Work-in-progress film project “The Remnant” is both a spotlight on those who feel powerless and also a very Hong Kong example of elements of the city pulling themselves up. “The Remnant” is one of the projects in the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) unspooling March 13-15 alongside Hong Kong’s Filmart market.
It tells the story of a former gangster who, upon his release from prison, sets up a laundry in an anonymous district and lives a quiet life. After property developers try to grab a rundown building, young gangsters try to throw people out of the building, drug addicts cause trouble and the old-timer heeds his neighbors’ calls and fights back.
Director Kwan Man-hin (nickname: “Mandrew”) developed the fictional project from a previous documentary he made about a former Triad member who went straight and became a well-respected restaurateur in Hong Kong’s To Kwa Wan district.
It tells the story of a former gangster who, upon his release from prison, sets up a laundry in an anonymous district and lives a quiet life. After property developers try to grab a rundown building, young gangsters try to throw people out of the building, drug addicts cause trouble and the old-timer heeds his neighbors’ calls and fights back.
Director Kwan Man-hin (nickname: “Mandrew”) developed the fictional project from a previous documentary he made about a former Triad member who went straight and became a well-respected restaurateur in Hong Kong’s To Kwa Wan district.
- 3/13/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
At previous in-person editions of Filmart, Hong Kong’s major film companies, including Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp), One Cool Group, Universe Films and Media Asia, always anchored the trade show floor with huge, elaborate booths promoting the latest Hong Kong films, animation and TV series.
Despite a difficult few years, during which they’ve had to navigate Covid-related cinema closures, stringent travel restrictions and Hong Kong’s political upheaval, all these companies and more are re-erecting their stalls at the first physical edition of Filmart in three years, and even have some good news to share.
Just last week, Edko Films’ legal drama A Guilty Conscience, starring Dayo Wong as a sharp-tongued barrister defending a single mother against ruthless tycoons, became the first Hong Kong film ever to gross more than Hk$100M (US$12.7M) at the local box office. The film is also currently topping the mainland China box office,...
Despite a difficult few years, during which they’ve had to navigate Covid-related cinema closures, stringent travel restrictions and Hong Kong’s political upheaval, all these companies and more are re-erecting their stalls at the first physical edition of Filmart in three years, and even have some good news to share.
Just last week, Edko Films’ legal drama A Guilty Conscience, starring Dayo Wong as a sharp-tongued barrister defending a single mother against ruthless tycoons, became the first Hong Kong film ever to gross more than Hk$100M (US$12.7M) at the local box office. The film is also currently topping the mainland China box office,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Bill Kong, Asia’s leading film producer, has turned quietly optimistic about the prospects for Chinese cinema. The sales and distribution arm of his Hong Kong-based Edko Films has picked up international sales rights to “Full River Red,” the Chinese film that’s the world’s highest grossing movie with a 2023 release.
The Chinese film industry had a torrid time in 2022, seeing box office plunge to 11-year lows, censorship and bureaucracy take an additional toll, and only a handful of mainland films make it to overseas festivals.
Now, selected distributors in Berlin could be in for a treat.
Directed by venerable Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, period drama “Full River Red” was the number one film in mainland China over the recent Lunar New Year holiday and continues to ride high at the Middle Kingdom box office. To date, it has grossed 541 million in the space of 11 days.
Set in the 12th Century,...
The Chinese film industry had a torrid time in 2022, seeing box office plunge to 11-year lows, censorship and bureaucracy take an additional toll, and only a handful of mainland films make it to overseas festivals.
Now, selected distributors in Berlin could be in for a treat.
Directed by venerable Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, period drama “Full River Red” was the number one film in mainland China over the recent Lunar New Year holiday and continues to ride high at the Middle Kingdom box office. To date, it has grossed 541 million in the space of 11 days.
Set in the 12th Century,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Riding on the box office success in Hong Kong of its “Table for Six,” Edko Films, the production, distribution and exhibition conglomerate headed by Bill Kong (“Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”), is launching a trio of new titles at the American Film Market this week.
One titles is courtroom drama “A Guilty Conscience,” which follows the aftermath of a manslaughter case in which a barrister’s mistake lands his supermodel client in jail. The path to an appeal, however, seems like justice itself is on trial.
Writer and director Jack Ng is making his feature directing debut on the drama; his track record as a writer that includes Edko’s 2021 hit “Anita” and “Cold War II.” The company’s confidence is such that the picture is set as Edko’s biggest title for the crucial Chinese New Year slot. It stars Dayo Wong and Louise Wong (“Anita”).
Eric Tsang Hing Wen...
One titles is courtroom drama “A Guilty Conscience,” which follows the aftermath of a manslaughter case in which a barrister’s mistake lands his supermodel client in jail. The path to an appeal, however, seems like justice itself is on trial.
Writer and director Jack Ng is making his feature directing debut on the drama; his track record as a writer that includes Edko’s 2021 hit “Anita” and “Cold War II.” The company’s confidence is such that the picture is set as Edko’s biggest title for the crucial Chinese New Year slot. It stars Dayo Wong and Louise Wong (“Anita”).
Eric Tsang Hing Wen...
- 11/2/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Family comedy “Table For Six” has set an opening day local record for a comedy film in Hong Kong, to the relief of producers who were forced to digest a releasing delay of six months.
The Sunny Chan-directed film opened Wednesday in Hong Kong and Macau at 61 theatres, playing a total of 608 sessions. That gave it an accumulated box office of HK1,986,701.
“Table for Six,” which chronicles a family’s holiday gathering where food, love, friendship, jealousy and relationships are on the menu, had originally been planned as a dish to be served at Chinese New Year, in February. And producers had assembled a cast of major Hong Kong and regional talents, including Dayo Wong, Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min-Chen and Chan Charm Man.
But Hong Kong’s strict Covid-control measures, in response to a fifth wave of infections, closed cinemas for the first four months...
The Sunny Chan-directed film opened Wednesday in Hong Kong and Macau at 61 theatres, playing a total of 608 sessions. That gave it an accumulated box office of HK1,986,701.
“Table for Six,” which chronicles a family’s holiday gathering where food, love, friendship, jealousy and relationships are on the menu, had originally been planned as a dish to be served at Chinese New Year, in February. And producers had assembled a cast of major Hong Kong and regional talents, including Dayo Wong, Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min-Chen and Chan Charm Man.
But Hong Kong’s strict Covid-control measures, in response to a fifth wave of infections, closed cinemas for the first four months...
- 9/8/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Neon has nabbed North American rights to Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s “One Second.”
