Romance drama "Soul Mate" has charmed the Hong Kong Film Awards.
The coming-of-age tale of two girls falling for the same boy received 12 nominations, with Zhou Dongyu and Ma Sichun both getting nods in the best actress category. Their dual nominations are not unprecedented – the co-stars both won the category at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards last year.
The film, its screenplay and director Derek Tsang also received nominations, which were announced Tuesday by two of last year's winners, "Port of Call" co-stars Aaron Kwok and Elaine Jin.
Trailing closely with 10 nominations is the cop thriller "Cold War II," nominated as best film, screenplay, cinematography and best actor, Tony Leung Ka Fai.
In the best film category, both films will compete alongside the comedy "Mermaid," the baseball film "Weeds on Fire" and crime thriller "Trivisa."
The best directory category is a battle between veterans and new talent. Three-time winner Johnnie To is nominated for crime drama "Three" while 2002's best actor and director winner Stephen Chow is nominated for "Mermaid." Director Derek Tsang from "Soul Mate," Wong Chun from "Mad World" and Frank Hui, Jevons Au and Vicky Wong from "Trivisa" are all just beginning to make their mark in film direction.
In the best actress category, Zhou and Ma face competition from Tang Wei for "Book of Love," Kara Wai in "Happiness" and Nina Paw from "Show Me Your Love."
Leung is joined in the best actor category by Francis Ng in "Shed Skin Papa," Shawn Yue in "Mad World" and "Trivisa" co-stars Richie Jen and Lam Ka Tung.
Kwok expressed pride in Leung's performance, even though he wasn't nominated for his own role in "Cold War II."
"I never doubt myself, but I think the jury members have their point of views, their preferences and angles," he said at the news conference. "It's not a problem that I'm not nominated. I'm still very confident in myself."
The Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony is on April 9.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More