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| Fala Chen Says Awards Can’t Be Controlled as Hong Kong Comeback Role Turns Heads in Peg O’ My Heart. (Credits: HK On) |
Fala Chen is back in Hong Kong cinema, and she is not pretending otherwise. After a decade away from local film projects, the actress returned with Peg O’ My Heart and landed her first-ever Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress nomination. She did not take the trophy home, but the message was clear enough: the industry still knows exactly who she is.
Competing in one of the strongest categories in recent memory, Fala Chen was nominated alongside heavyweight names including Zhang Ziyi, Fish Liew, Ma Li, and Natalie Hsu. The award ultimately went to Fish Liew for Someone Like Me, but Chen’s nomination alone became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
After all, not many actors disappear from the local scene for ten years, build an international career, then casually walk back in and grab a lead actress nod.
Speaking about the recognition, Fala Chen kept things grounded and gracious.
She said she was deeply thankful for the support from audiences and industry peers, adding that the nomination proved people had not forgotten her. It was a sharp reminder that sometimes stepping away does not mean being left behind.
Chen also made clear she had full confidence in her performance, though not in the mysterious science of awards voting.
She explained that when filming, she came fully prepared and trusted both the script and the director. In short: she could control the work, not the trophy. Fair point. If awards were purely logical, film fans would argue far less online.
A major part of that confidence came from working with Nick Cheung, who wrote, directed and starred in Peg O’ My Heart. Chen praised him for his clear understanding of character and storytelling, saying his guidance helped her perform with precision.
When your co-star is also the writer-director, things can go brilliantly or become chaos. Thankfully for everyone involved, this one appears to have landed in the first category.
Her role in the psychological thriller also marked a bold image shift. Fala Chen, often associated with polished glamour, appeared in intentionally rough styling while portraying a deeply unstable character.
She joked that someone had finally cast her to play herself, before explaining that the emotional range of the role was what truly attracted her.
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| Fala Chen Says Fame Means Nothing Without Good Roles After Best Actress Nomination |
She added that the uglier and crazier the character became, the happier she was performing it. That may be the most actor sentence ever spoken this year.
Chen noted that she would not necessarily have taken the project if the part had not offered such dramatic range. She said she wanted something bigger than simply playing someone’s wife or an ordinary office worker.
It was a pointed and refreshingly honest comment on the limited roles actresses are often handed once they become established.
Looking ahead, Fala Chen said she hopes to spend more time supporting Hong Kong films.
Long television shoots may be difficult because of family commitments and caring for her children, but film schedules of a few weeks are much more realistic. For producers reading carefully, that sounded suspiciously like: send the script now.
She also joked about reuniting with Nick Cheung in a sequel to Peg O’ My Heart, or perhaps reversing roles next time with her directing and him acting.
Whether said seriously or with a wink, fans immediately ran with it. A Fala-directed film starring Nick? Hong Kong cinema has heard stranger pitches and approved them.
Many fans praised her comeback, calling the nomination overdue and proof that talent does not expire. Others said her transformation in Peg O’ My Heart showed a fearless side rarely seen before.
Some viewers are already asking why she is not appearing in more local productions, while a few cheeky commenters suggested she should collect a directing award next just to keep things interesting.
For Hong Kong film watchers, Chen’s return feels bigger than one nomination. It signals that established stars with global careers still want to come home and create locally meaningful work.
And if this is only chapter one of her second act, people will be watching closely. Do you think Fala Chen deserved the win, and what role should she take next?