New York Chinese Film Festival Interview Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen at the Marriott Marquis photo courtesy  Hubert Vigillia

Donnie Yen is one of cinema’s most charismatic screen presences, yet if you were to happen upon him in a crowd, it would take you a minute to realize who he was since he so completely blends in. That anonymity disappears when Yen begins to speak and reveals himself to be a well-mannered, well-spoken man of thought. To be certain he is a man of action on screen, but his choice of roles is always based on the character and the opportunity to grow as an actor.

Hubert Vigilla and I were recently given the chance to sit down with Yen while he was in Manhattan for the New York Chinese Film Festival. The statement about Yen blending into the crowd was borne out while I was fumbling to figure out where we were to meet the actor. He walked past us completely unnoticed, or unnoticed until Hubert did a double take at the man in the winter jacket and ripped jeans.

The interview was held in a restaurant on the 8th floor of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square between screenings of Ip Man and Special ID. We were given 20 minutes to ask any questions we wanted with no restrictions. The questions had been prepared by Hubert and myself with input from Mr C. What follows is a slightly edited transcript of our talk. One question was moved from the end into the body of the interview to improve the flow, and one question and some of my stumbling was removed.

Before we start, I want to thank The New York Chinese Film Festival for bringing Donnie Yen to New York, Anne Takahashi from Springer Associates for arranging the interview, Mr C for his guidance, Hubert for being my wingman and co-conspirator, and I want to thank Donnie Yen for being gracious enough to sit down with a couple of crazy fans and letting them ask a lot of questions.

Now as you begin to read the interview, imagine yourself at a half-empty restaurant sitting across the table from one of the biggest stars in all of Asia. He’s slightly tired from the jetlag but game and you’re a bit nervous…



STEVE (S):  I find it interesting that you've been doing movies for thirty years and only now, a couple years since Ip Man was released that it's being heralded as your international break though when you've been making movies all  over the world. Do you think of it as your  break through film?

DONNIE (D):  I don't know,  I just feel like I'm learning every day. I'm growing. Every movie that I do now, is, I feel like there is so much space for improving so sometimes I forget that I've been in the business this for so long. I feel like a person who has only been in the business for a few years, that kind of freshness that I get, you know, every time I take on a new project. I feel there is so much, new ideas, and vibes that I feel for that film and I look back and I say "Wow man I've done so many films in the last 30 years". I just feel like it didn't feel like its been thirty years, I feel like I'm constantly getting new simulations

S: Talking about new simulations, I'd had always heard that you always shyed away from sequels or remakes..

D: Not really...

S...but then you did Ip Man 2...

D:...I think I get motivated by new projects,  new concepts, and new character. When I've been in Ip Man, 2 Ip Man, I want to take a break because I know there is no area for me to grow as as Ip Man. What am I going to do challenge 80 in it? So...but I know what the audience wants me to do one day and I probably will do, but I don't feel it now. I want to take on other challenges. I did Monkey King,I did some comedies, Monkey was a huge break for me, so I'm going to continue to  look for different materials that as an artist allows me to feel fresh.

S: I know you're doing comedies now...

D: I think it's fun I just want to try it. I don't stress out. I goof around with my colleagues  So why not? They pay me so why not?

S: Talking of Monkey King I'm really curious because I heard you talking about it last year at the (New York) Asian Film Festival. Are you following...

D: Following. Following

S: How Much...

D: It's Very different than the Stephen Chow...you know...

S: I didn't get a chance to see it yet...

D; We follow the basic classic novels but of course I added a lot of new elements.As far as playing that character, playing Monkey King. I draw from cartoons. I draw from animal studies in the hopes of creating a brand new Monkey King played by Donnie Yen but with in the frame work. Some people want to... in the past I set that example... Stephen Chow's Monkey King, what he did last year he came out with this blockbuster totally opposite from the classic novel which is something that we're not doing. We're sticking with the tradtional story lines but the way I deliver the acting, its like slightly different, slightly more modern of course.

S:  Is that being done...Super Hero Films is the new company?

D: Yea

S: Is being done  through Super Hero Films?

D: No Monkey King's been done two years. Its coming out  because of post production. Super Hero's first film will be Dragon City.

