ANDY NEWS APRIL/MAY 1999

ANDY NEWS APRIL/MAY 1999

3/5, 4/5 & 5/5-----I am on course, sorry that news update will be delayed.

Date: 4/5/00
Source: Wen Wei Po
Headline: 'Chnage-face' unsuccessful, looking at Andy's demeanour

Andy was barred from learning of the art of changing face, this event has caused much stir in Minland China. Now everyone is looking at Andy, to see his reaction with the disappointment, anxious to see what he will do.
A Mainland newspaper carries this report yesterday:
Though the 'Acknowledgement of master to learn change-face' by Andy was refused, Andy does not adopt the commonly-used 'tactacs' of some of the lesser-known artiste here----using status to reach one's gain, instead Andy adopts a cool & calm attitude in accepting this outcome amicably, he even pleads with the outsiders not to spread rumours so as not to complicate matter. As a famous artiste from HK, surrounded only by praise, flowers, smiles, applause,

(....hummm, not only HK, but worldwide!!!) he can even take this matter which is unusual in a usual manner, it is really difficult to come by. By comparison, some artistes in Mailland are so arrogant, hot-tempered, swollen-headed, conceited, despising others are really no worth a look at....

Headline/Source: Andy commercial fee not bargainable (Ming Pao & Ta Kung Pao)
Andy nabbed extremely high fee in filming commercial (Sing Tao)
Andy Lau ten-million 'heavenly price' in green tea commercial (Show 8)
Andy sells green tea, fees near to ten million (Oriental Daily)
9-million pot of green tea for Andy, continuous good news for this year (Wen WEi Po)
Andy suspended on wire in filming commercial, stressed 'small B' (The Sun)

Recently Andy had gone to Beijing to film an ice-tea commercial, now he has finished filming a green tea commercial.
Acordingly the fee is very satisfactory, it approaches a 7-digit figure, very close to 8-digit! That will be close to HK$10,000,000!
Andy said this commercial was agreed upon 6 months ago, it is not the money that matters to him,, the quality of the product is more important, the recent commercials on teas also convey the message of recycling, this is what he is more concerned with, so during filming he is very involved in it.

The spoksman for the advertisement co said, "Actually Andy is not an artiste who looks at money, if the commercial has potential good effect, he will consider, (What is his price?) Close to 8-digit figure, but our co is going to use another 8-digit to promote. When the commercial is out, all the supermart & grocery shops will carry the label." The co felt it is money worth investing as Andy popularity has increased after becoming Best Actor.
The ad was filmed in Mi-puo HK & Thailand, & took one week to complete. The director of the ad had filmed a clip on recycling with Andy before, this is the second time they cooperate.

In this commercial, Andy was suspended by steel wire flying indoor, it was later put together digitally with the scenery from Thailand. Andy wearing all white was like a pigeon flying in the sky in Thailand. The scene also includes Andy in lush forest, & playing water in a calm lake, the scenery is very beautiful.
In the movies, Andy always appeared in full control of a motorbike, but when Andy was told to start the engine of a bike, the bike became wobbly uncontrollable, he couldn't even press the brake, almoat couldn't stop the vehicle. But Andy is a very determined person, he resolved to learn, & managed to proceed smoothly.
There was no time for meals during filming, Andy drank lots of tea to fill up the stomach.

Just when everyone thought filming was over, the director wanted to add another scene, but Andy was missing! He was enjoying scenery at a fish pond, he rode the bike & enjoyed himself with the serene & beautiful scenery of Mi-puo.
Andy feels that Y2000 is a lucky year for him, besides fulfilling his dream of getting Best Actor award, he was also garnered Most Popular Male Singer in JSD awards & Media award. Andy said these 3 awards are his most covert, he never expects to get them all at once.
Filming of this ad was actually extremely hard. To make flying more real, a martial art director was employed, in addtion to digital effect. Andy was hung from a height of 10 over feef, he had to turn 360 degrees, & a lot of actions. The most difficult part was Andy's....BB, as the wire passed thro' both thighs, which was suspected to have sustained some abrasions. Whenever Andy landed safly, he would make a through check...., & heaved relief, "Luckily nothing happen." (...Andy is such a joker!)
Andy said after becoming Best Actor, he will decrease his prize for movies, but not the prize for commercial.
This new commercial comes with a new song, 'Give Myself To You', the ad is also the MTV of the song.

