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A biopic about BRUCE LEE’s kung fu mentor has taken the top prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards, scooping Best Picture.
Ip Man, directed by Wilson Yip and produced by Raymond Wong, also won Best Action Choreography at Sunday’s (19Apr09) ceremony.
But the movie, which was nominated for a total of 12 awards, missed out on other key categories - documentary The Way We Are took home accolades for Best Director (Ann Hui), Best Screenplay (Lou Shiu Wa), Best Actress (Paw Hee Ching) and Best Supporting Actress (Chan Lai Wun).
Nick Cheung was applauded for his portrayal of a kidnapper in The Best Stalker, earning him the Best Actor title, while Liu Kai-chi was handed Best Supporting Actor for his role in the action film.
Other winners at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards include Xu Jiao (Best New Performer for her role in CJ7), Josephine Siao (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Ting Yu for Professional Achievement.

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Legendary scientist and author PROFESSOR STEPHEN HAWKING is "very ill" in hospital near his home in Cambridge, England.
The 67-year-old author of A Brief History of Time was taken to the city’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital by ambulance on Monday (20Apr09), according to a spokesperson at Cambridge University, where he teaches.
The spokesperson says, "Professor Hawking is very ill." Further information about his condition was unavailable as WENN went to press.
Hawking has suffered Motor Neurone disease since the 1960s and is wheelchair-bound. One of the longest surviving sufferers of the neurological condition, Hawking is paralysed and can only speak using a voice synthesiser.
He has been immortalised in popular culture, appearing in animated TV shows The Simpsons, Futurama and Family Guy; Star Trek: The Next Generation; and he even loaned his voice to Pink Floyd’s 1994 album Division Bell.

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Scottish racing driver DARIO FRANCHITTI gave his actress wife ASHLEY JUDD a special 41st birthday treat on Sunday (19Apr09) by winning the Long Beach Grand Prix in California.
It was the speed star’s second race back driving Indy cars after branching out as a NASCAR driver last season.
Judd was among Franchitti fans cheering her husband on and the racer dedicated his victory to her.
After winning the race by defeating defending race champ Will Power, Franchitti said, "This is for her (Judd). It was good to finally win here in Long Beach." Racer and reality TV star Helio Castroneves, racing only two days after being acquitted in a Miami, Florida court on federal tax-evasion charges, finished seventh.
He said, "It was just so awesome to see the crowd giving me positive energy. This, for me, is therapy."

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The father of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE star RUBINA ALI has been arrested by cops investigating allegations he tried to sell his young daughter for $300,000 (£200,000).
Rafiq Qureshi, 36, was caught as part of a sting by British newspaper the News of the World, allegedly offering the nine year old to the highest bidder.
Qureshi was approached at his home in Mumbai, India by an undercover reporter, who claimed he was acting on behalf of a wealthy Arab sheik, who wanted to adopt the child.
Qureshi told the journalist, "We are considering Rubina’s future. Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen." But, in a further call, he allegedly told the reporter he planned to sell his daughter to the highest bidder - and expected $300,000 (£200,000) from the sale.
On Monday (20Apr09) Qureshi denied the allegations, insisting his daughter means more to him "than life itself".
But he has been arrested and quizzed for several hours by police in Mumbai, amid claims from Rubina’s mother Khurshida that she knew about the sale two weeks ago.
Khurshida, who abandoned the family in 2001, says, "My elder daughter had informed me… I did not believe he would actually go through with it." A police spokesperson tells British newspaper The Sun, "Khurshida was very upset by the media reports and she came to lodge a complaint. We are registering her grievance and then we’ll investigate and decide what further steps should be taken in the matter.
"When we questioned Rubina she said she does not want to go anywhere and wants to live with her father." Meanwhile, Slumdog Millionaire producer Christian Colson has revealed movie bosses are attempting to intervene in the scandal.
He says, "Our friends and colleagues in Mumbai are trying to speak with Mr Qureshi to get to the bottom of what happened."

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ROBERT PATTINSON was bullied at school - and the experience left him scarred him for life.
The Twilight star attended school in London, but was picked on by other kids.
The star coped by rebelling against the rules - and he was eventually expelled for his naughty behaviour.
Pattinson says, "Someone stole my shoelaces once from my shoes. I still wear them and never put laces in them - they’re like my trademark shoes now! "I got expelled from my school when I was 12 - I was quite bad. I never ever did my homework. I always turned up for lessons as I liked my teachers but my report said I didn’t try very hard."

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JESSICA SIMPSON has dismissed reports she’s approached BRITNEY SPEARS to join her in a new TV sitcom.
The Dukes of Hazzard star wanted Spears to team up with her for a comedy comparable to beloved funny series Laverne & Shirley, according to U.S. tabloid the Globe.
But Simpson’s father/manager Joe has taken to social networking website Twitter.com to brush off the claims.
He writes: "Rumour incorrect… no jess-brit show.. luv (sic) brit.. just no show."

