Leon Lai

leon_mclaren78

Weh... bukan aku ler...!! Cubalah baca berita kat bawah nih!

A middle-aged Taiwan woman, claiming to be a billionaire, openly said she desperately wants to date, possibly to spend rest of her life with Hong Kong pop icon Leon Lai.

Xu Chunmei said if she could win Lai's heart, she would be more than willing to sacrifice all of her assets, which she said are valued at HK$2.3 billion. "I would rather give up all my money simply for Lai's love."

Xu, 48, jumped out her 3rd marriage just during the Spring Festival and said she paid HK$16 million for this divorce. When asked if age is a problem for her and Lai, she answered by asking "do you think I'm looking old?" Xu has a habit to boast her slim shape and good-looking face, which often draw criticism.

At the news that Lai, aged 38 now, will come to Taiwan to promote his new movie "Tiny Matters In Big City," co-starred with Faye Wong, Xu can't hold back her excitement and begged Lai's film company to arrange a meeting with her Mr. Charming.

The woman said if her dream of marrying Lai could not come true, she would try to find a man with appearance similar to Lai's and spend the rest of her life with such a man.

Taiwan media doubt about Xu's sincerity on her words. Some psychiatrists there say Xu shows typical symptoms of mania.

In the entertainment circles in Hong Kong, Lai never lacks affairs. Leon was reported to have intimate relations with verbose lists of heroines, from HK pop diva Faye Wong to sexy Hsu Chi.

leon_mclaren78

Mr. Leon Lai, the pop singer and the actor of great renown, was invited to speak to our students in the whole-school assembly on Wednesday, 4th February, 2004. He spoke on his commitment to community service and shared with students his experience of travelling in Rwanda with UNICEF. At the end of the talk, he spent about 10 minutes to reply to students' questions.

leon_mclaren78

--A music event united a lot of musicians to sing praises for HK. Out of all the performers, Leon was most popular. The audience gave him a warm reception. He was the only singer to sing two songs (All Day Love & The Firework of Two
People).

After the performance, Leon was interviewed. It was reported that Leon and Peter Lam (Media Asia boss) will be cooperating to build a record company and promote new artists. Andy Lau is interested in putting his shares. When asked about that, Leon was not willing to comment. He used an analogy and said, "Like an apple tree, the apple is not even ripe yet and people are picking it to eat. It must be sour and there's no meaning. Anyways, everything will be left for my manager Joe to respond. Anything can happen and anything can't happen." (Are you not renewing contract with Sony?) "Don't ask other stuff. They're still doing promotions for <<LMLY>> OST." When asked about Edison being attacked in Central, Leon wouldn't comment on the past and said it's now to plan the future.

Priscilla Chan reported to the police for an investigation of stolen mails from her home. Leon felt Priscilla handled it well. He will report to the police if it happened to him. (Are you worry that someone might steal your mail?) "I don't have a choice. There are a lot of people who likes to dig the trash." Leon indicated that his personal mails are handled well. He will tear them into pieces then throw them away.


p/s: Semenjak dua menjak ni Leon selalu sangat berfalsafah.... kekadang sampai gerun + kagum aku dengar!!

leon_mclaren78

Leon and Faye promoted <<LMLY>> in ChengDu on Valentine's Day. Having two big names in the city brought a wave of celebrity chasers. About 1,000 meet & greet passes were sold out 3 days ago. Before the meet, the cinema was already filled with people wanting to catch a glimpse of the stars. Fans continuously chanted their names. This chaos
surpassed Andy Lau and Cecilia Cheung's appearance.

Leon and Faye appeared on stage. Guards failed to contain the fans as the scene became overwhelming. It was supposed to be a 30 minute meeting, but it turned into 5-10 minutes. Leon and Faye quickly left the scene as fans chased them to the car park. Luckily, they left secretly at another exit.