S; Which is Dragon City? I was looking at a list (of your films), I saw Iceman, something called The Master coming out.

D:The Master is in development. Iceman is coming out in April

S:There's two of those ?

D: Part one and Two

S: Is that a remake of...

D: Not really. not really we use the story line slighly but its big different

HUBERT (H): Whats Dragon City actually?

D: Dragon City is kind of like The Untouchables.

S: When does that come out?

D:After I make the film. Its not in the making until maybe next summer

S: Is that going to be producing your stuff or other people?

D:Probably primarily my stuff.

S:Are you using Super Hero to branch out to do more international co-productions?

D:Not really. Not really I have... I  don't have any plan, or so called  international or not international or what.ever projects that I like. If I like a project I'll do it. It doesn't have to be so called international.  I'm not even sure I want to do Crouching Tiger. I'm considering doing it but it's not at the top of my list that I must do one project or the other.  Not right now I don't have a favorable projects that I want to do right away.

S: Are you going to do more producing? Its like with Iceman, Special ID you're producing...I see that you're producing much more..

D: Probably produce...I'll probably produce more more because Special ID is really interesting. At the moment we had a lot of problems with the production. I helped out as producer but I think that later on when I'm wholly a producer of my own films I'll have more control of the quality, the over all quality of the movie- so yes I'm probably going to produce more.

S: Are you going to use that as a platform to to go back to directing? Writing...

D: I don't know when I'm going to direct again because when you direct you spend a year or two, you know I don't have that kind of time and I don't have the material where I'd really want to.

H: I have a question based on Special ID. This is the third time you're fighting Colin Chou and the second time you're fighting Andy On. Could you talk about choreographing fights with people you've worked with before and....

D: I don't... I mean I could choreograph with anybody so long as they have athletic potential. Thats part of my job as action director.  The role fits for Andy On... there is no fighting for Colin Chou. Like I said there are a lot of problems with Special ID. Like I said  a lot of production problems and I wish the film came. A lot of areas can be more all around quality wise. Unfortunately this  is a co-production between Hong Kong and China and sometimes, unfortunately, I can not call the shots, but the action is pretty kick ass.

S: I've heard about a couple of recent projects that also had problems with doing the co-production thing. Does the co production between Hong Kong and China make it that much more difficult ?

D: Co-production is complicated because of material, censorship...at the same time China is going through...like...the film industry is growing rapidly in China which allows all sorts of different people to be part of the film business,some of them may not be filmmakers and have their own agenda. Its not a good thing all the time. At the same time the its the process  that as a growing industry must face and it will take a few years or longer to be able to scan out these... Probably kind of like the early 80's of the Hong Kong movie industry. You had stock people or business people who just want to be part of the film business. They invest in a film. They have their own opinions that are not necessarily good opinions because they are not filmmakers... That pretty much gives you an answer about Special ID.

H: How do you feel about your being known through bootlegs which were the way that they were available in the United States almost like a cult thing?

D: I don't feel anything. I'm fine with it because that's just the way it is.

S: That was the way I discovered you in Iron Monkey and I feel bad because you never got the money..

D: I'm not getting the money anyway, because as an actor I was paidas a salary so who ever owns the films gets the money. Back in the old days it was bootlegging. Now there are proper channels. It doesn't really effect me.

S: Jumping back to the fighting, is there any sort of fighting style that you'd like to try on screen?

D: Fighting style on screen? I don't ... I've done a lot of different material. I get excited more about story lines and the characters. I find a character that I'm drawn into then I pick a style that fits the character. I don't pick a style and go okay that's the character . Like I did Ip Man, well Ip Man  was a Wing Chun master so I have to do Wing Chun. Special Identity I did MMA because I thinkthat a cop can't do MMA and be out of style, you're not up to date. You're not as well rounded capable, not all around capable fighter nowadays. Its not the 80's. The 80's you do full contact and throw a few kicks and you're well equipt as far as being the hero of a film. Nowadaysbeing the hero of a film people are used to watching  Bourne Identity, so even Matt Damon can do a few MMA so to be able to stay on top and say why you want to watch a Donnie Yen film. I want to show the audience I'm on top of my game I'm going to lead the trend to show you what I can do with MMA different from...but with that said I'm not going to continue to do MMA, don't get me wrong, I mean I think I like MMA but I like different styles of martial arts.I watch UFC but as a filmmaker, as a person who creates characters in my films I will move beyond ...I'll find a style when I get there.

