Movie Box Review

Jiang Wen, Ann Hui, Felix Chong all won awards

Tsui Hark hits Jackie Chan on the head courtesy of on.cc

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The Hong Kong Directors' Guild last night held its spring banquet and annual award presentation.  The Ann Hui On Wa directed A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH) brought her the Most Outstanding Director of the Year and the Most Recommended Film; she even received the "Honorary Grand Prize".  She thanked the Directors' Guild for this honor.  She said that recently she won many awards.  If she lost her head, she hoped everyone would remind her.

Jiang Wen with LET THE BULLETS FLY won the Most Outstanding Director and The Most Recommended Film.  He said that winning an award in Hong Kong was a little strange, he would never imagine that he would win two.

Stephen Fung Tak Lun revealed that he is working on the film TAI CHI trilogy.  The first two installments have already been completed.  Speaking of Keanu Reeves' MAN OF TAI CHI, he felt that with one being modern and the other costume they had no conflict.  He hoped for a summer release.  He also revealed that his company with Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) is planning a racing film with Derek Yee Tung Sing as its director.    "Ng Yin Cho and I both will perform.  (Will you fight over the lead?)  Let him have it, I will help with the camera!"

Derek Yee feels pure Hong Kong films cannot find financing

John Chong feels Stephen Chow's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY will be able to break the Chinese film Hong Kong box office record

Daneil Lam is less than optimistic about Stephen Chow's new film box office courtesy of mingpao.com

Co-Productions Drag Hong Kong Films Down

The Giddens Ko directed, Michelle Chen, Ko Chen-Tung starred Taiwan film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE broke Stephen Chow Sing Chi's KUNG FU HUSTLE HK$61.27 million highest grossing Chinese film Hong Kong box office record with a total box office of 61,801,081 and left "Eastern Hollywood" Hong Kong film industry in shame.  Will Hong Kong film be able to fend off the competition and regain the box office championship?  Let's keep our eyes open and see.

John Chong Sees Sing Yeh As Favorite To Break YOU Record

In 2012 Hong Kong film market will have many giant production releases, including the Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Donnie Yen Chi Tan starred THE MONKEY KING (DAI LAU TIN GUNG), Jackie Chan's CHINESE ZODIAC (SUP YI SUN CHIU), Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling's DWELLING IN THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS, and Stephen Chow Sing Chi's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY (SAI YAU GEI ji CHUI MOR OI JUEN).  Sing fans have been starved for four years so his new film will have hope to regain the glory of Hong Kong.  Media Asia vice chair John Chong Ching favors the idea, but Derek Yee Tung Sing and Universe Entertainment company boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming disagree.  They deeply feel that Hong Kong film will have difficulty with creating another miracle locally.  Looking north to China gives Hong Kong film professionals a new direction, but when they accommodate Mainland viewer tastes Hong Kong audience's "co-production" resistance becomes a burden.  Hong Kong film is dying, you know?

Daneil Lam Is Less Optimistic About Stephen Chow

Many, including Giddens Ko, hope Chow Sing Chi's new film NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY will break YOU's record.  Chong Ching feels it will have a chance.  "Sing Yeh is so talented, with all the starving Sing fans the box office will have certain motivation."

Derek Yee: Non Co-Production Has Financing Difficulties

Lam Siu Ming does not feel that Chow Sing Chi's CHINESE ODYSSEY will be able to break YOU's record.  "Sing Yeh's last film CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG CHUT HO) struggled to pass 50 million at the box office.  Actually this isn't Chow Sing Chi's problem, but the overall market's problem.  This is the general trend, everyone have to 'co-productions'.  Hong Kong viewers want to see Hong Kong films, but don't want to see any 'co-production'.  Yet now basically everything is 'co-production'.  Without co-production movies don't have funding.  Film ultimately is a merchandise, if you make a Hong Kong film with a 10 million budget you can't even hire actors.  Now actors are used to making 'Yun Jai' (RMB), how can they be willing to accept 2 million in salary?  If you don't approach them, plenty of directors in the Mainland would; you can't make movies that cost more than 50 million either, with only the Hong Kong market it is impossible.  You can't go back.  Ultimately no one is willing to invest in a purely Hong Kong film, this is a problem of the chicken and the egg!  Even Chow Sing Chi has to make 'co-productions'.  CJ7 was a co-production, Universe this year will make a few movies, all of which will be 'co-productions'."

