Ekin Cheng

Lin Chiling
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A Mainland site recently conducted a survey of the ten most rotten Chinese film of the first half of the year. They included Julian Cheung Chi Lam's BORN TO LOVE YOU, Michelle Chen's BADGES OF FURY and Ko Chen-Tung's TINY TIMES. Surprisingly THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) with over 200 million yuan RMB Mainland box office came in fifth. The Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling starred SWITCH has been controversial since its release and received the most votes as the favorite. Many online claimed that the film made no sense, action fight scenes turned into absurdity. It absolutely was insulting viewers who bought tickets for it.

Lin Chiling with almost 2,000 votes won "Rotten Film Queen". "Rotten Film King" was Dior Cheng Yi Kin. Some online joked that Ekin like Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Donnie Yen Chi Tan had "facial paralysis" when he acted. He had no expression. His SAVING GENERAL YANG performance received over 4,000 votes, almost half of the total votes.

Andy Lau's SWITCH has made 250 million yuan RMB in the Mainland but has been called a product placement promotional film

Lin Chiling wants to elevate herself with SWITCH but ends up reducing herself to "flower pot".
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The Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling starred SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SAN GUI TOH) accumulated over 250 million yuan RMB at the Mainland box office, but its poor review was just as strong as the box office. The poor review even expanded to Hong Kong and Taiwan. The film after 6 days in release in Hong Kong made around HK$1.5 million. In Taiwan to avoid Lin Chiling to be the only target, today's premiere and all promotions have been cancelled in the last minute. Some online joked that Lin Chiling who had her heart set on being promoted from "flower vase" to "blue and white porcelain" now could only be a "flower pot".

Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling's first collaboration made over 250 million yuan RMB in the Mainland but landed countless bad reviews. Most focused on flaws like the director's skills, the story, and editing. The film gathered all manners of film ideas but not the story itself; viewers thought they were watching a spy film that was also like a romance, but in the end it was also an action film with comedy. They truly were unable to find the theme. Some pointed out that this film was like a product placement promotional films and "the most rotten of rotten films".

The film was released in Hong Kong for 6 days, its box office was only HK$1.5 million. Wa Jai only said about SWITCH being called a rotten film, "It's very fair for people to want to criticize, only every film has its own fate. I hope this film's word of mouth wouldn't affect BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM)'s performance because the two films have nothing to do with each other. If you want to blame someone blame it on 'Lau Tak Wa', please do not add it to BLIND DETECTIVE."

Since Wa Jai was unable to promote in Taiwan, Lin Chiling would become the only target. Thus the premiere and promotions scheduled for tonight have been cancelled. Lin Chiling replied through her manager Dannis, "Thank you film company for being attentive!" He felt that this film's various negative reviews in the Mainland have already lost focus. After discussions with the film company they decided to cancel the promotions for the recently ailing Lin Chiling to properly rest.

Lin Chiling originally hoped to work with Lau Tak Wa and elevated herself from "flower vase" to "blue and white porcelain" status. Yet online rating has reduced her to "flower pot". However, many praised how well Lin Chiling maintained her figure. Her manager said, "Lin Chiling concentrated on her acting job and completed the director's requests. She should happily accept good responses, humbly accept criticism, respect and coordinate with the film company's decisions."

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Andy Lau has always wanted to play James Bond.  Lin Chiling says that he is the only one in Asia who can do it
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Lin Chiling and Andy Lau Tak Wa spoke to Cable's Film Montage. She said that in SWITCH she had a variety of costumes to attract Lau Tak Wa's attention, which was close to her view on love. "If I run into a man who I love very much, I would spare nothing to win him over." Her student look in the film was her favorite, as it enabled her to relive her youth.

Lau Tak Wa said that the two lead actresses had their own specialties. "Lin Chiling is a good student who is very obedient; Zhang Jingchu is the academic type, everything has to be very clear. On the set she keeps on asking why." He even shared his view on "Even the strongest warrior can be seduced by a beautiful woman." "This is something that never changes. This film is very strange. When lead actresses fight they wear so little."

Playing a lost fighter is not difficult for Nick Cheung

Eddie Peng has 3 months of hellish training for the film
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The 16th Shanghai International Film Festival will open on Saturday. The opening ceremony will have almost 400 Chinese and foreign film stars and guests, including director Oliver Stone, Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Lin Chiling, Huang Xiaoming, Jo In-Sung and Kim Ha-Neul. The committee at the opening ceremony will present Chinese Film Outstanding Contribution Award to Tsui Hark and a Film Lifetime Achievement Award to Oliver Stone.

