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HONG KONG -- Production has started on Emperor Multimedia Group's sequel to its 2003 summer action hit Twins Effect. Twins Effect 2, starring Charlene Tsoi and Gillian Chung, who form the highly popular pop duo Twins, will mark the first EMG film to roll into production since Albert Lee took over the helm of EMG from Carl Chang in May. Despite the name, Twins Effect 2 will not strictly be a sequel to Twins Effect, which grossed $3.7 million. While the first installment -- directed by Dante Lam and Donnie Yen -- was about two young vampire hunters, the sequel will be a period martial arts piece with Choi and Chung as two warriors from an all-female country out to conquer men. The sequel will be directed by Patrick Leung (Demi-Haunted) and also stars Daniel Wu (Purple Storm), Edison Chen (Gen-Y Cops) and Jackie Chan's son, Jaycee Chan, in his film debut.

HONG KONG -- The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) scare that has kept Hong Kongers at home or in surgical masks failed to dampen the festivities at Tuesday's opening of the 27th Hong Kong International Film Festival. Celebrities and guests -- including directors Teddy Chan (Purple Storm), Alan Mak (Infernal Affairs) and Johnnie To (The Mission), actor Simon Yam (Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life) and 1960s Shaw brothers kung fu star Cheng Pei-pei -- turned up, mostly sans masks, to declare the festival open. "Our festival is definitely very strong this year in terms of content and promotion," fest director Peter Tsi said. "The Hong Kong audience has been very supportive. In fact, with day-to-day on-par ticket sales, we are actually up more than 10%. I think in these (difficult) times, the festival can give out a positive message: We should stop panicking."...