I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 388, The Movie Begins, The Grandmaster

Andy Lau at this moment.

This time, he chose to watch the movie "Ip Man" as an audience member.

He did not attend the premiere of his own movie.

Even the crew of "The Warlords" found his choice very strange.

They have their own movies to watch, but they watch other people's movies instead.

This choice can be described as quite strange.

Liu Dehua's answer was simple: because of interest and hobby.

"The Warlords" is a job, but "Ip Man" can be a hobby.

He was particularly interested in the martial arts-themed film "Ip Man".

They also developed a greater interest in Li Yun.

Liu Dehua smiled slightly.

"I want to watch a movie about martial arts during the War of Resistance against Japan. Since the downfall of Shaw Brothers, there have been very few movies on this subject. I want to see one."

"But the publicity here is missing your words." Chen Kexin hesitated before continuing.

But he was interrupted by Li Lianjie, who was not far away.

Li Lianjie said calmly.

"Let Andy Lau go if he wants to. It's not that important to us."

The kung fu emperor wore a smile, and his words carried a hint of undisguised arrogance.

Your title is indeed somewhat superfluous here.

I am enough here.

The Kung Fu Emperor is enough here.

I am the storefront; I don't need a second one.

At this moment, Liu Dehua had a slight smile on his face.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave now."

Liu Dehua didn't show any particular anger on his face, displaying great composure.

With a gentle yet elegant smile always on his face, the real Andy Lau makes people feel very comfortable around him.

Conversely, on the other side is the Kung Fu Emperor.

His temper is just like the stereotype of martial arts practitioners: somewhat fiery and direct.

Frankly speaking, from Chen Kexin's perspective, she prefers to be with Andy Lau, but what can she do now? She can only stand by and smile.

There's nothing we can do about it; the Kung Fu Emperor's status is just that high.

A powerful figure returning from Hollywood, with acting skills, martial arts prowess, and box office appeal.

The most important thing is international influence.

It is incomparably powerful.

With an influence even greater than that of Andy Lau, it can be said that his name was the biggest factor affecting the box office this time.

This can also be seen from online public opinion.

That's what box office appeal is.

The name of the Kung Fu Emperor can bring in real money.

More real money than Andy Lau.

At the premiere, Andy Lau also arrived at Yip Wai-shun's film set as promised.

There was no conflict of interest involved, and he dressed very modestly, wearing a low-brimmed hat.

There's absolutely no indication that he's the superstar who once dominated Hong Kong.

This title, which only a handful of people in Hong Kong can obtain, represents the glory of the previous era.

The Hong Kong entertainment industry has reached its limit.

The achievements made.

It can be said that his every move can bring box office revenue to "Ip Man".

Simply publicizing his movie-watching route and generating a little buzz is enough to achieve results.

However, Ye Weixin did not do this, nor did he even think about it.

Although we may not be as good as the "blood oath" on paper, I still have my own pride.

Let's just confront each other head-on, even if this head-on confrontation doesn't end well.

But it was ultimately a fair and square battle.

Even if we fail, it will be a glorious defeat.

That's enough.

That's enough.

At this moment, in the movie theater where the premiere was being shown, Li Yun saw Liu Dehua, and Liu Dehua also saw Li Yun.

When they met again, they smiled at each other.

haven't seen you for a long time.

"It really has been a long time since we last saw each other."

"Indeed, Senior Liu, it has been a long time since we last met."

"There's no need to call me 'senior,' it sounds too formal," Andy Lau said with a slight smile. "If you think highly of me, just call me Brother Lau."

"Brother Liu."

In fact, Andy Lau did have some mixed feelings about it.

When I see Li Yun, my thoughts are reminded of that summer when we were filming Infernal Affairs.

He played the young Liu Jianming.

At that time, I felt that he had a promising future.

But to his surprise, his future was far brighter than he had imagined.

Back then, I could only be his stand-in.

Now, even his rivals.

An opponent that should not be underestimated.

