Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen has appeared at a speaking event at Peking University on Sunday.

The event has been held to promote Yen's new action drama Dragon Tiger Gate,co-starring Hong Kong actors Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue, and mainland actress Dong Jie.

 

The US$10 million project is a co-production between Hong Kong's Mandarin Films and Beijing Polybona and is directed by Wilson Yip.

 

 

Promotional activities leading up to the speaking event focused on lead actor Donnie Yen with thunderous applause ringing out across the audience as the star stepped up to the podium to speak.

 

Donnie Yen is one of the Chinese action stars that have successfully fought their way to the Hollywood film spotlight, following the likes of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

 

Yen says although he can not match the great achievements of Bruce Lee, he wishes to shoot more action films in his own unique style.

 

Dragon Tiger Gate, is a milestone in the history of Hong Kong comics, created by media magnate Tony Wong in the 1970s. Its tales of heroism and heart-pounding martial arts scenes has mesmerized over a generation of Chinese youngsters.

 

In the story, Dragon and Tiger Gate is a martial arts academy established by three young people, Tiger Huang, Little Dragon Huang and Black Dragon Shi. Adopted as children by kung fu master Huang Jianglong, they aspire to impart the spirit of Chinese martial arts to the world.

 

Donnie Yen has been honored with the title "Honorary Consultant" of Peking University at the event. The star says he is proud to be a college student from this point forward, as he never studied in a University when he was young.

 

Yen finally revealed that the new film is currently in post-production, and will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film will greet Chinese audiences on July 28th.

 

 

(CRI March 13, 2006)