Bring on ‘Japanese craze' for Hong Kong films: Kowloon Walled City movie director
The director of Hong Kong blockbuster Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In has said he wants to see more of the city's films benefit from the buzz being generated in Japan around his action epic.
Soi Cheang Pou-soi voiced his hopes after the film, set in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, earned 100 million yen (US$656,980) three weeks into its release in Japan, making it the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie in the country in five years.
'Of course, I am thrilled to hear that the movie has received great enthusiasm outside Hong Kong. I believe it can be attributed to the fact that the film is based on a comic book with a flavour that Japanese audiences find familiar,' he told the Post.
'Also the expression of the passion for the walled city and the strong friendship we have are also the reasons behind their love for the movie. They have long been fascinated by this unique place, as evident in many online games using the walled city as a theme.'
Earnings for the film reached 100 million yen in Japan last week, according to an official social media page for the production. The feature was released on January 17 in Japan.
The movie, featuring acclaimed actor Louis Koo and rising star Terrance Lau Chun-him, brought in HK$108 million (US$13.9 million) in Hong Kong between May 1 and November 8, making it the second-highest-grossing film in the city last year.
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