JESSIE LAU AND SIDNEY LENG
UPDATED : Sunday, 03 April, 2016, 3:12pm
Ten Years sold out at most of the city’s venues when it was first released in December. Photo: Supplied
The countdown is on to the 35th annual Hong Kong Film Awards, with controversial hit Ten Yearsin the running to be crowned best picture at the glittering showcase at the Cultural Centre Tsim Sha Tsui tonight.
Ten Years, an independent dystopian epic depicting Hong Kong’s social and political landscape in 2025, sold out at most of the city’s venues when it was first released in December.
Huge crowds gather in Quarry Bay to watch a special screening of Ten Years last week. Photo: AFP
The film also made headlines after Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times slammed it for being “absurd” and “pessimistic” – and, for the first time, tonight’s awards will not be screened live to mainland audiences after its nomination was revealed.
Hong Kong’s equivalent of the Oscars, awards will be handed out in 19 separate categories. Celebrities will start walking the red carpet from 5.30pm, with a live broadcast to be screened in the outdoor piazza until 11.30pm.
The event has not only attracted scores of film fans, but also Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah. The noted film enthusiast wrote in his blog today that a leaked list of winners differed widely from his expectations.
Port of Call star Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is nominated for best actor. Photo: Supplied
Tsang’s last two budget speeches included measures to support local films, including HK$200 million to Film Development Fund in the 2015-2016 budget.
The front-runner for best actor is industry veteran Aaron Kwok Fu-shing, for his portrayal of a hardened detective in murder mystery Port of Call. The film was named best picture by the Hong Kong Film Critics Society last year.
Miriam Yeung Chin-wah is the best actress front-runner, for her role in Little Big Master. Photo: SCMP
Leading the race for best actress is Miriam Yeung Chin-wah, who was nominated for her role in Little Big Master, an uplifting film depicting the story of a woman who saved a kindergarten school from closure.
NOMINEES
Best film
Little Big Master
Ten Years
The Taking of Tiger Mountain
Ip Man 3
Port of Call
Best director
Adrian Kwan Shun-fair, Little Big Master
Derek Yee Tung-sing, I Am Somebody
Tsui Hark, The Taking of Tiger Mountain
Yip Wai-shun, Ip Man 3
Philip Yung Tsz-kwong, Port of Call
Best supporting actor
Andrew Lam Man-chung, Full Strike
Louis Cheung Kai-chung, Keeper of Darkness
Max Zhang Jin, SPL2: A Time for Consequences
Max Zhang Jin, Ip Man 3
Michael Ning, Port of Call
Best supporting actress
Qin Hailu, A Tale of Three Cities
Anna Ng Yuen-yee, Little Big Master
Janice Man Wing-shan, Helios
Lee Sinje, Murmur of the Hearts
Elaine Jin Yan-ling, Port of Call
Best new director
Nick Cheung Ka-fai, Keeper of Darkness
Raman Hui Shing-ngai, Monster Hunt
Lau Ho-leung, Two Thumbs Up
Best film from mainland China and Taiwan
Mountains May Depart
Our Times
The Assassin
Wolf Totem
Blind Massage
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1933157/banned-and-canned-mainland-will-ten-years-scoop
