You may be on edge waiting for Stephen Chow Sing-chi's new movie to hit the screens this week, but there's little doubt the man most excited by the event has been Chiu Chi Ling (right), visiting master of the Hung Ga style of kung fu, which can be traced back to the legendary Shaolin Temple.
The 61-year-old has travelled from his San Francisco home - where he helps run the international Hung Ga association - to join Chow as he tours the region promoting Kung Fu Hustle. And Chiu has been stealing the show.
At the Guangzhou press conference, Chow mostly kept the local press pack at arm's length. Not so the effervescent Chiu. He was everywhere, bouncing around on stage, posing for photographs and bending the ear of anyone who passed by; reporters, photographers, even security guards were swept up by his enthusiasm. 'We are like one big family, the kung fu community,' he said while taking a quick breather.
'A movie like this helps us all. It is a very great thing. We are thankful to Stephen because some of the kung fu styles have been forgotten and this will help get kids interested again.'
Advance tickets for the $100 million Kung Fu Hustle went on sale 10 days before the event and organisers say tickets are being snapped up.