by dleedlee » Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:09 pm
I expect so. At the HKIFF (?), he gave a copy of the full version to Ang Lee, it was reported. Nice to see it confirmed again, though. Isn't the theatrical release in the US pretty soon (this week?)?
...Okay found the article. (from Wolverine's site)
It must have been the HK premiere. The last paragraph is the relevant one.
(1/24/2006) The Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) starred Lunar New Year film
FEARLESS (FOK YUEN GAP) two nights ago held its charity premiere and
raised HK$200,000. Aside from Shidou Nakamura who did not appear, Lee
Nin Kit, Collin Chow Siu Lung, director Ronny Yu Yun Tai and action
director Yuen Woo Ping attended. Ang Lee's appearance caught the most
attention. Reportedly he had to leave Hong Kong that night but he still
insisted on supporting the show before boarding his plane.
Ang Lee's sudden appearance surprised Lee Nin Kit because he had
no idea that he would come. He honestly said that he really admired Ang
Lee and felt that his Golden Globe award has increased Chinese film
reputation. Earlier his Oscar award has made Chinese around the world
worked even harder. He truly felt happy about such a talented director
being in this era. Would he like to work with Ang Lee? He said that he
would but everything would depend on fate. If he wanted to but the
director did not approach him then he could do nothing. Actually in 99
he had a chance to work with Ang Lee on CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG), but at the time he was about to wed Nina Li Chi and she was with child so he did not take the role. Ang Lee expressed that he was very happy to see Lee Nin Kit and Yuen Wo Ping working together. "I am happy for everyone being able to enjoy a good film. I wish everyone good luck."
Lee Nin Kit joked that Lord Eight Yuen Wo Ping's action came
from when he lost in mahjong to him, which made everyone laugh. As for
the Lunar New Year release, he was not confident about the box office.
"Actually different age, culture or belief would see something different.
Some would say it's great, some would say it's ordinary, and some would
say it's bad. No matter what I have already put in 100% effort. One
person's dream can receive the concern of so many Chinese. Completing
this film is my dream. The box office amount is unimportant."
For the film's Mainland release, the authorities have issued a
300,000 yuan reward for piracy information. Lee Nin Kit was very
excited to learn that, but he still needed to pay attention to 20 days
after the release to see if the reward was effective.
Yu Yun Tai attended with his wife. He revealed that his films
actually have many female viewers. Yu Yun Tai said, early in his career
he has already realized that his films had mainly female viewers as he had over 50% female viewers in the audience. Although the new film was an action film, he deeply believed that the box office and word of mouth
would not be too poor, but he was the most surprised that Lee Nin Kit
supporters were not just men.
The support of the Golden Globe director Ang Lee surprised Yu Yun
Tai. He said that they have met for the first time in 94. At the time
he and Ang Lee attended a film festival because his film BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR and Ang Lee's film WEDDING BANQUET were invited. At first contact he already felt that Ang Lee was very cultured unlike his foul mouth self.
Since then they have not met again until the CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN
DRAGON release. They met again through Enko's Bill Kong Chi Keung. At
that time Ang Lee has just won an Oscar. He even said to his wife that
Ang Lee was the pride of Chinese people. Such a famous director's support could not have made him any happy.
Yu Yun Tai recognized that Ang Lee might not be able to enjoy the
entire film and presented the unedited 2 hour and 20 minute edition to
him. This edition will later be distributed as well.