The film, written by Zhang and Zou Jingzhi and starring Wei Fan and Xiaochuan Li, is adapted from a novel about a man who escapes a labor camp for a glimpse of his daughter. Zhang had called “One Second,” set during China’s 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, his personal tribute to cinema. It’s scheduled as TIFF’s closing night film.
“One Second” debuted last November in China, where it grossed $12 million at the box office. The film arrived on the big screen after being plagued by censorship problems. It was yanked from competition at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival due to “technical reasons,” though many speculated its removal from the lineup was politically motivated.
The Academy Award-nominated Zhang, one of China’s most recognizable filmmakers,...
The film, written by Zhang and Zou Jingzhi and starring Wei Fan and Xiaochuan Li, is adapted from a novel about a man who escapes a labor camp for a glimpse of his daughter. Zhang had called “One Second,” set during China’s 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, his personal tribute to cinema. It’s scheduled as TIFF’s closing night film.
“One Second” debuted last November in China, where it grossed $12 million at the box office. The film arrived on the big screen after being plagued by censorship problems. It was yanked from competition at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival due to “technical reasons,” though many speculated its removal from the lineup was politically motivated.
The Academy Award-nominated Zhang, one of China’s most recognizable filmmakers,...
- 7/20/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Neon has taken North American rights to Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s One Second, which was just announced as the closing-night film for this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
Described by the filmmaker as his “love letter to cinema,” the pic, based on the novel by Yan Geling, stars Zhang Yi, Liu Haocun and Fan Wei in the story of a rural Chinese village coming together to restore a destroyed film reel.
One Second has had a bumpy journey to its North American premiere. The pic was originally scheduled to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival back in 2019 but was pulled at the last second, with “technical reasons” cited.
Speculation suggested that the film was actually pulled on request by Chinese authorities. It then went through reshoots before it was eventually cleared for release in China in November last year, grossing $10 million — a disappointing result for a high-profile movie that...
Described by the filmmaker as his “love letter to cinema,” the pic, based on the novel by Yan Geling, stars Zhang Yi, Liu Haocun and Fan Wei in the story of a rural Chinese village coming together to restore a destroyed film reel.
One Second has had a bumpy journey to its North American premiere. The pic was originally scheduled to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival back in 2019 but was pulled at the last second, with “technical reasons” cited.
Speculation suggested that the film was actually pulled on request by Chinese authorities. It then went through reshoots before it was eventually cleared for release in China in November last year, grossing $10 million — a disappointing result for a high-profile movie that...
- 7/20/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has swooped in to acquire the North American distribution rights to “One Second,” the latest film from Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou.
“One Second” was just announced on Tuesday to be the closing night film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it will make its North American premiere. The movie already was released in China on November 27 last year.
“One Second” is considered a love letter to cinema and tells the story of a film projectionist and an escaped prisoner who form a bond through the movies. The film is set in a rural Chinese village as they come together to restore a destroyed film reel, all as another young vagabond plots to steal the reel away once repaired.
Yimou co-wrote “One Second” along with Zou Jingzhi based on a novel by Yan Geling. The film stars Zhang Yi, Liu Haocun and Fan Wei. The film was...
“One Second” was just announced on Tuesday to be the closing night film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where it will make its North American premiere. The movie already was released in China on November 27 last year.
“One Second” is considered a love letter to cinema and tells the story of a film projectionist and an escaped prisoner who form a bond through the movies. The film is set in a rural Chinese village as they come together to restore a destroyed film reel, all as another young vagabond plots to steal the reel away once repaired.
Yimou co-wrote “One Second” along with Zou Jingzhi based on a novel by Yan Geling. The film stars Zhang Yi, Liu Haocun and Fan Wei. The film was...
- 7/20/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Let's get down to business...because the live-action Mulan has officially been named! While Disney's modern rendition of the beloved animated movie remains quietly underway, the studios finally announced the project's main star on Wednesday: Liu Yifei. The 30-year-old Chinese actress will lead the film as the Hua Mulan, a legendary female warrior who is believed to have taken her father's place in the army. Yifei joins a production helmed by The Zookeeper's Wife director Niki Caro and executive produced by Bill Kong with producers Jason Reed, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner. While there's still a long wait until the movie's projected 2019...
- 11/29/2017
- E! Online
Walt Disney Pictures has today announced that its found its newest star to lead its long-gestating live-action “Mulan” feature film, directed by Niki Caro. Per an official press release, Chinese actress Liu Yifei (also known as Crystal Liu) has been cast as the eponymous lead in the film, “which is inspired by both the legendary ballad and the Disney animated classic.”
The multi-talented actress is well-known in her native China, where she has been modeling since the age of 8, in addition to training in singing, dancing, and playing the piano. While Liu moved to the United States at the age of 10, she returned to China in 2002 to pursue her acting and modeling career. Trained at the Performance Institute of Beijing Film Academy, Liu has appeared on both television and in film. She’s best known to domestic audiences for her roles in films like “Ip Man 3” and “The Forbidden Kingdom.
The multi-talented actress is well-known in her native China, where she has been modeling since the age of 8, in addition to training in singing, dancing, and playing the piano. While Liu moved to the United States at the age of 10, she returned to China in 2002 to pursue her acting and modeling career. Trained at the Performance Institute of Beijing Film Academy, Liu has appeared on both television and in film. She’s best known to domestic audiences for her roles in films like “Ip Man 3” and “The Forbidden Kingdom.
- 11/29/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Chinese actress Liu Yifei (also known as Crystal Liu) has been tapped to star as the titular character in Disney’s live-action adaptation of the 1998 animated film Mulan. Niki Caro is attached to direct, with Jason Reed, Chris Bender, and Jake Weiner producing, and Bill Kong executive producing. The story from Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa’s screenplay follows the rise of Mulan during the Han Dynasty when this daughter of a legendary warrior impersonates a man to fight…...
- 11/29/2017
- Deadline
Disney has cast its lead in the live-action adaptation of “Mulan,” the studio announced Wednesday. Chinese actress Liu Yifei, who is also known as Crystal Liu, will play the titular character in the film that will be directed by Niki Caro. Jason Reed, Chris Bender and Jake Weiner producing, and Bill Kong is executive producing. Also Read: Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan' Remake Won't Feature Songs, Says Director Disney’s full-scale revival project comes on the heels of remakes like “The Jungle Book” and “Beauty and the Beast,” both of which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. “Jungle Book” was a particular surprise hit,...
- 11/29/2017
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
On the eve of the Chinese fantasy film Monster Hunt's release in 2015, the film's director, Raman Hui, was terrified. After more than 20 years in Hollywood — much of it spent working for DreamWorks Animation as a senior animator and director (he co-helmed Shrek the Third) — Hui had returned to his hometown of Hong Kong to make his live-action directorial debut for legendary local producer Bill Kong and his Edko Films.
