[2010.06.21] HUANG XIAOMING IS NOT AFRAID OF STEPHEN CHOW COMPARISONS

Huang Xiaoming

Huang Xiaoming, Nat Chan

courtesy of mingpao.com

Huang Xiaoming, Nat Chan

The 1993 film FLIRTING SCHOLAR (TONG BAK FU DIM CHAU HEUNG) last year was aired 111 times on Taiwan television, which displayed fully Stephen Chow Sing Chi's influence on the Chinese film industry; 16 years later, Jimmy Heung Wa Sing replaced Sing Yeh with Huang Xiaoming who is red hot in the Mainland to create a new image for this classic character of Tong Pak Fu.

Chow Sing Chi has decided to ease out of on screen performance to be the CEO of his publicly traded company. Made last year, FLIRTING SCHOLAR 2 kept some of the original team including the executive producer turned producer Hueng Wa Sing, director Lee Lik Chi, screen writer Chan Man Keung, Nat Chan Ka Cheung, Mimi Choo and others. The lead Tong Bak Fu has been changed to the rapidly rising Mainland young actor Huang Xiaoming. Earlier the film's leads Ah Lek and Huang Xiaoming accepted an interview. The returning Ah Lek had an unique perspective. He said, "Sing Yeh's Tong Bak Fu is too classic! He would make everyone feel that he played a funny and humorous Tong Pak Fu. Xiaoming is a handsome Tong Pak Fu who can not only fight but also has literary talent. They have two completely different elements!"

Among the original film's Four Great Geniuses only Ah Lek's Jook Chi San remained, the other three were changed to Huang Xiaoming, Mainland comedian Zhou Libo and Taiwan hunk Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai). Speaking of his three co-stars Ah Lek had nothing but praise. "This time with Zhou Libo, Huang Xiaoming and Yam Yin Chai is another type of interpretation! Zhou Libo does stand up comedy in Shanghai. National leaders would go and see him, he's even more amazing than Wong Chi Wa! As Tong Bak Fu Huang Xiaoming comes from an academic background. He has played Yeung Gor, Hui man Keung and is the fastest rising young actor in the Mainland! Siu Chai in Taiwan also has a market." Ah Lek revealed that the film only took 4 months to shoot but the serious production opened his eyes. He said, "During the shoot nearly 400 people worked everyday! A scene would spend 5 to 6 hours on lighting, the production was very serious and the budget was huge. A lot of money was spent!" Ah Lek said that according to records FLIRTING SCHOLAR was the most seen Hong Kong film nationally. This time FLIRTING is like a costume version of THE ROMANCING STARS (JING JONG JUI NUI JAI). He also was full of box office anticipation.

Huang Xiaoming said that when he was little has already seen FLIRTING SCHOLAR and has watched it over a dozen times. He said, "When I just started acting I wanted to play THE RETURN OF THE CONDOR HEROES (SUN DIU HUP NUI), after becoming an actor by accident I got to play Yeung Gor. Later I wanted to play Hui Man Keung and I got to play THE SHANGHAI BUND. Later by accident I also played Tong Bak Fu, this time playing FLIRTING has been like a dream!" Xiaoming hoped that the audience could experience his style. "This time the team and the director were the same as back then. I have seen many of Sing Yeh's films, but I try my best to bring out my specialties. Hopefully it is different from the style of the past!" As for the comparison between the films and the characters, Xiaoming said, "Actually before the shoot I already thought about that. I feel it's no big deal, but if I think too much I would be very tired. The audience feels it is enough for the second film to be funny and active, but aside from active I hope the film can make money!"