Petaling Street Warriors
Encyclopedia
Petaling Street Warriors is a film directed by James Lee Thim Heng
and Sampson Yuen Choi-Hin through Malaysian production company, Juita Entertainment, a subsidiary of Juita Viden. Jointly presented by Juita Viden and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), it is the first period kungfu comedy to be produced locally in Malaysia and Singapore, with famed action choreographer from Hong Kong, Yuk-Sing Ma, who have worked on Hong Kong and China's blockbusters, such as Storm Riders 2 and A Chinese Fairy Tale.
The story took two years of research work and preparation. The production of the film took place earlier than Namewee's Nasi Lemak 2.0
, but as Nasi Lemak 2.0 was released earlier, Petaling Street Warriors thus has become the second full-length movie Namewee would star in 2011.
After viewing the film as it underwent post-production work in Hong Kong, numerous Hong Kong filmmakers call the film as the "watershed" and "milestone" in the history of Malaysian Chinese film industry.
Petaling Street Warriors is going to be released in cinemas nationwide in Malaysia (December 1, 2011) and Singapore (December 29, 2011). Cinema chains that will be playing the film in Malaysia include GSC, TGV, Cathay, Big, LFS, MBO, Star, First World, Mega Prai and also Brunei Mall. In Singapore, the film will be shown via Shaw circuits. .
Its gala premiere in Malaysia will be held at 9:30pm on 25 November 2011 at GSC Pavilion KL, while the date for Singapore has not been confirmed yet.
, who is rumored to have fled to Southeast Asia when he was dethroned in the year 1402 by his own uncle, Zhu Di, who later became Emperor Yongle
. Some historians have even argued that the true purpose of the Voyages of Zheng He
- which began three years after Emperor Yongle
's ascension to throne - was not for the sake of trade or the promotion of national pride, but to seek out Emperor Jianwen
who was suspected to be hiding in the region. It is interesting to note that during the seven voyages, Zheng He's fleets had stopped in Malacca (now a Malaysian state) for five times. In fact, Malacca served as a transit centre for replenishment of supplies for his fleets.
The sheer size of Zheng He's fleets is baffling. For example, the 1405 expedition consisted of 27,800 men and a fleet of 62 treasure ships supported by approximately 190 smaller ships. The subsequent voyages were of comparable size. If indeed Zheng He was leading his men in the greatest manhunt of all time, then the puzzling question is why Emperor Yongle
would want to pursue a dethroned emperor for over 28 years. These intriguing facts and speculations thus become the basis of the story of Petaling Street Warriors.
, but the shooting dates clashed with his schedule. As a result, the Malaysian controversial singer, Namewee, was chosen to take up the role. At that time, his Nasi Lemak 2.0 was not made yet, so this is actually Namewee's first involvement as an actor in any full-length features.
Petaling Street Warriors was initially planned to be released at the same time in Singapore
and Malaysia during Chinese New Year of 2012.
James Lee (Malaysian film director)
James Lee, is a film director from Malaysia. He was born Lee Thim Heng in 1973 in the city of Ipoh in Perak. He is one of the pioneers of the Malaysian Digital Film movement. His film The Beautiful Washing Machine won the Best Asean Feature Award and FIPRESCI Prize at the Bangkok International...
and Sampson Yuen Choi-Hin through Malaysian production company, Juita Entertainment, a subsidiary of Juita Viden. Jointly presented by Juita Viden and Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), it is the first period kungfu comedy to be produced locally in Malaysia and Singapore, with famed action choreographer from Hong Kong, Yuk-Sing Ma, who have worked on Hong Kong and China's blockbusters, such as Storm Riders 2 and A Chinese Fairy Tale.
The story took two years of research work and preparation. The production of the film took place earlier than Namewee's Nasi Lemak 2.0
Nasi Lemak 2.0
Nasi Lemak 2.0 is a film by Namewee. The film had a low budget, since the government did not provide funding. Wee spent nearly a year applying for loans...
, but as Nasi Lemak 2.0 was released earlier, Petaling Street Warriors thus has become the second full-length movie Namewee would star in 2011.
After viewing the film as it underwent post-production work in Hong Kong, numerous Hong Kong filmmakers call the film as the "watershed" and "milestone" in the history of Malaysian Chinese film industry.
Petaling Street Warriors is going to be released in cinemas nationwide in Malaysia (December 1, 2011) and Singapore (December 29, 2011). Cinema chains that will be playing the film in Malaysia include GSC, TGV, Cathay, Big, LFS, MBO, Star, First World, Mega Prai and also Brunei Mall. In Singapore, the film will be shown via Shaw circuits. .
Its gala premiere in Malaysia will be held at 9:30pm on 25 November 2011 at GSC Pavilion KL, while the date for Singapore has not been confirmed yet.
Based on a Controversial Legend
The film is inspired by a controversial legend about Emperor Jianwen of Ming DynastyJianwen Emperor
The Jianwen Emperor , with the personal name Zhu Yunwen , reigned as the second Emperor of the Ming dynasty...
