‘Twilight of the Warriors' dominates at Hong Kong Film Awards, while Sean Lau wins Best Actor
The 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) took place at Tsim Sha Tsui's Hong Kong Cultural Centre on April 27, honouring the best of local films and our city's cinematic talents. A total of 17 Hong Kong films and 5 Asian Chinese-language films were nominated for awards, and if you've kept an eye on our city's movie industry and reviews over the past year, then it should come as no surprise that Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was pretty much the runaway winner.
Soi Cheang's martial arts epic was nominated in 14 categories at the HKFA 2025, and ended up winning nine awards, for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume & Makeup Design, Best Action Choreography, Best Sound Design, Best Visual Effects, as well as the top prize of Best Film. This action thriller set in the old Kowloon Walled City of the 80s is one of Hong Kong's most successful pictures in recent years, attracting at least 1.59 million box office views since premiering in May 2024, was chosen to represent our city in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, and was also shown in the Midnight Screening of the Cannes Film Festival 2024.
The Last Dance was also a firm favourite for many, receiving the most number of nominations at this year's HKFA at 18 categories. This drama about a Taoist priest and a wedding planner who team up to run funeral services won a total of five awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Original Film Score, and Best Original Film Song. Notably, Michelle Wai won Best Actress for her work in this film, while Tommy Chu took home the Best Supporting Actor award, winning against other established talents such as Louis Koo, Paul Chun Pui, Siuyea Lo Chun-yip, and Philip Ng. The Last Dance is Hong Kong's highest-grossing film.
Meanwhile, the honour of the Best Actor award went to Sean Lau for his role in the gripping and heartwrenching drama Papa. Other nominated actors in the category include Raymond Lam for Twilight of the Warriors, Neo Yau Hawk Sau for The Way We Talk, Michael Hui for The Last Dance, and Aaron Kwok for Rob N Roll. This marks Lau's fourth win in this category of the HKFA, and just last month, he also won Best Actor for this movie at the 18th Asian Film Awards. In total, Papa clinched three wins last night, including Jo Koo for Best Supporting Actress and Dylan So for Best New Performer.
Other notable awards handed out at the HKFA include Robin Lee winning Best New Director for Four Trails, which documents endurance runners taking on one of Hong Kong's most daunting athletic challenges. The Taiwanese film Old Fox by Hsiao Ya-chuan was also awarded Best Asian Chinese Language Film. Finally, veteran Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark and his long-time professional and romantic partner Shi Nan Sun were both honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their work in the Hong Kong film industry since the 80s.
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Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Wales Online
I spent a night at the luxury hotel where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds stay on Wrexham visits
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The minute you drive through the entrance to Carden Park Hotel and Spa you know you're arriving somewhere special. Set in acres of lush grounds, as you wind along the tree-lined driveway with a beautfully manicured golfing green beside you, as well as water features and wildlife (we spotted a swan and her babies), any cares will be relinquished long before you reach the building itself. In fact it's so special that it's a favourite destination for Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively when they visit the football team he co-owns, Wrexham FC - and they can often be seen entertaining their famous friends there too. And why wouldn't they? Carden Park is about nine miles from Wrexham and has 197 stunning bedrooms (currently undergoing a major makeover) including four luxury suites, a newly-refurbished leisure club, two championship golf courses and award-winning restaurants including The Vines which offers a fine-dining tasting menu. There's also a vineyard and a new £10m spa with one of the largest spa gardens in the UK, which wouldn't look out of place in the Maldives or on a Caribbean island. (Image: James Devaney, GC Imagesvia Getty Images) READ MORE:I tried a tiny restaurant overlooking a Welsh beach and discovered the best Asian fusion food for miles After a quick and seemless check-in we took the lift to our room. During our stay the ongoing refurbishment was evident in the upper corridor as one half was light and airy with plush new carpet and contemporary pale wooden doors while the other half was a little dated. Our refurbished room overlooking the sculpture garden at the front was elegant but homely in shades of blue with floor to ceiling curtains and an ensuite featuring a huge walk-in shower. (Image: Carden Park) It's always the little touches