Under the tutelage of action star and producer Sammo Hung, Eddie Peng ushers in a new era of the legendary martial arts exponent, writes Loong Wai Ting
MARTIAL arts grandmaster and one of the best known cinematic icons, Wong Fei-hung, returns to the silver screen; this time in Roy Chow’s Rise Of The Legend, opening this Thursday.
Eddie Peng plays the martial arts exponent, one of the legendary figures of Chinese martial arts.
Throughout the years many actors, including the late Kwan Tak-hing, Jackie Chan, Gordon Liu and Vincent Zhao, have had the pivotal role in bringing the revered character to life. Action star Sammo Hung, who also plays a part in Rise Of The Legend, had portrayed Wong in the 2004 adaptation of the Disney film Around The World In 80 Days.
For Western audiences, Wong is more commonly known through Jet Li’s realistic portrayal in Tsui Hark’s Once Upon A Time film franchise.
Written by Christine To Chi-long of Jet Li’s Fearless and Jay Chou’s Secret fame, acclaimed action choreographer Corey Yuen co-directed Rise Of The Legend with Liu Fang.
It also stars Sammo (he is also one of the film’s producers) as Thunder, Wang Loudan (Ma Chun Yu) and Jing Boran (Red Fire), Zhang Jin (Wu Sheng), Wong Cho Lam (Big Tooth Su) and Byron Mann (Crow). Award-winning actor Tony Leung Ka-fai and Angelababy have cameo roles in the film.
Eddie took on the challenging role by going through eight months of intense physical conditioning and martial arts training. He honed his acting skills to better interpret the hero’s darker side.
In an interview courtesy of RAM Entertainment, Sammo says: “This legendary character has a lot history, since the late Kwan Tak-Hing himself starred in over 100 Wong Fei-Hung films.
“When Jet Li took over the mantle, he had a different interpretation of the character. Now that it is Eddie’s turn, we hope that he will usher in another new era for this character. We don’t know if he will be successful in being the third-generation Wong Fei-hung, but we believe that we have an idea to portray this legendary character in a new light.”
Sammo and Tony share their views on the making of the film:
On the set of Rise Of The Legend, both Eddie and you share a bond, almost like a father and son. Is that true in real life?
Sammo: Eddie and I are friends. I was very pleased with his attitude and his keenness to learn on the set. He calls me “adopted father”.
I helped him accomplish his goal of becoming a martial arts actor including guiding him through the fight process and the outcomes he would expect. You have to be willing to sacrifice and undergo intense training to be a martial arts actor. Eddie is persistent. He had to undergo hours of fight scenes, then immediately acted the drama parts day after day.
There seems to be a lack of martial arts actors now compared to your time as an action star.
Sammo: That is true. Firstly, there are very few young people who are willing (to become a martial arts star); secondly, there are only limited opportunities for those who want to do it. As a result, there isn’t a new generation of martial arts actors as nobody wants to give it a try, and there isn’t anyone to guide them.
You have worked with Eddie before. How different was it this time?
Tony: It felt as if my son suddenly grew up into a handsome adult. It was a wonderful feeling.
On my first day on the set, I saw him shooting the end of a fight scene. I was surprised that his gaze was more intense, which sent shivers down my spine. He was really into character. Portraying Wong Fei-hung’s younger days in such a manner is truly something different. He did very well, and I am pleased with his performance.
Rise of The Legend (cantonese/mandarin)
Directed by Chow Hin Yeung
Starring: Eddie Peng, Sammo Hung, Angelababy and Wong Cho Lam
Duration: 130 minutes
Rating: To be advised
Rahmat Khairulrijal and Shobna Periayaih
RESPITE ... Young Malaysians and newly married couples in urban, now have new have avenue for homes.
KUALA LUMPUR: Young Malaysians and newly-married couple’s hunt for homes in urban areas will ease.
This follows the move allocate 10 per cent of the total People’s Housing Projects (PPR) to these group.
The PPR units will be rented out to young and newly-married couples under the 1Malaysia Transit House programme.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said those qualif will only have to pay RM250 per month.
They will be allowed to rent their respective PPR units for a maximum of two years, allowing them sufficient time to find their own homes and move out by the end of the stipulated period.
“We will allocate 10 per cent of the total PPR projects in Kuala Terengganu, Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu and Kepong here for the transit house scheme.
“Those eligible have two years to stay as a temporary measure to help them before getting a place of their home,” he said.
Abdul Rahman was speaking after visiting the first transit house in Bukit Jalil here yesterday.
He said a total of 490 eligible applicants were expected to occupy the 650 square feet-unit’s from Jan next year.
Abdul Rahman said the eligibility for newly married young couple is that they must under the age 30, with a joint monthly income below RM3,000.
“We find that young couple’s usually cannot afford to buy a house and they take time to get one. So we hope this will be the short-term solution for them before they can settle down.
“This programme will be focused at major cities nationwide,” Abdul Rahman said.
Also present at the event was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who hoped that the government would expand the programme.
“This is a brainchild of Umno Youth at last year general assembly,” he said.
Interested couples can submit their applications via open registration system (SPT) available at state housing boards or housing departments in the state secretary’s office.
The applications will be screened according to conditions and qualifications that have been stipulated at the state and DBKL.
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