He is no longer the ignorant fool he once was.

Things are completely different now.

Such changes of time and years made him sigh.

"I heard you directed this movie too."

"I'd say it's a project that Director Ye and I made together," Li Yun said, not denying it.

"Amazing, you're even more amazing than I imagined."

When Liu Dehua gave Li Yun a thumbs-up, it was genuinely out of admiration.

"Now I'm going to see if this interesting movie can bring me joy."

Liu Dehua smiled slightly.

At this point, Li Yun learned something.

Andy Lau wasn't doing this out of politeness or to give face to anyone; he genuinely came to see the movie.

Any work of art or entertainment, including movies, has a fundamental function.

One of the most fundamental functions is whether it can bring joy to the audience.

Andy Lau is here to have some fun.

Come and find the joy that movies, as a form of entertainment, bring.

"Yes, let's talk about catching up later. Let's enjoy the movie for now." Li Yun smiled and sat down next to Andy Lau.

Liu Dehua suddenly realized that Li Yun was beside him, giving him a sense of being on equal footing with him.

It's a feeling of being on equal footing, from aura to self-awareness.

Andy Lau is not a petty person; he wouldn't mind if it were anyone else.

Even if it were a completely unknown minor celebrity, he would still maintain his professionalism.

He will also maintain his gentlemanly demeanor.

This is the refinement he possesses.

He deserves to be called a gentleman in the entertainment industry, after all, he truly has such demeanor.

But in reality, the way the breeze caresses the willows is actually a kind of condescending attitude.

But looking at Li Yun's current state...

But it made him feel a subconscious sense of vigilance.

That's when you're facing your own kind.

That's the feeling that comes from it.

That's the kind of emotion that arises from that.

"Incredible! I'm getting more and more curious about your purely commercial work. I wonder if you really intend to portray yourself as so confident that you can challenge the king of pop?"

At this moment, Andy Lau sat in his seat and smiled slightly.

I looked up at the big screen.

Waiting for the movie to start.

Wing Chun, Ip Man.

The initial online opinion was that it was just an old-fashioned martial arts movie.

Yes, his opinions are outdated.

A somewhat rustic film.

Because of the fact that the gimmick of real fighting is somewhat outdated, it has actually gained some popularity due to the promotion of traditional Chinese martial arts.

Authentic Wing Chun.

When this gimmick was launched, Ye Weixin obviously didn't expect that on the mainland, the reputation of Chinese martial arts had already been almost ruined by those kung fu masters.

Those who still believe in traditional Chinese martial arts have been largely purified by that group, and basically follow their lead.

They've come to believe they're the authorities; if they say the kung fu in "Ip Man" isn't authentic, then it's authentic.

Therefore, regarding the movie "Ip Man".

Ordinary viewers might find the movie "Ip Man" nonsensical, with its supposed martial arts elements. They might watch it for entertainment because of the subject matter and cast, but they certainly wouldn't have any particular expectations for the martial arts elements depicted.

Perhaps people will be interested in his business dealings, but that's about it.

A blood oath is different.

The online buzz was overwhelming, with the Kung Fu Emperor's comeback film generating massive hype.

His influence, the influence of a Hollywood star.

No one can ignore it.

"Hollywood is back! That's quite a hype. So, Stephen Chow, would you like to see this groundbreaking film that will revitalize Hong Kong cinema?" At this moment, Cheng Shilong smiled slightly and looked at Stephen Chow next to him.

The two then drank tea at the restaurant.

They were discussing what was happening in the film industry.

Stephen Chow, whose hair was already turning gray, looked at the newspaper, but his eyes were fixed on something else.

Rising stars from mainland China clash with Hollywood superstars.

"A Hollywood superstar? If Hollywood really welcomes Chinese people that much, why is he back?" Stephen Chow covered the newspaper and said calmly, "This is another resurgence of the Hong Kong film industry. It doesn't seem like he was in charge of it."