“Bill took this big risk to make my first live-action film, and I was so scared he wouldn’t get his money back,” Hui says.
Those...
“Bill took this big risk to make my first live-action film, and I was so scared he wouldn’t get his money back,” Hui says.
Those...
- 11/2/2017
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lionsgate has acquired North American and UK theatrical distribution rights to Monster Hunt 2, the sequel to the 2015 blockbuster that, for a time, was the highest-grossing film ever in China. The agreement also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt property for its location-based entertainment venues in select territories. Bill Kong's Hong Kong-based Edko Films is selling Monster Hunt 2 at the Cannes Film Festival. Monster Hunt 2 is directed by Raman Hui and stars…...
- 5/17/2017
- Deadline
Exclusive: Edko Films scores deals on big budget Chinese sequel.
Lionsgate has acquired North American and UK theatrical rights to Edko Films’ Monster Hunt 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2015 Chinese blockbuster.
The agreement also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt property for its location-based entertainment venues in select territories.
Directed by Raman Hui and produced by Edko Films’ Bill Kong, Monster Hunt 2 stars Tony Chiu-Wai Leung along with Bai Baihe and Jing Boran, who both starred in the first installment. Currently in post-production, the film is scheduled to open in the Us and UK day-and-date with its release in China over Chinese New Year 2018.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Patrick Wachsberger, Wendy Reeds and the rest of the Lionsgate team,” said Kong. “Lionsgate is a powerful creative force and has demonstrated its marketing and distribution prowess across a broad range of blockbuster films.”
Wendy Reeds, Lionsgate executive vice president, international sales and...
Lionsgate has acquired North American and UK theatrical rights to Edko Films’ Monster Hunt 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2015 Chinese blockbuster.
The agreement also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt property for its location-based entertainment venues in select territories.
Directed by Raman Hui and produced by Edko Films’ Bill Kong, Monster Hunt 2 stars Tony Chiu-Wai Leung along with Bai Baihe and Jing Boran, who both starred in the first installment. Currently in post-production, the film is scheduled to open in the Us and UK day-and-date with its release in China over Chinese New Year 2018.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Patrick Wachsberger, Wendy Reeds and the rest of the Lionsgate team,” said Kong. “Lionsgate is a powerful creative force and has demonstrated its marketing and distribution prowess across a broad range of blockbuster films.”
Wendy Reeds, Lionsgate executive vice president, international sales and...
- 5/17/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate has acquired North American and U.K. distribution rights to Edko Films' forthcoming sequel to Chinese blockbuster Monster Hunt.
The deal also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt IP for its location-based entertainment venues in some territories.
Directed by DreamWorks Animation veteran Raman Hui (Shrek the Third) and produced by Bill Kong, the first Monster Hunt (2016) earned an historic $382 million, which was then the biggest performance ever at the Chinese box office. The professional polish of the film's effects set a new standard for the Chinese industry.
Monster Hunt 2 again stars Baihe Bai and Boran Jing, along...
The deal also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt IP for its location-based entertainment venues in some territories.
Directed by DreamWorks Animation veteran Raman Hui (Shrek the Third) and produced by Bill Kong, the first Monster Hunt (2016) earned an historic $382 million, which was then the biggest performance ever at the Chinese box office. The professional polish of the film's effects set a new standard for the Chinese industry.
Monster Hunt 2 again stars Baihe Bai and Boran Jing, along...
- 5/16/2017
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This article originally appeared on EW.com.
The next Mulan promises to pack some serious punches. Niki Caro (Whale Rider), who will direct Disney’s upcoming live-action movie, called the remake “a girly martial arts extravaganza” during a new interview.
“I haven’t started yet so I can’t give you any real detail,” Caro told ScreenCrush while promoting her latest film, The Zookeeper’s Wife. “But the budget and the location and the story offering such scope to me for incredible, muscular piece of girly martial arts extravaganza in China. And I can’t wait.”
“I’ve got my little girl,...
The next Mulan promises to pack some serious punches. Niki Caro (Whale Rider), who will direct Disney’s upcoming live-action movie, called the remake “a girly martial arts extravaganza” during a new interview.
“I haven’t started yet so I can’t give you any real detail,” Caro told ScreenCrush while promoting her latest film, The Zookeeper’s Wife. “But the budget and the location and the story offering such scope to me for incredible, muscular piece of girly martial arts extravaganza in China. And I can’t wait.”
“I’ve got my little girl,...
- 3/20/2017
- by Nick Romano
- PEOPLE.com
There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
- 3/13/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
With Beauty and the Beast on track to be a huge box office hit, it's no surprise that Disney is continuing at full speed with adaptations of their animated classics. The studio's remake of Mulan is next on the list, and Niki Caro has now been confirmed to helm the movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio made an effort to find an Asian director (consulting Ang Lee and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story star Jiang Wen, who both had to pass) before settling on Caro. Disney also considered Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, and Michelle MacLaren (Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones.) Caro being hired to direct the film will most likely nix her chances of directing Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel film, for which she was reportedly in the running. In addition to Caro, the studio has also hired Hong-Kong based producer Bill Kong to oversee the film.
- 2/15/2017
- ComicBookMovie.com
The race between Disney and Sony’s competing Mulan projects is beginning to heat up. Late last year, we brought you the news that the latter studio had drafted in Alex Graves (Game of Thrones) to direct. All has been quiet on the Sony front ever since, but we understand that, in respecting the Chinese heritage at the heart of Hua Mulan’s epic story, both live-action interpretations will feature predominantly Asian casts.
Going one step further, it’s now been revealed that Disney has appointed Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife) at the helm of its own Mulan movie. The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop, confirming that Caro, who enjoyed her big break back in 2002 through acclaimed family drama Whale Rider, saw off competition from Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) and the prolific Michelle MacLaren (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones) to land the gig, and will work alongside Crouching Tiger’s Bill Kong,...
Going one step further, it’s now been revealed that Disney has appointed Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife) at the helm of its own Mulan movie. The Hollywood Reporter has the scoop, confirming that Caro, who enjoyed her big break back in 2002 through acclaimed family drama Whale Rider, saw off competition from Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman) and the prolific Michelle MacLaren (The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones) to land the gig, and will work alongside Crouching Tiger’s Bill Kong,...
- 2/14/2017
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
With Beauty and the Beast just around the corner, Disney’s getting down to business on their next live-action remake. Mulan has just locked down a director in Niki Caro, who just recently worked with the studio on McFarland, USA. In addition, they’ve set Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) to serve as executive producer. The Hollywood Reporter broke news of the […]
The post Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Gets Down to Business With ‘Whale Rider’ Director Niki Caro appeared first on /Film.
