Chen Kaige's fantasy love epic The Promise has achieved the strongest opening ever in the Mainland China. Yet, its revenue in Hong Kong is relatively weak.

The revenue from the pre-release screening day in 14th December, 2005 is about 8 million RMB in Mainland, breaking the old record of 2.1 million RMB set by Hero, another epical film with Hong Kong and Mainland stars working together.

In the opening day (15th December), the revenue of The Promise in Mainland amounts 21.14 million RMB, breaking the old record of 18 million RMB set by Hollywood Blockbuster Titanic.

Its Mainland revenue from the first weekend (15th to 18th December) is a total of 74.52 million RMB, breaking the old record of 63 million RMB, set by Kung Fu Hustle, a ground-breaking work by Hong Kong's most famous comedian Stephen Chow. The highest single-day revenue is generated on the first Friday (16th December), about 25 million RMB, breaking the old record of 22 million RMB, also set by Kung Fu Hustle.

In Hong Kong, facing strong opponents releasing in the same week, its revenue is relatively weak. Its box office for the first weekend (15th to 18th December) is only about HK$ 2.39 million, behind King Kong (HK$ 10.44 million) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (HK$ 3.72 million). Critics also cite that the World Trade Organization Conference could be another factor of the lower opening box office.

(hkfilmart December 22, 2005)