Source: The Sun
Headline: Andy & Leon vying for the commercial of the biggest computer company in China

Andy & Leon, from own webs tussles till commercial web!
The biggest computer company in China, Lian-sian Group, has set aside a whopping HK$3 billion to mass advertise since last year, planning to comb this area with ads, & they are very careful with selection of its spokesman. It had initially planned to ask Leon to do the ad, but last year news of 'Leon commited suicide because of Shu-qi' was splashed , the co held back the plan, & they are turning to Andy Lau who is also a heavewight....
A war begins with the Kings!
Though Leon had denied the news, the co is still wary of the image of Leon, so the attention was turned to Andy. Not only this commercial pay handsomely, the most attraction is actually the 3 billion ad fee to comb the country covering every nook & corner.
Both parties have negotiated with the co for a year, but lately the co has undergone some re-organisation so the deal is temporarily suspended. ...
Andy's manager confirmed, "The co has contacted me, but everything is just beginning, not even a stroke yet, (Is it fighting the deal with Leon?) This is not fighting or not, as all along it is up to the co to choose the artiste, not the choice of the artiste. They have to consider 3 things, the image, popularity & conditions of the artiste. From these 3 pointers the spoksman is chosen, there is nothing to fight."

Schedule from andylau.com

4/5--- RTHK, 8/5---dance rehearsal, 9/5---dance rehearsal,12/5---HK to Jinan, 14/5---Jinan concert, 21/5---Shenyang concert, 26/5---Qintao concert, 28/5---Taizhao concert, 31/5---Hangzhao concert, 3/6---Shentao concert, 6/6---Xiamen concert, 9/6---Guangzhou concert, 11/6---Shenzhen concert

Date: 3/5/00
Source: The Sun dated 2/5/00, & HK Cyber
Headline: Andy discussed deal of another cellphone commercial

After coming back from Beijing, Andy did not stop work, he was spotted in a hotel discussing presuming a deal of Ericson cellphone commercail with the deputy excutive officer of Ericsion (China). Lately many companies have indicated interest to copoerate with Team Work, Andy is busy having meetings with them.
Before Andy left, he passed by an auction, the reporters who spoted him asked if he had bought any famous watch for his g-f, Andy replied in a hurry, "Don't point to my gf, I had tea with my friends, not here to buy diamonds!"

Source: The Straits Times
Headline: Ban on Lau stays

THE Beijing Central Government has endorsed formally a ban on Hongkong star Andy Lau from learning a "Change of Face" performance technique that is unique in Sichuan opera.
The Ministry of Culture affirmed an earlier ban imposed by the Sichuan provincial cultural department, which claimed the skill, a "trade secret", should not be taught without authorisation, said the Chengdu Commercial Daily yesterday.
The department has also applied to the Ministry of Culture to register the technique as an intellectual-property right.
Mr Yu Bing-han, general manager of BMG Records, which Lau records with, said the company had not received any formal notice from Beijing, said a report in the Hong Kong Standard.
Lau appeared adamant about learning the skill. Last Saturday, he told reporters: "I'm not quite clear what has happened. But I will wait, even till I'm 50 or 70 years old. I will learn it when there's a chance."
In March, Mr Peng Denghuai, a Change of Face master from the Sichuan Opera Art School, took Lau on as a disciple.
A few days later, the Ministry of Culture's department for cultural exchanges with Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan, asked the Sichuan provincial cultural department to file a report on the case. The department decided immediately to impose a ban, fearing that the "trade secret" would be leaked.
Artistes using the skill change their masks so quickly that the audience barely notice it. The ban has provoked controversy on the mainland.
In Chengdu, Mr Peng was reportedly ordered to write a self-criticism to the authorities at the Sichuan Opera Art school. He said the school had initially let him teach Lau, saying it would be "beneficial" to the development of Sichuan Opera.
But the pressure had made it "cautious".
"If I'm allowed to teach students in the Sichuan opera art school, why can't I teach Andy, who is a Chinese with good character?" he said.

