Andy Lau Becomes a National Hero in “Switch” and Fights the Japanese

Andy Lau’s (劉德華) highly anticipated spy thriller film, Switch <天机·富春山居图> will hit the mainland Chinese theaters on November 2, 2012. Boosting an impeccable visual effect, the production company hired 3D expert, Chuck Comisky, who had worked closely with Avatar director, James Cameron.

Three days ago, film director Sun Jianjun (孫健君) featured a special trailer of Switch to coincide with the 81st Anniversary of the Manchurian Incident which marked the beginning of the Japanese invasion in the northeast China on September 18, 1931.

In the trailer, Andy faces off with Japanese triad members and single-handedly takes down the Japanese. As the film coincides with the heightened tensions between China and Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands, many Chinese netizens applauded Andy and labeled him as a national hero!

Andy Becomes an Iconic Hero Overnight

Andy plays a special agent in Switch whose mission is to recover a stolen national treasure – a famous painting of the Yuan Dynasty, known as “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains.” In the trailer, Andy has a showdown with Tong Dawei (佟大為) who plays a ruthless Japanese triad leader.

In the face off, Dawei told Andy, “I only love the things that the world owns. What I want to possess, you cannot touch at all.”

Andy responded solemnly to the Japanese gang leader, “If it is not mine, I will not think of possessing it. If it is not yours, do not even think about getting a single grain of sand or a drop of water!”

Subsequently, Andy proceeded to fight his way and pin down several Japanese triad members. In the last scene, he also dragged a Japanese to apologize to a girl who was brutally tortured. Andy shouted at the Japanese woman, “Say sorry!”

After watching the trailer, many Chinese netizens linked the words of Andy Lau to the Diaoyu Island disputes between China and Japan. Chinese netizens also lauded Andy as a national hero, and circulated the clip vigorously online.

“Switch” Features National Sentiments

According to Director Sun, Andy hopes to produce more large-scale Chinese films which feature patriotic themes similar to Hollywood films. “When we planned for the film, Andy Lau explored many ideas with me. He thought that in order to produce more grand Chinese films, we should incorporate national sentiments. The Hollywood films which succeeded have included all these universal values,” said Sun Jianjun.

Director Sun also clarified that the film was planned two years ago, and he had no intention of tapping into the current Sino-Japanese tensions to promote the film. When discussing the script, Director Sun and Andy had planned to create a national hero to protect the country.

Sun further added, “Andy specifically wanted to create a national hero who fights for his country. He can be a nobody but he is absolutely a respectable hero. This is not a film which talks about love, but it features clearly the national sentiments. We hope the viewers can share our sentiments too.”

Sources: ifeng.com, 21CN.com

This article is written by Stella for JayneStars.com.

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