Stephen Chow's 'Kung Fu Women's Soccer' Tops 80 Million in China Pre-Sales as 'Senior Brother' Wong Yat-fei Reunites With Director
Stephen Chow's self-written and self-directed new film "Kung Fu Women's Soccer" opened in mainland China with record-breaking pre-sales, while a viral clip suggests a long-rumored feud between Chow and actor Wong Yat-fei has finally been mended.
Photo: Ming Pao
Stephen Chow's much-anticipated new film "Kung Fu Women's Soccer," which he both wrote and directed, opened in mainland China today. As of 7 p.m. the previous night, pre-sales had surpassed 70 million yuan (about HK$80.91 million), breaking the pre-sale box-office record for summer-season films in mainland China over the past three years. The latest trailer, released yesterday, revealed more of the film's content, showing leading ladies — Golden Rooster best actress winner Zhang Xiaofei and Dilraba Dilmurat — performing special-effects-laden trick shots on the pitch, along with special appearances by Carina Lau and Japanese actor Takeru Satoh. A video also circulated online showing Chow seated side by side with Wong Yat-fei, who played the senior brother in "Shaolin Soccer." The pair had long been rumored to be at odds, and fans are looking forward to seeing Wong return to the screen.
"Kung Fu Women's Soccer" stars Zhang Xiaofei, Dilraba Dilmurat and Zhang Yixing, with special appearances by Carina Lau and Takeru Satoh, and also features Sisley Choi, Louis Cheung, MC Jin (Jin Au-Yeung), former China women's national team player Zhao Lina and Japanese dance troupe Avantgardey.
Zhang Xiaofei and Dilraba Show Off Their Skills on the Pitch
The story follows the arrival of the "Supreme Invincible Cup," a peak soccer competition held once every four years. The Emei team, to which Zhang Xiaofei and Dilraba belong, is a formidable side that steps onto the field brimming with confidence. But their opponents are all masters of special techniques, and with all sides unleashing signature moves, the pitch becomes a storm of chaos. In the latest roughly 90-second trailer, Zhang Xiaofei, who plays captain Shuangshuang, and Dilraba, who plays forward Yulong, are seen in their sports kits going from infighting and hurling insults to uniting as one, with the line: "Kung fu plus soccer, we absolutely will win, 1,000 percent we can win, 10,000 percent we can win." On the pitch, moves such as the "Beautiful Eyes Technique" and the "Power Shot" are unleashed, with special effects showing a ball kicked so high into the sky that a plane has to swerve to dodge it, while Zhang Xiaofei, aided by teammates, takes a mid-air shot. There are also comedic moments, including Dilraba committing a rough foul and then snatching the red card away from referee Louis Cheung, as well as her joining Zhang Xiaofei in a distracting dance in front of their opponents, leaving Takeru Satoh stunned. Carina Lau delivers a line in Cantonese: "Calm down!"
"Kung Fu Women's Soccer" has been described as a sequel to Stephen Chow's classic film "Shaolin Soccer." Wong Yat-fei, who played the senior brother in "Shaolin Soccer," is reported to be returning to Chow's team, marking their first collaboration in 23 years and putting to rest years of rumored discord. In the video circulating online, the two are seen sitting side by side in a warm atmosphere. Wong is dressed in red Chinese-style attire, wearing a beaded necklace, a watch, rings and a jade bracelet, while Chow wears a cap and a face mask. As their conversation grows animated, they even gesture excitedly, with Chow pointing at the watch and ring on Wong's hand. The clip is set to the classic line, "Senior brother is back — I feel like everyone is back," stirring nostalgia among netizens.
Wong Yat-fei Reportedly Unhappy Over Repeated Bottle-Smashing Scenes
Back when Chow and Wong worked together on "Shaolin Soccer," Wong won best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for the film. But the two were later said to have fallen out over the filming of a bottle-smashing scene. According to reports, in pursuit of realism, Chow had Wong struck on the head repeatedly with sugar-glass bottles, causing him injury. Wong once publicly accused Chow of undergoing a major change in attitude after becoming famous, but in recent years his stance has clearly softened. In interviews he has praised Chow as a "genius," saying that without the harsh trials of those days, his later success would not have come.
Chow's long-in-the-works "Kung Fu Women's Soccer" has finally hit theaters. He posted on social media yesterday, writing: "See you tomorrow." Sisley Choi commented under his post: "The Emei team is out!"