I'll Call You - Directed by Lam Tze-chung

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



STAR CHINESE MOVIES And Focus Films Wrap Production On
FOCUS: First Cuts’
Second High Definition Film – I’LL CALL YOU By Lam Tze-chung
Focus Films Boss Andy Lau Appears In Cameo; On Set To Celebrate Lam’s Birthday

Manila, 26 August 2005 – Following the successful completion of Taiwanese director Robin Lee’s THE SHOE FAIRY (starring popular Taiwanese singer/actress Vivien Hsu and Duncan), FOCUS: First Cuts is kicking into high gear with the completion of its second high-definition movie, I’LL CALL YOU, on 16 August 2005. A project collaboration between STAR CHINESE MOVIES and Hong Kong mega-star Andy Lau’s production company Focus Films, FOCUS: First Cuts’ second production, I”LL CALL YOU, stars Hong Kong pop singer Alex Fong and Hong Kong public transportation TV programme host Viann Leung. Watch out for an Andy Lau cameo, which was shot when he turned up on set to celebrate director Lam’s birthday!

Most recently seen as the sixth brother in SHAOLIN SOCCER and as Stephen Chow’s buddy in KUNG FU HUSTLE, the multi-talented Lam Tze-chung (aka fat boy Chung) made his directorial debut in I’LL CALL YOU, a film that satirises Hong Kong females’ never-ending demands on the opposite sex. In the movie, Alex Fong plays the overbearing boyfriend of Viann Leung, who often has the upper hand in their relationship due to her extraordinary beauty. When Fong finally gets sick and tired of her attitude and decides to break up with her, it’s all too late for Leung to undo the harm.

Although the film employed new talents both in front of and behind the camera, the shooting process went well and was completed on 16 August 2005. As a first-time director, fat boy Chung felt rather nervous and even dreamt about the movie in his sleep. But he joked that at least a director had the privilege to issue orders, while an actor doesn’t.

When Robin Lee began shooting THE SHOE FAIRY, boss Andy Lau promised to appear in a guest cameo as an electrician. But due to Lau’s hectic schedule, fat boy Chung took the part instead. This time, however, at the commencement of fat boy Chung’s I’LL CALL YOU, Lau finally did as promised, and made two mystery guest appearances in the film. Since it was also fat boy Chung’s birthday that night, Lau thoughtfully told the staff to have a cake ready so he could celebrate the director’s birthday.

Since the scene was shot in a dark indoor venue with a temperature of a whopping 38 degrees Celsius, Lau specially arranged an ice-cream cake for fat boy Chung so the director could cool down and work hard after eating it. When the staff brought out the cake, fat boy Chung was visibly touched and happy, not having expected his boss to remember his birthday.
During the celebration, Lau jokingly said that he didn't expect the seemingly mischievous chubby director to work so seriously. When Lau told the crew to bring out the cake and take a break for midnight snacks, fat boy Chung told his boss that he wouldn’t feel at ease eating unless he had finished the shoot for the night – a work ethic that Lau appreciates.

When asked what kind of guest roles he played, Lau disclosed, “The two roles I partake in have different personalities. I keep singing in front of Alex Fong for one, while supervising and educating him on love for the other. But both personas annoy Alex Fong to the extreme. Funny stuff!”

Lau praised Alex Fong even though it was the lad’s first time playing the lead on the silver screen. Lau thought that not only had Alex Fong effectively carried out his role, but the young actor was also very professional. Fong didn’t make the slightest complaint despite having to crawl into a putty hole and dirtying himself with sludge under the turgid weather.

In addition to having two guest appearances from Andy Lau in his directorial debut, the socially well-connected Chung even invited Yuen Qiu (KUNG FU HUSTLE), Lam Suet (KUNG FU HUSTLE) and Gordon Lam Ka-Tung (INFERNAL AFFAIRS) to appear in cameos. So there’s plenty to watch for aside from the exciting debut of a new talent. I’LL CALL YOU will premiere exclusively on STAR CHINESE MOVIES early next year.

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