Bright Night: The Academy Awards Ceremony
On the evening of the first day of the lanterns, outside the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the bright lights and red carpet paved a bright avenue to welcome the arrival of the 42nd Hong Kong Film Awards. This is an annual film event that gathers the elites and stars of the Chinese film industry. Under such a grand ceremony, every detail is particularly dazzling, and every artist present is part of the starlight of that night. Especially when Tony Leung and Yu Xiangning were announced as the best actor and actress respectively, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, adding incomparable glory and brilliance to the night.
Absent and deputy: Tony Leung's video link
When it was mentioned that Tony Leung would win the Best Actor award, the audience was looking forward to it. Since Tony Leung was unable to attend in person, Carina Lau took the stage as his representative and accepted the award gracefully and with a sense of responsibility. The big screen on the stage lit up, Tony Leung appeared in front of the audience through video link, and his first sentence "Do you want to start saying the acceptance speech now?" not only broke out in laughter at the scene, but also made the audience feel his unchanging humor and demeanor. This scene is not only an episode at the award ceremony, but also a more profound demonstration of Tony Leung's easy-going and people-friendly as a veteran actor.
Emotion and support: Tony Leung's testimonials
Then Tony Leung's testimonial was conveyed to every audience through the screen. His words are full of gratitude to his wife Carina Lau for her companionship and support over the years: "Without your support, I would not have been able to overcome difficulties again and again and stand here." These words not only expressed his gratitude, but also reflected the deep affection and mutual support between the couple. Carina Lau is offstage, smiling and with warmth in her eyes, and her presence is undoubtedly an important pillar in Tony Leung's artistic career.
The sublime and the humble: Carina Lau's affirmation
Tony Leung's humility sparked Carina Lau's further remarks, and her every word on stage revealed her high respect for Tony Leung: "Every time he wins an award, there are always people who are surprised that he wins again, but I know that he has put in unimaginable efforts." Carina Lau's words are not only an affirmation of Tony Leung's acting skills, but also a tribute to his acting spirit. She emphasized that true art comes from endless dedication and self-transcendence, and Tony Leung is the embodiment of this spirit.
Starry Night: Yu Xiangning won the queen
The light of honor was passed on by the last actress Zheng Xiuwen, and Yu Xiangning won the Best Actress in this Academy Awards. Her performance in "Under the White Sun" not only earned enough tears, but also won a full house. When Yu Xiangning accepted the award, she was especially grateful to her husband and two little babies: "Mommy has been chasing her dreams, and I hope you can also chase your dreams bravely when you grow up." She also stressed that she will devote her life to researching how to become a better actress and inspire all women, no matter what stage of life they are in, to have the courage to pursue their dreams.
The Bad Tongue Lawyer: The glory of Best Picture
Presented by the famous Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, this year's Best Picture glory was won by "The Bad Tongue Lawyer" (locally known as "The Bad Tongue"). The film won unanimous praise from the jury for its incisive dialogue and profound social commentary. Director Wu Weilun shared his thoughts when accepting the award: "During the filming of this film, the unity and cooperation of the team is more important than winning any award. He hopes that this spirit will inspire more filmmakers to unite in an increasingly difficult environment for making Hong Kong-made films.
Glory in the film industry: Huang Zihua's moving words
Under the brilliance of "The Bad Tongue Lawyer" winning the best picture, Huang Zihua's words are full of emotion and gratitude. Standing on the stage, his voice was slightly choked, and he affectionately expressed his gratitude to the team behind the scenes: "We actors are just a part of the movie, and more light should shine on those who work hard behind the scenes day and night." Behind every line is the result of careful deliberation by the director and legal counsel. His true feelings won warm applause and deep resonance from the audience. Huang Zihua's speech not only reminded the audience to thank every creator in the film who has paid silently, but also emphasized the essence of film as a collective art.
Innovation and elegance in the awards ceremony
The creativity and beauty of this year's Academy Awards were jointly created by the well-known director Jian Junjin and the famous art director Wen Nianzhong. They transformed the festival into a visual and emotional extravaganza, with a visual design inspired by a crystal-clear Academy Award trophy that symbolizes the moments in the film that can become classics even if they are only fleeting. This design not only adds to the artistic atmosphere of the award ceremony, but also makes the whole event more fascinating, showing the unique charm and profound significance of film art.
High Participation: Voting process and results
This year's Academy Awards voting process showed a significant increase in participation. The first round of voting took place at the beginning of 2024, with 1,890 people participating, a high turnout of 63.23%, the highest in the last four sessions. Following the first round of voting, the second round of voting ended at the end of March, and all votes were counted and reviewed, and the final winners were officially announced at the ceremony tonight. This voting process not only ensures fairness and transparency, but also reflects the high level and active participation of the industry in this annual event.
Crystal trophies: meaning and symbolism
This year's Academy Awards trophy is not only a trophy, but also a work of art. Its transparency and clarity not only symbolize the purity and authenticity of film art, but also symbolize the pursuit of excellence by each creator. Each trophy is a tribute to every moment in the film—whether it's a scene, a line, or a look—emphasizing the important contribution of each element in the film to the overall story. This design concept has won the recognition of filmmakers and has aroused wide discussion and praise in the industry.
The collective glory of cinematic art
In this year's Academy Awards, "Murder" won the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards for its excellent script and directing techniques, directed by Zheng Baorui, and co-written by You Naihai and Li Chunhui. "Murder" also won the Best Editing Award for its excellent editing skills, which was co-authored by David Richardson and Leung Chin-lun. The film showcases a high level of filmmaking through its complex plot structure and tight narrative pacing, proving that a good film is the result of multiple aspects working together.
The importance of technological achievement
In the technical field, Goldfinger won five awards for its excellence in cinematography, art direction, costume design, visual effects and sound effects. Poon's cinematography gives the film a unique visual style, while Lam's art direction and Wen Nianzhong's costume design accurately recreate the period in which the film is set. The visual effects of Wong Chi Chi and Poon Chi Heng and the acoustic effects work of Nopavat Rickett greatly enhance the cinematic experience, demonstrating the important role of technology in the art of cinema.
The rise of the newcomer
In the selection of new talents, Zhuo Yiqian won the Best New Director Award for "Young Diary", and Tse Yongxin won the Best New Actor Award for her outstanding performance in "I Wish People Were Long". The award is not only a recognition of their initial attempts in the field of film, but also a sign of the fresh blood and innovative thinking they may bring in the future. The establishment of such awards is of great significance for motivating young film talents, injecting new vitality and possibilities into the film industry.
Belonging and gratitude of honor
In particular, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sammo Hung in recognition of his long-term contributions and outstanding achievements in the film industry. Sammo Hung's speech at the award ceremony was deeply moving, reflecting on his film career and love for the art of cinema over the years.
Together: Challenges and Hope
Ng Wai Lun's speech is not only an appreciation for his own team, but also an encouragement and expectation for the entire Hong Kong film industry. In his view, film is not only an artistic expression, but also a manifestation of teamwork. He hoped that all filmmakers would show the same spirit of solidarity in the face of challenges, overcome difficulties together, and promote the development of Hong Kong films to a higher artistic level.