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-- Champions --

Champions, a martial arts comedy directed by Tsui Siu Ming, opens in China on October 31. The film features a variety of martial arts: Eagle Claw, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, Southern Fist, Ditang Fist, Fanzi Fist, Arhat Fist, Tiger Taming Fist, etc, as well as an assortment of weaponry; and appearances by numerous wushu champions.

One notable wushu star in the film is Xu Xiang Dong, who plays An Yong, Chief of Eagle Claw Clan, who goes around challenging everybody initially. As one who stands by the motto "One who remains standing is the winner, one who is lying on the ground the loser.", he organises a martial arts meet to let everyone witness the prowess of his skills.

As opposed to many recent big-budget Chinese period productions of late, which were made to impress with elaborate sets and dandified costumes, but are ultimately lacking in plot, A Battle Of Wits, while not perfect, is a heartfelt attempt in movie-making. It's brilliantly written, and unpretentious in its presentation by not over-indulging in opulently ornate sets and spotlessly clean, garish and outlandish costumes. Although the director Cheung Chi Leung doesn't dig deep into Mohism, he still tries his best to bring out the message of universal love and peace through the selfless deeds of the Mohist follower protagonist Ge Li, and showing the traumas and tragedies caused by war. A Battle of Wits is about how Ge Li helps defends a tiny State of Liang against the overwhelming troops led by the formidable general from the much larger State of Zhao, in the hope of preventing casualties and massacres. At the same time, he has to face treachery from the politicians of the nation he is defending. Directed by Cheung Chi Leung. Starring Andy Lau, Ahn Sung Ki, Fan Bing Bing Tak Wah, Wang Zhi Wen, Nicky Wu, Zensyo Sakamoto, with cameos from Yu Cheng Hui, Xu Xiang Dong, Chin Siu Ho.

The 2-Disc Special Edition of A Battle of Wits, to be released on 1 Feb,  comes with 86 minutes extras, including teasers and trailers, a making-of featurette, premier clips, interviews with Jacob Cheung, Andy Lau, and Nicky Wu, photo gallery, etc. Available from YesAsia.

-- City Without Mercy --

Ray Lui, Ngai Sing (Collin Chou), and Shi Xing Yu are joining City Without Mercy 《破军》 as the main villains, who are also masters of fighting. They are expected to have some solid fights against police officers played by Donnie Yen and Louis Koo in this Wilson Yip's follow up to SPL (but is not a sequel per se). Main female roles are being played Fan Bing Bing, who stars in the upcoming Battle of Wits by Cheung Chi Leung, which is perhaps the only period production worth anticipating this year, and Xu Qing. Fan Bing Bing plays Louis Koo's girlfriend and is someone who is unyielding in love while Xu Qing is a high-ranking police, Donnie Yen's superior, who treads finely between good and evil and is related to the various male leads. Originally planned to take place in Macau, director Wilson Yip eventually decides to move to story back to Hong Kong, with filming be done there as well.  Shanghai News Times

Battle of Wits, a US$16 million movie jointly produced by China, Japan and Korea, is set in BC 370 Spring Autumn Warring Period, in which the powerful Zhao tries to conquer the weaker Liang. Ge Li, a Mohist who advocates benevolence rather rather than war, is sent to help Liang fight against the marauding nation, with contradiction between war and peace being the main theme of the movie, in which a gripping story emerges from amongst the feudal lords and populace. Director Cheung Chi Leung, who denies giving up arthouse movies for martial arts movies, says that his movie is always about love, which is a trait of everyone, be they commoners and pugilists. It's just that he uses other means to express love this time. Starring Andy Lau, Fan Bing Bing, Wang Zhi Wen, Lin Yong Jian, Nicky Wu, Chin Siu Ho, Wu Ma, Anh Sung Ki.  Sohu, Xiao Xiang News | Photos: Sohu, Sina | Video: Sina

-- Battle of Wits --

Production of Battle of Wits 《墨攻》has begun on Oct 7. Recently, an epic battle scene was shot on Inner Mongolia steppes. To highlight the wisdom and courage of Ge Li (Andy Lau), who comes from the House of Mo, director Cheung Chi Leung planned out various battle formations and strategies. Well over 1000 actors were employed for the scene, including 700 infantries, 150 extras, 400 horses and equestrians, plus 40 full time actors. The scene took over 40 hrs to shoot, with 350 production crew working at both sides of the mountains, using four cameras and cranes. Stephen Tung Wei directs the action. Cast includes Andy Lau, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Ma, Nicky Wu, Chin Siu Ho, Anh Sung Ki, Sammy Hung. Today Evening News