This Year’s Hongkong Film Awards Lasted Just 11 Minutes
Derek Tsang's movie Better Days was the big winner of the night, while Sammi Cheng, who was nominated twice in the Best Actress category, emerged empty-handed during the no-frills, um, 'ceremony'.
Derek Tsang's movie Better Days was the big winner of the night, while Sammi Cheng, who was nominated twice in the Best Actress category, emerged empty-handed during the no-frills, um, 'ceremony'.
Anyone who’s ever watched or attended an awards ceremony would know how long those things can be. From the red carpet to the acceptance speeches and everything in between, that’s one entire evening dedicated to watching celebrities give themselves a pat on the back.
As it turns out, when you take away all the extra stuff and boil it down to what an awards ceremony really is, which is to, well, present awards, it could be done in less time than it takes to watch an episode of KIN or a celebrity vlog.
Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the 39th Hongkong Film Awards had to be cancelled for the first time in its history and a virtual ceremony was held in its place on YouTube yesterday (May 6). The event was the awards show equivalent of a stripped-down home concert — no fancy stage and lighting effects, no audience, no fancy outfits (unless you count chairman and presenter Derek Yee’s tux).
And ‘cos of that, the entire shindig, if you can call it that, took just 11 minutes.
After briefly explaining the voting process and sharing that the trophies will be delivered when the pandemic is over, Derek began opening sealed envelopes and announcing the winners one by one.
Chinese coming-of-age film Better Days, which is directed by veteran star Eric Tsang’s son Derek Tsang, was the biggest winner of the night, sweeping a total of eight awards including Best Film, Best Director for Derek, Best Actress for 28-year-old Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu, and Best New Performer for 19-year-old Jackson Yee, a member of boyband TFBoys.
Dongyu delivered her “acceptance speech” via Weibo, saying, “Better Days is a project of mine that I really like, and I want to thank everyone who has helped and supported me, and the audience who love the movie as much as I do.”
The other winners in the acting categories include 69-year-old veteran actor Tai Bo, who beat out the likes of Louis Koo and Aaron Kwok to bring home Best Actor for his role as a closeted gay man in Suk Suk; 55-year-old comedian Cheung Tat Ming, who bagged Best Supporting Actor for I’m Livin’ It, and veteran actress Patra Au for her role in Suk Suk.
The Donnie Yen-starring Ip Man 4: The Finale was honoured in three technical categories: Best Film Editing, Best Action Choreography and Best Sound Design.
Despite emerging empty-handed, Sammi Cheng, who had two Best Actress nominations for her roles in Fagara and Fatal Visit, was a graceful loser and congratulated all the winners in a Facebook post.
“This may sound very old-fashioned, but I want to say: I will continue to work hard! I want to sincerely thank every filmmaker for each opportunity to act. Thank you to the Hongkong Film Awards for giving me two nominations, which is already a very big encouragement. Zhou Dongyu’s performance was really brilliant and she deserves the award,” she wrote.
The 47-year-old also apologised to her fans for disappointing them and losing for the sixth year. “I am still young and strong, so I will definitely keep working hard!”
Oh well. Better luck next time!
Photos: Hong Kong Film Awards/YouTube, Better Days/Weibo, New Voice Film Productions, Entertaining Power Co. Ltd., TPG, Sammi Cheng/Facebook
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