A NEW Shenzhen-produced sports comedy, directed by legendary Hong Kong filmmaker Stephen Chow, is set to hit theaters nationwide July 11, Shenzhen Satellite TV reported yesterday.

The film, “Kung Fu Soccer,” features the Emei women’s soccer team as they compete in a fictional tournament called the “Supreme Invincible Cup.” The production blends martial arts choreography with high-octane football, utilizing more than 1,200 special-effects shots, motion-capture technology and AI-enhanced rendering to create an immersive stadium experience.

The movie is lead-produced by Shenzhen Film Studio with financial backing from the Shenzhen Publicity and Culture Development Fund.

It marks Chow’s return to the genre more than two decades after his cult classic “Shaolin Soccer.” It is also his first feature as director since 2019’s “The New King of Comedy.” Chow is known for international blockbusters including “Kung Fu Hustle,” which grossed over US$100 million worldwide, “CJ7” and “The Mermaid.”

Chow has a history of filming in Shenzhen. His 2016 hit “The Mermaid,” which earned US$504 million globally, was filmed at the Dongshan Luzui scenic area in Shenzhen’s Dapeng New Area. The coastal location has since become a major tourist destination.

“Kung Fu Soccer” was filmed and produced entirely in Shenzhen. Key locations include the Shenzhen Sports Center Stadium and Xichong Beach, chosen to showcase the city’s modern sporting infrastructure and coastal vistas.

Singapore-based Encore Films has secured worldwide theatrical distribution and related rights outside the Chinese mainland.

“Director Stephen Chow is widely regarded as the ‘King of Comedy’ and one of the rare filmmakers whose work has entertained audiences across cultures for decades,” said Joyce Lee, managing director of Encore Films. “Most football films ask, ‘Can they win the match?’ A Stephen Chow film asks, ‘Can they win the match while breaking the laws of physics?’ That’s the magic of “Kung Fu Soccer” – a film that blends imagination, action, heart, and comedy in a way only Chow can.”

The production highlights Shenzhen’s emergence as a versatile filming location, often described as an “all-in-one natural studio.” The city offers a range of backdrops from futuristic skylines and tech campuses to historical quarters and mountain-sea panoramas.

Shenzhen has recently served as the backdrop for several high-profile productions, including the hit short-drama series “Miracle” and the CCTV drama “My Destiny.” Director Zhang Yimou also filmed “Scare Out” in the city, turning the Gangxia North Metro Station into a cinematic landmark.

Industry observers say the city is transitioning from a mere filming location into an original creative hub, marking a significant leap for the “Shenzhen-produced” brand in the global cultural market. (SD News)