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Edmund Lee

As the number of Hong Kong films being produced settles at a relatively modest level, a new trend is emerging at the Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) that sees the nomination lists dominated by the same few titles across all the major categories.
The best picture nominees at the 42nd HKFA, which will be announced at a ceremony on April 14, are: In Broad Daylight (with 16 nominations), Time Still Turns the Pages (12), Mad Fate (12), The Goldfinger (10) and A Guilty Conscience (10).
For the first time since the awards’ 2008 edition, all five best picture contenders are also the nominees for the best director and best screenplay categories.
Below, Post film editor Edmund Lee gives his predictions for who will win in the major categories, while reflecting on who should win.
Ranking every Hong Kong film released in 2023, from worst to best
Best film
Who will win: Mad Fate
While In Broad Daylight, Time Still Turns the Pages and A Guilty Conscience are all critically acclaimed efforts that have resonated strongly with Hong Kong audiences, the odds are presumably against them in the best picture race – as they are all only their directors’ first or second films.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that HKFA voters prefer to give the top prize to veterans. Although Hong Kong cinema has had an impressive run of debut features recently, none of the past five best picture prizes have gone to a newcomer.
In the resulting battle of two mid-career mavericks, Soi Cheang Pou-soi’s Mad Fate should have the edge over Felix Chong Man-keung’s The Goldfinger, being objectively the more inventive effort.
Who should win: A Guilty Conscience

Jack Ng Wai-lun’s exhilarating court drama, currently the highest-grossing Hong Kong film in local cinema history, was seemingly punished for its crowd-pleasing aspirations at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society awards announced in January, where it was not even listed among the critics’ list of recommended films.
But the HKFA does have precedent for giving the top prize to critically ignored blockbusters, such as Ip Man in 2009 and Cold War in 2013. A few film professionals, including this writer, genuinely believe A Guilty Conscience is among the best films of 2023.
Best director
Who will win: Soi Cheang (Mad Fate)
There is a good chance that the best picture winner will also come out on top in this category, and Soi Cheang, being the most accomplished Hong Kong filmmaker who has yet to receive the HKFA best director honour, is the clear favourite here.

Mad Fate may have lost its plot towards the end of its roller coaster ride of a story, but Cheang’s supremely confident direction of this unusual blend of murder mystery and absurdist comedy has left an indelible impression on most viewers.
Who should win: Soi Cheang (Mad Fate)
Felix Chong won this category for Project Gutenberg in 2019, and the HKFA jury may feel that the three young directors – Jack Ng, In Broad Daylight’s Lawrence Kan Kwan-chun, and Time Still Turns the Pages’ Nick Cheuk Yik-him – can wait for their turns. This is seemingly Cheang’s to lose.
Best screenplay
Who will win: A Guilty Conscience

The HKFA’s tendency to recognise long-time excellence may play into the hands of writer-director Jack Ng, who has been a well-regarded screenwriter since the early 2000s and counts major hits Anita and Cold War 2 among his co-writing credits. His directorial debut’s embrace of legal justice, echoing the city’s zeitgeist, could earn it a few more votes.
Who should win: Mad Fate
Granted, this story co-scripted by Yau Nai-hoi and Melvin Li Chun-fai is so madly over-the-top in its third act that few members in the audience could tell you what it is all about. But there is also no denying that its high-concept exploration of the power of free will has more inspired ideas than all the other nominees put together.
Best actor
Who will win: Tony Leung (The Goldfinger)

While it would be a little bit boring to give Tony Leung Chiu-wai his sixth HKFA best actor award, his larger-than-life portrayal of a charismatic con man in the extravagant period epic provides such an easy option for voters that his victory may just work itself out by default.
Who should win: Tony Leung (The Goldfinger)
Comedian Dayo Wong Tze-wah may have an outside chance based on A Guilty Conscience’s historic box office run, while television actor Bowie Lam Bo-yee’s role as an evil nursing home warden in In Broad Daylight also has its supporters (even if it hardly feels like a leading role). It would likely take a very determined jury to stop Leung from winning, however.
Best actress
Who will win: Jennifer Yu (In Broad Daylight)