S: Because you bounce between modern and period films do you ever want to mix up Modern and period?

D: I'll Mix it up

S:  Do you have a problem mixing it up?

D: I don't have a problem mixining it up. I like mixing it up. I like different...I like new stuff that surprises people and I have been  and I feel pretty good  about my work the past four years has been constantly bringing something new to audiences. "Oh this is something different". Monkey King is of course mythologies and flying around. that said that's one style. Iceman is another style. I did this movie called Kung Fu Killer, originally it was called Best of the Best. Its Kung fu. Its strictly Kung fu  style. But I like to mix it up to create excitement for an audience.

S: I know you've been asked this a thousand times, but do you have a favorite film?

D: I don't have a favorite film. I really don't have a favorite film

S: Do you have a film that you wish you could do over again?

D: Everyone of them because I know I could do a better job.

H: Do you notice that on first watch or is it one of those things where you get a few years out and you get critical of yourself?

D: I get critical  when I'm done finishing the film. I find an area where I can do better. I look back on my work and I can do it this way or that way. That's why  my motivation is to be striving to be better all the time.

S: What do you watch...

D: What do I watch?

S: ...when you're chilling out

D: I watch all kind of materials. Lets just say that when I'm on the plane I switch through all the channels, first and foremost I don't watch action movies

S: Oh no I figured you wouldn't, but what would...

D: I like interesting, (ponders) I like interesting  material. I like acting. I like watching modern films because I can reflect to it because it happens to us everyday. City people, I'm a city person, I live in the city right. Drama. I watch a lot of drama because of characters played by good actors I study and appreciate their performance and I try to learn from it as well as having a good time watching it.

H: What is it about a character that attracts you Is it a quality or a story?

D: Well first I want to see if I've done it before. If I haven't done it before then I go off and then I try to imagine  what I would look like? How would I come off? but at the same time I'm very level headed especially more and more nowadays as I'm getting even more experienced as a filmmaker. I'm constantly think about how an audience would feel if I played it. I'm not wise enough to take on any material and roles and think I can do everything. I'm not. I'm very practical in what I play. But as an action guy my range is really wide I can even play a fireman because it involves action.So I have a lot of choices. But I'm not smart enough to play I don't know, a doctor and a specialist. Why would I want to do that and why would an audience want to see Donnie Yen playing that so I first evaluate how the audience would feel and what I want them  to be.

ANNE: Okay thats time.

S: Thank You

H: Thank you

D: Thank you

New York Chinese Film Festival: Special ID (2013)

The New York Chinese Film Festival was this week running from Tuesday to Thursday.  I was there for part of the opening night (pictures are coming) and I'm trying to get reports from Wednesday's all day screenings, but for right now I'm going to talk about the screening of Donnie Yen's Special ID.

Actually what I need to say is that Thursday was all Donnie Yen, with a screening of Ip Man before Special ID. I skipped Ip Man having seen it several times before. That meant missing the Q&A after the film, but, as you'll see in a day or so, Hubert and I had  something better, a private interview with Donnie Yen where we could ask anything we wanted. You'll be able to read what happened when its finished being transcribed.

I mention the interview because Yen spoke about his disappointment with the film during the interview. It seems that while the film as a whole is less than he hoped, he feels, rightly, that the action "kicks ass". I also mention the interview because it ran until the films start time we missed-sort of- the opening of the film.

The plot of Special ID has Donnie Yen's deep cover police officer wanting to come back out of the underworld. Before that can happen he has to follow the orders of his criminal boss and go from Hong Kong to China to retrieve some stole property. His cop boss sees this as a chance to bring down a criminal organization, the crime boss sees it as a way of killing several rats including Yen.

There isn't much here. Donnie has a bunch of kick ass MMA inspired fights and meets his match in a beautiful mainland cop. To be honest the film is largely disposable, with a plot line that is more an idea of a plot which hampers several of the action scenes because there is no real connection to anything. By the time the final fight comes (which strangely and easily is the dullest fight Donnie Yen has ever been part of) I was ready to go on to the next thing.

