I don’t have any photos of it yet, and the videos aren’t up, but last night’s Star Asia Awards were awesome. Years ago, we wanted to bring Angela Mao to the NYAFF. She lives in NYC, and we talked about doing it with she and her son but it never came together.
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This year, when we knew we were presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to Sammo Hung, we called her and asked if she’d present it. Immediately, she said, “Yes.” But we wanted it to be a secret. So began weeks of secret stress. On Friday when Sammo and his wife, Joyce Mina Godenzi, said they were going to see a few friends for dinner, we all thought, “Oh, crap,” positive that they were going to call Angela Mao and she’d say, “But I’m giving you an award first.”
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Then, last night, we got Angela there, a volunteer took her through a back entrance and hid her, then when the time was right she was snuck into the back of the house. And onstage, the intro was, “Let’s talk about Sammo Hung and women…” and a big wind-up about all the women he’s worked with. “And the only person qualified to give him this award…Ms. Angela Mao Ying.” And up she came. His face froze, his mouth dropped open. I’ve never seen a human being look so stunned.
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The theater went ballistic and were up on their feet. And then the two of them took the mic like they’d just been shooting a movie the week before. It was absolutely perfect. I don’t care what else happens. We surprised Sammo Hung and got he and Angela Mao on stage together again. That’s worth everything.
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Damn, must of been awesome. That is always tonight
That was incredible. Thanks so much for making that happen!
waaaaahhhh i wish i could have been there. i hope some video and pictures surface of this event
I was there and it was as great as advertised.
I took a few pics and even a short video of the event.
It was one of the most memorable night in all the years that I have attended the festival. (That and the spontaneous applauses for Funky Forest few years ago … hehe)
I have never been in such close proximity to so many Chinese star wattage before. At one point, since I was sitting near the aisle where most of them were coming down, I was probably no farther than 5 or so feet away from them. Almost wanted to hop over and take a picture with them.
The strange thing about the night was how accessible it all felt. I got up very close to the stage to take their pictures as if it was a public street. Nice to see how accessible the festival still is despite the move uptown.
My only regret was not being able to attend the reception afterwards. I heard they were there for some autographs and pictures. I’m not much for autographs, but a picture with them would have been cool. I was thinking about waiting at the kitano hotel for them for the pictures since I live near there, but I was afraid that would be creepy and make me too much a stalker.