A male fan asked Leon to help him reconcile with his girlfriend. Leon was supposed to phone her, but only can call her after the chaos. The female fan was very surprised. Leon told her to treasure the person in front of her or else she'll regret. She listened to Leon. It was a success as the couple reconciled

leon_mclaren78

Judul Drama: The Breaking Point (a.k.a. "Kam Sang Mo Fui")
Judul Pinyin: &#20170;&#29983;&#28961;&#24724;
Versi: Kantonis
Genre: Konflik percintaan / keluarga
Klasifikasi: Umum
Tahun Diterbitkan: 1991
Drama Leon Yang ke: 11
Jumlah Episod: 40
Keluaran: TVBI (Hong Kong)
Pelakon: Leon Lai, Maggie Shiu, Kathy Chow, Deric Wan, Bobby Au, etc.
Rating: 4 of 5
Sinopsis: (b. Inggeris) http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Stage/2538/breaking.html

Nota: "The Breaking Point" merupakan drama lakonan Leon yang paling top di seluruh Asia pada era awal 90-an. Nama Leon mula dikenali menerusi drama ini & ia banyak membantu Leon dipilih sebagai salah seorang dari "4 Heavenly Kings" di Hong Kong bersama-sama Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, & Aaron Kwok. "The Breaking Point" juga telah menyebabkan nama Leon melonjak naik secara mendadak & mula menjadi rebutan para produser filem Hong Kong dan Taiwan. Untuk lagu pembukaan drama ini, dinyanyikan oleh Wong Kit. Manakala lagu penutup dinyanyikan sendiri oleh Leon, iaitu "Toi Pat Hei, Ngo Ngoi Nei" (Sorry, I Love U) dan "Yan Joy Lai Meng" (People In Dawn). Lagu "Sorry, I Love U" juga menjadi begitu popular sehingga melayakkan Leon memenangi beberapa anugerah muzik di Hong Kong ketika itu. Drama ini juga telah menguatkan gossip hubungan istimewa antara Leon dan Kathy Chow (bekas Miss Hong Kong 1985) yang telah sedia tersebar sejak kali pertama mereka bekerjasama dalam sebuah drama lain sebelum ini. Buat masa ini pihak TVBI masih belum mengeluarkan teledrama ini dalam bentuk koleksi vcd set. Namun begitu, set vcd tersebut dipercayai akan dikeluarkan dalam jangkamasa terdekat ini oleh pihak TVBI dan ini pastinya merupakan berita baik bagi peminat teledrama ini yang telah menunggu kemunculannya sejak sekian lama.

p/s: Drama ini pernah di tayangkan di TV3 pada tahun 1992.

[ Last edited by leon_mclaren78 on 23-3-2004 at 01:56 AM ]

leon_mclaren78

Leon returned to Hong Kong at around 8pm the night before, accompanied by his assistant. When he saw reporters, he waved to them. As known, Leon came back from Shanghai. This afternoon, he will attend the press conference of "Hong Kong International Film Festival" as the honorary ambassador of the film festival.

leon_mclaren78

The 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival held a promotional event yesterday and the organiser invited Leon to be the honorary ambassador of the film festival. Leon will help to promote the film festival and receive fellow filmmakers from overseas, inlcuding directors from Italy, Japan, Taiwan etc, as the Hong Kong host.

Leon, who had just came back to Hong Kong after shooting a commercial in Shanghai, looked very fresh at the press conference yesterday. However, he was worried that the unpredictable weather these days would make his nose sensitive again. He said that he often has running nose, but doctors could not cure it.

This time, as the honorary ambassador of the film festival, Leon would be meeting many overseas directors. He said that he would take the opportunity to get tips from the directors. He also said modestly that he still do not qualify to be a director. Although one or two years back, somebody had asked him to direct a movie, but at that time, he was not ready for it and he did not want the movie to become his personal experiment. Therefore, he felt that when he could use his own standpoint and attitude to film a movie and share it with the audience, it would be the right time to be a director. However, presently, he still want to be an actor.

After "Leaving Me Loving You", Leon revealed that he would film a new movie in August. Asked whether it would be Stanley Kwan's "Gather Ye Rose", Leon said, smiling, "I don't know where it has gathered to, I've only received half the script. But I will wait for him to start filming, it doesn't matter when it would be filmed."