Jennifer Yu Heung-ying is arguably the best performer in this new generation of Hong Kong film actresses and the 30-year-old’s steely portrayal of a tenacious investigative reporter looks set to win her the most important recognition of her career to date.
Who should win: Chung Suet-ying (The Lyricist Wannabe)

While Yu is looking like the favourite in this category (and doing so on merit), the less heralded Chung Suet-ying deserves consideration for carrying the coming-of-age comedy The Lyricist Wannabe on her own, with a delicate performance that alternately amuses and breaks your heart.
Best supporting actor
Who will win: David Chiang (In Broad Daylight)

This is one of the more difficult categories to gauge. For starters, Tse Kwan-ho’s no-nonsense barrister supplies some of A Guilty Conscience’s most satisfying moments, while the 11-year-old Sean Wong Tsz-lok is the undisputed emotional core of the poignant family drama Time Still Turns the Pages.
Still, the urge for long-time Hong Kong cinema watchers to reward David Chiang Da-wei on the industry’s biggest stage may prove overwhelming. In In Broad Daylight, the former martial arts superstar lends unexpected nuance to his somewhat awkwardly scripted role as a resident in a home for the elderly.
Who should win: Wu Kang-ren (Fly Me to the Moon)

Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren should be in for a shout with his visceral turn as a drug-addicted father in this family drama. Wu is also indirectly represented in the Best Asian Chinese Language Film category with the Malaysian film Abang Adik, in which he gave an even better performance – and that might have ironically harmed his chances here.
Best supporting actress
Who will win: Rachel Leung (In Broad Daylight)
Like Jennifer Yu in the best actress category, Rachel Leung Yung-ting should have meticulously prepared her acceptance speech for her inevitable win for best supporting actress. Her brave portrayal of a mentally disabled abuse victim easily stands out in what can only be described as an unremarkable field.

Who should win: Rachel Leung (In Broad Daylight)
Judging by her clumsy appearance at the recent Asian Film Awards, Leung should perhaps also spend time practising not to trip over the microphones when she takes the stage.
Our predictions for the winners of all categories:
Best film: Mad Fate
Best director: Soi Cheang (Mad Fate)
Best screenplay: A Guilty Conscience

Best actor: Tony Leung (The Goldfinger)
Best actress: Jennifer Yu (In Broad Daylight)
Best supporting actor: David Chiang (In Broad Daylight)
Best supporting actress: Rachel Leung (In Broad Daylight)
Best new performer: Yoyo Tse (Fly Me to the Moon)

Best cinematography: The Goldfinger
Best film editing: Time Still Turns the Pages
Best art direction: The Goldfinger
Best costume and make-up design: The Goldfinger
Best action choreography: Sakra

Best original film score: Time Still Turns the Pages
Best original film song: The Lyricist Wannabe
Best sound design: Mad Fate
Best visual effects: The Goldfinger
Best new director: Jack Ng (A Guilty Conscience)

Best Asian Chinese language film: The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon
Read the full list of nominations here.
Want more articles like this? Follow SCMP Film on Facebook


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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Hong Kong Film Awards 2024 predictions: In Broad Daylight, Time Still Turns the Pages, A Guilty Conscience and more

Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from The Goldfinger.

(Front, from left) Renci Yeung and Dayo Wong in a still from A Guilty Conscience, one of the films up for contention in the Hong Kong Film Awards 2024. The event sees the nomination lists dominated by the same titles in all major categories.

Lokman Yeung (left) and Lam Ka-tung in a still from Mad Fate.

Louise Wong in a still from A Guilty Conscience.

Lokman Yeung (left) and Ng Wing-sze in a still from Mad Fate.

Tse Kwan-ho in a still from A Guilty Conscience.

Tony Leung in a still from The Goldfinger.

Jennifer Yu in a still from In Broad Daylight.

Chung Suet-ying in a still from The Lyricist Wannabe.

David Chiang (left) and Jennifer Yu in a still from In Broad Daylight.

Wu Kang-ren in a still from Fly Me to the Moon.

Rachel Leung in a still from In Broad Daylight.

Sean Wong (front) and Rosa Maria Velasco in a still from Time Still Turns the Pages.