"What do you think, Brother Long?"

"You're asking for my opinion? If I had to choose between these two movies, I'd probably choose The Warlords."

Cheng Shilong smiled slightly: "Perhaps with his Hollywood technology, he can really make Hong Kong's film industry shine again, at least it won't be in a situation where the box office is suppressed by 70%."

Cheng Shilong remains somewhat optimistic about the future of Hong Kong's film industry.

Talented people emerge in every generation, and future generations will have their own wisdom.

"This Li Yun, this young man you had high hopes for back then, I never expected him to choose the same path as Ye Weixin and Zhen Zidan."

"How so?"

"Donnie Yen and Ye Weixin are both excellent, but they have their own problem. The path they took was the wrong path that I verified back then. Maybe they can make a living, but it's really not that easy for them to give outstanding answers."

Cheng Shilong was a martial arts star who came from Shaw Brothers, so he naturally knew how Shaw Brothers declined.

They insist on the so-called real fighting.

That's how we've always gotten here.

So now we have kung fu comedy superstar Jackie Chan, but those guys who used to specialize in real fighting have long since left the industry due to injuries or been eliminated by the film market.

These are all common sense.

All that's left is Kung Fu Comedy King.

Only Brother Long was left.

It has been proven that the traditional path of kung fu and martial arts had reached a dead end.

If we go through it again now, the result won't be any different.

The spiral of progress in history has made this already outdated way of performing even more so.

It lacks competitiveness.

The times have changed.

What's frustrating is that a promising young man has also chosen this old-fashioned and outdated path.

Go and follow the old era.

That was a terrible choice.

Stephen Chow himself doesn't know whether or not this applies if they really have to make a choice.

I will only choose the movie "The Warlords".

but.

"I'm going to see the movie 'Ip Man.' If you don't come with me, I'll have to go to the theater alone," Stephen Chow said casually.

Cheng Shilong, who was standing next to him, was somewhat taken aback.

"are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Your opinion just now was exactly the same as mine."

"Actually, my opinion is exactly the same as yours now. I also dislike the old Shaw Brothers formula. Those are films I watched when I was a teenager. Now I've grown a white beard, so how can that stuff work?"

Stephen Chow's words contained a hint of sarcasm.

But there was also a lot of heartache.

This is something that everyone needs to acknowledge.

Stephen Chow is getting old.

As the years have passed, mottled marks have crept onto his body.

He grew old, just like everyone else.

And along with them, the Hong Kong film industry is also aging.

The world ultimately belongs to the young.

At that moment, Stephen Chow's gaze fell upon the elegant young man on the promotional poster.

Li Yun.

This young man, who had once collaborated with him, is now capable of leading a commercial film on his own.

This time, he even appeared in front of people as someone who directed and acted in the show himself.

Aren't you curious? About the young people you met back then.

How far has he grown since then?

Although I don't approve of this subject matter.

But I want to see the young man I admire.

That's it.

The movie "Ip Man" has started.

At this moment, Liu Dehua, sitting in the premiere theater, watched the silver screen in front of him.

In terms of image quality...

This amount of funding is indeed not too low.

The visual presentation is quite good.

The opening scene showcases a vibrant martial arts village called Foshan.

And this beginning comes from Master Liao of Tongbei Quan, who comes from even further south.

He wants to open a martial arts school in Buddha Mountain.

There's a rule in the Buddhist robes: if you want to open a martial arts school here, you have to challenge other schools and gain their approval to become a master.

Only those who are qualified are eligible to teach martial arts here.

The confident Master Liao chose Ip Man, the master of Wing Chun, as his first challenger.

He was eager to establish himself here.

There's a Mr. Liao outside looking for you.

"He is a true master of Southern Fist, the famous Chen Zhihui of the Martial Arts Association." At this moment, Liu Dehua smiled slightly as he looked at Master Liao.

He rattled off his name as if reciting a familiar story.

Li Yun was somewhat surprised by this.