 To be certain I'd love to see the film again, but only to watch all the fights, except the last one.

When the film ended. there was supposed to be a Q&A with Donnie Yen, but instead the film simply restarted, which meant Hubert and myself got to see the wonderful opening fight at the Mahjong game.

If you like kick ass Donnie Yen fights wait for this to go streaming, otherwise take a pass.

(And keep an eye out for our interview with Donnie Yen in where he talks about the problems with Special ID. It will be appearing in the next day or so.)

Nightcap 11/3/13 Upcoming stuff

Random notes this time

Yet again I want to remind you that the New York Chinese Film Festival starts Tuesday and runs to Thursday. Lots of stars and lots of good films. Details can be found here.
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No doubt you’ve noticed that our flogging of the Korean Cultural Service films has fallen by the wayside. I apologize to the KCS, and all of you who looked to us for information, but we’ve been rather distracted of late and since we’ve not been going it’s also been a case of out of sight out of mind.

It also hasn’t helped that I got a rude email from distributor CJ saying that I was in violation of copyright. Apparently a now removed post for the Wolf Boy screening included free in the headline they assumed I was making the film available for download. Considering I was the only non-torrent site bothered they weren’t actually checking the content of the posts. The letter I got said something about removing the offending link or material and calling it square. Since the screening had been six months earlier I simply deleted it.

Posts will be returning with the next round of films, in particular The Concubine which played at the New York Asian Film Festival in July and the GREAT HEIST which played at Fantasia and is super. Think of it as Oceans 11 set in period Korea.

As for posting links to things- I will not and do not post things to torrent or linked to torrents. While I will link to You Tube and Vimeo I do so under the assumption that the person posting it has the right to do so.
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DOC NYC is about ten days off. If you’re interested do look to get tickets sooner than later simply because some shows are close to selling out and I thought I heard that some have already. As I write this I personally have seen 13 films. The total includes ones that we’ve reviewed previously including BLACKFISH and ACT OF KILLING. We’ll be running reviews of films starting a week from tomorrow but I recommend DEATH METAL ANGOLA, MAGICAL UNIVERSE and THE MANOR all of which surprised the hell out of me in a good way.

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Speaking of festivals- If you’re curious the way that Unseen is going to be programmed for the rest of the year is as follows:

This week for the most part, is bunch of documentaries that I’m picked up in a couple of different places. There is also going to be reviews of two films that are opening this week, the Japanese mindbender Its Me Its Me, which Mondocurry reviewed back in July as part of Japan Cuts and NYAFF. I was lucky enough to see it so I’m taking a run by it. I’m also going to do a longer piece of Reaching for the Moon which I saw back at Tribeca. It’s a great film that’s improved in my memory since I saw it. Plus there will be coverage of some of the goings on at the NY Chinese Film Festival (expect opening night pictures, film reviews and an interview).

The following two weeks will be largely coverage of DOC NYC. Assuming I can actually make contact with a few of the people I need to contact there should be reviews of 30 or more films. I’m still working out coverage for hre at Unseen. If you need to know what you should see do take my suggestions above

After that a week of Thanksgiving turkeys. I have some real losers lined up. I mean I really hate these films.

We’re then finishing off the year with a month of Criterion. 31 days of films that have been released at one time or another by Criterion either on DVD or laser disc.

And of course the years end will have the usual end of year lists and stuff.

After that it’s a count down to our anniversary, the move away from a film a day and hopefully a jump to bigger website.
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And as we always end these things- links some from the lovely Randi

simpsons complaint letter
270 degree cinema
Engagement photos
Richard Williams on The Amazing Medium

The New York Chinese Film Festival Starts Tuesday

Just a reminder that the New York Chinese Film Festival starts Tuesday. One of the great little known secrets of New York the film festival brings big stars of Chinese cinema to New York to come and showcase their films. This year they are havingVicky Zhao Wei, Miriam Yeung, Wu Xiubo, Wesley Wong and Donnie Yen.. All are appearing with their films.

The festival starts Tuesday with a big to do at Alice Tully Hall and then it moves down to the AMC 25 in Times Square for two days of films, before ending with a big party Thursday night at Capitale.