Date: 2/5/00
Diary from andylau.com

2/5---To write today's diary is even more 'painful' than to write a song~~~!Have some days forgotten to write.
Ai!!! Now I'm in the lift writing my diary, many people looking at me, can't think of what I did these few days, only one word to describe: 'busy', busy till I am at a loss.
One day stole some time from the busy work to have afternoon tea with some friends, bumped into reporters too, never thought an auction was on next door.

Though v busy these few days, but v fulfilling.
Office renovation is almost ready, has said the prayer, hope to have a good start & prosperous. Today is v special, early morning on waking up was a 'yelllow thunderstorm warning.
To think of what I did in these 3 days at one go is hard, if I miss out something, it will not be right, but never mind, diary....tomorow can re-wrire. Andy

Source: Show 8
Headline: Andy postpones concert because of dangerous building

'Andy Lau 2000 Mainland Concert Tour' scheduled to kick off today at Hangzhou Xiaosan Stadium has to be cancelled, as a survey has shown that the building is dangerous, the first leg of his concert tour will now be on the 12th of May at Jinan.
A security survey of the stadium revealed the supporting beams of the watch-tower at the southern hall have serious cracks. The authority classified the stadium as dangerous, it fails to meet the requirements to stage Andy's concert.
Andy's concert at Xiaosan Stadium will be changed to Zhijiang Stadium, also in Hangzhou, on the 31st May.

According to Mainland newspapers, Peng Denghuai is now writing the report of self-critism, not because it is wrong to teach Andy, but on his acceptance of student without the prior approval of the appropriate authority, this has violated the regulations, the cultural dept passed down grave criticism on him. As to what punishment he will get, it has not been decided.
Earlier on Peng had said the matter has given him & Andy much pressure. Since they already had the ceremony, it will be cheating if he does not teach, if he teaches he will be accused of violating the regulations, he is not sure what to do now. But Andy Lau will forever be his student, if the situation cannot be solved, then he may have to quit Sichuan opera school. Peng added Andy is a Chinese & is one with good character, there is no reason why he cannot learn the art, since he is teaching many others students .

Source: Apple Daily

Andy acknowledgment of Sichuan master to learn change-face has become such a messy state. The authority is worried leakage of the secret of a national art, the author feels this is v absurd, HK has returns to China, Andy is a Chinese, he is not a foreigner! The opposition is utterly unreasonable, with Andy as a famous artiste to learn, it will only glorify the art, maybe this has led to the jealousy of some Sichuaner!

Date: 1/5/00
Source: Netease (www.163.com)
Headline: Andy will still learn art of chnage-face when there is a chance