Yee Tung Sing agrees with Lam Siu Ming, "co-production" is at fault for Hong Kong film market's fall.  "'Co-productions' have subject restrictions, many subjects can't be made and movies can't speak freely.  The results often lack power and become terrible to watch.  Helplessly non 'co-productions' have difficulties with financing.  If you spend 10 million on a purely Hong Kong film, it will be very hard to make and won't be attractive.  I want to make PROTEGE (MOON TOH) sequel and ONE NITE IN MONGKOK (WONG GOK HAK YEH) continuation, but when the subjects get to the Mainland market I don't want to accommodate the Mainland market and change the concept and certain plots."  He feels that the world goes round and round, Taiwan film has fallen for 20 years and now finally has shaken itself off.  Hong Kong films look north and accommodating the Mainland market has become an inevitable fact.  Because the Mainland population the box office return is strong.  Last year the box office reached 13 billion yuan RMB, naturally it has more investors as funding floods in; he believes after a few battles the film industry will look completely different.

Although Chow Sing Chi's NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY is a 'co-production', everyone still is waiting for Hong Kong film to return to glory.  The film costs over 100 million yuan and finally has completed production after more than three months.  Currently it is conducting massive post production special effect production in Korea.  It should be able to be released this year.

Media Asia Invades the Mainland

Chong Ching feels that YOU was a coincidence, only a movie that is suitable for young people.  He also believes that Giddens Ko will not deliberately make a movie to break a record.  "If he deliberately makes a movie to break YOU's box office, the movie may not be good.  Thus Media Asia's future big films first have to be good movies.  Future movies will still target the Mainland market, including the 100 million Johnnie To Kei Fung directed, Andy Lau Tak Wa and Sammi Cheng Sau Man starred BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM), Lin Chiling and Lau Tak Wa starred DWELLING ON THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS.  Both are 'co-productions' because minding only the Hong Kong market truly is very dangerous."

Film in order to accommodate the Mainland market, will Hong Kong film have difficulty recovering its lost ground?  Chong Ching says, "This is a return rate issue, Mainland return rate is high.  In 2011 top ten Hong Kong film box office, 3 movies THE LOST BLADESMAN (GUAN WON CHEUNG), MR. AND MRS. INCREDIBLE (SUN KEI HUP NUI) and LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) only made 8 million.  With Hong Kong releases, anything less than 10 million at the box office is a failure."

2012 ANTICIPATED FILM RELEASES
FilM: ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II)
Cast: Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sammi Cheng Sau Man
Release Date: Mid February

Film: LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING)
Cast: Miriam Yeung Chin Wa, Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: March

Film: A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)
Cast: Andy Lau Tak Wa, Deanie Ip Tak Han
Release Date: Mid March

Film: FIRST TIME
Cast: Angelababy, Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting)
Release Date: March

Film: NIGHTFALL (DAI JUI BO)
Cast: Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Kay Tse On Kay
Release Date: Mid March

Film: MOTORWAY (CHEH SAU)
Cast: Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: Tentatively May

Film: DIVA
Cast: Joey Yung Cho Yi, Mag Lam Yun Tung, Chapman To Man Jat
Release Date: June

Film: THE LAST SUPPER
Cast: Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Liu Ye, Chang Chen
Release Date: Mid June

Film: THE GUILLOTINES (HUET DIK JI)
Cast: Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin), Shawn Yue Man Lok
Release Date: Tentatively July

Film: VANISHING BULLET (SIU SUT DIK JI DAN)
Cast: Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Lau Ching Wan, Mini Yang Mi
Release Date: Mid July

Film: CHINESE ZODIAC (SUP YI SUN CHIU)
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: December 12

Film: NEW CHINESE ODYSSEY (SAI YAU GEI ji CHUI MOR OI JUEN)
Cast: Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Shu Qi, Wen Zhang
Release Date: Tentatively Year End