Yes I know the midweek running is going to make it tough to get there for some of the films, but trust me it’s worth the effort. I’m currently trying to bend my schedule to get there.(Coverage is coming, I’m not sure how much because of the day job)

The schedule is

4TH New York Chinese Film Festival Films:

So Young (Opening Night Presentation at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, 8:00pm) – Directed by Vicky Zhao Wei. So Young is the debut directorial effort of the renowned Chinese actress Vicky Zhao Wei. It is based on the best-selling novel "To Our Youth that is Fading Away" by Xin YiwuIt, adapted by Li Qiang ("The Postmodern Life of My Aunt") and produced by Stanley Kwan. It is a film about the love, joy, and pain of a group of young students in their school days and their harsh confrontation with the realities and a lament on the loss of youth to adulthood. Attending the Festival will be Director Zhao Wei.

Sorry, I Love You (Presented at the AMC Empire 25. Wednesday, November 6 at 11:00am) – Directed by Larry Yang. With only six months to live, Walker decides to leave Vancouver to go back to China, where he was born and adopted and go look for his biological parents and twin sister. With the aid of Encai, a girl he once helped, he tries to find his family but they start falling in love with each other very quickly. With only six months to live, Walker will have to make important decisions to make his loved one’s life complete. Attending the Festival will be Director Larry Yang, Actor Wesley Wong and Producer Hang Hon.

Finding Mr. Right (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 2:00pm) – Directed by Xue Xiaolu (“Ocean Heaven”). City girl Jiajia is traveling to Seattle to give birth to the son who's going to help her win over her rich, married boyfriend. Armed with his unlimited credit card and the singular goal of bringing a little U.S. citizen back to Beijing, Jiajia knows how to play this game of modern love. But when Jiajia arrives in Seattle, nothing goes right: she's stuck sharing a small house with two other pregnant ladies, she has trouble reaching her boyfriend on the phone, and eventually, even the credit card stops working. To top that off, the only person willing to spend time with her is her driver Frank. Frank is the opposite of everything she ever wanted in a man... or could he be exactly the kind of guy she really needs. Attending the Festival will be Actor Wu Xiubo.

Love Undercover (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 4:30pm) – Directed by Joe Ma. Fong (Miriam Yeung), fresh out of the Police Training School is only allowed to work on some trivial missions in the police station after graduation. Fortunately, she is soon assigned to work undercover as a waitress. She needs to get close enough to a gangster's son so that she can plant a microphone at a table where the gangsters make their deals. Complications arise when she finds herself falling for him. Attending the Festival will be Actress Miriam Yeung.

Love in the Buff (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30pm) – Directed by Pang Ho-Cheung. In this sequel to the hit movie Love in a Puff, former lovers Jimmy and Cherie start a new life in Beijing after they ended their relationship. Despite meeting someone else, they can’t seem to forget each other and are torn between fidelity towards their new partners and following their hearts. Attending the Festival will be Actress Miriam Yeung

IP Man (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Thursday, November 7 at 11:00am) – Directed by Wilson Yip. This is the story of IP Man, a legendary Wing Chun Kung Fu master set in Foshan, China in the 1930s. IP Man becomes a hero and creates a craze for Wing Chun. During the Japanese invasion, General Miura, a fanatical practitioner in martial arts, demands that IP Man teach Wing Chun martial arts to the Japanese Army, but IP Man refuses and takes up Miura’s challenge. A fierce fight is going to start…. Attending the Festival will be Actor Donnie Yen.

Special ID (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Thursday, November 7 at 2:00pm) – Directed by Clarence Fok Yiu-leung. A cop and his team of comrades go undercover in one of China's most ruthless underworld organizations to stop a gang leader, only to put themselves in great danger after being exposed one by one. Attending the Festival will be Actor Donnie Yen.

