Lee Chong Wei (film)

Lee Chong Wei is a 2018 Malaysian biographical sports drama film directed by Teng Bee, about the story of national icon Lee Chong Wei, who rose from poverty to become the top badminton player in the world. The film is based on Lee's 2012 autobiography Dare to Be a Champion (which has been translated into English by Patty Tai Peck Sing). The film stars in the title role for two newcomers, namely 22-year-old Tosh Chan and 13-year-old Jake Eng, who were picked from more than 2,000 auditioned hopefuls.

Lee Chong Wei
official poster
Traditional Chinese	敗者為王
Simplified Chinese	败者为王
Literal meaning	From Loser to King
Hanyu Pinyin	Bài Zhě Wéi Wáng
Directed by	Teng Bee
Written by	Teng Bee Luke Hwong Tony Hu Wong Siew Chooi
Based on	Dare to Be a Champion by Lee Chong Wei
Produced by	Josiah Chieng Teng Bee
Starring	Tosh Chan Jake Eng Mark Lee Yeo Yann Yann Rosyam Nor
Cinematography	Eric Yeong
Production companies	CB Pictures Mahu Pictures
Release dates	9 March 2018 (2018-03-09) (Bukit Jalil) 15 March 2018 (2018-03-15) (Malaysia) 15 March 2018 (2018-03-15) (Singapore) 7 October 2018 (2018-10-07) (China) 28 October 2018 (2018-10-28) (Taiwan)
Running time	133 minutes[1]
Country	Malaysia
Languages	Hokkien Mandarin Malay English
Budget	RM6 million[2]
Box office	RM4.75 million CN¥6.58 million NT$2 million

Plot

The movie begins with a young boy asking Lee how to be as good of a shuttler as him after a badminton match. A flashback then brings Lee back to his tough upbringing and the story of how he overcame setbacks along the way. The film features a mix of real-life accounts and dramatic fiction, culminating in the 2006 Malaysia Open final where Lee miraculously saved 8 match points against great rival Lin Dan to win the title, one of the few and first occasions where Lee defeated Lin in their numerous encounters over the span of their decade-long rivalry.

Cast

• Tosh Chan as adult Lee Chong Wei
  • Jake Eng as young Lee Chong Wei
• Mark Lee as Lee Ah Chai, Lee Chong Wei's father
• Yeo Yann Yann as Khor Kim Chooi, Lee Chong Wei's mother
• Rosyam Nor as Misbun Sidek, Lee Chong Wei's national team coach
• Ashley Hua as Wong Mew Choo, Lee Chong Wei's teammate and love interest, later wife
• Freddie Wong as Teh Peng Huat, Lee Chong Wei's junior coach
• Uriah See as Yang Kun Cheng, Lee Chong Wei's rival
• Sherie Merlis as Latifah Sidek, Misbun Sidek's wife
• Bernard Hiew
• Norman Pang
• Wilson Tin
• Jacky Kam
• Agnes Lim as Lee Bee Kim, Lee Chong Wei's sister
• Ling Tai Yong (aka Ling Big Yong) as Lee Chong Wei's brother and also a Youtuber

Production

The film was initially titled Rise Of The Legend and took three years to produce.^[3] In early 2017, an audition was held for the lead role of Lee with more than 2,000 candidates from Malaysia and Taiwan.^[3] 22-year-old Tosh Chan and child actor Jake Eng were selected to play the role of Lee and a young version of him.^[3]

Reception

The film received generally average reviews, but earned RM2 million in ticket sales in the first 4 days of release.^[4] It peaked at number 3 in the Malaysian cinema charts upon release, and fell to number 4 the following week.^[5]

Although the movie was supposed to be released throughout Asia, it failed to make a splash in neighbouring Singapore, garnering only S$10,000 in ticket sales upon release and a total of under S$75,000 after a 4-day run. Nevertheless, it peaked at number 6 in Singapore and maintained in the weekly top 10 charts for 4 consecutive weeks.^[6]

However, the film performed strongly in other markets, having grossed ¥6.58 million in China where it was released on 7 September 2018.^[7] Following its release in Taiwan on 28 September 2018, it surpassed NT$1 million after just 3 days and eventually passed the $2 million mark.^[8]