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'Warlord' Jet Li celebrates Hong Kong award
2008-04-14
Chinese action star Jet Li was celebrating on Monday after being named best actor at the Hong Kong film awards with period drama "The Warlords," a departure from his usual martial arts fare. Li beat out Hong Kong heart-throb Andy Lau for the coveted prize at a glittering ceremony late on Sunday. "If I had not made a lot of kung fu films, I could have won the best actor award 20 years ago," said Li, 44, also known for "Fearless" and "Cradle 2 The Grave." "The Warlords," set in wartime 19th century China and with an all-star cast, was the big winner at Sunday's glittering ceremony with eight awards including best film and best director for Peter Chan. The film tells the story of three sworn brothers who are forced to turn against each other during the Taiping Rebellion in the late Qing Dynasty. Li apologised for winning best actor ahead of Lau, who was nominated for two separate roles and also appeared in "The Warlords." "I'm sorry. I've betrayed you brother!" he said, according to the South China Morning Post. Hong Kong veteran Lau took best supporting actor for his performance in crime thriller "Protege," which also won best film editing. And there was a best Asian film award for Taiwanese director Ang Lee's steamy World War II epic, "Lust, Caution." The best actress award went to Siqin Gaowa for her lead role in the quirky tragicomedy "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt," which also stars megastar Chow Yun-fat. Prolific director Johnnie To enjoyed a better return than his blank score last year, with his crime flick "Mad Detective" winning best screenplay after drawing plaudits at last year's Venice film festival. To also produced "Eye in the Sky" which won best new director for Yau Nai-hoi and best performance by a newcomer for actress Kate Tsui. The professional achievement award was given to much-loved comic actress Lydia Shum, who died from cancer earlier this year. The lifetime achievement award was presented to Hong Kong movie boss Raymond Chow, whose Golden Harvest studios helped produce a long list of talent including action star Jackie Chan and martial arts legend Bruce Lee. The former British colony enjoys a rich film heritage and became an international movie powerhouse in the 1970s, but it has fallen on tough times in recent years with dwindling box office receipts. However, its stars still enjoy huge popularity across Asia. The celebrity-mad Hong Kong press pack was out in full force at the red carpet event, as hundreds of screaming fans waved banners and cheered a string of glamorous leading ladies and men.
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