NYCFF Films and Schedule:

November 5, Opening Night, Alice Tully Hall

8:00pm – So Young


November 6, AMC Empire 25

11:00am – Sorry, I Love You

2:00pm – Finding Mr. Right

4:30pm – Love Undercover

7:30pm – Love in the Buff


November 7, AMC Empire 25

11:00am – IP Man

2:00pm – Special ID


November 7, Capitale

4:00-9:00pm, Closing Night and Awards

For further information and tickets to all the above films (including Opening Night) please visit the Chinese American Arts Council site at www.caacarts.org or the New York Chinese Film Festival site at www.nycff.org

The New York Chinese Film Festival announces its dates, films and guests (Donnie Yen included)

If you know me and if you've been reading this site for the last year you know that my quest has been to get information on The New York Chinese Film Festival. The problem has been other than the first year where the festival clashed with post Asian Film Festival plans, the festival never appeared on Unseen's radar until we'd stumble upon it on the last day This made any and all ability to cover it impossible. 

I have, for the last year been trying to find someone- anyone to give me information on the festival but until earlier today I heard from no one. Earlier today I got the following press release with dates, films and guests. To that end I now give you- well before the fact- the New York Chinese Film Festival information- If you can manage it you'll want to go because there are some kick ass films and guests.

4TH New York Chinese Film Festival
November 5,6,7, 2013

Acclaimed Actress Zhao Wei's Directorial Debut SO YOUNG
Set As Opening Night At Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall
Film Screenings At Empire 25
Closing Night And Awards at Capitale

Vicky Zhao Wei, Miriam Yeung, Donnie Yen, Larry Yang, Wesley Wong
Among Talent & Filmmakers To Attend

Join in the celebration as the New York Chinese Film Festival returns for its 4th annual outing of presenting the best in Chinese cinema. The 2013 NYCFF, presented by the Chinese American Arts Council (CAAC) and the Chinese Movie Channel, CCTV-6, will screen 7 new films from Hong Kong & Mainland China over the 3-day event, and will introduce such celebrated filmmakers and performers as Vicky Zhao Wei, Miriam Yeung, Xiubo Wu and Donnie Yen to New York audiences.

The NYCFF Opening Night film, Vicky Zhao Wei's box-office smash So Young will be presented on Tuesday, November 5th at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The remaining films will be presented on Wednesday, November 6th and on Thursday, November 7th at the AMC Empire 25 on 42nd Street and will be followed by Q&As with talent in attendance. The Closing Night Awards Gala will be held on November 7th, at one of New York's most fashionable venues, Capitale.

The NYCFF is a non-profit organization whose aim is to promote Chinese art and culture through film, while gaining exposure and insight from an American audience. Selected films are chosen to participate because they provoke conversation, compassion, peace and friendship amongst our two great nations, as well as to help Americans gain a better understanding of Chinese Cinema. In essence the NYCFF is the foundation for having constructed a great working relationship between the United States and China.

The NYCFF is produced by Qi Jia, Alan Chow, Kaijie Wang and Kate Lin, and is presented by the highly successful Chinese American Arts Council (CAAC) and the Chinese Movie Channel, CCTV-6. The culture of Chinese Cinema has transformed itself in the past one hundred years becoming a major influential player in International Cinema. Established in 1975, The Chinese American Arts Council has gone above and beyond, expanding the existence and the culture of the Chinese Community within the city of New York. The CAAC's main objective is to maintain Chinese Heritage both domestically and internationally in the greater New York area. Being the entertainment capital of the world, there is no better place than New York to present and display the latest in Chinese filming to America.

Some of the CAAC's year-round activities include outdoor and indoor performances of modern and traditional Chinese theater, dance, vocal and instrumental concerts. In addition, the CAAC also presents annual exhibitions of Asian American Art. The Council takes their cause a step further by providing assistance to Artists and Organizations in support of their programs. Chinese American Arts Council is supported in part by funds from the National Endowment of the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affair.

The China Movie Channel Programming Center was established in 1995, with its first flagship channel, CCTV-6 having launched on January 1st, 1996. To date it is the only national movie channel in China that reaches over 930 million people. CCTV-6 has consistently ranked at the top in annual ratings and market share of all Chinese TV channels. Over the past ten years, new television programs have been introduced, such as the China Home Cinema and the China Movie Channel, which stretches across Asia, Europe and North America.

The NYCFF has built a platform for internationally promoting Chinese films and with such an impressive film lineup and star-studded group attending, this year is sure to be NYCFF's best festival to date.

