Director Stephen Chow and his leading cast—including Carina Lau, Dilraba Dilmurat, Sisley Choi, Louis Cheung, Wu Yu’an, Xue Ye, and co-director Lam Tze-chung—appeared at multiple Hong Kong cinemas on Thursday (August 8) for special thank-you screenings of the upcoming film Kung Fu Women’s Football. The film officially opens in Hong Kong on August 13, but enthusiastic fans packed eight early screenings that day, with some holding banners reading “Sing Jai, you’re the most handsome, we love you forever.”
No Cantonese Version Due to Scheduling
Addressing the audience, Chow apologized for the absence of a full Cantonese-language dub. “I’m very sorry—there is no Cantonese version this time,” he said. “The main reason is that the release date was adjusted at the last moment. We originally planned to produce a Cantonese dub, but we simply ran out of time.” However, he noted that the film incorporates multiple languages, with Carina Lau’s character, “Sifu,” speaking Cantonese throughout. He also revealed that the post-credits scene in Hong Kong theaters features Cantonese dialogue exclusively.
Cast Reflections and Fan Interaction
Carina Lau, who reunites with Chow after many years, said the experience felt just like old times. “Every time I work with Sing Jai, it’s happy and joyful, and I also learn a lot,” she said. When Chow pressed her for specifics, she replied, “This was like an advanced acting class. He has deep insight into performance and demands perfection on set. If a scene doesn’t meet his standards, he insists on reshooting—and I ended up doing many takes.” Chow countered with a smile: “Carina’s acting is already at the highest level. Sometimes the shot was already fine, but we did extra takes because everyone wanted to watch her.”
Dilraba Dilmurat, asked what aspect of her role she hoped audiences would notice, said simply: “I think everyone just needs to come see Kung Fu Women’s Football. You don’t need to look for any one side—just have fun.” She then attempted to engage the crowd in Cantonese, asking, “Happy or not?”
Sisley Choi’s Dedication to Role
Sisley Choi drew particular praise for her role as the blind fighter “Ma Ba.” Chow called her the actress who best captures Bruce Lee’s fighting spirit. Choi credited the director’s guidance. “He passed on some secrets. It wasn’t just about copying moves—I had to bring out Bruce Lee’s essence: his fierceness and wildness,” she said. “Under his direction, I kept trying, and I’m delighted with the result.”
Chow then asked whether she had trained in secret for a long time. Choi admitted she began taking kung fu lessons right after her audition. “I practiced on and off for a whole year,” she said. “I needed to achieve waist-hip coordination and speed, all to meet the director’s expectations.” Chow responded with a reflective nod: “This proves that everything truly requires hard work.”
Broader Impact and Next Steps
Kung Fu Women’s Football is generating strong buzz ahead of its wide release next week, with fans across Hong Kong flocking to early screenings. The film marks Chow’s first directorial effort since The Mermaid (2016) and blends his signature slapstick comedy with martial arts and women’s football themes. Industry watchers will be tracking its box office performance in a competitive summer season. For fans eager to catch the Cantonese Easter egg, only Hong Kong screenings will offer that exclusive content.