that count and as well as the complimentary teas and coffees and luxury toiletries, a little plate had been left on the side with a selection of homemade chocolates and a welcome message. (Image: Karen Price) We decided to explore and our first port of call was Morgan's Bar where you can enjoy a drink and watch sport on the large TVs. There's also a terrance overlooking the front lawn so we took our drinks outside to people watch before having a walk through the grounds, taking in the sculpture garden featuring a diverse collection of artwork from leading sculptors and the vineyard which produces up to 10,000 bottles of Carden Park Estate Reserve sparkling wine each year from the two grape varieties grown. (Image: Karen Price) Back inside we had a quick change before heading to The Vines where we had a reservation. Before their meal, guests can relax in Goldie's cocktail bar opposite the restaurant with a drink and some snacks as they look through the menu. The surroundings are glamorous but not stuffy with comfy chairs and sofas, a beautiful golden ornate ceiling, low lighting, potted plants and large windows opening up onto a terrace. A pianist was playing background music in the corner adding to the chilled vibe. (Image: Carden Park) After about 30 minutes of relaxing, we were called into The Vines, which had a similar atmosphere to Goldie's, and we were shown into a corner seat where we would be enjoying the tasting menu (you can go for meat, fish or vegetarian options), which costs £105pp and you can add a wine flight for £90pp. The Vines, which has three AA Rosettes and is available as a private dining venue, is led by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley and Head Chef Harri Williams and also offers an a la carte menu. (Image: Carden Park) After being offered a choice of bread (olive sourdough for me) it was straight onto the first dish, Confit Carrot which had a lovely little kick thanks to its Asian dressing while the miso cracker added a crunch. The second course was Chicken Raviolo with Morrel mushrooms, pea salsa, chervil and wild garlic sauce, which was probably my favourite savoury course. The salsa was smooth and silky while the mushrooms gave the dish texture. Next up was a Crab Tartlet which also featured Japanese seaweed Nori, cucumber, Carden gin, smoked crab emulsion, apple and marigold. As well as being as pretty as a picture, it was really light and refreshing. (Image: Karen Price) Fourth to arrive was Welsh Hogget served rare with with asparagus, baby gem, black garlic puree, hogget belly bacon, crispy sweetbreads, sheep's yoghurt and a light jus. My partner isn't a fan of lamb but he was able to swap for Roasted Monkfish from the fish menu - which he says was his favourite dish of all. Served with seared scallop, togarashi cauliflower and spring onion, the fish was succulent and covered in a delicious creamy sauce. (Image: Karen Price) Why have one dessert when you can have two and that's what you got here. The first offering was Raspberry and Amalfi Lemon which was a lemon iced parfait with raspberry curd, lemon Madeline and raspberry sorbet and every bit as light and refreshing as it sounds. But my favourite was the Dark Chocolate Mousse which had a beetroot sponge, mascarpone, cocoa nib crumb and beetroot sorbet. Yes you read that right - who would have thought the humble earthy vegetable could be the basis of one of the best puddings I've tasted. The combination with the rich dark chocolate was simply delightful. There is also the option of a cheese board for a £5 supplement or as an additional course for £17 featuring a selection of cheeses, grapes and celery with jam. To finish off, you can enjoy a coffee with a selection of petit fours just like the ones that were left in our room, which we just about managed after all those lovely courses. While we dined like kings - or Hollywood royalty - the next morning we were up early ready to sample the hotel's breakfast, which features full English and continental choices, and after a little breather we headed to the spa. (Image: Carden Park) Housed in a new building a stone's throw from the main hotel, the spa (strictly for over 18s) is quite literally out of this world. From elaborate interiors to a breathtaking garden that features hot tubs, a pool, relaxation pods and a sauna with floor to ceiling windows looking across the Cheshire countryside, this is chilling at its best. There's also a variety of treatments on offer, from facials to foot and scalp rituals and manicures. I chose the Rejuvenating Ritual (£109 for 50 minutes) which combined a back, neck and shoulder massage with a facial. Bliss. Before heading home we enjoyed lunch in the spa restaurant overlooking the gardens which offers a selction of healthy options including all day brunches, sandwiches and wraps, salads and lighter bites. All of the facilities at Carden Park - from the bedrooms to the restaurants and spa - are exceptional and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Leaving the resort after our 24-hour stay we felt relaxed, pampered - and definitely like Hollywood royalty.
