Sun shines in new film

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-27 10:39

In Hong Kong director Teddy Chan's latest film, Bodyguards and Assassins (Shiyue Weicheng), mainland star Li Ming is transformed from a beggar into a rich young man who has round glasses that make him look like John Lennon.

The film is set in 1905, when Sun Yat-sen is collecting funds in Hong Kong in order to topple the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). On hearing that assassins will target Sun, a group of people sharing his revolutionary ideals gather to escort Sun safely back to Guangzhou.

Li plays the role of a young man from a rich family who becomes a beggar after spending all his money on a woman. Before he joins Sun's bodyguards he dons a pair of round glasses.

Li guards a staircase and on his own fights 100 assassins. The director kept all 8 minutes of his fight scene.

While Li has long hair down to his waist, kungfu star Donnie Yen is bald. Also appearing is mainland actor Wang Xuexin. The film premieres on Dec 18.