Teddy Chan's Bodyguards and Assassins, the story of a gang of martial-art fighters trying to protect early 1900s Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sun during a visit to Hong Kong, garnered a whopping 19 nominations — a record — for the 2010 Hong Kong Film Awards. Among those are best film, best director and best actor (Wang Xueqi). Featuring Donnie Yen Zi-dan, Leon Lai Ming, and Tony Leung Ka-fai, Bodyguards and Assassins has grossed approximately US$50 million in several Asian territories since its Dec. 18 release.
The other best film nominees are John Woo's Red Cliff II, Alan Mak and Felix Chong's cop thriller Overheard, the Jackie Chan vehicle Shinjuku Incident, and King-wai Cheung's documentary KJ: Music and Life. A portrait of six years in the life of piano-playing prodigy Wong Ka-jeng, KJ is the first documentary ever to be nominated in the Hong Kong Film Awards' best picture category.
In addition to Teddy Chan, others in the running for best director are Ann Hui (Night & Fog), John Woo (Red Cliff II), Derek Yee (Shinjuku Incident), and Alan Mak and Felix Chong (Overheard).
Joining Wang Xueqi in the best actor race are double nominee Simon Yam (Night & Fog and Echoes of the Rainbow), Aaron Kwok (Murderer), and Lau Ching Wan (Overheard). The best actress nominees are Zhang Jingchu (Night & Fog), Wai Yin Hung (At the End of Daybreak), Vicki Zhao Wei (Mulan), Shu Qi (Look for a Star), and Sandra Ng (Echoes of the Rainbow).
Curiously, Hong Kong's Oscar submission, Yonfan's Prince of Tears, was omitted from most top categories.
The Hong Kong Film Award winners will be announced on April 18.