Film: THE MONKEY KING (DAI LAU TIN GUNG)
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Donnie Yen Chi Tan
Release Date: Tenatively Year End

Film: WINDSEEKER (TING FUNG JEH)
Cast: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhou Xun, Wang Xueqi
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: BAUHINIA WOMAN (JI GAING HUP)
Cast: Chrissie Chau Sau Na
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: 3D THE ICEMAN COMETH (3D GUP DUNG KEI HUP)
Cast: Donnie Yen Chi Tan
Release Date: To Be Determined

Film: SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG)
Cast: Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Wu Chun, Raymond Lam Fung
Release Date: To Be Determined

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Director Derek Yee Tung Sing two nights ago led Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Zhou Xun to the Beijing premiere of THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI).  At the premiere, Tsui Hark, Soi Cheang Po Shui, Andrew Lin Hoi and Terence Yin (Wan Chi Wai) came in support.  Over the two hours, over 1,000 viewers laughed from the beginning to the end.  After watching they all praised this film was truly for the entire family.

After the premiere, over 1,000 viewers from the community expressed their satisfaction as they often laughed and applauded; Some even counted that they laughed every three minutes or so.  Viewers thought that GREAT on the foundation of entertainment would even be able to remain cultured without being rotten; Wai Jai's sorrowful mystery matched his Great Magician identity that was very handsome and humorous; Ching Wan as the villain warlord was extremely cute; Zhou Xun's performance was also very funny.

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THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) yesterday held a press conference in Beijing.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing and the cast including Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, Yan Ni and others attended.  Lau Ching Wan pointed out that in the film Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun hit him and even forced him to recite a Putonghua tongue twister.  Yee Tung Sing denied that and said that in the film he already put Lau Ching Wan in a romance with Zhou Xun, which was already considered a joy for him.  He even arranged seven wives for him.  Yet he never would have guessed that he still had complaints.  Next time he would arrange seven men for him.

Leung Chiu Wai also said that his image in the film was too serious, thus he was extremely envious and Yan Ni and Wu Gang's comedic performances.  Yee Tung Sing joked that Wai Jai in the film was responsible for being handsome with infinite charm.  Yet Wai Jai was very glad to work with Yee Tung Sing and so many excellent actors.  In addition it was a very happy comedy that left many beautiful memories in his life.  In the future when he will recall this production he will laugh.  Wai Jai even asked the director to save a spot for him in the sequel.  Zhou Xun also stated that she was very honored to be able to work with two Best Actors and thanked the director for giving her the opportunity.

Wai Jai has been working on Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) for over two years.  For the character Wai Jai has given a lot and was even injured on the production.  His wife Carina Lau Ka Ling's heart could not have ached more as she blamed Wong Kar Wai.  Wai Jai yesterday admitted that he would not work with Wong Kar Wai again for awhile.  THE GREAT MAGICIAN director Yee Tung Sing revealed that Wai Jai once said that he would make five more movies then retire, but Wai Jai denied that.  "I hope that my entire life is in acting, to have work at every stage."  Wai Jai said that he would like more chances to make comedies.  As soon as he said that people were reminded that he did not want to work with Wong Kar Wai who rarely made comedy films.  He said, "I just finished Wong Kar Wai's movie, both of us are very tired and need a long time to recover.  Maybe it will be a long, long while before we work together again.  No one should be too concerned about me working with him, for now we wouldn't."

Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi who Yee Tung Sing made into a star recently has been poison at the box office.  Yee Tung Sing spoke on her behalf and hoped that the media would not treat this matter as a joke.  He thought that Pak Chi should have someone around her to tell her the truth.  "I don't know why she was in such a hurry to take so many roles, but I understand that she alone has to feed her entire family.  Her poor box office doesn't mean that she doesn't know how to act.  I don't dare to confirm that I will work with her again or not though."

Albert Yeung shows his support

Emperor Charity donates 100,000 to Make a Wish Hong Kong courtesy of on.cc

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The film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) held a premiere last night.  Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun and Derek Yee Tung Sing attended.  Carina Lau Ka Ling came in support of her husband Wai Jai.  Recently Lau Ka Ling was rumored to have purchased a 30 million yuan home for her husband.  Wai Jai said that he had no idea.  Although the gift has not arrived in his hands, old lady Lau Ka Ling's "flesh delivery" of love and company for the movie already melted him.

