The 17th Beijing University Student Film Festival began on April 7 with the premiere of the Chinese action film “Ip Man 2.” Director Wilson Yip, producer Raymond Wong, screenwriter Edmond Wong and Donnie Yen, who played the main role, not only attended the festival and interacted with students, but also stayed for the screening. Donnie Yen admitted that it was the first time he watched the entire film.
The audience reacted extremely intensely. During the viewing, the entire audience applauded more than fifteen times, and the eyes of many spectators were full of tears. Raymond and Edmond Wong also cried during the session.
Most students and film buffs are very familiar with this film festival. For 17 years, every spring, the festival program presents all avid film fans with a real holiday. To support the main idea (students film, students watch, students discuss), bright flags with the inscriptions “youthful enthusiasm, academic quality, cultural awareness” fluttered in the wind from beginning to end. Making the dreams of all generations come true, the festival provides a platform for university students to discuss and showcase creative works of art.
To avoid possible piracy, more than a hundred security personnel were deployed at the film's first Chinese premiere before its official release. All spectators and staff had to give up their mobile phones, cameras and other equipment during the viewing. However, such strict security measures, coupled with the cold Beijing wind, failed to hide even a fraction of the general enthusiasm of the young people sitting in the cinema. Three hours before the start of the screening, students excited about the upcoming screening discussed the film in small groups, standing in a huge line in front of the cinema. Many young people waiting said that in order to support the film, they would watch it with friends a second time or more.
Due to the extremely cold weather, it was not at all hot in the cinema. Most of the students were dressed for winter, but, despite everything, none of them could take their eyes off the screen. At the most interesting moments, they excitedly clapped and shouted, they were so engrossed in the film. The episode in which Ip Man had to engage in a fierce fight with a champion boxer from the West awakened patriotic fervor among young people. According to one of the viewers, “in the second part there are both laughter and tears. The blood of those who watched the fight episodes was filled with adrenaline. There wasn't a single scene that failed."
Throughout the session, everyone present applauded at least ten times, and the students' passions were inflamed. At the end of the film, many spectators did not want to leave.
For the first time, journalists and film fans agreed on one thing: “Great film!” One spectator, with tears in her eyes, said: “The second part turned out great and very touching. She completely met my expectations!” Then, cutely embarrassed, she said: “I still can’t stop crying.”
Last year, the screening of the first “Ip Man” opened one of the sub-programs of the 16th student film festival. He gained considerable popularity among film-loving students. This year, “Ip Man 2” was again at the film festival, but this time as the opening film of the festival, and, undoubtedly, included in its history. Wilson Yip, Raymond Wong, Edmond Wong and Donnie Yen came to promote the film. When Donnie Yen gave a small wave to the audience, causing deafening applause, it proved that Ip Man and the leading man were extremely popular among university students.
Such frequent applause is undoubtedly the best encouragement and support for these people who worked hard to make the film. Discussing potential box office success, director Wilson Yip said, “Just the opportunity of opening a student film festival gave me a lot of confidence.” When asked about the possible creation of a third film, Donnie Yen expressed himself formally: “You’ll have to ask the director about it.” To which Wilson Yip laughed and replied: “Then you need to ask the boss about it.” After this sentence, everyone turned around and looked at Raymond Wong. Surrounded by a thousand young faces full of anticipation, Wong said respectfully, “Of course, we have to wait for the final box office results. Plus, there are too many Ip Man movies on the market right now; We need to wait for the market to digest all this before considering making a third part.” He encouraged the young people with the following words: “The future of film depends on you, students!”
Despite Donnie Yen's words that he currently has no plans to star in the next Ip Man movie, he added that he will definitely continue to star in other outstanding films that can celebrate Chinese culture. Since he had seen the film for the first time, after watching it he said with obvious excitement: “During some episodes I cried myself. I saw Mr. Raymond Wong crying at the same time as me. We all put a lot into this film. When we watched it, it seemed to us as if we were watching someone else's movie, with different actors. We were completely engrossed in the story." He also said with confidence that it is the simple plot of “Ip Man” that can truly “touch” the viewing audience: “There is no need for a complex and deep plot. On the contrary, a simpler story can be more moving.”
Viewers endlessly praised Donny's acting, calling him a “five-star” actor and “the Wong Fei Hungg of the 21st century.” One viewer said this: “The fight between Sammo Hungg and Donnie Yen alone is worth the price of the entire ticket.”
I don’t think the film will appear on Russian screens. Although maybe in a couple of years they will show it on TV...
My pleasure. ;)
I think it's easier to wait for the DVD
By the way, thank you very much for the article
will appear on screens in Russia, when?