娱乐英语新闻:"Aftershock" premieres in Hong Kong

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The premiere of director Feng Xiaogang's latest film "Aftershock" was held in Hong Kong on Sunday.

Almost all of Feng's films have gone on to become blockbusters in the Chinese mainland. All of his films have made more than one billion yuan at the box office. Hong Kong audiences in the past haven't been quite as receptive as audiences in the mainland. Last year the director said, "It's enough that Chinese films take care of the mainland market only."

"Aftershock" will be released simultaneously in Hong Kong and in the mainland on July 22nd. After premieres in several major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, some audiences were moved to tears, while many praised the director's latest work. Even in Guangzhou, the box office record of 75 thousand yuan set by the historical film "The Founding of a Republic" was beaten as "Aftershock" generated 100 thousand yuan in one day. So, what has been the reaction from Hong Kong audiences?

According to the NDDaily report, audiences who watched the film at the Hong Kong premiere said the film made them both laugh and cry. Some thought it was very touching and it made them feel warm, especially when actress Zhang Jingchu reunited with her mother, played by actress Xu Fan. Some felt surprised by actor Chen Daoming lines, especially when he said, "a few fools were educated at universities too."

On the other hand, several Hong Kong citizens stopped to see the poster but didn't go into the theater. One uncle who is about 50 years old said he is not prepared to see it because it sounds too tragic. Two girls in their 20's stated they would not see it, "We don't have an interest to see it. We'd rather go see a comedy or a romance instead." Yet, not all Hong Kong young people are uninterested in it. Another young man who had seen director Lu Chuan's "City of Life and Death" wondered if "Aftershock" was a documentary. When heard it was a drama, he said he would consider taking his family to watch the film.

At the premiere, there were a few people from the mainland who missed the opportunity to see the film when it premiered in their hometown, and made the special trip for the Hong Kong screening.