News Links - 4/7/08

[dleedlee]

Carina Lau Shows off Wedding Ring
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/04/06/1301@342482.htm

Dark horse: Lau Ching Wan
http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpr ... 6371.shtml

Ah Sa Replaces Ah Gil At Adidas
http://www.batgwa.com/story.php?id=758

Jay Chou Loses $20,000 In Casino
http://www.batgwa.com/story.php?id=757

Emperor seeks rule over Isabella Leong
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5840/1/

Wong Kar Whatever
My Blueberry Nights is beautiful, confusing
http://www.slate.com/id/2188157/
WTF, WKW?
How Wong Kar-wai lost his way - by Grady Hendrix
http://www.slate.com/id/2188155/

"Candy Rain" (Taiwan)
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5837/1/

Children of Huangshi go to big screen
http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpr ... 0877.shtml
"Huang Shi" bowed in remote location
A limited U.S. release is scheduled for May.
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5838/1/

Romance of Three Kingdoms is back again
http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpr ... 1350.shtml
"Three Kingdoms" enjoy box office reign
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5844/1/
Rise and fall of a great general
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/ ... xpull_html

L CHANGE THE WORLD
A hero’s final days
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/ ... xpull_html


TV in the stars for Celestial
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/con ... 2dffb54b1a
Kadokawa buys Celestial package
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5833/1/

Beijing Mao-era Restaurant Leaves Locals Seeing Red
http://english.cri.cn/3100/2008/04/06/1301@342467.htm

[Brian Thibodeau]

Emperor seeks rule over Isabella Leong
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5840/1/

From the sounds of these articles, Miss Leong appears to have a sizable ego based on a rather small body of work. She's certainly talented, but does she really think the third MUMMY movie is gonna turn her into a hot Hollywood property? An apartment in Bel Air? Come on.

Leong recently has been romantically linked to Richard Li Kar-tzai, the 41-year-old billionaire who controls PCCW. It is being speculated that he is willing to buy her out of her contract with EEG.

.

[dleedlee]

Emperor seeks rule over Isabella Leong
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5840/1/

From the sounds of these articles, Miss Leong appears to have a sizable ego based on a rather small body of work. She's certainly talented, but does she really think the third MUMMY movie is gonna turn her into a hot Hollywood property? An apartment in Bel Air? Come on.

Leong recently has been romantically linked to Richard Li Kar-tzai, the 41-year-old billionaire who controls PCCW. It is being speculated that he is willing to buy her out of her contract with EEG.

.

Some random thoughts:

- If she's been under contract since 12 years of age, she might be just looking to get out of the grind
- And EEG is reputed to really work their talent; Joey Yung, they say, works like a ox and gets very little remuneration for her labor.
- Then there's the other 'work' that EEG may require of it's 'talent' if you believe the rumours.
- The chance to marry the son of the 11th(?) richest man in the world, that's tempting.
- Ten more years on her contract! At 19, it must seen like a lifetime.
- At least it's spurring debate on the merits of these long term contracts

It may just come down to whoring for Albert Yeung or Richard Li. Anyway, she's only 19(!). Maybe she's just acting the rebellious teen.

[Brian Thibodeau]

Good points. Perhaps she's the smart one in the EEG stable!

- The chance to marry the son of the 11th(?) richest man in the world, that's tempting.

She certainly wouldn't be the first Hong Kong actress/singer to take up such an offer. The industry seems like a buffet for millionaires, sometimes!

But hell, if the 11th richest man had a daughter twice my age, I'd probably go for it. Mind you, she'd be well into her 70's by now, but you gotta do what you gotta do . . .

- At least it's spurring debate on the merits of these long term contracts

They do seem rather extreme, don't they? Their "properties" still get rich, but the companies (and the suits) probably get even richer! Definitely a marked contrast to the American system, as the article mentions.

[dleedlee]

On artist contracts and 'freezing'

* (3/21/2008) Mani Fok Man Hei, Elaine Lok Yi Ling, Wong Jing, Paco Wong,
Gallen Law Ka Leung, Jade Kwan Sum Yin, and Eric Suen Yiu Wai yesterday
attended an "artist, manager discussion panel" at the Convention Center
with Ng Yu as the guest host. Ng Yu used the most sensitive subject
that managers like to hear the least, "betrayal", as the topic and asked
Brother Jing for his opinion? Brother Jing expressed immediately, "Expect
him to betray you. If he doesn't have any talent he doesn't have any
qualification to betray you. Betrayal requires abilities, no matter how
he promises I hope he would have the betrayal ability. (Wouldn't you be
mad?) You don't get to be mad. First I don't agree with signing long
contracts, like your Emperor long contracts I disagree with. 15 years are
too long. 8 to 10 are normal." At this time Mani spoke, "With such a
short term, they can easily leave after they become famous." Brother Jing
said, "By the seventh year if you are still investing, then not extending
the contract is your own fault." Brother Jing continued, "With a long
term meal ticket in hand, no matter how they betray they are useless.
When we made MONG JUNG YUN, an actress suddenly felt ill and quitted. So
we recast and finally that series broke rating records."