"A great director opens our eyes; a great film opens our minds." - The New York Chinese Film Festival Foundation

4TH New York Chinese Film Festival Films:

So Young (Opening Night Presentation at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, 8:00pm) - Directed by Vicky Zhao Wei. So Young is the debut directorial effort of the renowned Chinese actress Vicky Zhao Wei. It is based on the best-selling novel "To Our Youth that is Fading Away" by Xin YiwuIt, adapted by Li Qiang ("The Postmodern Life of My Aunt") and produced by Stanley Kwan. It is a film about the love, joy, and pain of a group of young students in their school days and their harsh confrontation with the realities and a lament on the loss of youth to adulthood. Attending the Festival will be Director Zhao Wei.

Sorry, I Love You(Presented at the AMC Empire 25. Wednesday, November 6 at 11:00am) - Directed by Larry Yang. With only six months to live, Walker decides to leave Vancouver to go back to China, where he was born and adopted and go look for his biological parents and twin sister. With the aid of Encai, a girl he once helped, he tries to find his family but they start falling in love with each other very quickly. With only six months to live, Walker will have to make important decisions to make his loved one's life complete. Attending the Festival will be Director Larry Yang, Actor Wesley Wong and Producer Hang Hon.

Finding Mr. Right (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 2:00pm) - Directed by Xue Xiaolu ("Ocean Heaven"). City girl Jiajia is traveling to Seattle to give birth to the son who's going to help her win over her rich, married boyfriend. Armed with his unlimited credit card and the singular goal of bringing a little U.S. citizen back to Beijing, Jiajia knows how to play this game of modern love. But when Jiajia arrives in Seattle, nothing goes right: she's stuck sharing a small house with two other pregnant ladies, she has trouble reaching her boyfriend on the phone, and eventually, even the credit card stops working. To top that off, the only person willing to spend time with her is her driver Frank. Frank is the opposite of everything she ever wanted in a man... or could he be exactly the kind of guy she really needs. Attending the Festival will be Actor Wu Xiubo.

Love Undercover (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 4:30pm) - Directed by Joe Ma. Fong (Miriam Yeung), fresh out of the Police Training School is only allowed to work on some trivial missions in the police station after graduation. Fortunately, she is soon assigned to work undercover as a waitress. She needs to get close enough to a gangster's son so that she can plant a microphone at a table where the gangsters make their deals. Complications arise when she finds herself falling for him. Attending the Festival will be Actress Miriam Yeung.

Love in the Buff (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30pm) - Directed by Pang Ho-Cheung. In this sequel to the hit movie Love in a Puff, former lovers Jimmy and Cherie start a new life in Beijing after they ended their relationship. Despite meeting someone else, they can't seem to forget each other and are torn between fidelity towards their new partners and following their hearts. Attending the Festival will be Actress Miriam Yeung

IP Man (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Thursday, November 7 at 11:00am) - Directed by Wilson Yip. This is the story of IP Man, a legendary Wing Chun Kung Fu master set in Foshan, China in the 1930s. IP Man becomes a hero and creates a craze for Wing Chun. During the Japanese invasion, General Miura, a fanatical practitioner in martial arts, demands that IP Man teach Wing Chun martial arts to the Japanese Army, but IP Man refuses and takes up Miura's challenge. A fierce fight is going to start.... Attending the Festival will be Actor Donnie Yen.

Special ID (Presented at the AMC Empire 25, Thursday, November 7 at 2:00pm) - Directed by Clarence Fok Yiu-leung. A cop and his team of comrades go undercover in one of China's most ruthless underworld organizations to stop a gang leader, only to put themselves in great danger after being exposed one by one. Attending the Festival will be Actor Donnie Yen.

NYCFF Film Schedule:
November 5, Opening Night, Alice Tully Hall
8:00pm - So Young

November 6, AMC Empire 25
11:00am - Sorry, I Love You
2:00pm - Finding Mr. Right
4:30pm - Love Undercover
7:30pm - Love in the Buff

November 7, AMC Empire 25
11:00am - IP Man
2:00pm - Special ID

November 7, Capitale
4:00-9:00pm, Closing Night and Awards

For additional information, schedule, and to purchase tickets to all the above films (including Opening Night) please visit the Chinese American Arts Council site at www.caacarts.org or the New York Chinese Film Festival site at www.nycff.org