Actor Donnie Yen's new crime action movie "Chasing the Dragon," based on the true story of Ng Ski-ho (1930-91), an infamous drug lord in Hong Kong in the 1960s and '70s, will be released on Sept 30th.
Yen said that for a long time he hoped his movies would transfer positive energy. So, when director Wong Jing invited him to play Ng, he initially hesitated. He was concerned that it would be difficult to explain to his children and their classmates about the screen transformation from a hero to a ruthless criminal.
But Wong, one of the most prolific film directors in Hong Kong, helped him overcome such concerns.
The director made Yen believe that the role would become a breakthrough in his career as he had not played such a role earlier. Also, the movie marks his first teaming up with Andy Lau, one of the most celebrated stars in Hong Kong.
Yen said it was a very exciting experience. He has learned a lot of acting skills from Lau.
To better play the role, Yen recruited a coach to teach him to speak in the Teochew dialect, as Ng was born and raised in Shantou, Guangdong province, where it is spoken.
Wong says "Chasing the Dragon" is a Chinese equivalent of "Once Upon a Time in America," the 1984 classic about some New York gangsters.
Source: China Plus/China Daily