The animated film "McDull Wu Dang" premiered in Hong Kong last week and is slated for wider release on August 13th. It has already been screened in selected Chinese mainland cities. In just twelve days, the film has grossed over 60 million yuan at the box office.
Created in 1988, McDull is a famous animated piglet, reaching the likeness of Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty among Hong Kong cartoon lovers. Based on several comic books, the film follows McDull's Tai Chi experience on Mount Wudang in Hubei province, a sacred site for Chinese kung fu.
The film marks McDull's debut on the big screen in the Chinese mainland. With a box office of 63 million yuan in twelve days, McDull has already surpassed last year's Hollywood animation hit Kung Fu Panda during the same period.
McDull Wu Dang is the first beneficiary of the Hong Kong Film New Action project. Launched in 2007 by the Hong Kong Film Development Council, the project aims to promote the region's film industry by providing financial and talent support. McDull Wu Dang received over 3 million Hong Kong dollars from the government fund, which was more than one quarter of its budget.
(CCTV August 11, 2009)
