Fight film set to punch to success

Never Say Never, the second directorial work of actor-turned filmmaker Wang Baoqiang, will launch a four-day nationwide advanced screening on June 29, and be released across the country on July 6.

Adapted from real-life events, the movie stars Wang as a fight coach determined to assist a group of underprivileged rural children. Through sports competitions, he aims to provide them with a chance for a better life.

Dozens of celebrities including Nobel laureate Mo Yan attended the premiere in a downtown Beijing cinema on June 26.

Wang revealed that he dedicated six years to producing the movie, which, to a certain extent, mirrors his own personal journey of seeking a breakthrough from his previously stagnant life.

A native from a rural area in Henan province, Wang began to study martial arts at 6 years old and had struggled as a stand-in actor for a long time before earning recognition from the 2004 blockbuster A World Without Thieves. After his directorial debut Buddies in India released in 2017, he has gained more popularity for the Detective Chinatown franchise. However, he endured a challenging period in his life due to marital difficulties.

Describing the film as "a story of seeking a way out", Wang said that it has not only helped him to get out of the dilemma but also holds immense value and meaning in his own life.