Shenzhen got a star-studded jump on the rest of the mainland and Hong Kong when Cecilia Cheung, Leo Ku and director Wong Jing came to town Saturday for the premiere of Kung Fu Sweetheart.

 

Opening at the Golden Harvest Shenzhen, it's the first time a Hong Kong-produced movie was released on the mainland 10 days before Hong Kong.

 

Raymond Chow Man-wai, chairman and co-founder of the Golden Harvest, was among the major movie men at the premiere. Chow and his company have produced more than 600 films since the 1970s and nurtured major international superstars including as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

 

Kung Fu Sweetheart, starring Cheung as the daughter of two kung fu masters (Yuen Chau and Yuen Wah), is a comedy pegged to Spring Festival entertainment. In fact, it opens nationally January 29.

 

SD: Your movies The Promise, The Shopaholics and Kung Fu Sweetheart are being released on the mainland within one month of each other. Which do you like most?

 

Cheung: I can't say which one is my favorite. The Promise is a world-class movie. The Shopaholics may be more related to daily life, and Kung Fu Sweetheart is a Chinese version Harry Potter.

 

SD: Are you your own role model for The Shopaholics The Hong Kong magazine Oriental Sunday said you spent HK$1.8 million (US$232,258) buying three new cars in a day.

 

Cheung: No. I must say I like shopping, but I never waste money. Many companies sponsor actresses' clothe, and sometimes I don't even need to go shopping. I didn't buy three new cars in a day. I just traded-in three old cars for new ones.

 

In the future, I'm planning to donate all the things I don't need to a charity fund to help those who have cancer.

 

SD: In the past 12 years, you only made 10 movies. Are you planning to have more works coming out this year?

 

Ku: To me, quality is much important than quantity. As a singer, I put lots of time into singing. In the new year, I will have two new albums, one in Cantonese and another in Mandarin.

 

SD: At 33, do you have any plan for marriage?

 

Ku: Not yet. I hope I can get married before 40. At present, I wish I had more time to sleep. I had throat and heart problems this year because of fatigue.

 

SD: Will you release an album or film for the mainland market?

 

Ku: I don't have a detailed plan at the moment. However, since many Hong Kong-made movies are allowed to be shown in mainland theaters now, mainland audiences can watch my latest films along with their Hong Kong counterparts.

 

(Shenzhen Daily January 23, 2006)