Andy Lau's is really irrespressible, though his age is not as mesmerising nor his appeal as comparable to previous years, the fans in Beijing still takes him who can be their uncle 'wah zai' with unwavering special love. At a hall where the promo premiere of the movie, The Duel, was held, the reporters had to pass thru' a shocking thick wall of fans, thro' tight security could then reached the media meting room with Andy.
Andy may not have thought of this, though his mission for the trip is to promote the movie, the interest of the media is not on the mocvie, close to a hundred media co coming to Beijing, the reporters kept pestering him on the topic if his learning of chang-face has met with 'troubles', this made Andy quite at a loss. But Andy has gone thro' to many battles, when faced with the multiple questions from the reporters, he avoided the topic lightly by giving a reply, "What happen outside I am not sure, I will continue to wait, may it be 50, 70, if there is a chance, I will still learn!"
When the topic was changed to The Duel, Andy face turned back beaming agnin, . On Chao Wei who first copoprated with him, Andy has high estimation, "She is v suitable. I thought she is better with the happy-go-lucky style like small swallow, never thought she could act emotional type of movie.
When the reporters told Andy that among so amny actors the 'most loved' in Chao Wei is 'you' Andy immediately laughed with mouth wide open like a kid, "Of course lah, dont need to say!" & appeared to be very flattered. "Then why Chao Wei only like you?" The reporters kept pressing, "How would I know, you go & ask her!" Andy said half-jokingly, the room bursted into loud laughter.
The newly-crowned movie King seems to be not contented with this award which is hard to come by, asked what his future plan is, he replied, "I want to be Best actror another time!" Then he use a comparasion, "It is like you have earn a dollar, you will think of earning another dollar...if every year I be the movie kIng, of not possible." The reporter said after so many years he has not gotten any award, is the award a bit like consoling him? Andy again joked, "Of course must console me lah, who ask me to have acted for so amny years....actually they should console me much earlier lah!"

Source: Lianhe Wanbao dated 29/4/00
Headline: Wong Jing: Andy should have got the award 10 years ago

Wong Jing is in S'pore for the promo of a movie.
He believes Andy Lau should be the Best Actor 10 years ago, he felt this award actually came very late. He should have gotten it with the movie Lei Lor where he acted as the inspector.
"Those judges are always like that, they thought Andy is popular, handsome, has many awards in singing, they choose the underdog, this method is very unhealthy."
He added this time the judge could not be biased any more, so gave him the award.

Date: 30/4/00
Diary from andylau.com

28/4---After waking up today, I have a lot of meetings with many different companies, many want to cooperate with Team Work, to do different contents, the progress is not bad.
Afternoon have an activity which is quite meaningful, it's to protect historical relics on the wall of Dung-huang cave in China.
This fund is to help in the preservation, besides human beings who constantly destroyed Chinese history, nature also destroys the historical trails, hope that this fund can help to preserve the historical relics in our country, to pass down from one generation to the next. Andy

Headline/Source: Accompanied Chao Jin-qin to ball but refused outside the door (Apple Daily)
Andy without knowing he is a voluntary worker (Show 8)

On 28/4 night, Andy attended a dinner at Regent held by 'HK Good Relations Promotion Association' (literally translated) for its 11th anniversary, it was hosted by Li Dong-hai. Andy arrived late at abt 8:15pm, after the dinner had begun. As Mr. Tung Chee-wah was there already, the dinner was closed to media access, many security guards were stationed outside.

Chao jin-qin, daughter of a millionaire, has always caught the media attention with the male partner she goes to ball with. Last night, she specially waited for Andy outside the hall, she said she knew Andy quite well.
Both, the newly-crowned movie King & millionaire were denied entry, Andy appeared disbelieved & embarassed, he pointed to the guards & Chao Jin-qin who was standing beside him, indicating he came with her. After some troubles, both were allowed in.
Andy indicated that he was invited by Li dong-hai & not Chao, Chao had explained that they were invited separately & not going together, she said she knew Andy 10 over years.
Andy always has good relations with Mr.Tung Chee-wah, they met again last night, though Andy had to leave early in a hurry, he did not forget to had a photo taken with Tung, they appeared like old buddies, whispering to each other ears, patting on the shoulders & shaking hands, holding to it even during photo taking, akin 'heroes admires heroes'...(Andy Town:...for Andy is such an adorable person, he is the pride of HK!)

Andy sang 3 songs including Chinese (You can see video clips of him at Show 8, dont miss!!) Asked how much is the fee for singing? He said he is not sure, he turned to ask his assistant, who replied 'nothing', tonight Andy is a voluntary worker!

