Chinese-culture buffs in the U.K. and Germany are getting a headstart on 'Monkey King 2', the new movie sequel starring Aaron Kwok and Gong Li. The screening coincides with a new co-production treaty between the U.K. and China.
The Monkey King is a perennial Chinese hero and his story a perennial favourite with Chinese audiences. And as China enters its New Year of the Monkey, he's in the limelight even more!
At a special screening in London, overseas Chinese joined officials and culturally curious Brits for the U.K. premiere of "Monkey King 2", a sequel to the 2014 Hong Kong-Chinese fantasy film.
In the new sequel, Hong Kong actor Aaron Kwok, who played the villain in the first film, returns to replace Donnie Yen as the titular character, hero of the Chinese novel 'Journey to the West'. The new villain, 'White Skeleton Demon', is portrayed by Chinese superstar Gong Li.
The U.K. screening reflects efforts to promote Chinese films by timing domestic releases to coincide with overseas ones.
'Monkey King 2' will also come to four major German cities - Berlin, followed by Hamburg, Munich, and Essen.
Chinese audiences, however, will have to wait until February the 8th, the first day of the Lunar New Year, to watch the movie themselves.