Yoyo Tse in a still from Fly Me to the Moon.

Donnie Yen in a still from Sakra.

 Ethan Ruan in a still from The Pig, the Snake and the Pigeon.

Hong Kong Film Awards 2024 nominations in full: In Broad Daylight leads the race with 16 nods, followed by Time Still Turns the Pages and The Goldfinger

Jennifer Yu Heung-ying, a favourite for the best actress prize at the 2024 Hong Kong Film Awards, in a still from In Broad Daylight. The film leads the race for honours with 16 nominations in total. Photo: One Cool Pictures

Lo Chun-yip is nominated for best actor for his role as a secondary-school teacher in Time Still Turns The Pages. Photo: Roundtable Pictures

Lokman Yeung (left) and Lam Ka-tung in a still from Mad Fate. Photo: Golden Scene

(From left) Carlos Chan, Simon Yam and Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from The Goldfinger. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Michelle Wai (left) and Elaine Jin in a still from Ready or Rot. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Dayo Wong (right) and Renci Yeung in a still from A Guilty Conscience. Photo: Edko Films

William Chan (left) and Nick Cheung in a still from Bursting Point. Photo: Emperor Motion Pictures

Bai Ling in a still from Back Home. Photo: mm2 Studios Hong Kong

Asian Film Awards: Hong Kong’s Nick Cheuk takes prize for best new director for Time Still Turns the Pages

Hong Kong director Nick Cheuk. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Mainland China’s Jiang Qinqin took the best actress award. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Korean actress Lee Young-ae and Japan’s Ryohei Suzuki picked up excellence in Asian cinema awards. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda landed the best director prize. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Chinese director Zhang Yimou waves on the red carpet on Sunday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Soi Cheang’s Mad Fate wins best picture in 2023 Hong Kong Film Critics Society awards; Wu Kang-ren, Jennifer Yu pick up acting prizes

Lokman Yeung (left) and Lam Ka-tung in a still from “Mad Fate”.

Lokman Yeung (left) and Lam Ka-tung in a still from “Mad Fate”. The crime thriller, directed by Soi Cheang, has been voted the best Hong Kong film of 2023 in the latest edition of the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.

Da Peng (left) and Lam Ka-tung in a still from “Dust to Dust”.

Wu Kang-ren in a still from “Fly Me to the Moon”.

Jennifer Yu in a still from “In Broad Daylight”.

Chung Suet-ying (left) and Amy Tang in a still from “The Lyricist Wannabe”.

Every Hong Kong film released in 2023, ranked from worst to best in the year that new directors continued to make history

Tony Leung (left) and Andy Lau in a still from “The Goldfinger”.

Dayo Wong Tze-wah in a still from “A Guilty Conscience”, which took in HK$115 million to become the highest-grossing local film in Hong Kong cinema history. But where does it come in our ranking of all 37 Hong Kong films released locally in 2023?

The cast of “A Guilty Conscience” after the film’s box office passed the HK$100 million mark in Hong Kong, in February 2023.

Wai Ka-fai won best director at the 41st Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, in April 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

Gillian Chung Yan-tung in a still from “Prison Flowers”.

Francis Ng Chun-yu in a still from “Death Stranding”.

Angus Yeung Tin-yue (left) and Gladys Li Ching-kwan in a still from “Social Distancing”.

Sabrina Ng Ping in a still from “Say I Do to Me”.

Aaron Kwok Fu-shing in a still from “Cyber Heist”.

Stephy Tang Lai-yan (left) and Edward Ma Chi-wai in a still from “Twelve Days”.

(From left) Ling Man-lung, Eric Kot Man-fai and Michael Cheung Tin-fu in a still from “One Night at School”.

Peter Chan Charm-man (left) and Will Or Wai-lam in a still from “Memento Mori”, one of three short films in the horror anthology “Tales from the Occult: Ultimate Malevolence”.

Ivana Wong Yuen-chi (left) and Hins Cheung King-hin in a still from “Everything Under Control”.

Angel Lam Chin-ting in a still from “Lonely Eighteen”.

Chow Yun-fat in a still from “One More Chance”.