Source: The Sun
Headline: Andy went to Beijing, surrounded by fans

Though it wasn't smmoth-going with his attempt to learn art of face-changing, it has not affected Andy with his trip to Beijing. He set off yesterday (29/4) at abt 11am, for the promo of The Duel.

Andy was accompanied by Mrs. Heung, the lady boss of China Star.
Andy appeared cheerful, many fans turned up to send him, all were females, of all ages.
As the nanny car arrived, the fans engulfed Andy, wanting to take photos & asking for autograph, they yelled, 'Movie King! Movie King!'. it made heads of all the other passengers turned...
One elderly fan was moved to tears to see Andy in person

Source: Hk Commercial Daily
Headline: Leon's new website not woried about countering Andy's

...Leon has launched his website with Star East...He was asked when he will have a live-chat with the fans, he replied he has no intention to do so, he stressed the aim of this website is not to chit-chat with fans, his fans will understand him. Andy always has live-chat with fans, is he worried being compared? Leon replied he is not worried, as different people has different likings, he has seen Andy's site, it is v well done, but his is full of sincerity too...

Date: 29/4/00
Diary from andylau.com

27/4---The new office is under renovation, went there to see, the smell of new paint is really unberable! It will be opened next month, new office starts, new work begins, hope the new office will bring me more luck, & able to make me bring out more good stuff, I want to do more good stuff to show all, I'll continue to work hard. Andy

Headline/Source: Andy is determined to learn art of changing-face (MIng Pao & Show 8)
Andy respects the teacher, continues to keep silence (Sing Tao)
Andy: I will continue to wait, facing obstacles in learning art of changing-face (Oriental Daily & Apple Daily)
Storm caused by learning of changing face, Andy: unexpected (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy's master Peng Denghuai may be ousted from Sichuan Opera school (The Sun)

Andy was at Hilton Hotel yesterday for a press conference. He has become a charity fund-raising committee member for the Protection of Buddhist Relics in Dun-huang Cave in China. The cave has historical relics & is being weathered by sand & strom. Though Andy was forbidden by the authority to learn a national art, he is still enthusiastic in the preservation of China cultural relics. He will make a trip to understand the situation later.
Andy said humbly that he is only like a little sand, he needs everybody's effort in the preservation work, he joked that he has to request others to get the post.

There will be a series of fund-raising activities, the target is abt 10 to 15 million. Lately Nat Chan & Eric Tsang had struck lottery, esp Nat has won 3 times, Andy said he will get them to donate. Andy gaped at Nat's winning, he said he has not experienced winning money like that, he belongs to working class, he has never thought of winning lottery money, but he feels happy for those who win.
On the matter of learning art of changing-face, Andy said seriously he is only a student who is sincere to learn, the master is still his master. As to whether he teaches him or not does not matter, he will continue to wait patiently, may it be today, tomorrow or in future, hopefuly one day he has a chance to learn. Asked if Peng contacted him, he replied he does not wish to talk on this, as it may be mistaken as a propaganda. On being critised that the acknowledgement was over-published, Andy said he did not pre-arranged any media coverage, it is just the tradition of having a grand tea-ceremony.
Andy hopes HK media will stop publishing news on this matter, as it may complicate the case further.

In '96, a Sichuan opera teacher Xhi Min-tze accepted an American caucasian named Mark to learn a Sichuan exclusive art of 'rolling lantern'. When Mark returned to Hawaii University, he teaches & continues with the research of Sichuan art in Eastern Culture Dept. This has become a deed praised far & wide.
4 years later, Andy sincerely wishes to learn the art of changing face, but he has met with so much obstacles. Actually the worry is understandable, but the slogon 'Welcome HK back to arms of motherland' in '97 is still fresh.
Whether Andy is the center of the debate now is immaterial. Important thing is , only 3 years later, it was found out that an American is not your own people?....

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since 29.5.00