The post Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Gets Down to Business With ‘Whale Rider’ Director Niki Caro appeared first on /Film.
- 2/14/2017
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
Yoji Yamada's hit Japanese comedy What a Wonderful Family! (Kazoku wa Tsuraiyo) is getting a Chinese remake.
Bill Kong's Edko and Shanghai Yiyantang Entertainment will produce the Chinese version of the film, with Huang Lei directing and his wife, Sun Li, set to star, according to Chinese media reports.
What a Wonderful Family! was released by Shochiku in Japan in March this year and took around $13 million at the local box office.
The dramedy follows a couple, married for 50 years. When the husband asks his wife what she wants for her upcoming birthday, she replies: "a divorce," sending...
Bill Kong's Edko and Shanghai Yiyantang Entertainment will produce the Chinese version of the film, with Huang Lei directing and his wife, Sun Li, set to star, according to Chinese media reports.
What a Wonderful Family! was released by Shochiku in Japan in March this year and took around $13 million at the local box office.
The dramedy follows a couple, married for 50 years. When the husband asks his wife what she wants for her upcoming birthday, she replies: "a divorce," sending...
- 12/9/2016
- by Gavin J. Blair
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: China Film Archive set to distribute both foreign and local arthouse titles through new theatrical circuit that creates a long-awaited third channel for imported films.
Beijing-based China Film Archive (Cfa) is set to start distributing both imported and Chinese arthouse films through the recently-launched National Arthouse Film Alliance, which has established a theatrical circuit of around 100 screens.
The long-awaited move creates a third distribution channel for specialist and award-winning titles in China, which have struggled to enter the market through the existing quota system.
Cfa, a state-owned cultural body that organises film festivals and screening programmes, has created the alliance with Huaxia Film Distribution, Wanda Cinema Line, Bill Kong’s Broadway Circuit, Jia Zhangke’s Fabula Entertainment and ticketing platform Weying Technology.
The alliance has created a circuit of around 100 screens across the country, which has pledged to give regular platform releases to specialist titles from both China and overseas. The circuit...
Beijing-based China Film Archive (Cfa) is set to start distributing both imported and Chinese arthouse films through the recently-launched National Arthouse Film Alliance, which has established a theatrical circuit of around 100 screens.
The long-awaited move creates a third distribution channel for specialist and award-winning titles in China, which have struggled to enter the market through the existing quota system.
Cfa, a state-owned cultural body that organises film festivals and screening programmes, has created the alliance with Huaxia Film Distribution, Wanda Cinema Line, Bill Kong’s Broadway Circuit, Jia Zhangke’s Fabula Entertainment and ticketing platform Weying Technology.
The alliance has created a circuit of around 100 screens across the country, which has pledged to give regular platform releases to specialist titles from both China and overseas. The circuit...
- 10/20/2016
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film is an adaptation of Liu Zhenyun’s award-winning novel One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand.
Hong Kong’s Edko Films is launching sales on Someone To Talk To, an adaptation of Liu Zhenyun’s award-winning novel One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand, produced by Bill Kong.
The novel, which won the Mao Dun Literature Prize after it was published in 2008, revolves around a divorced woman and her married younger brother and deals with loneliness and alienation in contemporary Chinese society.
The film marks the feature debut of award-winning short filmmaker Liu Yulin, who is adapting her father’s work. A New York University film graduate, Liu’s short film Door God (2014) won a silver medal at the 41st Student Academy Awards and was selected by Cannes.
“I was very impressed by Liu’s first short film and hoped to find the right material for us to work together. That’s when she suggested adapting this extraordinary novel by...
Hong Kong’s Edko Films is launching sales on Someone To Talk To, an adaptation of Liu Zhenyun’s award-winning novel One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand, produced by Bill Kong.
The novel, which won the Mao Dun Literature Prize after it was published in 2008, revolves around a divorced woman and her married younger brother and deals with loneliness and alienation in contemporary Chinese society.
The film marks the feature debut of award-winning short filmmaker Liu Yulin, who is adapting her father’s work. A New York University film graduate, Liu’s short film Door God (2014) won a silver medal at the 41st Student Academy Awards and was selected by Cannes.
“I was very impressed by Liu’s first short film and hoped to find the right material for us to work together. That’s when she suggested adapting this extraordinary novel by...
- 5/12/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba revealed further details of its streaming service and crowdfunding platform at Siff Forum, where talk revolved around the convergence of China’s movie and internet industries and new financing models.
Shanghai International Film Festival’s Siff Forum spent the first two days debating how the entry of Bat (Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent) and other tech giants will impact a film industry that has only existed as a commercial enterprise for the past 15 years.
Speaking at the first session, Alibaba’s digital chief Patrick Liu said the company would launch an Svod and Tvod streaming service, Tmall Box Office (Tbo), in the next two months. Content will be sourced from China and overseas studios such as Lionsgate, which struck a streaming deal with Alibaba last year.
On the sidelines of the forum, Alibaba also revealed further details of its Yulebao crowdfunding platform, which has already raised $110m for around 20 Chinese movies and, if regulations...
Shanghai International Film Festival’s Siff Forum spent the first two days debating how the entry of Bat (Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent) and other tech giants will impact a film industry that has only existed as a commercial enterprise for the past 15 years.
Speaking at the first session, Alibaba’s digital chief Patrick Liu said the company would launch an Svod and Tvod streaming service, Tmall Box Office (Tbo), in the next two months. Content will be sourced from China and overseas studios such as Lionsgate, which struck a streaming deal with Alibaba last year.
On the sidelines of the forum, Alibaba also revealed further details of its Yulebao crowdfunding platform, which has already raised $110m for around 20 Chinese movies and, if regulations...
- 6/15/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai (In The Mood For Love) will produce his first film for Alibaba Pictures, the film production arm of Jack Ma’s online retail giant. Bai Du Ren will be written and directed by Zhang Jiajia and will star Wong Kar Wai regular Tony Leung (2046).
The film will also be the first greenlit by Alibaba Pictures since the company was rebranded following Jack Ma’s acquisition of Chinavision.
At a Beijing event at which Wong Kar Wai was present, Alibaba execs revealed they have acquired adaptation rights for My Fair Princess and the overseas distribution rights for French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Wolf Totem. Iconic Hong Kong producer Bill Kong is at the helm of the latter film, which has been years in the making.
Jack Ma has previously labelled Alibaba the “biggest entertainment company in the world.” He has been gradually building up Alibaba’s content capabilities.
The film will also be the first greenlit by Alibaba Pictures since the company was rebranded following Jack Ma’s acquisition of Chinavision.
