Producer Says Avengers Are "Just A Bunch Of Robots" After 'Endgame' Overshadowed His Movie
Hong Kong producer Wong Kar-wai's 'Jinpa' is scheduled to premiere tomorrow, 26 April – the same day 'Endgame' premieres worldwide.
By Jia Vern Tham — 25 Apr 2019, 06:04 PM
'Jinpa', a Chinese-Tibetan movie produced by critically-acclaimed Hong Kong-based director Wong Kar-wai, premieres tomorrow, 26 April – the same day 'Avengers: Endgame' premieres worldwide
'Jinpa' had already won best screenplay at the 75th Venice International Film Festival last year, according to China.org.
Wong, a director-screenwriter hailed as "legendary" and "an important figure" in the Hong Kong entertainment scene, has won awards for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay over his nearly four decade-long career.
Despite his success, Wong's 'Jinpa' has been trailing 'Avengers: Endgame' in terms of presale tickets in China
Sin Chew Daily reported that while both films premier in China on the same day, 'Endgame' will be shown in 168 cinemas across Shanghai – while 'Jinpa' will only be shown in 11.
According to China.org, 'Endgame' has earned over USD100 million (approximately RM408 million) in presale tickets, and 'Jinpa' only sold nearly USD101,000 (approximately RM413,000) in China.
In response to the 'Endgame' domination in Chinese box office, the Hong Kong-based producer remains unfazed by putting the release date for 'Jinpa' on the same day as the Marvel movie
"(Jinpa) is valuable, so the release date is no problem," Wong said, according to China.org.
"The success of 'Avengers 4' is the success of American movies. But our success depends on the success of our own home-made films," he added.
"Who said after 'Avengers' you can't watch 'Jinpa'? Heroes are needed in this day and age, but religion is needed as well," the producer was quoted as saying by Mtime.
"Heroes without religion are just a bunch of robots," Wong said, believed to be in reference to 'Endgame'.
"We chose this release date, because we believe that the audience have good taste," he added.
'Jinpa' tells the story of a Tibetan trucker who accidentally hits a sheep with his vehicle
The trucker, named Jinpa, then picks up a hitchhiker with the same name and heads on their journey.
However, the hitchhiker turns out to be on his way to avenge the death of his father.
'Jinpa' was reportedly built on the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy of mercy.