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| Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Chow
celebrates with his Best Film award for his role in "Kung Fu Hustle"
at the 24th Hong Kong Film Awards in Hong Kong March 27, 2005.
(Reuters) |
Actor and director Stephen Chow, who's aiming
for greater global fame, was the biggest winner with his box office hit
"Kung Fu Hustle."
Chow's action comedy was named best film at Sunday's ceremony -- one of
the premier events for the Chinese-language film industry. "Kung Fu
Hustle," the biggest grossing local film in Hong Kong history, won five
other awards, including best action choreography for Yuen Wo-ping of "The
Matrix" fame.
Chow paid tribute to the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, who was named
"Chinese Film's Bright Star of the Century" at the ceremony that marked
the first 100 years of Chinese filmmaking.
"He changed the way we looked at kung fu, changed
the way we look at movies," said Chow, who collaborated with Columbia
Pictures to make "Kung Fu Hustle." The movie is about gangsters
who try to take over a
neighborhood populated by kung fu masters.
Chow's last big hit, "Shaolin Soccer," was a blockbuster in Asia in
2001, but it did poorly in the United States, where it was distributed by
Miramax Films. He has said in media interviews that one of his biggest
goals is to have a hit outside the region.
Jackie Chan was nominated for best actor for his role in "New Police
Story" but he lost out to Tony Leung, who played a man who had an affair
with a married woman in "2046." Leung's co-star, Zhang Ziyi, was named
best actress.
Chan, the world's most famous ethnic Chinese actor, had to settle for a
professional spirit award, which he said he appreciated because it honored
his professionalism and conduct, not just his artistic achievements.
"Outside of movies, this involves charity work, an actor's
professional conduct, being punctual, respecting elders. These are very
important things," he told reporters. "This is harder to win than a Hong
Kong Film Award."
He also gave his son, Jaycee Chan -- a losing nominee for best newcomer
-- some advice, urging him to pay his dues and not to "arrive late and
leave early."
Yuen Wah won the best supporting acting award for his performance as a
secret kung fu master posing as a landlord in the Hollywood-financed "Kung
Fu Hustle."
Chinese actress Bai Ling, who has starred in Hollywood movies such as
"Anna and the King," was named best supporting actress for the horror film
"Dumplings."
The best directing and script prizes went to Derek
Yee's suspense thriller "One Nite in Mongkok," the tale of a mainland
Chinese assassin and prostitute
who cross paths in Hong Kong.
"Kung Fu Hustle" also won for best sound effects, visual effects and
editing.
"2046" was equally impressive in the technical categories, collecting
prizes for best art direction, best costume design and makeup, best
cinematography and best original score.
The best Asian film prize went to South Korea's "Old Boy."
The presenters were drawn from across Greater China, including mainland
actress Liu Xiaoqing, directors Feng Xiaogang and Tian Zhuangzhuang,
Taiwan model Lin Chi-ling and Hong Kong's Andy Lau, who presented an award
with Cannes best actress Maggie Cheung.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2005-03-28 13:34