On a May 7th Shanghai afternoon many of the cast and crew of Yip Man attended a Press Conference. Both director Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen indicated to the press that they’re taking a more down-to-earth approach in portraying the life of this legendary grandmaster of Wing Chun kung-fu with the martial arts choreography superbly handled by Sammo Hung.

Together with his script writer, Yip says the film would reflect the life of Yip Man from the 1930s to 1940s, when he’s was in his prime.Yip Man came from an affluent family and was deeply engrossed in the studies and research of martial arts. At that time, his family did undergo severe changes including losing all its wealth.

As with the previous press conference, Wilson Yip still didn’t give a straight answer regarding a young Bruce Lee appearance: “Anything is possible. We’re looking for an adolescent, 15 or 16, who resembles Bruce Lee” says Yip. But he adds that the movie mainly revolves around events prior to Yip Man leaving for Hong Kong.

Simon Yam, who plays Zhou Qing Quan, introduced his character as Yip Man’s best friend at the Shanghai Press Conference, “One who is very loyal, and helps out Yip Man when he’s down, and eventually brings him to Hong Kong”. Yam also adds, “I have lots of drama scenes concerning my innermost thoughts, I have to think of many things. While I’m not challenged physically as Donnie Yen, and don’t sweat on the outside, my heart is perspiring inside”.

Donnie Yen has obviously lost some weight and he reveals that in order to best play an erudite and cultured Yip Man, as well as bringing out the special traits of Wing Chun which was designed for women or guys of smaller builds, he has long been on a plain diet consisting mainly of vegetables, and he doesn’t even eat rice on the set. Yen describes Yip Man as, “One who is learned, refined, obsessed with martial arts yet isn’t competitive, and neither does he wish to become a hero. However, owing to various circumstances, he’s forced to leave his home. There are lots of tender emotional moments between he, his family and friends”.

Yip Man is tentatively scheduled for release this upcoming Christmas season. More news and a full review later in the year in Jade Screen: The Hong Kong Movie Magazine.