At a Beijing event at which Wong Kar Wai was present, Alibaba execs revealed they have acquired adaptation rights for My Fair Princess and the overseas distribution rights for French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud’s Wolf Totem. Iconic Hong Kong producer Bill Kong is at the helm of the latter film, which has been years in the making.
Jack Ma has previously labelled Alibaba the “biggest entertainment company in the world.” He has been gradually building up Alibaba’s content capabilities.
- 1/11/2015
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
Last week, we announced that Sammo Hung was to team back up with fellow peking opera brother Jackie Chan for the movie The Old Soldier, but that is no longer happening. The movie has now been changed to The Bodyguard and will now star the fantastic Andy Lau, as Jackie is filming for a new movie and didn’t have time.
The Bodyguard will be produced by Bill Kong, Andy Lau, Chan Pui-wah and Ivy Ho, Sammo Hung will direct the movie and will also star. Sammo has not directed since he worked with Jet Li on Once Upon A Time In China And America, so fans should be very excited that Sammo is back where he belongs.
Plot:
A retired bodyguard (Hung) who has settled in the dark and unknown corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet. Suffering from the beginnings of dementia, the bodyguard...
The Bodyguard will be produced by Bill Kong, Andy Lau, Chan Pui-wah and Ivy Ho, Sammo Hung will direct the movie and will also star. Sammo has not directed since he worked with Jet Li on Once Upon A Time In China And America, so fans should be very excited that Sammo is back where he belongs.
Plot:
A retired bodyguard (Hung) who has settled in the dark and unknown corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet. Suffering from the beginnings of dementia, the bodyguard...
- 9/27/2014
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Production has commenced on Chinese director Sammo Hung's upcoming action thriller The Bodyguard which Lava Bear Films has come on board to co-produce with Edko Films, Irresistible Films and Focus Films. The film, starring Hung and Chinese superstar Andy Lau is being produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero), Andy Lau (Firestorm, A Simple Life), Chan Pui-wah (Firestorm, A Simple Life) and Ivy Ho (Cold War, Rise of the Legend). Currently in production in Northern China, the movie will be released in Summer 2015.
- 9/22/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Highly anticipated Chinese kung-fu action film brings martial arts icon Wong Fei Hung back on screen.
Universal Pictures International (Upi) is teaming up with Edko Films and Irresistible Films on Rise of the Legend.
Roy Chow’s highly anticipated Chinese kung-fu action film brings martial arts icon Wong Fei Hung back on screen and stars Peng Yuyan in the title role. Christine To wrote the screenplay.
Sammo Hung, Wang Luodan, Jing Boran, Wong Cho Lam and Zhang Jin also star, with special appearances by Tony Leung Ka-fai and Angelababy.
Upi has acquired all rights in international territories, including North America but excluding Asia. It will be distributed and marketed in Asia by Edko Films.
Producer Bill Kong, head of Edko Films, commented: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Universal again. We collaborated with Universal back in 2006 and achieved optimal results. Released through Universal in the Us, Fearless starring Jet Li was screened in over 1,800 theatres and ranked...
Universal Pictures International (Upi) is teaming up with Edko Films and Irresistible Films on Rise of the Legend.
Roy Chow’s highly anticipated Chinese kung-fu action film brings martial arts icon Wong Fei Hung back on screen and stars Peng Yuyan in the title role. Christine To wrote the screenplay.
Sammo Hung, Wang Luodan, Jing Boran, Wong Cho Lam and Zhang Jin also star, with special appearances by Tony Leung Ka-fai and Angelababy.
Upi has acquired all rights in international territories, including North America but excluding Asia. It will be distributed and marketed in Asia by Edko Films.
Producer Bill Kong, head of Edko Films, commented: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Universal again. We collaborated with Universal back in 2006 and achieved optimal results. Released through Universal in the Us, Fearless starring Jet Li was screened in over 1,800 theatres and ranked...
- 6/12/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong-based Edko Films has announced 3D fantasy adventure Monster Hunt, to be directed by Raman Hui, who co-directed Shrek The Third.
The $30m Chinese-language film will star Bai Baihe (Personal Tailor), Kai Ko (You Are The Apple Of My Eye) and Jiang Wu (A Touch of Sin).
Based on the supernatural classic Strange Tales From A Chinese Studio, the film will feature Woba, a CGI protagonist who is the last of the monster kings embroiled in a war with humans that has lasted generations. His quest is to bring unity to the two races with the help of characters played by Bai and Ko.
“We give this classic tale a new spin by reducing the horror element and reinventing it with family-friendly fantastical characters and settings in an epic style,” said Hui.
Veteran actor Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs) and Hong Kong’s ‘Queen of Comedy’ Sandra Ng (The Golden Chicken trilogy) will also feature along with Yan...
The $30m Chinese-language film will star Bai Baihe (Personal Tailor), Kai Ko (You Are The Apple Of My Eye) and Jiang Wu (A Touch of Sin).
Based on the supernatural classic Strange Tales From A Chinese Studio, the film will feature Woba, a CGI protagonist who is the last of the monster kings embroiled in a war with humans that has lasted generations. His quest is to bring unity to the two races with the help of characters played by Bai and Ko.
“We give this classic tale a new spin by reducing the horror element and reinventing it with family-friendly fantastical characters and settings in an epic style,” said Hui.
Veteran actor Eric Tsang (Infernal Affairs) and Hong Kong’s ‘Queen of Comedy’ Sandra Ng (The Golden Chicken trilogy) will also feature along with Yan...
- 6/3/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Bill Kong’s Hong Kong-based Edko Films presented its big-budget 3D fantasy adventure Monster Hunt, which will mark the feature debut of animation director Raman Hui (Shrek the Third), at a news conference Sunday in Beijing. The cast will include big regional stars such as Bai Baihe (Personal Tailor), Kai Ko (You Are the Apple of My Eye), Jiang Wu (A Touch of Sin) and a CGI character called Woba. The movie is Hong Kong-born Hui’s Chinese-language and live-action feature directorial debut. Photos: Hong Kong Filmart: The Best of the Worst One-Sheets The movie is
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- 6/2/2014
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“A Complicated Story” marks the debut of upcoming Hong Kong director Chau Kwoon Wai, and despite being a graduation project is a notable release, being the first film from the new Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts (Hkapa) film program, produced by Johnnie To and William Kong of Milkyway and Edko Films. Adapted from a novel by popular author Yi Shu, the film is a drama dealing with the currently hot topic of surrogate motherhood, which as the title suggests weaves an intricate web of secrets, lies and shifting relationships. At the heart of the film is actress Zhu Zhi Ying (“Lust, Caution”), playing a university student called Liu Yazi who agrees to become a surrogate mother for a rich couple in order to raise the money for an operation for her seriously ill brother. Despite surrogacy being a legal and moral grey area, Liu Yazi agrees to the deal,...