On the other hand, the directors association will be filming a movie to raise funds for the association, if they invited him to act, would he agree? Leon said nobody had asked him, if possible, he would support, but he would decide based on the sincerity and the effect. Director Peter Chan would be filming "Three 2" and most of the actors/actresses had been confirmed, but he revealed that till now he had not confirmed whether to ask Leon to act in it again. Leon said that he himself and Peter Chan would not repeat the same thing again, does that mean he would not be filming it?

Leon was asked whether he would go and watch "The Eye 2". He said, "I've seen 'The Eye', there's no reason not to watch 'The Eye 2'. If I have the time I will go cinema to watch, and I won't ask Peter Chan for the tickets. A reasonable person should buy the tickets himself."

Shu Qi played a pregnant woman in "The Eye 2", she said that after shooting the film, she was afraid of having babies. Regarding this, Leon said, "Why do you ask me? You should ask her, besides I'm not a woman." Asked whether he had been not able to leave his role after filming a movie, Leon said that when he filmed "Comrades, Almost A Love Story", he could only leave the character Li Xiaojun after half a year to 9 months, because he had already moulded this person out before filming the movie. On the contrary, it was not difficult to leave the role in "Three", possibly because of the short filming period. Leon felt that whether one is able to leave his/her role, it depends on oneself, he said, "Not able to leave a role could be due to uncontrollable nerves in the hind brain. There's no reason for not able to leave a role. If that really happens, I also cannot explain it."

Due to the screening of "The Eye 2", a video of Shu Qi in nude shower had been spreading around on the Internet recently. Asked about this, Leon said, "Don't ask me to reply, ask yourself, I can't answer, it's none of my business. How do I answer when it's not my business? Go back and tell your chief editor that I have answered very politely that it's none of my business."

leon_mclaren78

Leon attended "RTHK Award Winning Celebration" yesterday to present awards to the various RTHK TV programmes which had won awards. Asked about the rumours of his management company setting up a recording company, and that Alvin Wong from the management of Sony Music would be following him to the new company, Leon admitted and revealed that Alvin Wong had already tendered his resignation letter to Sony Music. He would join Paciwood's new music department and be fully in charge of the production work. Are there any other staff from Sony Music following Alvin Wong to the new company? Leon said that there were no others presently, but everything would be handled by Paciwood's music department, decided by Alvin Wong. He explained that the setting up of Paciwood music department is to hope to have a central control of the copyrights of all his songs in the future.

Would he still cooperate with Sony Music in the future? "Will change the way of cooperation." Produce the album himself and let Sony Music distribute? "That's one possibility. It's very likely the distribution relationship would be maintained." Would he cooperate with Peter Lam in setting up the new recording company? Leon said, "It can't be revealed yet." However, he hoped to sign a few newcomers, to let the company have more copyrights. How about the present singers? "Will talk about it when the time is ripe. I know that Alvin Wong is choosing now, but he didn't tell me since the time is not ripe yet." The details of the new recording company will be officially announced after two to three months' time. His new album will be the first work of the company.

Would Leon be holding other positions in the new company? He smiled and said, "I will only concentrate on producing good music, and singing good songs." How much did he invest? He stressed that the investment was by the management company, he was not the investor, so he was more relaxed. About Andy Lau meeting up with unhappy things everytime he set up companies with other people, and had decided not to cooperate with other people again, Leon said, "He has more experience than me. I've never tried before, so I don't know. As for whether you need to use money to buy experience, I also don't know. After all, I'm not the investor, my identity is more relaxed. I'm just an artiste." Would Paciwood be setting up a movie production department? He pointed that "Leaving Me Loving You" was already the first production, there would be new plans in the future. Since it was his own company, would Leon get a higher pay? He said, "Don't use money to calculate everything. Today, Leon won't use money to calculate work. I will only earn those money that I'm able to earn. Just do my best and be professional."

