YOU NEVER know what Umovie.net are up to next. Two years ago, the video-shooting group made a name for themselves with their funny and offbeat remakes of '80s local kitsch commercials. Last year, they formed an eight-member boy band Aunties, who left everyone open-mouthed with their cheeky and camp appearance and dancing. How about this year? Recently, the group have been involved in a video production featuring a flock of Power Ranger-like fighters - played by Aunties members wearing classic super-hero costumes. Entitled Aunties Rangers, the video is one of the highlights of the group's latest live show to be held at the Jockey Club Auditorium, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, on Sunday night. The video demonstrates how the fighters stop a monster called '24' winning the most popular male singer award - a crucial step to prevent it from becoming invincible. Founder and director Buffet, 23, said the group tried to develop their latest performance based on the successful elements of last year's show, which featured Aunties members - in white outfits - mocking Canto-pop girl band Cookies. 'Although the Aunties' live show last year was very popular, we don't want to be too similar this year,' Buffet said. The trailer of the new video is now showing at the group's website ( www.umovie.net ). 'The complete version will be screened on [Sunday's] live show,' said Buffet. He added that the entire programme would be available on the website some time later. 'We hope people will come to our show if they like the trailer.' The Aunties Rangers video cost the group more than $20,000 to produce and is their biggest project so far. They usually make video clips at very little cost, spending a few thousand dollars at the most. 'This time we wanted to create better visual effects,' Buffet said. They also invited renowned director Lee Lik-chee (Shaolin Soccer) to play a cameo role - a scientist - in the video. 'He is so experienced and his acting will definitely give the audience a surprise,' Buffet said. Besides the video, the eight Aunties Rangers actors will perform the end of the drama on stage. On top of this, they will also act out the last episode of the online series Black School, a production the group have been working on for about two years. It is about corruption in university student unions. The two-hour show will also feature a stand-up comedy by members Minshuku and 762, as well as games. UMovie Liveshow 2003. Tickets, at $80 and $60 (for full-time students, senior citizens and the disabled), are available at HK Ticketing outlets. Online booking: www.hkticketing.com For more details, go to www.umovie.net
