AFP - 2 hours 34 minutes
ago
HONG KONG (AFP) - - Historical epic "The Warlords" dominated the
Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday scooping eight gongs including best
film and best actor in martial arts star Jet Li.
The film, set in wartime 19th century China and with an all-star
cast -- including Hong Kong heartthrob Andy Lau who missed out to
Li for best actor -- scooped best director for Peter Chan and best
film at the glittering ceremony.
"If I had not made a lot of kung fu films, I could have won the
best actor award 20 years ago," the Chinese star Li said in his
acceptance speech.
Lau, who was nominated for awards in two separate roles, scooped
up the supporting role for his performance in "Protege," which also
won best film editing.
The movie is a crime thriller about an undercover policeman
seduced by the lifestyle of his mafia boss, played by Lau.
"(I was) told that if I played this role, I would be respected
by the entire film industry," he said picking up the best
supporting actor award.
However, Lau, who is also a singer, missed out on best original
song, which went to the theme from "Love is Not All Around."
The celebrity-mad Hong Kong press pack was out in full force at
the red carpet event, as hundreds of screaming fans waved banners
and cheered a string of glamorous leading ladies and men as they
arrived outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Controversial Second World War Epic "Lust, Caution" from
director Ang Lee won the best Asian Film Award.
The film has faced a tough time from mainland censors for its
explicit sex scenes and its subject matter of a government that
collaborated with the Japanese occupation. Lee was not in Hong Kong
to accept the award.
The best actress award went to Siqin Gaowa for her lead role in
the quirky "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt," about a woman in her
60s who falls for an amateur Peking Opera performer, played by
megastar Chow Yun-fat.
Prolific director Johnnie To enjoyed a better return than his
blank score last year, with his crime flick "Mad Detective" winning
best screenplay after drawing plaudits at last year's Venice film
festival.
To also produced "Eye in the Sky" which won best new director
for Yau Nai-hoi and best performance by a newcomer for actress Kate
Tsui.
The professional achievement award was given to much-loved comic
actress Lydia Sum, better known as "Fei Fei" (literally meaning
"Fat Fat") who died from cancer earlier this year.
The lifetime achievement award was presented to Hong Kong movie
boss Raymond Chow.
Chow's Golden Harvest studios helped produce a string of talent
from the former British colony, including action star Jackie Chan
and martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
Hong Kong enjoys a rich film heritage and became an
international movie powerhouse in the 1970s, but it has fallen on
tough times in recent years with dwindling box office receipts.
However, its stars still enjoy huge popularity across Asia.