Andy Lau actually knows Chan Chi-fai.

"Why that expression? I already said I came to the premiere because I'm interested in this movie."

Andy Lau stroked his chin and said, "For me, martial arts films are a memory of my youth. My enlightenment in the art film industry was all in the old Shaw Brothers movies."

It turns out that Andy Lau is genuinely interested in this type of martial arts film.

This gave Chen Zhihui, who was standing next to him, some solace.

This subject matter does have a fixed audience.

There are still people who haven't forgotten traditional Chinese martial arts.

The movie officially begins at this point with a fight scene between Master Liao and Ip Man, a Wing Chun master.

The opening is typical of martial arts films, telling the audience that the dance moves that follow will be just as impressive as the first fight scene.

The first encounter between Master Ye and Master Liao.

One who is very capable.

One of them struggled to fight, completely lacking the flair he displayed when he first challenged the other and was eager to make a name for himself.

Fists, kicks, elbows, and hands.

Every shot, every angle, even to the point of being a single, continuous take.

A martial arts scene filmed in a single, continuous shot.

This is the beginning.

Liu Dehua exclaimed that it was absolutely brilliant.

"Wow, that was a real fight, Li. Your kung fu is just as amazing as the rumors say."

Liu Dehua was somewhat shocked at this moment.

Because Li Yun used it.

It is indeed authentic Wing Chun.

For Lau Tak-hua, who has been fascinated by martial arts movies since childhood, this beautiful Wing Chun move was performed with the flair of an expert.

Very professional, very beautiful.

It's also very strong.

Extremely strong.

"What a fantastic fight scene!"

At this moment.

On the mainland side.

Wu Jing and his son Wu Jinquan walked into the film set of "Ip Man".

At this moment, Wu Jing stared intently at the big screen.

He desperately wanted to find evidence of a fake fight, meaning evidence of Li Yun's underhanded tactics.

For example, use long shots, multiple lenses, and various angles to search.

But the Li Yun portrayed on the screen in front of us.

He has absolutely no blind spots.

He was a highly skilled martial arts master, showing off his martial arts prowess.

"Dad, do you think he's a true practitioner of Wing Chun?"

"It's very authentic, even more authentic than that so-called Wing Chun successor in our martial arts association. I have no doubt that this is the punch Ip Man himself threw."

Wu Jinquan stared intently at the big screen.

It is said that laymen watch the spectacle, while experts see the details. As a member of the martial arts association, he could tell that Li Yun was using authentic Wing Chun.

"Did he practice Wing Chun before?"

"No, absolutely not! When I met him, he had never known any of the techniques of Wing Chun!" Wu Jing found it completely unbelievable.

To learn a skill, one needs at least years of immersion in it.

Even if you're a genius, you still need time to hone your skills.

Li Yun, standing before us, completely defied this common sense.

He was a master of authentic Wing Chun.

Meanwhile, Wu Jing and Wu Jinquan, members of the martial arts association who were with them, spoke up timidly.

"Is Uncle Chen Zhihui's acting really that good? It seems his transformation has been very successful. He looks so pathetic after being beaten up. It doesn't look like he's acting."

"Is it possible that he was really beaten up and left in a sorry state?"

"That's impossible. Uncle-Master Chen Zhihui practices boxing diligently every day. He's a true master of Chinese martial arts."

Even newcomers to the martial arts association know that those supposedly prestigious lineage members are just good-for-nothings.

But Chen Zhihui, the master of Northern Fist, is not.

He is a true martial arts master.

Wu Jing and Wu Jinquan could see that Chen Zhihui was on screen.

That is, Master Liao.

He really gave it his all.

It really does look like it.

Challenge a true champion.

While Master Ye was facing off against Jinshan.

That feeling deepened the impression on Wu Jing and Wu Jinquan.

Authentic Wing Chun moves swiftly and gracefully in his hands.

From the perspective of a true martial arts master.

He was a true master of his generation.

(End of this chapter)