When asked about the gift, Wai Jai asked whether it was a surprise.  Perhaps the reporters ruined it, but he really had no idea.  Wai Jai said that Ka Ling has always had properties in Shanghai, maybe she just switched homes or bought one for Mommy.  The Shanghai home would be useless to him since he would not move to Shanghai.

Wai Jai said that normally he would exchange gifts with Ka Ling for fun, especially on holidays or birthdays.  Last month for Ka Ling's birthday he gave her a thoughtful gift that all women liked.  If he received the 30 million home would he return the favor?  He joked, "How can that be possible, don't be silly!  Stop testing me."

This Lunar New Year he might be in Hong Kong, with work on hand he had concerns despite wanting to go skiing.  He has not gone in two years already and he really wanted to go.  Wai Jai still had Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) to work on.  He looked awkward when asked about this film as he added that it will wrap soon.

Speaking of Andy Lau Tak Wa's impending fatherhood, would Wai Jai catch up in a hurry?  He said that it was up to nature, including whether he would accept artificial insemination.  He said that having a child could not be rushed, it was not like all he had to do was wish and it would be granted.  He wanted to win the lottery too!

Lau Ching Wan and Yee Tung Sing rushed from Shanghai to promote.  They were working on the film SIU SUT DIK JI DAN in the Mainland.  Speaking of his good friend Daniel Wu (Ng Yu Cho)'s good news as his wife Lisa S was rumored to be pregnant, Yee Tung Sing said that he immediately sent a congratulation text to him as soon as he heard, but Ng Yin Cho said that it was not true.  Yee Tung Sing was disappointed as he thought a little Daniel would definitely be very cute.  Some suggested for Yee Tung Sing to have his own as Lau Tak Wa too would become a father.  He said, "Wa Jai is younger than me!  I don't know if I can."

THE GREAT MAGICIAN is the first film that he directed in the Mainland.  He hoped that a comedy in the New Year would be suitable to Mainland viewer taste.  He was also adjusting to work in the Mainland.  Would he head north and stop making Hong Kong films? Yee Tung Sing really wanted to make a Hong Kong film, but finding a film investor in Hong Kong was hard.  If he found someone it would only be for 10 million small production.  He did not want to make it hard for his actor friends and ask them to lower their salaries to make his movies.

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Producer Derek Yee Tung Sing, director Law Chi Leung yesterday held actors Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Lau Ching Wan, Wu Gang, Liu Kai Chi and Jing Boran to attend the film SIU SUT DIK JI DAN (VANISHING BULLET) set visit press conference.  Siu Bo revealed that the film would through "great detectives investigating a mystery and solves a conspiracy" story bring police film into another climax.  The film was a story that director Law Chi Leung has planned for five years.  He stressed that the film had both "action" and "suspense" in order to create the most entertaining and intelligent work of his career so far.

The film took place in the largest armory during the Republic era.  A series of mysterious murders took place, as each cursed "phantom bullet" led detective Lau Ching Wan and hot blooded investigator Tse Ting
Fung into a dangerous pursuit of the culprit.  Ching Wan was in THE MAD DETECTIVE (SUN TAM), but this time this detective was "very awkward.  He knew neither kung fu nor gun use".  Having played many "vicious cops" Ting Fung this time changed from his past impulsive image and displayed extraordinary intelligence and scheming.  Although they worked together for the first time they were already full of chemistry.  Ting Fung admitted that he participated because of Ching Wan, "the actor who the most stars want to work with".  He thought that being able to work with "Brother Ching Wan" was a recognition of himself.  Privately he would even "peek" at his acting.  Ching Wan praised Ting Fung as very hard work and was envious of his intimate romantic scenes with Mini Yang Mi.  They agreed that their first collaboration was a lot of fun and had exchanges both on and off screen.  At the shoot they were able to set off spark.

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Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, and Yan Ni yesterday attended THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) Beijing press conference.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing revealed through video that he originally intended to bring the audience a serious comedy for the whole family.  Ching Wan was very supportive on this position because he thought that life now has become too stressful.  Comedy during the New Year could provide some relief.  Zhou Xun who has always longed to make a comedy also hoped that
she would become a "female Stephen Chow Sing Chi".