The Shanghai International Film Festival's Golden Goblet Awards have 14 nominated films, 3 of which are Chinese films. They are the Dante Lam Chiu Yin directed UNBEATABLE (GIK JIN), Sherwood Hu Xueha's AMAZING and and Barbara Wong Chun Chun's THE STOLEN YEARS. UNBEATABLE's lead actors Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Eddie Peng Yu-Yen caught attention as they will compete with Huang Xiaoming and Joseph Chang Hau Chuen for Best Actor. In the film Cheung Ka Fai played a lost fighter, earlier his muscle man transformation was already the talk of the town. Peng Yu-Yen during the shoot also had 3 months of hellish training to turn his body into 3% fat condition.

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Andy Lau and Lin Chiling have chemistry 

Andy Lau continues to play cool while Lin Chiling plays pregnant
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Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling worked together on the film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SAN GUI TOH), which opened yesterday. Lin Chiling in the film had 24 costumes and she liked every one of them. Her favorite was the bald priestess look, which took 5 hours. "After it was completed, no one was able to recognize me." Wa Jai also thought Lin Chiling's bald look was very special but was not natural enough.

Wa Jai revealed that he and Lin Chiling had an ambiguous relationship but few ambiguous scenes. He complained that they did not have a single bed scene. Wa Jai said, "I of course would like a bed scene with Lin Chiling." Did he feel any regret? Wa Jai felt that opportunity will always present itself in the future. Someone suggested that later he could fund a film that had bed scenes with Lin Chiling in the entire film. Wa Jai said, "That's good too. We will fight from the bunk bed to the water bed, which will be very special. After RUNNING OUT OF TIME (UM JIN), it will be UM CHONG SAT GEI (HIDDEN BED KILLING INTENT)." Even Wa Jai could not help but laugh at this point. He even asked Lin Chiling if she would make it. If Lin Chiling did not he would not make it. Lin Chiling played along, "Since Wa Jai asked, how dare I not agree."

Wa Jai was all ready except for investors. "As soon as I have investors it will start production right away, I believe as soon as the news hits the street, the phone will be ringing nonstop. I will be very busy." Later he asked investors not to be sneaky. Lin Chiling thought he was being serious about a series of bed scenes with her. She screamed, "I am very scared!"

Wa Jai revealed that the most memorable part of SWITCH was the 40 story jump with Lin Chiling in Dubai. "I never thought about jumping, but Lin Chiling didn't know how to be scared. Before I approved she already said that she wanted to try it." Lin Chiling said, "I am Gutsy Lin, I like to take risks." Wa Jai revealed that the daring Lin Chiling did not know how to jump. "I told her, just jump. When I let go, you let go; she asked me when so I could only push her off." Lin Chiling said, "I was scared to death, I thought guys would hold girls' hands. I didn't expect him to push me off. So this is the only time, I won't jump again."

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The Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling starred film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SAN GUI TOH) two nights ago held a premiere at apm, attracted several thousands fans who packed the shopping center. When Wa Jai said that in the film he played a Chinese special agent and was just as handsome as he always has been, fans immediately cheered and screamed Wa Jai endlessly. Wa Jai thus arrogantly said, "Just from listening to these voices you would know, sometimes it's pretty good to be an idol."

Working with Wa Jai for the first time, Lin Chiling said that it was like a dream. Several years ago at the Golden Horse Award, she had a "hug of love" with her idol Wa Jai. She never expected to have a "jump of love" this time. Wa Jai pointed out that Lin Chiling took risks and was daring. When she wanted to jump, he could only follow; finally the host asked them for another "hug of love".

Later, Wa Jai revealed that at the Golden Horse Award he felt Lin Chiling would turn him down and could not feel more embarrassed. He said, "I stood there waiting for her hug, I extended my arms for a dozen second or so and she still hasn't acted. So I could only lower my arms, I felt like I was turned down." Lin Chiling immediately explained that at the time many Wa Jai fans were present, she felt very scared and embarrassed. Wa Jai said, "Now she is much more daring." How did another "hug of love" with the great beauty feel? Wa Jai said, "In the film we had too many hugs, but their impact was still great."

The film was already released in the Mainland and had a big opening. Wa Jai thanked everyone for their support and said that it was very encouraging that viewers accepted them. In recent years the Mainland liked strong stories and scripts that were closer to it. SWITCH was a commercial film, although it already opened in the Mainland he did not ask about the box office. He also never thought about how many hundred million yuan it will make. He said, "One step at a time." The Mainland version was 40 minutes longer than the Hong Kong and Taiwan versions, so many Lin Chiling scenes like the S and M scene would not appear in Hong Kong. Lin Chiling admitted that and thus asked everyone to watch the Mainland version in the Mainland after watching the Hong Kong version.

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling starred film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SHAN GUI TOH) opened in the Mainland with 46 million RMB to be the single day box office champion, but its word of mouth was not in proportion. With big stars, foreign locations and three years in production as its draw, the 3D special agent film in the end was rated as challenging the "rotten film" bottom line. Some viewers demanded refunds and even jokingly demanded mental anguish compensation, most of the reviews were negative.