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
The first batch of the world's best restaurants has been revealed for 2025
Each year, the World's 50 Best announces a list of the top 50 restaurants on the planet, and for 2025 that will take place at a ceremony in Turin on June 19. But 50? That's hardly very many spots to allocate when there are so many fantastic restaurants out there. Luckily, there's an extended version of the list – 50 restaurants that didn't quite make the final cut, but can very proudly say they're in the top 100 on the planet. Ahead of announcing the official top 50, the guide has just released the 51-100 best restaurants in the world right now. Among the inclusions is La Colombe, a stunning fine-dining institution near Cape Town, nestled in the Silvermist organic wine estate, which overlooks the Constantia Valley. Here you'll find a menu of classy plates influenced by Asian cuisine and created with French techniques. Over in the heart of São Paulo you'll find Tuju, a breezy, contemporary restaurant led by chef Ivan Rolston, where you can indulge in a decadent 10-course menu – which, according to World's 50 Best, 'pays homage to Brazil 's distinct seasons, showcasing locally sourced ingredients through creative techniques.' Then there's Burnt Ends, an iconic Singaporean restaurant where pretty much all the dishes on the menu are flame-cooked. Salivating? Same – check out the rest of the top 100 below. These are the world's best restaurants, from 51-100 Alcalde, Guadalajara, Mexico Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau, Switzerland Den, Tokyo, Japan El Chato, Bogotá, Colombia La Colombe, Cape Town, South Africa Jordnær, Copenhagen, Denmark Onjium, Seoul, South Korea Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin, Germany Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany Pujol, Mexico City, Mexico Nuema, Quito, Ecuador Willem Hiele, Oudenburg, Belgium Bozar, Brussels, Belgium Fu He Hui, Shanghai, China Quique Dacosta, Dénia, Spain Saint Peter, Sydney, Australia Arca, Tulum, Mexico Masque, Mumbai, India Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia Tuju, São Paulo, Brazil Sazenka, Tokyo, Japan Chef Tam's Seasons, Macau, China Tantris, Munich, Germany Mountain, London, UK Mil, Cusco, Peru Leo, Bogotá, Colombia Le Doyenné, Saint-Vrain, France Cocina Hermanos Torres, Barcelona, Spain Coda, Berlin, Germany SingleThread, Healdsburg, USA Oteque, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Fyn, Cape Town, South Africa A Casa do Porco, São Paulo, Brazil Aponiente, El Puerto de Santa María, Spain Txispa, Atxondo, Spain The Clove Club, London, UK Mugaritz, San Sebastián, Spain Salsify at the Roundhouse, Cape Town, South Africa Huniik, Mérida, Mexico Le Bernardin, New York, USA Koan, Copenhagen, Denmark Al Gatto Verde, Modena, Italy Burnt Ends, Singapore, Singapore Meet the Bund, Shanghai, China Evvai, São Paulo, Brazil Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, USA Labyrinth, Singapore, Singapore César, New York, USA Amisfield Restaurant, Queenstown, New Zealand Neolokal, Istanbul, Türkiye Did you see that the best pizzerias in Europe have been crowned for 2025?
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Exhibition of prehistoric Giants to make UK debut
An exhibition of giant prehistoric animals will make its UK debut this year. Giants, developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions, will open at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on August 2. It will then move to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh in January 2026. The exhibition focuses on creatures such as the woolly mammoth, which roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Giants spans a period of 66 million years to the present day, and highlights the need to protect existing giant species such as elephants and whales. It features life-sized 3D models and nearly complete skeletons, including giant shark Otodus megalodon; the Mammuthus primigenius or woolly mammoth, which weighed between six and eight tonnes; and Gigantopithecus blacki, an Asian primate the size of three orangutans. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, using interactive resources and engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction. PA Media A life-sized 3D model of a megalodon features in the exhibition (National Museums Scotland/PA). Immersive projections recreate the natural habitats of previous giant species, providing context to their existence and extinction. The exhibition also warns of the threat of extinction posed to elephants, rhinoceroses and whales and the 'urgent need' to protect endangered species. The announcement coincides with World Environment Day on Thursday, which this year is focused on ending plastic pollution. Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: 'We are delighted to welcome the Giants exhibition to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. 'This inspiring installation not only captures the imagination with its monumental scale but also delivers a vital message about sustainability and our shared responsibility to protect the planet. 'Birmingham Museums is committed to using storytelling to engage communities with the challenges of our time and Giants does exactly that in a powerful and accessible way.' Dr Nick Fraser, keeper of Natural Sciences at National Museums Scotland, said: 'We're really looking forward to bringing Giants to Scotland next year. 'Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history. 'Giants is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today's endangered giants.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