On the other hand, about Simon Yam winning the best actor award at the Golden Bauhinia Awards, Leon was happy for him and congratulated him and Cecilia Cheung. About who he think would win in the Hong Kong Film Awards, he said that he never gives prediction.

leon_mclaren78

There were rumours that Peter Lam would be cooperating with Leon and Andy Lau in setting up a company. Peter Lam admitted that he had been discussing with Leon's manager, Joe Chan, recently, and they would be cooperating in Leon's movie and concert. As for setting up of recording company, Peter Lam stressed that it was not settled yet, and they had not even discussed the amount. In short, he was interested in any business that could earn profits. However, he admitted that Leon would be a very good cooperating partner, and he would discuss with Leon soon.

Muntz

keep it up..

leon_mclaren78

It is our pleasure to have Mr. Leon Lai as the Honorary Ambassador for the 28th Hong Kong International Festival.

As a prominent actor-producer Mr. Lai had made significant contributions to the art of film and to the film industry over the past decade. While he had recently won Best Actor at the Golden Horse Awards, he had also actively participated in various capacities of film production. We are very impressed with Mr. Lai's commitment and enthusiasm towards the art of film, and we think it personifies the spirit of HKIFF.

As HKIFF's Honorary Ambassador, Mr. Lai will help promoting HKIFF to an international audience. Meanwhile he will be Hong Kong's host to overseas filmmakers attending the HKIFF. Also, Leon will promote film culture to a larger Hong Kong audience as well as encourage and develop more synergies and exchanges between the local film industry and HKIFF.

Ambassador's recommendation:

56K
http://www.hkiff.org.hk/video/asx/Leon_03_56.asx
Broadband
http://www.hkiff.org.hk/video/asx/Leon_03.asx

leon_mclaren78

Fifteen Minutes with Leon Lai Ming: An interview with a Heavenly Ambassador



Can you compare him to a summer's day? No, he is more lovely and more temperate. He is one of the Heavenly Kings. He is Leon Lai: The Honorary Ambassador for the 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). Hong Kong's premier annual movie event is taking place from April 6th to 21st and will showcase nearly 300 movies from more than 40 countries. Mr. Leon Lai Ming -- known to people throughout the region simply as Leon -- is the figurehead of this event. His is the face that will promote Hong Kong movies to the rest of the world and the film festival to the local Hong Kong audience.

At the penthouse of the Miramar Hotel in Tsimshatsui, Barry Manilow's classic tune, "Copacabana" is being piped in via discreet speakers; Lai has just walked off the stage having had countless photographs taken during the press conference for the HKIFF. Despite having just faced a wall of Hong Kong media, some of whom are still shouting "Leon", Lai is smiling. He has been in a gracious mood throughout the press conference -- even answering insipid questions about Shu Qi's alleged inability to shake off her character from The Eye 2.

The general press interviews have been brief while the TV interviews are held with Lai in dark glasses. For this interview, the glasses come off. The unbroken soft brown eye contact throughout the fifteen minute conversation leads one to believe that Lai is either a mean poker player or seriously passionate about his role as ambassador. In an intimate setting away from the main press conference area, a half dozen curious press and PR personnel look on as Peter Tsi Ka-Kei, director of the HKIFF, translates Lai's views on the cultural significance of the film festival. "Unless you're a person who doesn't like choices," says Lai, "the film festival is a rare occasion ... it's an exhilarating experience."

"Countries around this region have already been dominated by films from Hollywood and, other than that, maybe films from Europe. So, if we don't get together and pool our resources and create more synergies from cinemas from different film industries, from different places, it's not going to work."

The Barbarian Invasions, the French-Canadian film recently awarded Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards is one movie Lai expresses particular interest in. Alluding to the way the film questions American 'culture' and how the world has embraced it, Lai says: "There are political issues in the film but it's really intriguing and very interesting."