At the event the final trailer has also been shown.  Wai Jai displayed fully his magician ways as a variety of tricks large and small appeared.  Much of the story was fun, like the comedy filled seduction between Ching Wan and Zhou Xun; Yan Ni's bathing scene also led to a lot of laughs, Ching Wan's "acrobatic" scene also appeared and in the end Wai Jai's sly wink hid a lot of mystery within his mischief.

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Best Actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Best Actress Zhou Xun starred Emperor film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) will be released next month.  Recently three leads' posters were unveiled.  In them Ching Wan and Wai Jai's mischievously stared at each other, Wai Jai and Zhou Xun about to kiss, and Zhou Xun and Ching Wan's escape from a fire.  Their relationships in the film indeed were complex and confusing!

Zhou Xun had back to back released with FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) and GREAT.  Thus she was crowned the holiday queen.  In GREAT she was between two hunks.  She said that both their characters were jerks and she was very helpless.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing said that GREAT was his first movie with the Republic background.  Thus he decided to add in comedy elements to make it even more special.

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Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Zhou Xun in the film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) battled villains Black Eagles.  Ching Wan turned into God of War as he wield the latest and the most powerful weapon "roast duck leg" against the killer in black; Wai Jai battled back with magic and created a magical staff style of his own.

Ching Wan said that when director Derek Yee Tung Sing explained this scene to him, he asked him to use the "roast duck leg" as a weapon.  He thought he was joking.  Then on the set when the crew handed him with roast duck legs he realized that it was true.  With dug legs in hand, Ching Wan wielded his "weapon" like Bruce Lee with nunchukus.  Wai Jai added magic in his stunt.  He pointed out that kung fu and magic both could easily attract the attention of the audience, but in the film world they rarely merged.  Wai Jai and Ching Wan both complimented Yee Tung Sing's creativity.

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Tony Leung Chiu Wai in the film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) had a variety of costumes.  Aside from the stylish magician gentleman costume he would also wear different interesting costumes.  In one scene he wore a priest robe and turned into a modern NINJA HATTORI KUN as he messed around in a lively and mischievous chase scene with Mainland actor Wu Gang.  In it Wai Jai had to wield a wooden sword, play with fire and spit fire, all of which would make people smile from the heart.

For this scene, Wai Jai recalled using the curtain that was like a door frame for cover.  At that moment he dodged enemies like in the cartoon NINJA HATTORI KUN.  He said, "When I watched cartoons the ninja always dodged enemies like that.  Who would have known today I would become that ninja.  Actually later when I watched that scene play back I was giggling, thinking that this could not possibly be successful.  Yet Wu Gang's interesting expression when he carefully looked at that curtain made you feel that this person was silly yet somewhat lovable."

In the film Wai Jai even had to wield a wooden sword and spit water as if he was an acrobatic.  Yet he honestly said that the most difficult was sitting still for ten seconds.  Wai Jai said, "I never would have guessed that it was harder than swordplay.  I don't know why the set constantly had bugs flying around.  They almost flew into my mouth.  I had to use a bug zapper to be able to finish the scene."  The director even joked, "Oh well, you are so irresistible that you attracts all kinds."

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THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) is mainly a light battle of wits.  Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Lau Ching Wan in order to win the heart of Zhou Xun use every trick in the book.  As Ching Wan's seventh concubine, Zhou Xun is well disguised and stoic.  Ching Wan in order to get a kiss charges her room at night.  In order to turn down this charging warlord, Zhou Xun with her Chinese dance background moves like a snake and dodges all over the room.  She has Ching Wan right where she wants him.

In this scene, they chase each other around in a small room.  In order to create the humorous effect, director Derek Yee Tung Sing uses a fully rhythmic dance style to express the "you can't catch me" feeling.  During rehearsal Ching Wan pairs stiff movement with humorous expression and cracks up Zhou Xun, leading to bad takes.  Ching Wan even jokes that this is the latest robot dance.  "I see the young people now like this type of dancing very much.  The uniqueness of this dance is stiff appearance, which looks a little unnatural.  I feel my dance steps can lead a new round of robot dance fever."  Has his wife kicked him out like in the film?  Ching Wan mischievously answered, "I am a warlord, you should ask my wife whether she has tried to kick me out."