, who is rumored to have fled to Southeast Asia when he was dethroned in the year 1402 by his own uncle, Zhu Di, who later became Emperor Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
. Some historians have even argued that the true purpose of the Voyages of Zheng He
Zheng He
Zheng He , also known as Ma Sanbao and Hajji Mahmud Shamsuddin was a Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He or Voyages of Cheng Ho from...
- which began three years after Emperor Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
's ascension to throne - was not for the sake of trade or the promotion of national pride, but to seek out Emperor Jianwen
Jianwen Emperor
The Jianwen Emperor , with the personal name Zhu Yunwen , reigned as the second Emperor of the Ming dynasty...
who was suspected to be hiding in the region. It is interesting to note that during the seven voyages, Zheng He's fleets had stopped in Malacca (now a Malaysian state) for five times. In fact, Malacca served as a transit centre for replenishment of supplies for his fleets.
The sheer size of Zheng He's fleets is baffling. For example, the 1405 expedition consisted of 27,800 men and a fleet of 62 treasure ships supported by approximately 190 smaller ships. The subsequent voyages were of comparable size. If indeed Zheng He was leading his men in the greatest manhunt of all time, then the puzzling question is why Emperor Yongle
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
would want to pursue a dethroned emperor for over 28 years. These intriguing facts and speculations thus become the basis of the story of Petaling Street Warriors.
History
The role of Liu Kun 刘坤 was at first offered to Chapman To Man ZaakChapman To
Chapman To Man-chak is a Hong Kong actor, best known for specializing in comedic roles in films such as Infernal Affairs and Initial D.-Career:To began his acting career in TV soap operas and moved to the big screen in 2000...
, but the shooting dates clashed with his schedule. As a result, the Malaysian controversial singer, Namewee, was chosen to take up the role. At that time, his Nasi Lemak 2.0 was not made yet, so this is actually Namewee's first involvement as an actor in any full-length features.
Petaling Street Warriors was initially planned to be released at the same time in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Malaysia during Chinese New Year of 2012.
Plot
Set against the background of Petaling Street in 1908, Petaling Street Warriors tells the story of a pair of married couple, Shi Duyao (Mark Lee) and Zhung Lichun (Yeo Yann Yann), who operate a Hokkien mee stall in Petaling Street, where they suffer from the inefficiency of the colonial government and suppression by the Chinese gangsters. While trying to impress his wife, Duyao encounters a mysterious yet strikingly beautiful kungfu expert, Xiaoju (Chris Tong), who claims that Duyao is a descendant of the missing Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty. To stop a group of Qing warriors and Japanese ninjas from robbing a treasure map that Duyao doesn't even know he has, Lichun and her cousin, Liu Kun (Namewee), finally reveal their kungfu, turning Petaling Street into the ultimate battleground. Facing enemies of unthinkable powers, could Duyao unravel the mystery of his real identity and come to his wife's rescue just in time?Main Cast
- Mark LeeMark Lee (comedian)Mark Lee Kok Huang is a Singaporean Chinese comedian, actor and film director. He works in MediaCorp and J Team Productions with Jack Neo. He is famous for, amongst others, playing the title role in Singapore's MediaCorp TV Channel 5 television sitcom Police & Thief as Lee Tok Kong, Phua Chu Kang...
李国煌 as Shi Duyao 史都耀 - Yeo Yann YannYeo Yann YannYeo Yann Yann is a Singapore-based actress. A pioneer-graduate of The Theatre Training and Research Programme , she has worked in theatre, television, and film; recent performances include Singapore Dreaming , Thunderstorm 雷雨 and a movie in August 2007, 881...
杨雁雁 as Zhung Lichun 钟离春 - Namewee 黄明志 as Liu Kun 刘坤
- Chris TongChris TongChris Tong Bing Yu is a Malaysian actress.Chris started her showbiz in 2006 and acts, hosts and deejaysChris first appeared in Mediacorp's show, a Singapore-Malaysia co-production, Welcome Home, My Love in 2009. She also acted in the Malaysian drama, The Adjusters, opposite singer-actor Rynn Lim...
童冰玉 as Xiaoju 小菊 - Frederick LeeFrederick LeeFrederick Lee, Baron Lee of Newton PC was a British Labour Party politician and peer.The son of Joseph William and Margaret Lee, he was educated at Langworthy Road School of Engineering....
李洺中 as Ma Fuyi 马福仪 - Sunny Pang 冯推守as Wilson Ng 吴卫生
Supporting Cast
- Alvin Wong 王骏 as Yong Kok 杨过
- Ramasundran Rengan as Rajoo
- Henry ThiaHenry ThiaHenry Thia is a Singaporean actor who is probably best known for his roles in Money No Enough and Police & Thief as Hui and Georgie Gan respectively...