Stressing the value and importance of the variety of offerings screening at the international film festival, Lai points out that no matter how accomplished or polished Hollywood blockbusters get, they ultimately cannot connect with local audiences at a deeper level. "It always happens in Asia when a certain national cinema is too dominating then sometimes the audience will feel that it's quite condescending or somehow they will have a distance to that particular country or cinema," he says.

Hollywood is not forgotten however. Questioned about his favourite movies as a child, his eyes light up. Without need of Tsi's translation, Lai says directly, "Child is Star Wars. Star Wars and Alien."

His favourite non-Hollywood movies as he's matured are Leon: The Professional and Le Grand Bleu (The Big Blue). Clearly, Lai is the perfect ambassador for the HKIFF. Personifying cultural diversity itself, Lai is a Heavenly King of Asian entertainment and a Luc Besson fan.

When asked which movie he had seen last, a long time was spent deciding upon what to say. The pause allowed one to ponder if it would be a foreign film, an art house film or perhaps a film from Asia? The toss up is between Golden Chicken 2 and The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, both films from 2003. Lai is so busy producing movies and music, the time to indulge in other's productions is a rare luxury.

Lai certainly is a busy man. He has received countless awards for music, the Golden Horse award for Best Leading Actor (Three: Going Home) in 2002, the Medal of Honour for his charity work in 2003 and is the Ambassador for the HKIFF in 2004. His work ethic will doubtless result in further accolades in the years to come but it is not the acclaim that drives him.

Future plans, Lai says, are to, "make films, do more records. Whether you're doing a film or you're making a music album there's still some pressure from the market. It's not a problem for me because I really commit to what I do and, at the end of the day, good work will come out of it."

Again, Lai reiterated, "I don't really take a lot of consideration with regards to the awards."

These contemplative musings continue as he is asked whether a successful film festival this year can show Hong Kong's resilience following a brutal 2003. "Whether there's a 'bounce back' or not, the show has to go on. It's the dream of all the film makers -- we should just do our best and see what happens," he says.

The two opening films of this year's festival, Baober in Love and Jade Goddess of Mercy, are from Mainland China. This is indicative of an increasing number of Mainland Chinese films coming into the Hong Kong market. Lai welcomed this development. He says, "there are a lot of good topics being portrayed in films from China. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a very good system or mechanism from the film industry in China but it's improving."

Lai speculated that there would be a positive change in 2005 and clarified his position on Mainland Chinese films entering Hong Kong. "There shouldn't be any competing scenario here because, first of all, we're one country and I believe the exchange and merging of films and film industries between the two places will actually come up with some really exciting and positive projects."

As Honorary Ambassador, Lai continues to enthuse about all cinema with thoughtful and thorough responses. He does not see the emerging Bangkok Film Festival as a competitor to the HKIFF. Rather, he sees it as a sister event. "The best thing to do is to actually try not to fight against each other," Lai says. "Instead, we should work towards the same goal which is to have a more vibrant Asian film industry as a whole."

For Lai, the world may be in chaos but, "with a lot of things happening around us in society and the world, I think it's probably going to be better for the film festival. When people face negative news or chaotic happenings, it's always nice to go into a cinema and watch movies."

In the blink of an eye, fifteen minutes with Leon Lai Ming has passed. On screen, on stage and in his albums, Lai's personna is filtered through the perspective of a director, a choreographer or a songwriter. In person, Lai's nature comes through unencumbered. He is honest, sincere and mature yet he has not lost the exuberance of youth. If the festival is half as captivating as its Honorary ambassador, it will be an exhilarating experience.

[ Last edited by leon_mclaren78 on 5-4-2004 at 12:41 AM ]

leon_mclaren78

From left: Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai, & Aaron Kwok.