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LINDSAY LOHAN has sparked rumours she’s signed on to appear in a new topless Las Vegas stage act.
The Mean Girls star, 22, reportedly flew to Sin City on Saturday (18Apr09) to attend the grand opening of sexy striptease production Peepshow and meet with its creator, Broadway director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown kicked off her stint in the show last week (18Apr09), which features celebrities in rotating lead roles.
According to Fox News, Lohan is in talks with Mitchell to take over from actress Kelly Monaco when the star leaves the show to return to U.S. soap opera General Hospital.
A spokesperson for Lohan had not returned requests for comment as WENN went to press.

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SIR PAUL McCARTNEY and THE CURE have landed the bosses of the Coachella festival in trouble after ignoring curfew rules.
The Brits played on long after their sets were supposed to come to an end on Friday (17Apr09) and Sunday night (19Apr09), and while no one pulled the plug on McCartney, The Cure were left performing through only onstage monitor speakers when they overran and the stage sound was cut.
According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, Coachella bosses are charged $1,000 (£690) per minute.
A spokesman for Indio police, who were monitoring the performances, claim McCartney’s set sailed "50-plus minutes" past the 12.01am curfew on Friday night, while The Cure ultimately played for 33 minutes longer.
The police spokesman, Ben Guitron, says, "Some people wanted us to (cut McCartney off). We weren’t going to, but we are talking to the people responsible… If we end up having artists go a little over, there are consequences."

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SYSTEM OF A DOWN rocker JOHN DOLMAYAN has auditioned to become SMASHING PUMPKINS’ new drummer.
Frontman Billy Corgan is rebuilding the band after the departure of percussionist Jimmy Chamberlin earlier this year (09).
And he’s considering hiring Dolmayan to take his place.
He reveals in a statement, "In total, 12 drummers were auditioned on Tuesday. An additional tryout could potentially be held in May due to such overwhelming response to the audition process.
"Overall, the drumming auditions were considered a very positive experience. The talent in all the drummers that tried out was incredible. Some of the candidates include John Dolmayan of System Of A Down." System of a Down have been on hiatus since 2006.

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Rapper FAT JOE had to halt filming on his new music video on Friday (17Apr09) after huge crowds in New York’s Spanish Harlem district caused police to shut down the production.
The hip-hop star was shooting scenes for Hey Joe in his home town, with local fans coming out to join the rapper as extras in his promo.
But the performance drew so many people, the set had to be closed 20 minutes into filming as cops disbanded the large groups of onlookers.
A number of video extras were searched by cops, resulting in the arrest of one person, reports BallerStatus.com.

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Country singer DOLLY PARTON is determined to continue reaching new heights in her career - because she has 3,000 people on her payroll banking on her success.
The Grammy Award winner is one of 12 children and financially supports her family, as well a string of string of business ventures; including her legendary Dollywood theme park in Tennessee.
And the 63 year old has vowed to continue working well into old age, because she owes it to the thousands of people in her employment.
She tells New York Magazine, "It’s not like this is a job that I shop I do good at. It’s a joy, and it’s just my nature. And I’ve made it into something I can make money doing. And thank God for that. Because nobody can ever make enough money for as many poor relatives as I’ve got… And not just family - it’s for a lot of other people to have their dreams, too." And Parton insists she’s become such a beacon of hope, she’s earned a reputation comparable to U.S. President Barack Obama.
She adds, "Going into a new business, you make a certain amount of money, build your name, build your brand, and it’s prestigious, but it gives other people opportunities, too, even if it’s not something I particularly want to do myself. I’m creating jobs. I’m like Obama! O-Dolly and Obama!"

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Screen legend DORIS DAY has laughed off claims she’s losing her voice, insisting she just had "a frog in her throat" during a recent interview.
The 87-year-old called into a U.S. radio station earlier this month to celebrate her birthday (03Apr09), and revealed how the damp in her Carmel, California home was affecting her legendary singing voice.
She said, "I wish I could sing. I’m still hoarse. I’ve been hoarse for a year. I went to my throat specialist and he said I was clear, but I can’t sing because of the hoarseness.
"It’s the dampness in the area (Carmel)." But Day is now backtracking on her comments, insisting her quotes have been taken out of context.
The Oscar-nominee tells Parade.com, "Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I’m fine. No, I’m great. I had a frog in my throat. My message is just be kind to your animals… and don’t worry about me. Oh, yes, don’t buy the tabloids either."