- 5/23/2014
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Hong Kong’s Edko Films has appointed Esther Yeung as general manager of sales & acquisitions, as the company’s veteran buyer, Audrey Lee, takes a step back to focus on her personal interests after 33 years with the company.
Lee, who formerly held the position of general manager of sales & acquisitions, is a familiar and highly-respected figure on the international film circuit. She will continue to serve as a consultant to Edko Films.
“My decision is simply a personal decision to create more space in my life to pursue my increasing interest in various hobbies such as Cantonese opera singing and travelling,” said Lee.
“I also believe this is the right time to sit back and relax as we have a dedicated staff, a strong and involved distribution and marketing team. Esther has also proven herself in tough assignments and has a good eye for films with an excellent understanding of world cinema and our markets.”
Yeung, who joined...
Lee, who formerly held the position of general manager of sales & acquisitions, is a familiar and highly-respected figure on the international film circuit. She will continue to serve as a consultant to Edko Films.
“My decision is simply a personal decision to create more space in my life to pursue my increasing interest in various hobbies such as Cantonese opera singing and travelling,” said Lee.
“I also believe this is the right time to sit back and relax as we have a dedicated staff, a strong and involved distribution and marketing team. Esther has also proven herself in tough assignments and has a good eye for films with an excellent understanding of world cinema and our markets.”
Yeung, who joined...
- 3/3/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong’s Edko Films has appointed Esther Yeung as general manager of sales & acquisitions, as the company’s veteran buyer, Audrey Lee, takes a step back to focus on her personal interests after 33 years with the company.
Lee, who formerly held the position of general manager of sales & acquisitions, is a familiar and highly-respected figure on the international film circuit. She will continue to serve as a consultant to Edko Films.
“My decision is simply a personal decision to create more space in my life to pursue my increasing interest in various hobbies such as Cantonese opera singing and travelling,” said Lee.
“I also believe this is the right time to sit back and relax as we have a dedicated staff, a strong and involved distribution and marketing team. Esther has also proven herself in tough assignments and has a good eye for films with an excellent understanding of world cinema and our markets.”
Yeung, who joined...
Lee, who formerly held the position of general manager of sales & acquisitions, is a familiar and highly-respected figure on the international film circuit. She will continue to serve as a consultant to Edko Films.
“My decision is simply a personal decision to create more space in my life to pursue my increasing interest in various hobbies such as Cantonese opera singing and travelling,” said Lee.
“I also believe this is the right time to sit back and relax as we have a dedicated staff, a strong and involved distribution and marketing team. Esther has also proven herself in tough assignments and has a good eye for films with an excellent understanding of world cinema and our markets.”
Yeung, who joined...
- 3/3/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou's latest has, indeed, found a "Home." Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand to Zhang's "Coming Home." A 20th-century-spanning romantic drama about a Chinese dissident, the film stars Gong Li and Chen Daoming, and is currently in post-production. Produced by Bill Kong and Zhang Zhao, "Coming Home" will be the 12th collaboration between Sony Classics and Zhang Yimou, beginning with 1991's "Raise the Red Lantern" and including "House of Flying Daggers," "Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Shanghai Triad." Primary financier LeVision Pictures will handle distribution in China. A master stylist of both martial arts and human drama films, Zhang Yimou's last movie was "The Flowers of War" in 2011.
- 2/18/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
The distributor has picked up rights from Wild Bunch to Zhang Yimou’s drama for North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.
Gong Li stars in Coming Home, which spans eight decades in the life of a Chinese dissident played by Chen Daoming.
The romantic story, currently in post, is inspired by Yan Geling’s The Criminal Lu Yanshi and is based on a screenplay by Jingshi Zou.
Bill Kong and LeVision Pictures’ Zhang Zhao produce and Lava Bear Films’ David Linde serves as executive producer.
Coming Home marks the 12th collaboration between Yimou and Spc’s Tom Bernard and Michael Barker since 1991, when they released Raise The Red Lantern at Orion Classics.
Gong Li stars in Coming Home, which spans eight decades in the life of a Chinese dissident played by Chen Daoming.
The romantic story, currently in post, is inspired by Yan Geling’s The Criminal Lu Yanshi and is based on a screenplay by Jingshi Zou.
Bill Kong and LeVision Pictures’ Zhang Zhao produce and Lava Bear Films’ David Linde serves as executive producer.
Coming Home marks the 12th collaboration between Yimou and Spc’s Tom Bernard and Michael Barker since 1991, when they released Raise The Red Lantern at Orion Classics.
- 2/18/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired all rights in North America, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand to Zhang Yimou.s Coming Home , starring Gong Li. The film, currently in post-production, is produced by Bill Kong and LeVision Pictures' Zhang Zhao. Lava Bear Films' David Linde executive produced. Inspired by Yan Geling's "The Criminal Lu Yanshi" with a screenplay written by Jingshi Zou, Coming Home is a romance drama chronicling the journey of a Chinese dissident (Chen Daoming) from the 1920's to the 1990's. Coming Home marks the twelfth collaboration between the Sony Pictures Classics team and Zhang Yimou, dating back to the 1991 Orion Classics release of Raise the Red Lantern . Other films include House of Flying Daggers ,...
- 2/18/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Exclusive: Film reuniting Zhang Yimou [pictured] with Gong Li will be ready in time for Cannes Film Festival.
Wild Bunch has snapped international sales of Zhang Yimou’s upcoming love story Coming Home, reuniting the director with actress Gong Li.
“This is a couple, Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, at the top of their art, delivering the work of their life. They are at their peak,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screen.
Maraval screened a rough-cut of Coming Home, in Hong Kong last Thursday (Jan 30) and signed the film on the spot.
The film was produced by Zhang Zhao, CEO of Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures, and Yimou’s long-time, Hong Kong-based producer and distributor Bill Kong. David Linde is executive producer.
Le Vision’s sister company Le TV will distribute the film in China. Kong’s Edko Films Ltd is handling Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia/Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. Wild Bunch is selling...
Wild Bunch has snapped international sales of Zhang Yimou’s upcoming love story Coming Home, reuniting the director with actress Gong Li.
“This is a couple, Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, at the top of their art, delivering the work of their life. They are at their peak,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screen.
Maraval screened a rough-cut of Coming Home, in Hong Kong last Thursday (Jan 30) and signed the film on the spot.