Terrance Lau Chun-him (left) and Karena Lam Ka-yan in a still from “Tooth Fairy”, one of three short films in the horror anthology “Tales from the Occult: Body and Soul”.

William Chan Wai-ting (left) and Nick Cheung Ka-fai in a still from “Bursting Point”.

Julian Cheung Chi-lam (left) and Louis Koo Tin-lok in a still from “Death Notice”.

Anson Lo Hon-ting in a still from “It Remains”.

(From left) Poki Ng Po-ki, Dee Ho Kai-wa and Leung Yip in a still from “Yum Investigation”.

Rondi Chan Nok-ting (left) and Kay Tse On-kay in a still from “Band Four”.

(From left) Louis Koo, Lau Ching-wan and Aaron Kwok in a still from “The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell”.

Anthony Wong Chau-sang (left) and Sahal Zaman in a still from “The Sunny Side of the Street”.

Sylvia Chang Ai-chia in a still from “A Light Never Goes Out”.

(From left) Louis Cheung Kai-chung, Bosco Wong Chung-chak and Carlos Chan Ka-lok in a still from “The Brotherhood of Rebel”.

A still from Mabel Cheung Yuen-ting’s documentary “To My Nineteen-year-old Self”.

Donnie Yen Ji-dan as Qiao Feng in a still from “Sakra”.

Stephy Tang in a still from “Shadows”.

Poet Huang Canran (left) and director Ann Hui in a still from “Elegies”.

(From left) Endy Chow Kwok-yin, Peter Chan and Rosa Maria Velasco in a still from “Everyphone Everywhere”.

Ng Siu-hin (left) and Ben Yuen Fu-wah in a still from “Stand Up Story”.

Aaron Kwok (left) and Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from “Where the Wind Blows”.

(From left) Wong You-nam, Teresa Mo Shun-kwan, Jennifer Yu Heung-ying and Yeung Wai-lun in a still from “Over My Dead Body”.

Tony Leung (left) and Andy Lau Tak-wah in a still from “The Goldfinger”.

Michelle Wai Sze-nga (left) and Elaine Jin Yan-ling in a still from “Ready or Rot”.

Anson Kong Ip-sang (left) and Wesley Wong in a still from “Back Home”.

Jennifer Yu Heung-ying (left) and David Chiang Da-wei in a still from “In Broad Daylight”.

Sammi Cheng Sau-man (right) in a still from “Lost Love”.

Lo Chun-yip in a still from “Time Still Turns the Pages”.

Renci Yeung Sz-wing (left) and Dayo Wong Tze-wah in a still from “A Guilty Conscience”.

Golden Horse Awards: Hong Kong’s Nick Cheuk wins best new director for tragic drama Time Still Turns the Pages

Hong Kong filmmaker Nick Cheuk has won best new director at the 60th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong’s Sean Wong in a still from Time Still Turns the Pages. Photo: Handout

Actress Yoyo Tse came away with best new performer. Photo: AP

Jennifer Yu (left) and David Chiang Tai-wai in a still from In Broad Daylight. Photo: Handout

Director Ho Sze-Wai won best live action short for her 30-minute film Before the Box Gets Emptied. Photo: Reuters 

Brigitte Lin receives the lifetime achievement award. Photo: CNA

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Lists

For the first time since the awards’ 2008 edition, this year’s HKFAs see the same five films nominated for best picture, director and screenplay
Post film editor Edmund Lee predicts the winners in each of the major categories, and considers who or what should actually take home the prizes


The same five titles dominate the nominations in all major categories of the Hong Kong Film Awards 2024. Post film editor Edmund Lee predicts the winners and reflects on who or what actually should win.


Hong Kong Film Awards 2024 predictions: In Broad Daylight, Time Still Turns the Pages, A Guilty Conscience and more

For the first time since the awards’ 2008 edition, this year’s HKFAs see the same five films nominated for best picture, director and screenplay Post film editor Edmund Lee predicts the winners in each of the major categories, and considers who or what should actually take home the prizes

Best film

For the first time since the awards’ 2008 edition, this year’s HKFAs see the same five films nominated for best picture, director and screenplay

Post film editor Edmund Lee predicts the winners in each of the major categories, and considers who or what should actually take home the prizes