Many online reviews are about SWITCH. Some said that aside from the beautiful shots and scenery, the story had no plot to speak of. The product placement advertising situation was severe, some even said that the film was covered with ads. "It's not product placement in the film, it's film placement in advertising." Some also said that the film had all the elements and called it a "god film" with horror, comedy, action, science fiction and heist, as well as S and M, Oedipal complex, with help from magic, acrobatics and artistic gymnastics; in the end it was a complete mess with confusing character relationships. Someone said, "Sister Chiling suddenly appears and suddenly disappears. Lau Tak Wa appears, then disappears too! Zhang Jingchu suddenly becomes a superwoman, suddenly they cry and the audience laugh. The fight scene climax shakes the audience, because everyone laugh." However, some also praised this film as a beauty pageant program, with beauties in different costumes and "career lines".

Director Jay Sun Jianjun was very accepting of online criticism and even wrote that he wanted to be a great host. When he was little he was poor but he would cook a catty of eggs that took a month to come by for guests. This time was no exception; as a Chinese film chef he felt only by using shark fin like cellophane noodles he was able to answer for the expensive ticket prices. He even asked viewers to forgive his shortcoming!

Andy Lau and Lin Chiling continue to promote SWITCH
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Andy Lau Tak Wa continued to promoted the film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SHAN GUI TOH) in the Mainland with Lin Chiling. Lin Chiling said, "Wa Jai maintains the romantic gentleman look 24 hours a day, when I see him I would become bashful." Wa Jai revealed that if the film made over 500 million RMB he might personally direct the sequel. In the film Lau Tak Wa played a romantic special agent. In comparison with Tom Cruise, he graciously said, "I am still quite honored to be compared like this. I can say, I am the 'Tom Cruise" who represents China in the entire world." Reportedly the film company revealed that the production cost over 160 million, the film at least will need more than 400 million at the box office to break even. Wa Jai said, "If the box office passes 500 million, I will personally direct the sequel."

Lin Chiling in the film had 12 different looks. Was she afraid that she would be referred to as a "flower vase"? She whined, "I am afraid! So don't say that!"

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Lin Chiling, Andy Lau, Zhang Jingchu
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Andy Lau Tak Wa's daughter Lau Heung Wai just celebrated her first birthday. Recently his wife Chu Lai Sin was rumored to be pregnant again as she hoped to have a son for him. Wa Jai two days ago attended her film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SHAN GUI TOH)'s global premiere in Beijing and declined to respond to hypothetical questions.

Wa Jai originally would answer all questions at the press conference, but he always protected his family privacy. When asked about rumors about his wife's second pregnancy, he immediately got serious and said, "Didn't I say everything online are rumors? If I have to clarify hypothetical questions as soon as they appear, it would be impossible. So I might as well not respond."

Wa Jai, Lin Chiling and Zhang Jingchu talked about the production during the press conference. In the film his special agent was a ladies' man who was stuck between his wife Zhang Jingchu and mysterious beauty Lin Chiling. He also had a lot of fight scenes. Wa Jai has always given people a good man image, but he joked, "This is a true nature performance!" He continued, "Fight scenes with provocative beauties are very distracting, I would lose concentration. Fights with men are very natural."

Wa Jai hoped SWITCH would make over 400 million yuan RMB at the box office as the director predicted. According to calculation, 400 million would break even. "If (the film) doesn't break even, I am afraid that my salary will be reduced." Wa Jai has always had a dream to direct. He has written several scripts. "In recent years I have written a script about fire fighters, but recently two movies about fire fighters are slated for release. They wrote faster than I did." Wa Jai is still writing a script about the police. Originally in September he will have to hand it to the boss, but he felt the story was wrong. Now he is rewriting it.

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The director in order to capture the magic hour spends all day on this romantic beach shoot

Andy Lau represents the image of a thinker and a creator in a car ad
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The Andy Lau Tak Wa and Lin Chiling starred film SWITCH (TIN GEI FU CHUN SHAN GUI TOH) will be released on June 12. Because of the long post production, the cast looked forward to the film release very much. During the shoot, they went on location to many countries. The Dubai shoot was the most memorable to Wa Jai. He said because the production was very rushed, in Dubai they shot four locations in one day. During the location change he could only change in the vehicle. When he arrived at the next location, he went straight to work.

A beach romance scene that to him was not difficult at all unexpectedly took an entire day to shoot because the director wanted to capture the magic hour. Lin Chiling due to the sea breeze often had to stop the production halfway. She said that when she delivered her lines her hair got into her mouth. Sometimes sand was on her face. Wa Jai was very attentive, when he realized there was a problem he would remind the make up artist to fix it for her.