BIODATA

Full Name: Cheung Hock-yau / Zhang Xue-you
English Name: Jacky
Commercial Name: Jacky Cheung
Pet Name: Yau-yau
Age 2004: 43
D.O.B.: 10/07/1961
P.O.B.: Hong Kong
Zodiac: Cancer
Chinese Horoscope: Ox
Family: Parent, 1 elder brother, & 1 Younger sister
Recent Status: Married to actress May Lo Mei-mei on 1996 (they had 1 daughter).
Height: 178 cm.
First Debut: 1985 (singing contest)
Fan Club: Jacky's Friend Club
Skills: Singer, actor, & song composer.
Position: King of Songs
Highest Achivements:
- No. 1 World Asian Singer (1995)
- No. 1 Asian singer best selling album (1994-1995)
- Best co-actor (1991)
- 10 Outstanding Young Persons Selection Award (1998)


Full Name: Lau Tack-wah / Liu De-hua
Real Name: Lau Fu Weng / Liu Fu Rong
English Name: Andy
Commerical Name: Andy Lau
Pet Name: Wah Chai / Wah Ko
Age 2004: 43
D.O.B.: 27/09/1961
P.O.B.: Hong Kong
Zodiac: Libra
Chinese Horoscope: Ox
Family: Parent, 3 elder sisters, 1 younger brother, & 1 younger sister.
Recent Status: Single (but rumours said he is married to Malaysian chinese woman & they had 1 daughter)
Height: 172 cm.
First Debut: 1981 (TVBI teledrama actor)
Fan Club: Andy World Club
Skills: Actor, singer, song composer (not active), producer, & TV adv. model.
Position: King of Movies
Highest Achivments:
- Most popular singer in Asia (1997-2001)
- Best leading actor (1999)


Full name: Kwok Fu Seng / Guo Fu Cheung
English Name: Aaron
Commercial Name: Aaron Kwok
Pet Name: Seng-seng / Seng Chai / Ah Wong
Age 2004: 39
D.O.B.: 26/10/1965
P.O.B.: Hong Kong
Zodiac: Scorpio
Chinese Horoscope: Snake
Family: Mother (his father passed away on 1995), 1 elder brother (his another elder brother also passed away), & 2 elder sisters.
Recent Status: Single
Height: 170 cm.
First Debut: 1984 (TVBI dancer)
Fan Club: Aaron Kwok International Fan Club
Skills: Actor, singer, song composer (not active), car racer, & TV adv. model.
Position: King of Dance
highest Achivements:
- Most popular singer in Asia (2000-2001)


Full Name: Lai-meng / Li-ming
English Name: Leon
Commercial Name: Leon Lai
Pet Name: Leon / Ah Ko
Age 2004: 38
D.O.B.: 11/12/66
P.O.B.: Beijing, R.O.C.
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Chinese Horoscope: Horse
Family: Parent (divorced)
Recent Status: Single
Height: 182 cm.
First Debut: 1986 (TVBI singing contest)
Fan Club: Leon Family International
Skills: Actor, singer, song composer, writer, producer, director, TV adv. model, ambassador of UNICEF & 2004 HKIFF, & community chest for charity events.
Position: Prince Charming / King of Heart / King of Charity
Highest Achivements:
- Appointed as the 1st. Asian superstar for an official ambassador by UNICEF. (1994)
- Best selling chinese album in Asia (1996)
- Most popular singer in Hong Kong (1997-1999)
- 10 Outstanding Young Persons Selection Award (1998)
- Best leading actor (2002)
- Rewarded an honour medal from HK government for all his effort in charity events. (2002)

[ Last edited by leon_mclaren78 on 6-4-2004 at 02:42 AM ]

Muntz

up..

leon_mclaren78

Leon attended the opening ceremony of the 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) as its honorary ambassador yesterday. Asked whether he would take time off to watch the movies? He immediately strongly promoted the film festival and said that he would try his best to squeeze out time. He would even buy the package ticket so that he could watch the movies he like anytime. As the honorary ambassador, he would devote his effort in promoting Hong Kong movies, and try his best to let more people know that the HKIFF is going on now. Leon revealed that as the honorary ambassador of the HKIFF, he would be playing host to the special guest from Japan, Rena Tanaka. Asked whether he would treat Rena Tanaka to a meal? Leon said, "As the host, if she has the time, I should give a treat. Although I don't know Japanese, but I would welcome her with the greatest sincerity."