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KRISTEN BELL was smitten with RUSSELL BRAND when they met at the screen test for FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - until she became aware of his womanising ways.
The Heroes star was attracted to the British comic when she first saw him - but was soon put off when she found out he had a colourful past with the ladies.
She says, "I did a screen test with Russell before we shot Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I took one look at him and thought, ‘He looks great’. His trousers were tighter than mine and his jewellery was clanking all over the place, but he did his lines and just blew us all away.
"I had no idea who he was until I Googled him and saw what a little stinker he is with the ladies. He kept reminding us every 10 minutes of how famous he is in Britain by going, ‘It’s so weird not to be recognised here’." But Brand made sure the petite actress wasn’t tempted by him - by regularly making fun of her looks.
Bell adds, "He didn’t fancy me at all and in fact went out of his way to tell me how grotesque I was. And I certainly didn’t fancy him because he’s so high-maintenance - he took longer in make-up than I did."

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VIN DIESEL’s return to the FAST & FURIOUS film franchise is proving to be a big hit with fans - the latest installment has held onto pole position in the foreign box office chart for a second consecutive week.
Fast & Furious raced to the top with takings of $36 million (£24.8 million) outside of the U.S. market, while animated movie Monsters Vs Aliens beamed into second place with $20 million (£13.79 million).
Nicolas Cage’s Knowing took third place with $8.4 million (£5.79 million); Zac Efron’s 17 Again is at four with $6 million (£4.13 million), and Race to Witch Mountain scored $5.5 million (£3.79 million) to round out the top five in the foreign box office chart.

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KIM KARDASHIAN’s sisters KHLOE and KOURTNEY are stepping out of the the socialite’s shadow and launching their own reality TV show.
Kim, 28, co-stars alongside sisters Khloe, 24, Kourtney, 29, and mum Kris in Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Kourtney and Khloe in Miami will follow the pair to south Florida for the launch of their new fashion boutique Dash, as they struggle to balance work and their busy social schedules in the midst of the city’s famous party scene.
E! network executive Lisa Berger tells Usmagazine.com, "We knew fans could not miss out on this drama-filled duo as they invade such a beautiful, vibrant and notoriously wild city as Miami." Kim, Kris and the girls’ step-dad Bruce Jenner are expected to make cameos in the show, scheduled to debut in August (09).

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Moviemaker JOHN MCTIERNAN has been indicted by a federal grand jury on counts of perjury and lying to investigators in a Hollywood wire-tapping case.
The Die Hard director was formally charged on Friday (17Apr09), two months after he was allowed to withdraw his guilty plea about his association with convicted private detective Anthony Pellicano.
McTiernan had previously confessed to paying Pellicano, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to conduct an illegal wiretap on film producer Charles Roven.
But he filed to have his plea overturned, claiming he had been jet-lagged and under the influence of alcohol at the time.
McTiernan is now facing two charges of making false statements to the FBI and one allegation of perjury.
His attorney, S. Todd Neal, insists the latest legal development is "really nothing new", claiming the new charges have simply been filed by prosecutors in response to McTiernan’s refusal to stick to the previous plea agreement.
He says, "The prosecutor has taken one count and tried to expand it into more charges in a new indictment. There seems to be retribution because John refused to play ball the way the prosecutors wanted and because we were successful on appeal."

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The man accused of stalking TYRA BANKS is just an overzealous fan who wanted to appear on the former supermodel’s talk show, his lawyer has told a New York court.
Brady Green is currently on trial facing charges he stalked and harassed Banks during a months-long bid to meet and seduce her back in 2008.
Green, 38, is accused of sending the 35-year-old host flowers, packages and notes, and threatening Banks’ assistant when she refused to reveal the star’s address.
But his lawyer Sydney O’Hagen insists Green just wanted to appear on Banks’ talk show.
He told Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday (17Apr09) his client was "an overzealous fan", adding that Banks "presents herself as someone her fans can relate to" and invites those "inspired by her shows to reach out to her".
Prosecutors have countered that Green sought to stalk and terrify the supermodel. Prosecutor Shawn McMahon told the court, "His actions make him a stalker, not a fan." Testimonies in the court - which will include an appearance from Banks - are due to start on 27 April (09).

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Australian actor HUGH JACKMAN is enjoying the trappings of fame - but fears his children will grow up spoilt by the family’s lavish lifestyle.
The X-Men star admits he relishes his fortune because he was a struggling actor until he found fame at the age of 30 when he landed a role in the superhero franchise.
But Jackman is worried that his adopted kids - Oscar, eight, and Ava, four - with wife Deborra-Lee Furness, will turn into Hollywood brats on the back of his success.
He says, "The hard thing is going to be my kids. I’m terrified of them getting on a plane and saying, ‘Daddy, what’s behind the curtain?’ "They’ve been brought up with more privilege than I ever had. I lived on a hundred pounds a week until I was 26, with rent and everything. Everyone I knew did, it was fine."

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