A highly anticipated local film on road racing has raised concerns its hip portrayal of a dangerous activity could be a bad influence on youngsters.
Initial D, which opens on Thursday, tells the story of 18-year-old Takumi, played by Taiwanese star Jay Chou Jie-lun, who becomes a car racer on hilly roads.
The title refers to a driving technique called 'drifting', which involves the driver sharply braking the rear wheels to create a controlled four-wheel skid. The dangerous technique is the fastest way to turn a sharp corner.
Directed by award-winning pair Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Alan Mak Siu-fai, who were behind the Infernal Affairs movies, the $93.6 million-production was adapted from the successful Japanese cartoon of the same name.
The directors said the film was expected to gross $80 million on the mainland and more than $40 million in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Automobile Association chief executive Andrew Windebank said he was worried that such a film featuring young idols participating in road racing was 'asking for trouble'.
He said that while the original comic had been in circulation for more than a decade, movies had a much bigger impact on young people.