Asked about the results of the Hong Kong Film Awards, Leon said that he was not in Hong Kong that night and he did not watch the awards presentation. However, he believed that the Hong Kong audience would be satisfied with the results, as the award-winning movies were the movies they liked. About the organiser releasing the votes count of the award winners for the first time, Leon said that he disagreed with the move and felt odd that why all the elections nowadays had to release the votes count, they should not do it just because it was trendy. He asked the reporters why they were releasing the votes count this year, and the reporter said that the organiser hoped to increase the transparency of the results. Leon said, "It's really not necessary. The actors/actresses are only doing their part in participating in the event. Why would they need to increase the transparency today, but not in the past? The release of the votes count would neither help the Hong Kong Film Awards nor the audience, then why they still have to release it?"

As for whether his movie "Leaving Me Loving You" would participate in the awards next year? Leon said, "See whether the audience still remember the movie first. I didn't film this movie for the awards. If I did, I would wait till the end of the year to release the movie, then everyone would surely remember it."

On the other hand, there was a report which said that Shu Qi went to Leon's place after the Hong Kong Film Awards. Regarding this, Leon said that there was nothing to reply, he was in Guangzhou filming a commercial that day.

[ Last edited by leon_mclaren78 on 7-4-2004 at 11:59 PM ]

leon_mclaren78

The film "A Day on the Planet" starring Japanese actress Rena Tanaka was invited to be shown at the 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF). Yesterday, she and the director Yukisada Isao came to Hong Kong to attend activities of the film festival. The honorary ambassador of HKIFF, Leon Lai, attended the press conference with her yesterday, and after the screening ceremony, he would be treating her to Chinese delicacies.

At the press conference, Leon represented the organiser of the HKIFF to present a souvenir to Rena Tanaka, and she returned with a film poster. She praised Leon was a very nice person and he spoke gently.

Asked about his feelings for being praised to be gentle, Leon said, "Since you have asked her, of course she would give a friendly reply. Praising is a form of expression. Actually, I didn't have much time and I don't know Japanese, so I didn't chat with her much and didn't have a deep impression. I only know that she is a very professional artiste. She brought all her hair stylist, image director here, and later during the screening of the film, she would be changing to another set of clothes. All Japanese actors/actresses are very professional." Leon said that he hoped to cooperate more with foreign directors. Although language was a barrier, he believed that he could overcome it.

leon_mclaren78

Leon was invited to be the honorary ambassador of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival. As the host, he treated Rena Tanaka and director Yukisada Isao etc to dinner the night before. After the dinner, reporters requested Leon to take a photograph with Rena Tanaka and Leon agreed graciously and he stopped to wait. However, as Rena Tanaka's English was not good and her translator did not help to translate, she just left without even saying goodbye. Everyone who was present felt awkward. However, Leon still helped to say good words for this guest, pointing out that maybe she was too tired. Asked whether he had discussed cooperation plans with the director, he smiled and said that it was only a dinner, and work was not discussed.

Asked about her impression of Leon, Rena Tanaka said that he was very friendly, "He supported my film very much and gave me a lot of encouragement. I hope to have a chance to work with him in the future."

[ Last edited by leon_mclaren78 on 12-4-2004 at 12:49 AM ]

leon_mclaren78

Leon and Michelle Reis appeared at the airport yesterday to fly off to Nanjing to attend a big event in Yangzhou. Both of them took a 10.55 am flight and Michelle and her assistant arrived first, while Leon arrived late. Although he was surrounded by many fans, he was in a rush, so he accepted fans' letters and red packets while walking and directly went into the custom.

leon_mclaren78

Leon returned to Hong Kong yesterday and left very quickly.

leon_mclaren78

The "4th Chinese Film Media Award Presentation" will be held in Guangzhou on Sunday. The "Most Popular Hong Kong/ Taiwan Actor, Actress" awards will be everyone's focus as it could reflect the popularity of the award winner in Mainland China. For the "Most Popular Male Actor", it is currently a fight between Leon and Andy Lau.