Bak-Chi at work on the Zhuhai set of Stephen Chiau Sing-Chi's latest film SHAOLIN FOOTBALL (left). According to the observations of reporters from The Sun, both Mok and Cheung are playing male soccer players with Mok sporting facial hair (centre) and Cheung with her hair in dreadlocks.

In other movie news, newcomers Amanda Strand and Edison Chen Kwoon-Hei (right) are in Japan working on their new film CHI CHING HO DOI (lit. THIS LOVE CAN WAIT). Also starring in the film are Sam Lee Chan-Sam and Cindy Au Sin-Yi. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily unless otherwise indicated):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec10p.jpg (Chen and Strand)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew10p1.gif (Chen and Strand courtesy Oriental Daily News.)
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec12p.jpg (Chen)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew10b2.jpg (Same shot of Chen courtesy Oriental Daily News.)

Above images courtesy The Sun (centre) and Oriental Daily News (left, right).

Stopped yesterday on her way to do post-production work for her new movie NAM HUET YAN (lit. BLUE-BLOODED PERSON), Rosamund Kwan Chi-Lam (left) once again denied that she and model Jimmy Wong Ka-Lok. In other news, Kwan revealed that she has no further movie work lined up.

As the celebrity spokesperson for a local beauty centre, Ada Choi Siu-Fan (centre) attended an event promoting the inaugural Miss Modern 2001 Pageant sponsored by the beauty centre. Along with Kathy Chow Hoi-Mei and Christine Ng Wing-Mei, Choi will be judging the contest. In related news, Choi once again refused to comment on rumours that her mother is in hiding to avoid loan sharks looking to collect on gambling debts. Related images (courtesy Apple Daily unless otherwise indicated):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec4pzoknew1.jpg
http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/250pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec1p.jpg
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew02b2.jpg (courtesy Oriental Daily News)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew02p1.gif (courtesy Oriental Daily News)

In a testament to his popularity, Aaron Kwok Fu-Sing's Pepsi ads (right) are disappearing at an alarming rate from Mainland streets. The problem is so serious, Pepsi is considering hiring security personnel to watch over the ads during the night. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/250pix/20010309/Article_ent/09eb5p.jpg

MISCELLANEOUS FLUFF:

- Yesterday, a local magazine published a story alleging Tony Leung Chiu-Wai has ended his eleven year relationship with Carina Lau Ka-Ling and has moved out of their shared May Towers flat. Apparently, Leung is upset with Lau's continuing friendship with local businessman Sherman Lee Siu-Man. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec5p.jpg (Leung and Lau at Cannes last year.)

- Annie Man Jung-Han spent yesterday shooting ads for Japanese clothing concern k.a.t. Reportedly, Man beat out fellow TVB actresses Yoyo Mung Ka-Wai, Claire Yiu Ka-Lei and Nicola Cheung Sun-Yu for the contract. Related images:

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09eb6pnew.jpg (courtesy Apple Daily)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew05p1.gif (courtesy Oriental Daily News)

- As part of her duties as the celebrity spokesperson for Lancel, model / actress Maggie Q attended a promotional event for the company yesterday. Related images:

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ej5p.jpg (courtesy Apple Daily)
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew28b1.jpg (courtesy Oriental Daily)

- After marrying in Canada last month, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai's daughter Tsang Wing-Yi and her new husband threw a Chinese style wedding banquet in Taiwan last night. In attendance were: Eric Tsang, Wong Hung-Sau, Nat Chan Bak-Cheung and Blackie Au Sau-Leung among others. Related images (courtesy Oriental Daily News):

http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew15b1.jpg
http://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/photo/20010309/ent/0309enew15b2.jpg

- Retired 1980s star Idy Chan Yuk-Lin accepted an interview with Metro Radio host Ka Si-Lok the night before last. A former girlfriend of Chow Yun-Fat, Chan had this to say about CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON: "I've seen it. I really appreciated the scenery in it. I thought that Michelle Yeoh had several breakthrough scenes. I think Fat-Jai did a good job with the Mandarin. You can tell that he worked hard at it. If you asked me to rate it out of ten, I'd give it a nine or a ten."

Asked what she has been doing lately, Chan revealed that she has been doing social work with mentally handicapped people as well as helping out with her brother's restaurant in Shanghai. Related image (courtesy Apple Daily):

http://appledaily.atnext.com/webimg/640pix/20010309/Article_ent/09ec13p.jpg (Chan and Metro Radio's Ka.)

(SANNEY: Thanks to Tim Youngs, Richard, WebTV Jeff, John and Shelly for passing along the following links. Due to the time lag in production of these reports, please keep in mind that some of these links may already have expired.)

Paul Fonoroff reviews Xie Jin's WOMAN SOCCER PLAYER NO 9
http://www.totallyhk.com/TimeOff/Entertainment/Article/FullText_asp_ArticleID-20000628175429704.asp

Candy Lo Hau-Yum in The Labyrinth Of Mirror And Flower
http://www.totallyhk.com/TimeOff/Entertainment/Article/FullText_asp_ArticleID-20010308182844704.asp

HK i-mail feature on Candy Lo
http://hk-imail.singtao.com/iconnect/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=18162&intcatid=25

Michael Wong Man-Tak and helicopters
http://features.scmp.com/ZZZG4JHV0KC.html

Lydia Shum Tin-Ha to move to Canada
http://features.scmp.com/ZZZXUD1NVJC.html

HK i-mail talks to Nancy Kwan about Suzie Wong
http://hk-imail.singtao.com/iconnect/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=18232&intcatid=18

Wong Kar-Wai feature from The Onion
http://avclub.theonion.com/avclub3707/avfeature_3707.html

Bomis Movie Report: Ang Lee Will Make "Crouching Tiger..." Sequel
http://movies.bomis.com/article.pl?sid=01/03/08/192206

movies.ign.com: Eastern Connection #33: Duel To The Death
http://movies.ign.com/news/4620.html

Michelle Yeoh feature
http://ifmagazine.com/news/dailyNews.asp?id=1658

Monkey King = Journey to the Boob Tube
Monkey Business by JOHN LEONARD
http://www.newyorkmag.com/page.cfm?page_id=4444

Salman Rushdie on CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/09/opinion/09RUSH.html?searchpv=site01

"Crouching memory, hidden heart: watching movies with Ang Lee"
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/09/arts/09WATC.html?searchpv=site01

Thomas Carder looks at CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON
http://www.capalert.com/capreports/crouchingtiger.htm

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