[2024.05.04] CUSTOMS FRONTLINE PREMIERES IN UDINE

The corner of Nicholas Tse was sliced open by an inch, luckily no scar remained

Nicholas Tse congratulates Zhang Yimou on his Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement

Fans flock to Nicholas Tse for autographs
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Zhang Yimou and Chiu Fu-Sheng

CUSTOMS FRONTLINE's screenwriter Erica Li (left), action director and star Nicholas Tse, director Herman Yau (right) with Zhang Yimou
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Emperor Motion Picture CUSTOMS FRONTLINE would open on July 5th, and good news came on the eve of its release as the film has been invited to be the 26th Udine Far East Film Festival closing film. Director Herman Yau Lai To, screenwriter Erica Li Man and lead actor Nicholas Tse Ting Fung personally went to Udine, Italy to attend the film festival and had contact with the CUSTOMS FRONTLINE world premiere live audience up close. Ting Fung hoped that Chinese language films would connect internationally. He also wanted to work with Zhang Yimou.

Ting Fung's schedule has been intense, upon landing in Udine he immediately headed to the film festival venue. The 26th Udine Far East Film Festival Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented before the CUSTOMS FRONTLINE world premiere. International master class director Zhang Yimou personally accepted the honor. Ting Fung attended the presentation with director Yau Lai To and Li Man and gave their highest salute to director Zhang Yimou. Ting Fung even chatted with Director Zhang and took photos, looking forward to the opportunity of working together in the future.

Ting Fung shared the production experience from CUSTOMS FRONTLINE. He revealed that in one scene he fell from a dozen or so meters to the ground, the impact turned the sunglasses into a sharp object that deeply sliced the corner of his right eye. "As soon as the glasses sliced I was bleeding, at the time I didn't know I needed stitches. Luckily later I recovered, otherwise I would probably have an inch long scar here (pointing at the corner of his eye)."

CUSTOMS had many large scale scenes, some involved many giant trailers and ships. Ting Fung stated that he was risking his life every minute. "This time I did a lot of preparation before hand. Because I insisted on using large actual sized material, we used a lot of heavy equipment. Most were over 1,000 pounds or even 2 tons. We really couldn't have any mishap! Normally when a prop table would ram into you, you might only have bruises and scratches, but if these heavy trailers ram into you, you might die! So I have been even more cautious with this production than movies before. Our new team tried the stunts many times, before shooting we already blew up 5 cars and knocked over many trailers. Ultimately we had to be careful."

Working with Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Ting Fung praised his strong ability to replicate the action. He even revealed that Hok Yau had a major breakthrough. "Over the years probably no one has seen Hok Yau fight with a weapon. I am very happy to give him the chance to make the breakthrough with us. I used a long staff, while he used a short one. If we were accurate, hitting our fingers would have been a pretty big deal. I thank him for trusting us."

CUSTOMS FRONTLINE became the 26th Udine Far East Film Festival closing film. Many viewers descended upon the premiere venue for advantageous positions. When CUSTOMS FRONTLINE creators Ting Fung, director Herman Yau Lai To and Erica Li Man arrived, they caused a stir as viewers fought for autographs. Ting Fung also responded to every request and tried his best to please everyone; before the show began, Ting Fung, director Yau Lai To and Li Man personally shared their experience on the stage. Director Yau Lai To said, "I am very glad to come to Udine again, run into some good friends and meet some new ones. Everyone is here because of their love of film; CUSTOMS FRONTLINE aside from the participation of the outstanding screenwriter Li Man also has Ting Fung as the action director. This is Ting Fung's first attempt in the film world. I am very honored to have his first time in this post in the film I directed, CUSTOMS FRONTLINE." Li Man said, "This is probably my third time at this film festival. CUSTOMS FRONTLINE is not about a superhero, but a story that an ordinary person can also demonstrate heroic action. It is an extraordinary action film." Ting Fung said, "I am very honored to be able to come to the CUSTOMS FRONTLINE's global premiere. Everyone would become the first audience of this film, to be able to very truly experience this film. I hope you would like it."

CUSTOMS FRONTLINE before its release has already garnered the attention of international film festival, which Ting Fung admitted felt greatly encouraged. "Of course I am happy, I very much hope for Chinese language films to connect with the world. this time would be a great platform and opportunity." CUSTOMS FRONTLINE has been rather important for Ting Fung, who from planning to production has given his all in order to achieve the perfect result. Ting Fung said, "It's the first time I am the action director, our explosions are real explosions. Falling from several floors above, of course I have wire assistance but truly I still personally perform. All the methods I use are the most traditional methods of Hong Kong action films, I really hope in the future to introduce anew, inspire some young people to understand and like this industry; for me, if an action film has no danger, it isn't called an action film; but now too few young people would work on action films!" Ting Fung had his heart set on passing the torch of Hong Kong action film. He traveled thousands of miles from Shanghai to Udine to bring CUSTOMS FRONTLINE to the overseas market. Ting Fung said that this trip would be very memorable. "From Shanghai to Udine requires almost 20 hours. We would first spend 9 hours to fly from Shanghai to Dubai, after an over 3 hour layover in Dubai we would spend 6 and a half hours to fly to Venice. Then from Venice we would take a half hour flight to Udine and directly begin to work. Now I still feel a little dizzy."