程旭辉 as casino boss, Jay Chow 周董 - Chua Bee Seong 蔡炜祥 as Fok Yip Fei 霍叶飞
- Nick Dorian as Captain McBribe
- Chen Huen Phuei 曾宏辉 as translator-police officer
- John ChengJohn ChengJohn Cheng You Nam is a Singaporean actor and Getai compére who made his debut in Money No Enough and is most notable for his role in Liang Po Po: The Movie.-Career:...
钟耀南 as the head of Hokkien gang - Tung Yew Ngai 邓有毅 as the right hand man of Hokkien gang
- Brandon Yuen as the head of Cantonese gang
- Wong Wai Hoong 黄伟雄 as the right hand man of Cantonese gang
- Goh You Ping 吴友凭 as spy
- Gan Hui Yee 颜慧仪as Mahjie
- Chee Cheong Hoe 朱宥六 as fortune teller
- Berg Lee Seng Wan as mamasan
Special Appearance
- Ho Yuhang 何宇恒 as one of the heads of Three Knives Gang
- Kin Wah 周梓华 as one of the heads of Three Knives Gang
- Daniel Wong Kian Huat 王健发 as one of the heads of Three Knives Gang
- Rayson TanRayson TanRayson Tan is a Singaporean MediaCorp actor.Before joining MediaCorp, Tan worked as a flight attendant with Singapore Airlines. In 1990, he emerged as the 2nd Runner-Up in Singapore's Star Search talent competition...
陈泰铭 as mysterious man - Steve Yap 叶良财 as Emperor Jianwen
- Chen Puie Heng 陈沛兴 as imperial guard
- Chye Yang 蔡子洋 as imperial guard
- Chong Yun Wah 张詠华 as imperial guard
- Agnes Wong 王柔霖 as imperial guard
Key Production Personnel
| Production Personnel | |
|---|---|
| Executive Producers: | Francis Foo, Tung Yow Kung, Sampson Yuen (袁再显) |
| Producer: | Sampson Yuen |
| Director: | James Lee James Lee (Malaysian film director) James Lee, is a film director from Malaysia. He was born Lee Thim Heng in 1973 in the city of Ipoh in Perak. He is one of the pioneers of the Malaysian Digital Film movement. His film The Beautiful Washing Machine won the Best Asean Feature Award and FIPRESCI Prize at the Bangkok International... (李添兴) & Sampson Yuen |
| Action Director: | Ma Yuk-Sing (马玉成) |
| Associate Producer : | Tan Poi Sin Tan Poi Sin Tan Poi Sin is a TV drama and documentary director-producer from Malaysia. Established as a documentary director, she started out as a screenwriter, and was a producer-director in Astro. Her meritorious efforts in historical research landed her the role of Assistant Director in Astro AEC’s... (陈佩欣) |
| Co-Producer : | Jason Kok (郭福华) |
| 1st Assistant Director : | Charlotte Lim Lay Kuen (林丽娟) |
| 2nd Assistant Director : | Soo Mun Thye (苏文泰) |
| Director Of Photography : | Chan Hai Liang (陈海量) & Tan Teck Zee (陈德志) |
| Art Director : | Thompson Ong Sir Shen (翁诗圣) |
| Assistant Art Director : | Tan Hong Yew (陈浤游) |
| Image Directors : | Wing Shum (沈雪芳)& Elaine Ng (黄玉清) |
| Costume Designer : | Jo Liew Jun Fei (廖俊晖) |
| Makeup Artist & Hairstylist : | Jong Kim Hiang (杨琴香) & Chuah Yong Jye (蔡蓉洁) |
| Production Manager : | Kaze Ng (吴心颖) & Elvin Lim (林柏良) |
| Assistant Production Manager : | Ng Wai Yee (吴慧仪) |
| Key Grip : | Mani |
| Sound man : | Alex Thong |
| Script Supervisor : | Chloe Yong (杨雯珊) & Tan Ce Ding (陈策鼎) |
| Production Assistants : | Ooi Kooi Lee (黄桂丽) & Chang Soo Ann (程素恩) |
| Online Post Production : | |
| Editors : | Tony Ah Liang (黄荣骅) & Catherine Bong (黄翠琳) |
| Special Effects: : | Chiann Wong (黄涌倩) |
| Audio Post Production : | |
| Music and Sound Director : | |
| Theme Songs : | Namewee Wee Meng Chee Wee Meng Chee or Namewee; is a Malaysian Chinese of Hainanese descent. He is fondly and widely known under his alias nickname Namewee, a bilingual pun on his Mandarin name , which sounds like the Mandarin term for name .Wee gained popularity after releasing a controversial song fused with the... (黄明志) |
| Music Scoring : | |
| Prop Master : | Yang Kong Siang (杨广祥) |
| Prop Assistants : | Tan Wei Ting (陈韦廷),Lau Thing Chee (刘定智), Chan Chee Hang (陈志亨), Teh Beng Thian, Sin Wai Key (冼慧棋) |
| Stuntmen : | Meng, Chan Boon Wooi (陈铭炜), Lim Yew Yen (林佑贤), Pui Fook Chien (贝富权) |