Edison Chen: 'Please Get Ya Facts Straight!'
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'Protege,' 'The Warlords' top contenders at Hong Kong Film Awards
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Chow's 'CJ7' debut still hot despite snow
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Interview with Stephen Chow
Film-maker Stephen Chow gives the lowdown on his latest movie CJ7 and how he came to cast a girl in a boy's role. STEPHEN Chow's long-awaited science-fiction movie CJ7 opens nationwide on Feb 7 to usher in the Lunar New Year.

The director, actor and scriptwriter of many Hong Kong movies will be in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 4 and 5 for meet-the-fans (at Bintang Circle, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 7.30pm) and meet-the-Press sessions respectively. CJ7 stars Chow, Xu Jiao, Kitty Zhang, Yuen Qui and others.

In conjunction with the release of the movie which Chow also wrote, produced and directed in, Life and Times carries a question-and-answer with the film-maker.


How did you come up with the movie title CJ7?


CJ stands for Chiang Jiang, the Mandarin phonetics initial of the Long River in China. No. 7 is the "serial number" of the alien dog.


What does the movie CJ7 mean to you as a film-maker?


It is a challenge for me, and one for the Chinese film-making fraternity. There aren't many Chinese sci-fi films. But for me, it can't just be another sci fi film. It has to stand the test of time like ET. As a film-maker, I want and need to be challenged. Only then can I do the best I can. To be constantly challenged is a blessing in our creative field.


It has also been said that the nine-year-old girl is actually the other lead in the movie. Please comment.


Yes. She acts better than I do! This little girl is good. Very good, a born natural.


Tell us about your discovery of this new talent Xu Jiao who has reportedly signed an eight-year contract with your film company.


I met her right before the principal photography. It's fate that brought us together. It was so late, I was still not completely satisfied with the casting for the little boy's role and my prayers were answered. I truly believe that things always have a way of working themselves out. She is a jewel. They don't come by everyday and if they do, sign them up for an eight-year contract!


The child has reportedly been 'adopted' by you, as you've discovered the joys of fatherhood. Please comment.


An eight-year contract. Not exactly adoption. But yes, I do see her as my daughter. We get along very well. We're at ease with one another, it is like I've known her for eight years!


What attracted you to casting Xu Jiao for the role of the son?


She has a special charm, and she is a very talented actor. She just fits into the character.


How did you discover Kitty Zhang?


From a lot of casting sessions. Thousands!


Why was a little girl chosen to play your son in the movie?


Because the little girl made the best little son.


How do you feel about Xu Jiao's portrayal of the boy?


We were actually looking for boys but somehow none of them fitted the role as I envisioned my son to be. At that age, for most cases, there is hardly a difference in physical appearances. Give the girl a boy's hair cut, teach her how to walk, talk, fight, sit, eat as a boy and you have a boy. Of course this is not the case for all little girls, but I was lucky it is so with Xu Jiao. She can act far better than an ordinary boy. She is a special character.


Tell us more about the female lead Kitty Zhang.


She is full of potential. And she's clever and beautiful too.


Lately, you've been looking towards mainland China for your female leads. Why is that so?


That's not really the case. In fact I would pick whoever is suitable for the role.


What is your message in CJ7?


Life may be hard, but life can be good. All that we learn is not necessarily from books and school. Life is the biggest lesson, so live it well and live it true.


How would you like your viewers to see it?


The haves and the have-nots are all the same inside. We want love and acceptance. Be kind to all.


What are some of your upcoming projects?


I am working on Dragon Ball. It's still in the works, so it's best not to talk much about it now as it too early.


What do you do when you're not making movies?


Eat, sleep and go cycling. — Courtesy of Buena Vista Columbia TriStar

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Clever gangster drama reaches way too far for meaning
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Magic Boy
Cinema: Magic of romance

MAGIC BOY Directed by Adam Wong Starring Anjo Leung, Chui Tien You and Kate Leung. THIS movie is a light-hearted look at young romance. Using the different forms of magic as a tool, it delves into the frailties of youth and what they encounter in the search for true love.

Hei (Chui Tien You) and Leggo (Anjo Leung) are childhood buddies who share a common love of magic.

But while Hei is serious about stage magic and actually performs professionally, Leggo prefers the freedom of street magic.

Incorporating it into his everyday life, he has no ideals, wanting only to remain a boy who enjoys magic.

But when Wing (Kate Leung) walks into his life, he is caught in a dilemma — to grow up or remain childishly carefree.

Utilising everything he knows about magic, he goes about trying to attract Wing’s attention.

Unfortunately, she is unimpressed. Trying to act all grown-up, she is disdainful of the childish Leggo but with the help of a bunch of giggly schoolgirls who do nothing but hang around the shop where she works, Wing starts to take interest despite her firm attempts to remain aloof.

But just when Leggo is about to bask in the light of his success with Wing, she realises that she is also attracted to Hei, who has also been quietly noticing her in the background.

Where the storyline is concerned, Magic Boy has nothing fresh to offer. The eternal love triangle, especially when the two boys involved are best of friends, has been milked dry through the years of moviedom.

However, the new angle comes from the boys being magicians. And you get to see, not just stage magic involving top hats, scarves and pigeons, but also street magic, which is more down-to-earth and rather fun.

It’s amusing how Leggo goes through life using his magic to pave the way; more delightful is when the secrets of how he does some of his “magic” are revealed.

Newcomer Anjo a real-life student of magic, is quite a delight to watch as Leggo. He is not drop-dead gorgeous but has a boy-next-door charm that is appealing.

Coupled with his nimble fingers and charming magic tricks, he easily steals the show from the more “earth-bound” (read low-profile and perhaps a little dull) Hei, played by Chui Tien You. But their different characters complement each other well.

Kate, in the role of Wing, on the other hand, comes across as rather too mature for Leggo, but the lady’s a natural on screen and exudes a gentle prettiness that is pleasant enough.

On the whole, Magic Boys would certainly appeal to the younger generation, especially if they are looking for romance.

It would be safe to say that many would probably go right out after this movie to get themselves a magic kit!

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