The 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards has unveiled its nominations, with The Last Dance emerging as the frontrunner, securing 18 nominations, including Best Film. Directed by Anselm Chan, the drama, which explores funeral rites, became the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of all time, earning HK$122 million (US$15.7 million) in its first month.
Following closely is Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In with 14 nominations. Based on the novel City of Darkness by Yuyi and the comic by Andy Seto, the action-packed martial arts film transports viewers to a re-created Kowloon Walled City and features a star-studded cast, including Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen, and Raymond Lam.
Family drama Papa, starring Lau Ching-wan, has earned 11 nominations, while Last Song for You, starring Ekin Cheng, and The Way We Talk, a drama centered on three deaf individuals, each received seven nods. The LGBTQ-themed All Shall Be Well follows with five nominations.
This year, 46 Hong Kong-produced films competed for nominations, slightly fewer than the 50 from the previous year. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 27 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.
For Best Film, the nominees include Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Papa, The Way We Talk, The Last Dance, and All Shall Be Well. The Best Director category features Soi Cheang (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In), Philip Yung, Au Cheuk-man (Papa), Adam Wong (The Way We Talk), Anselm Chan (The Last Dance), and Ray Yeung (All Shall Be Well).
In acting categories, Raymond Lam (Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In), Lau Ching-wan (Papa), Neo Yau Hawk-sau (The Way We Talk), Michael Hui (The Last Dance), and Aaron Kwok (Rob N Roll) will compete for Best Actor. Best Actress nominees include Natalie Hsu (Last Song for You), Hedwig Tam (Montages of a Modern Motherhood), Chung Suet-ying (The Way We Talk), Michelle Wai (The Last Dance), and Patra Au Ga-man (All Shall Be Well).
Among the technical awards, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In stands out in categories such as Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Action Choreography. The Last Dance is a strong contender in Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Film Editing.
The Best Asian Chinese Language Film category features Old Fox, Black Dog, Dead Talents Society, Article 20, and YOLO. As anticipation builds, the upcoming awards ceremony promises to celebrate the best in Hong Kong cinema.
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