The film was produced by Zhang Zhao, CEO of Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures, and Yimou’s long-time, Hong Kong-based producer and distributor Bill Kong. David Linde is executive producer.
Le Vision’s sister company Le TV will distribute the film in China. Kong’s Edko Films Ltd is handling Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia/Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. Wild Bunch is selling...
- 2/6/2014
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film reuniting Zhang Yimou [pictured] with Gong Li will be ready in time for Cannes Film Festival.
Wild Bunch has snapped international sales of Zhang Yimou’s upcoming love story Home Coming, reuniting the director with actress Gong Li.
“This is a couple, Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, at the top of their art, delivering the work of their life. They are at their peak,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screen.
Maraval screened a rough-cut of Home Coming, in Hong Kong last Thursday (Jan 30) and signed the film on the spot.
The film was produced by Zhang Zhao, CEO of Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures, and Yimou’s long-time, Hong Kong-based producer and distributor Bill Kong. David Linde is executive producer.
Le Vision’s sister company Le TV will distribute the film in China. Kong’s Edko Films Ltd is handling Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia/Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. Wild Bunch is selling...
Wild Bunch has snapped international sales of Zhang Yimou’s upcoming love story Home Coming, reuniting the director with actress Gong Li.
“This is a couple, Zhang Yimou and Gong Li, at the top of their art, delivering the work of their life. They are at their peak,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screen.
Maraval screened a rough-cut of Home Coming, in Hong Kong last Thursday (Jan 30) and signed the film on the spot.
The film was produced by Zhang Zhao, CEO of Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures, and Yimou’s long-time, Hong Kong-based producer and distributor Bill Kong. David Linde is executive producer.
Le Vision’s sister company Le TV will distribute the film in China. Kong’s Edko Films Ltd is handling Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia/Brunei, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines. Wild Bunch is selling...
- 2/6/2014
- ScreenDaily
Firestorm, a Hong Kong police action film starring Andy Lau and Gordon Lam Ka-Tung, had a tempestuous opening in China, taking $27 million in its first four days of release. According to box office data from Entgroup, the movie is showing on 126,787 screens and has racked up 4.327 million admissions. The $20-million project, produced by Bill Kong and Lau, is the directorial debut of Alan Yuen, previously known for penning several of Hong Kong director Benny Chan’s action blockbusters, including New Police Story and Shaolin. Photos: Inside Hollywood's Surprise Trip to China's Huading Awards The movie focuses
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- 12/17/2013
- by Clifford Coonan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andy Lau to attend world premiere.
Police action title Firestorm will have its world premiere as the opening film for ScreenSingapore.
Alan Yuen directs and co-producers are Bill Kong of Edko Films and Andy Lau.
Lau stars in the $20m story of a policeman who crosses moral lines ot catch a gang of crooks.
Lau will attend ScreenSingapore on Dec 4 along with Gordon Lam Ka Tung.
The film will launch across Asia on Dec 12.
Lim Teck, Managing Director of Clover Films, one of the co-distributors of the movie in Singapore, said:
”Firestorm is one of the most anticipated Asian movie in recent years and we are very happy that the
producers & superstar Andy Lau have chosen Singapore to be the venue for the world premiere of this
spectacular movie. We believe that the premiere at ScreenSingapore will bring great excitement to the fans
in Singapore!”...
Police action title Firestorm will have its world premiere as the opening film for ScreenSingapore.
Alan Yuen directs and co-producers are Bill Kong of Edko Films and Andy Lau.
Lau stars in the $20m story of a policeman who crosses moral lines ot catch a gang of crooks.
Lau will attend ScreenSingapore on Dec 4 along with Gordon Lam Ka Tung.
The film will launch across Asia on Dec 12.
Lim Teck, Managing Director of Clover Films, one of the co-distributors of the movie in Singapore, said:
”Firestorm is one of the most anticipated Asian movie in recent years and we are very happy that the
producers & superstar Andy Lau have chosen Singapore to be the venue for the world premiere of this
spectacular movie. We believe that the premiere at ScreenSingapore will bring great excitement to the fans
in Singapore!”...
- 11/18/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
You can’t keep a kung fu master down. Wong Fei Hung, probably most famous to Western audiences as the hero of Jet Li and Tsui Hark’s “Once Upon a Time in China” series of movies, will be returning to the big screen about 16 years after Jet and Tsui hung it up. The duo’s last Wong Fei Hung movie was 1997′s “Once Upon a Time in China and America”, which found Wong in the American West battling cowboys. Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are teaming up for the new version of the martial arts legend, with Chow Hin Yeung and Christine To directing and writing, respectively. The two previously teamed together on the crime dramas “Nightfall” and “Murderer”. This version of Wong Fei Hung is said to chronicle “the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during...
- 8/19/2013
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
Crouching Tiger producer Bill Kong to make first film about legendary kung fu master Wong Fei-hung in almost 20 years.
Producers Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are reteaming to give kung fu master Wong Fei-hung a new spin in Rise of the Legend.
The epic will be a co-prodution between Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc. It reunites the producers with director Chow Hin Yeung and screenwriter Christine To.
The actor playing the title role is being kept under wraps but the film starts principal shooting tomorrow [Aug 20] in China.
Rise of the Legend chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.
Joining the cast are martial arts star Sammo Hung as Wong’s mentor, teen idol Jing Boran and martial arts champion-turned-actor Zhang Jin (The Grandmaster).
The production team includes action director [link=nm...
Producers Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are reteaming to give kung fu master Wong Fei-hung a new spin in Rise of the Legend.
The epic will be a co-prodution between Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc. It reunites the producers with director Chow Hin Yeung and screenwriter Christine To.
The actor playing the title role is being kept under wraps but the film starts principal shooting tomorrow [Aug 20] in China.
Rise of the Legend chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.
Joining the cast are martial arts star Sammo Hung as Wong’s mentor, teen idol Jing Boran and martial arts champion-turned-actor Zhang Jin (The Grandmaster).
The production team includes action director [link=nm...
- 8/19/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Producers Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are teaming for the biopic "Rise of the Legend" about kung fu master Wong Fei-hung.
The story chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.
The stories of Wong Fei-hung have been featured in over a hundred films and shows, most famously played in the 1990s by Jet Li in Tsui Hark's "Once Upon a Time in China" series.
The actor playing the title role in this take is being kept under wraps. Joining him are Sammo Hung as Wong's mentor, teen idol Jing Boran, and martial arts champion Zhang Jin.
Chow Hin Yeung helms from a script by Christine To, while Corey Yuen serves as action director.
Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc will produce the project...
The story chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.
The stories of Wong Fei-hung have been featured in over a hundred films and shows, most famously played in the 1990s by Jet Li in Tsui Hark's "Once Upon a Time in China" series.