Ng Yu then asked Mani her view on betrayal. She expressed, "Maybe
my past artists are younger and don't think thoroughly. On my first day
as a manager I have already spent a lot of time and effort. I never
thought about being paid back. OF course I would like to see artists
become famous, which was very encouraging to me. As for betrayal or not,
each person's perspective is different, I have very high emotional
quotient and could withstand a lot of pressure. I am willing to spend
time with them. Artists and managers have arguments, sometimes I would be
mad. I slowly give them time and advice so they wouldn't fall so hard.
This is my responsibility." Lok Yi Ling expressed, "I constantly say to
artists, nothing lasts a lifetime." They also discussed suspension.
Brother Jing immediately said to Ng Yu, "Your refrigerator is the largest."
Ng Yu replied, "But it has no electricity, they freeze a little then they
are let back out." Mani felt that suspension could provide artists with
ample time to calmly think. When they returned they would be more alert.

Ng Yu continued, "The biggest has to be Ms. Lok's refrigerator, which has
frozen even Chow Yun Fat and (Andy) Lau Tak Wa." Ms. Lok immediately
replied, "We moved studio, it's demolished!" Ms. Lok also agreed with
Mani's view that artists should be rewarded and penalized and provided
time to think. Ms. Lok said, "When the company penalizes, outsiders
wouldn't scold him anymore." Paco Wong said, "I haven't suspend one
artist yet. I have three artists who automatically terminated their
contracts. If their attitude was too excessive, I think I would have
consider the matter anew."

Ng Yu was asked about Isabella Leong Lok Si's betrayal rumor. Ng
Yu expressed that he had no comment. He said, "We don't target any one
artist. The company have given its heart in hopes of be with the artists
forever." Mani also had no comment for any Leong Lok Si question. "I
am not avoiding it. Anything said now to Isabella herself or to our
company would unfair. It would only cause harm." Has she seen her
statement? She said, "Yes, but I won't respond. Hopefully this matter
will soon be resolved. I personally hope to continue to work with
Isabella. My expectation for her is enormous, I am proud of her."
Brother Jing criticized that 15 year contracts were too long. Mani said,
"Actually it wasn't 15 years. The contract was a trade secret. It's not
what he said." Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin criticized Juno Mak Chun Lung for
not writing his blog clearly. Mani said, "Diary shares feelings with
friends, but when the entire Hong Kong media is sharing your feeling, you
mya have to be more careful. Putting information on it poorly would lead
to many speculations. Ah Sa has been battling events alone and
withstood a lot of pressure. Everyone would be more understanding of
her. (Do you feel Juno was promoting himself?) I don't want to talk
about anything else. I believe that he isn't anyone like that."



A stuntman's life

* (3/26/2008) During the production of the 2003 film RUNNING ON KARMA (DAI
JET LO), a stuntman substitutes for an Indian actor in one scene in which
he jumps on a table then to ground. The stuntman claims that the wire
technicians pulled the wires that were connected to the table too soon,
making the wire come in contact with his heel and throwing him off
balance. When he fell he landed on his left hand, cracked his left wrist
and dislocated his left elbow. The stuntman yesterday filed a lawsuit
against Johnnie To Kei Fung's production company Milky Way Image for 5.7
million in compensation.

The 38 year old stuntman has been in the
profession for years, makes as much as 50,000 monthly and has ample
experience. The simple jump originally would not have been difficult for
him. Yet on the night of June 21, 2003, director To Kei Fung after three
to four takes still was not satisfied with the wire and other stunt
professionals' coordination and asked for another take. The stuntman
claimed that on the final jump to the table, the wire technicians pulled
the wires too soon and caused the incident. He also pointed out that the
production company has not provided cushion to break the fall, in turn
leading to his arm injury. Now he cannot even pick up anything heavy.
After the accident he is determined to 5% handicapped. Now even though
he can be an action coordinator he can no longer be a stuntman.

http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/towers/2038/080320.txt

[dleedlee]

Michelle Yeoh Becomes An Ace Broker, Signs Up Kelly Lin, Isabella Leong Will Be Joining After

http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Michelle ... 24448.html

[ewaffle]

Michelle Yeoh Becomes An Ace Broker, Signs Up Kelly Lin, Isabella Leong Will Be Joining After

http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Michelle ... 24448.html

From the article:

But on March 28, she was photographed with Michelle Yeoh with fiance Todd in a first class restaurant in New York.

20-year old Isabella,on that day,around Michelle Yeoh, no longer looked like a little girl, she was dressed in double fur coat, while Michelle wore a gray chanel coat.

Jean Todt wore a polo shirt with a big logo, a windbreaker and a very smug expression.