On the other hand, Zhou Xun in this film dodges right and left.  Zhou Xun says that she has studied Chinese dance since she was little.  General dance steps or kicks to her are easy as pie.  In order to fend off Ching Wan who charges into her room, Zhou Xun "rolls" over the table, pulls table cloth and throw apples.  "In order to be accurate, I have to try repeatedly.  Luckily my face isn't swollen from me nailing him."

Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Joan Lin

Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Tony Leung

Jackie Chan

Derek Yee, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun courtesy of on.cc

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The Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Zhou Xun starred Emperor Motion Picture THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) earlier even attracted Jackie Chan and his wife Joan Lin (Lam Fung Giu) to visit the set.  Lam Fung Giu even revealed that she and her son Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) both considered Wai Jai as their idol.  She would even show off her photo with Wai Jai to her son!

The Emperor holiday release THE GREAT MAGICIAN after releasing its posters and trailers earlier yesterday published set visit photos with Jackie Chan and his wife Lam Fung Giu, and Zhou Xun's "DRAGON GATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION" members Chen Kun and Mavis Fan Hiu Huen.

When Big Brother arrived at the set and saw action director Stephen Tung Wai's action scene, Big Brother's directing bug acted up as he studied with Tung Wai.  He said, "I am very familiar with Early Republic films.  Back then DRUNKEN MASTER (JUI KUEN), SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW (SEH YING DIU SAU), PROJECT A (A GAI WAT) were all Early Republic films.  I came this time because I was very curious about how Siu Bo would make an Early Republic film!"  Director (Derek) Yee said, "I hope viewers won't compare THE GREAT MAGICIAN with Jackie Chan's DRUNKEN MASTER and PROJECT A.  He is definitely more amazing with the fights but his story writing ability may not compare to mine!"  He continued, "We once thought about the title MAGIC MASTER (MOR FAT DAI SI), later we saw Jackie Chan's company also has such a title in its projects.  Although he always said that it might not be made, we changed the title anyway."  Later Lam Fung Giu arrived at the set and the production team got excited!  She became a big fan as she was busy with looking for Wai Jai for a photo.  "Fong Cho Ming and I admire Leung Chiu Wai very much.  He is my and Little Fong's idol.  I have to show him this photo.  Your Mama finally got a photo with her idol, but you haven't yet!"

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THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) will open in January next year.  Director Derek Yee Tung Sing yesterday led Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Lau Ching Wan to attend the first all Asia press conference in Shanghai.  Almost 200 reporters covered the event.  Two Best Actors exchanged words on the stage as if they were still battling wits in the film.

Since THE LONGEST NITE (UM FA), Lau Ching Wan and Leung Chiu Wai ran into each other 13 years later.  This time at the press conference, they gave people the impression just like in the production special that they have met each other's match.  When asked about their experience during the shoot, Leung Chiu Wai joked, "The director is very strict.  We must speak Putonghua throughout.  Everyday aside from making the movie we are practicing our Putonghua."  Lau Ching Wan agreed, "Everyday I am in the room practicing Putonghua, only this way would I not lose to him."  The crowd roared with laughter.

Two Best Actors even "exposed" Yee Tung Sing.  Leung Chiu Wai claimed that he was excessively strict at work and made the actors very nervous.  When asked about the fight scene in which Lau Ching Wan and
Leung Chiu Wai choked each other, they both made a helpless expression and blamed the director as the initiator.  They were only following orders.  Yee Tung Sing also humorously "responded" to such "blames".  "The film company boss said, when viewers buy tickets to go to the movies they have to see fights.  It's not good without fights!  So I arranged for them to fight."  As for online rumors that Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun will perform THE GREAT MAGICIAN's theme song GUESS LOVER.  Leung Chiu Wai confirmed it and said, "Indeed, at first I was to sing with Lau Ching Wan, but Lau Ching Wan backed out last second.  Now I can only sing with Zhou Xun."