The actor playing the title role in this take is being kept under wraps. Joining him are Sammo Hung as Wong's mentor, teen idol Jing Boran, and martial arts champion Zhang Jin.
Chow Hin Yeung helms from a script by Christine To, while Corey Yuen serves as action director.
Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc will produce the project...
- 8/19/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
“First Time” is a Chinese youth romance offering and a remake of the 2003 Korean film “…ing”, helmed by Han Yan, whose part of the 2008 collection “Winds of September” ended up being refused release by the Chinese censors. The director is definitely on much safer ground here, teaming with noted producer William Kong (“Secret”, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) and popular young stars actress model Angelababy (“Love in Space”) and Taiwanese actor Mark Chao (“Love”). The great-looking and surprisingly complicated film also has an eclectic supporting cast, including Jiang Shan, Tian Yuan (“Butterfly”) and Bai Baihe (“Love is Not Blind”), with American-Taiwanese singer and songwriter Cindy Yen making her big screen debut, and Mark Chao’s own real-life father, Allen Chao putting in an appearance. The film has a cassette tape style structure, Side A beginning by following Angelababy as Shiqiao, a college student with a terminal disease that means she can’t do anything too strenuous.
- 8/14/2012
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
The Toronto International Film Festival revealed more details about its planned Asian Summit, which takes place on Monday, September 10th, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto. It was no secret that the guests of honour would include internationally renowned actor, director and producer Jackie Chan, and it was revealed today that Harvey Weinstein, co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company, will act as the Mc for the summit’s closing banquet.
The aim of the Asian summit is to provide programming that explores the relationship between East and West, by bringing together industry experts and specialists. “In a year when our Opening Night Gala Looper is a Us-China co-production, we’re pleased to provide a platform in Toronto for industry leaders in both Asia and the West to get to know one another better. It will be an honour to be in the room as people like Senator Dodd, Ashok Amritraj, Bill Kong,...
The aim of the Asian summit is to provide programming that explores the relationship between East and West, by bringing together industry experts and specialists. “In a year when our Opening Night Gala Looper is a Us-China co-production, we’re pleased to provide a platform in Toronto for industry leaders in both Asia and the West to get to know one another better. It will be an honour to be in the room as people like Senator Dodd, Ashok Amritraj, Bill Kong,...
- 8/13/2012
- by Katherine Matthews
- Bollyspice
Blood: The Last Vampire is the story of Saya, a half-human half-demon, who to the outside world looks 16, but is in reality centuries old. Descended from a line of vampire hunters, Saya is the last of her kind. Armed only with supernatural strength and her father’s powerful sword, she works for a mysterious organisation known as “The Council,” hunting down demons in 1970?s Tokyo. All the while searching for her father’s killer: the demon they call Onigen. When reports come in of mysterious deaths on an American military base in Tokyo, the council send Saya in to investigate and despatch any demon prescence. It’s at the military base that Saya save,s and and later teams up with, American teenager Alice McKee, daughter of the base’s commanding officer. Together they take on Tokyo’s demon underworld, leading them to a showdown with the demon matriach Onigen.
- 7/25/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Chicago – In our latest foreign-language edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 35 admit-two movie passes up for grabs to the Golden Globe-nominated foreign-language film “The Flowers of War” starring Christian Bale from the director of “Hero”!
“The Flowers of War” from director Yimou Zhang also stars Ni Ni, Xinyi Zhang, Paul Schneider, Shigeo Kobayashi, Atsurô Watabe, Dawei Tong, Tianyuan Huang, Bai Xue, Takashi Yamanaka, Shawn Dou, Kefan Cao and Hai-Bo Huang from writer Heng Liu based on the novel by Geling Yan. The film opens in Chicago on Jan. 20, 2012.
To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “The Flowers of War” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This advance screening is on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2011 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for...
“The Flowers of War” from director Yimou Zhang also stars Ni Ni, Xinyi Zhang, Paul Schneider, Shigeo Kobayashi, Atsurô Watabe, Dawei Tong, Tianyuan Huang, Bai Xue, Takashi Yamanaka, Shawn Dou, Kefan Cao and Hai-Bo Huang from writer Heng Liu based on the novel by Geling Yan. The film opens in Chicago on Jan. 20, 2012.
To win your free pass to the advance Chicago screening of “The Flowers of War” courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just answer our question below. That’s it! This advance screening is on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2011 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and win can be found beneath the graphic below.
The movie poster for...
- 1/14/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It has been announced that Byron Mann has joined the cast of Hong Kong cop thriller Cold War, alongside the likes of such Asian heavyweights as Andy Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Aaron Kwok, Gordon Lam, Andy On and Charlie Young. The film is produced by Ivy Ho, Matthew Tang and veteran Bill Kong, whose long list of credits includes Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The House Of Flying Daggers, Lust Caution and Zhang Yimou's forthcoming The Flowers Of War, starring Christian Bale. Cold War is a violent, high-octane cop thriller that begins with a nerve-jangling hostage situation and rapidly spirals out of control. The film is being directed by Longman Leung and Sunny Luk, with filming expected to wrap at the end of the year.Mann is...
- 11/15/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Zhang Yimou.S The Flowers Of War - China.S Oscar Entry – Goes To Wrekin Hill In Association With Row 1 Productions
Epic Starring Christian Bale Will Open In Late December 2011
Following Its Wide Release on Dec. 16 in China
Chris Ball, President and CEO of La-based film production and distribution company Wrekin Hill Entertainment, announced today that his company, in association with Row 1 Productions, have acquired the North American distribution rights to award-winning Chinese director Zhang Yimou.s (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero) and producer Zhang Weiping.s The Flowers Of War starring Academy Award® winning actor Christian Bale (The Fighter, The Dark Knight). The film has been selected as this year.s official foreign language entry for China at the Academy Awards. Wrekin Hill, in association with Row 1, will open the film in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in late December 2011 and the film will then expand through...
Epic Starring Christian Bale Will Open In Late December 2011
Following Its Wide Release on Dec. 16 in China
Chris Ball, President and CEO of La-based film production and distribution company Wrekin Hill Entertainment, announced today that his company, in association with Row 1 Productions, have acquired the North American distribution rights to award-winning Chinese director Zhang Yimou.s (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero) and producer Zhang Weiping.s The Flowers Of War starring Academy Award® winning actor Christian Bale (The Fighter, The Dark Knight). The film has been selected as this year.s official foreign language entry for China at the Academy Awards. Wrekin Hill, in association with Row 1, will open the film in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in late December 2011 and the film will then expand through...
- 11/8/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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