After achieving great success in Asia's box office charts for two consecutive years with his directorial efforts for "72 Tenants Of Prosperity" and "I Love Hong Kong", Eric Tsang once again returns to entertain fans and moviegoers with their latest Chinese New Year blockbuster, the 2012 version of "I Love Hong Kong", aptly named "I Love Hong Kong 2012". The movie stars Tsang himself, alongside other prolific TVB comedians and actors such as Teresa Mo, Evergreen Mak, Stanley Fung, Bosco Wong and Denise Ho. Despite sharing the same title albeit with a different year tacked on, this is not the case for the movie's plots and characters, which are written with a different theme in mind. In addition, this year turned out to be a more memorable one than the last as the week before 2012's Chinese New Year, Tsang brought his co-stars, Teresa Mo and Evergreen Mak to Malaysia as their first overseas stop to promote "I Love Hong Kong 2012". Cinema Online managed to meet up the fun-loving stars and spoke with them about their new piece.
Cinema Online had an interview with Eric Tsang, Teresa Mo and Evergreen Mak recently at JW Marriott, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Q: Hello! I know you all had arrived here early in the morning. So did you manage to grab a chance to taste our local food before coming for this event?
Tsang: Of course. I went to eat a lot of Malaysian food right after our arrival since they are really delicious.
Mo: I didn't. I was busy with my outfit choices for our promotion tour instead.
Mak: Yeah, I follow Eric all the time when it comes to food choices. After all that I ate here, I can say for certain that I have gained a lot of weight but I can't help it since the food is really nice.
Q: Why did you choose Malaysia as the first country to have your gala premiere for "I Love Hong Kong 2012"?
Tsang: Our previous films had achieved great results here for the last two years. We feel like it is a must for us to come here to thank our Malaysian fans. That is why we want the gala premiere to be held here first instead of having it in Hong Kong.
Q: Last year, "I Love Hong Kong" was able to reach RM6 million at the local box office. What is your target for the local box office this year?
Tsang: [Laugh] Not much, RM8 million will do!
Q: What is the difference between the story in "I Love Hong Kong" and its sequel?
Tsang: This time we have added more humanity and relationship aspects into the storyline. Everyone has been saying that 2012 will be the end of the world so we are using it as the theme. We hope the plot will be able to educate viewers to learn to appreciate the people around you.
Q: Do you believe in the end of the world? How would you deal with such a matter if it is real?
Tsang: If tomorrow is the end of the world, I suggest everybody to spend all your money for leisure and food because you will not have another day to enjoy your life. No, I'm just joking about that. Well, I think that all of us should not be afraid of it as there is already a tragedies happening in the world. If the end of the world really comes, the most important thing for you to do is to find your loved ones and stay with them no matter what happens.
Mo: I don't believe in it. But if we have a few hours left in this world, I will hug my family and stay close together.
Mak: I don't believe in it either. Just like what Teresa said, I will also spend the last minutes of my life with my family members. I want to have a last great meal with them.
Q: Teresa, in one of the scenes, you made a sexy performance which is uncharacteristic of your roles in your acting career so far. What did you think about your character actually?
Mo: [Laugh] I did the sexy performance mainly because of the wonderful script as it really called out to me. I also think that my character is a very funny person, so it made things easier because it is for laughs. However, I am definitely not going to ask my husband and daughters to watch it. I know they are going to question me if they watch it.
Tsang: [Jokingly] Teresa is ready to take on a role in a porn film next time!
Q: Eric, this is the third year that you are competing with Raymond Wong's "All's Well Ends Well" franchise. Do you have the confidence that you will beat him at the box office this year?
Tsang: I've won him twice in Hong Kong! [Laugh] I heard that this time he is using my old concept in his latest production. Raymond and I are good friends. This is a healthy competition for both of us. Whenever we mention each other's movie at an event, it helps to promote our movie respectively.
Q: What are your plans in celebrating Chinese New Year?
Tsang: I'll be in Las Vegas for a show. Mo: My family and I are planning to take a vacation in Japan or Thailand but due to the current situation in those countries, I think we will most likely stay in Hong Kong for the festive season.
Mak: I have to work but I might accompany my family to Macau for a short break.
Q: Thank you for your time. We wish "I Love Hong Kong 2012" will be another success for you and Happy Chinese New Year.
Tsang: I hope so too! Thank you!
Mo: Thank you and Happy Chinese New Year!
Mak: Happy Chinese New Year!
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