Donnie Yen
Zhao Wei
Wu Zun
Qi Yuwu
Kate Tsui
New posters released at a recent Hong Kong press conference.
November 13, 2009
November 10, 2009
November 10, 2009
Treasure Hunter posters
Lin Chi-Ling
Chen Daoming
Eric Tsang
THR: Yen enjoyed playing villain
Yen explored transformation in ‘14 Blades’
Action star Donnie Yen says he signed on to play an ancient Chinese secret service agent in his new film — even though it was another kung fu epic — because he wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity.
Jiang film’s full male cast revealed, but female leads unknown [?][Well, readers here know that Carina Lau is in it! Puzzling.]
BEIJING - CHOW Yun-fat says he had to check himself into a Beijing hospital earlier this week after catching a cold while shooting an US$18 million (S$24 million) Chinese frontier film.
The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star told reporters at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that he took a two-day break from filming Chinese director Jiang Wen’s upcoming movie Let the Bullets Fly for treatment.
In a self-deprecating joke about his age, the 54-year-old Chow said he had to receive medical treatment after filming scenes with younger male Chinese actors.
‘I couldn’t take it any more,’ Chow said, adding the younger actors were ’simply too brilliant.’ Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures publicist Yip Kin-ping later said Chow was put on an intravenous drip after catching a cold from shooting in and near Beijing.
In the film, Jiang plays a bandit chief who tries to take over a remote provincial town in 1920s China, only to meet resistance from a tyrannical local businessman played by Chow.
Chow made his name with stylish Hong Kong gangster thrillers like A Better Tomorrow before making his Hollywood debut with the 1998 action movie The Replacement Killers. His other American credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Dragonball Evolution. — AP
China’s recently-listed film conglomerate Huayi Brothers has come on board Dante Lam’s now in-production crime thriller “Stool Pigeon.”
November 5, 2009
November 5, 2009
Treasure Hunter
Treasure Hunter - Lin Chi-Ling, Jay Chou
14 Blades
Donnie Yen and Zhao Wei
A first rough cut of 14 Blades, prior to post production special effects and music, was screened in Hong Kong to industry insiders and it has garnered applause and predictions of a big box office. With a goal of HK$200M it is expected to earn HK$300M. The film reportedly has a mix of romance for the women and action for the men. Zhao Wei’s performance is said to be ‘beyond all previous works’. In the past, Zhao Wei was considered box office poison, now with Red Cliff, Painted Skin and 14 Blades, she will become China’s first actress to make 3 films with over $200M earnings and make her the Queen of Costumes. (Sina) (2)
Vivan Chow and Sandra Ng on set of Ann Hui’s latest film. (Sina)
Jane Zhang Liangying will sing the main theme song Mulan Star in Mulan. Previously, it was reported that Stefanie Sun would sing the theme song for the Mulan MV. (cri)
Jane also sings the theme song for Panda Express (Nov.20 release). (Sina)
Xie Na
Listen to the catchy song Earth Welcomes You from the Lunar New Year sci-fi comedy Mars is OK (?)(originally Mars Baby) sung by actress Xie Na (Tracing Shadow). [Audio caution] (Sina)
Andrew Lau plans next year to shoot a Storm Warriors style film based on a popular manga series Abi Sword. He plans to invite Shu Qi, Jay Chou and Wu Zun in the leading roles. (Sina) (Teaser)
THR: Zhang Ziyi on board for ‘Flower’
To star in and co-produce English-language drama “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan”
THR: ‘Simple’ remake more funny than bloody - Three Guns
Next decade could be ‘glorious,’ Zhang Yimou says of Chinese films
Zhang said his new film has shades of Chow’s signature nonsensical humor, but doesn’t go as far as the Hong Kong comedian known for “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung Fu Hustle.”
“There are some parts where we go crazy like Stephen Chow, but we don’t go as crazy,” he said.
Shooting in digital format for the first time, Zhang said he was more prone to letting his actors experiment because he didn’t have to conserve film.
Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival opens with 2 Asian films
Taiwanese director Cheng Wen-tang’s “Tears” and Chinese director Tian Zhuangzhuang’s “The Wolf and the Warrior” opened the Golden Horse Film Festival Thursday.
Media Asia at 15
October 22, 2009
October 22, 2009
Stills from Treasure Hunter
Lin Chi-Ling, Jay Chou
Chen Daoming, Eric Tsang
Nic Tse, Fan Bingbing, Wu Jing, Andy Lau
CRI: Jackie Chan to Show Shaolin Kung-Fu
Jackie Chan and Andy Lau were in the Shaolin Temple on Thursday to kick off the filming of “New Shaolin Temple”.
Unlike the 1982 film which is set in Tang Dynasty, Shaolinis set in the early 20th century when China was at war. Nicholas Tse will play a wealthy young man who finds refuge in the temple after a tragic incident in his family. He meets his kung fu master, played by Jackie Chan, in the temple as well as future enemies.
THR: Chan, Lau to star in ‘Shaolin’ remake
Seemingly made to capitalize on a dubious CG innovation — namely, the slicing of bodies in half by whizzing five-pointed stars — “Ninja Assassin” has little else to recommend it, not even laughs.
The story of a poor, terminally ill factory worker in mainland China develops in unexpected ways inWeaving Girl, a touching, small-scale drama featuring a strong performance from the actress Yu Nan.
CRI: Donnie Yen with ‘14 Blades’ (trailer)
Prince of Tears, Taiwan slide show
Screen Daily: Matrix stuntman to head cast of China Film’s Kung Fu Man (previously, Kung Fu Hero with Keanu Reeves)
Scheduled to start shooting on Oct 28, Kung Fu Man will tell a contemporary story about a martial arts practitioner, who accidentally rescues a Caucasian boy from a foreign kidnapping group, and changes the boy’s world perspective and values. Branch and Chyna McCoy (G.I. Joe) will play the villains.
Michelle Yeoh wants to help develop new talents for entertainment industry
“If our market is strong enough, there might come a day where foreigners will want to shoot more movies over here. Most the movies done now are all about their stories. We have a lot of our own stories. Being in Southeast Asia, in Singapore or Malaysia, we have a lot of our own stories and we can film these movies well.”
“There was a scene where (Tse) was beaten up by Hu Jun for protecting Sun Yat-San and he requested for a real fighting scene,” he said. “In the end, I got his close friend (a martial arts instructor) to punch him. The friend kept punching his face for more than 10 times till his face was swollen and I decided that was enough.”
Peter refuted speculations about Donnie and Leon’s disharmony when both actors avoided each other during the promotional events for Bodyguards and Assassins. “There is no such problem at all! Do not believe those reports! On the contrary, those with problems are not being reported!”
Exhibit chronicles the contributions of Chinese Americans in Hollywood since 1916
Comedy Western to be directed by Jiang Wen
October 21, 2009
October 21, 2009
14 Blades poster
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Terri Kwan, Oceane Zhu Xuan
Cheng Pei-Pei, Karena Lam, George Lam, Daniel Wu, Kenneth Tsang and wife
Prince of Tears Hong Kong premiere - slide show (28) (Sina.com)
THR: Chow Yun-Fat to star in Jiang’s ‘Bullets’
CRI: Chow Yun-Fat Joins “Bullets” Cast
… there were no less than ten options for the ending of the movie. The director and Chow came up with the final version when they were drinking and chatting…
The 11 major male roles will go towards assembling a Chinese “Ocean’s Eleven”, according to earlier reports.
Investment in the movie has hit 150 million Hong Kong dollars, or about 20 million US dollars.
Michelle Yeoh goes back to gongfu
In Jianyu Jianghu, loosely translated as Rain Of Swords In The Martial Arts World, she will play an assassin.
Co-directed by acclaimed Chinese director John Woo (Face/Off) and Taiwanese film-maker Su Chao-pin (Silk), filming for the movie will start in China next week.
The world knows Emi Wada for her Academy Award-winning costumes for Akira Kurosawa’s Ran, but most Chinese know her as the brains behind the techni-colored wardrobe of Zhang Yimou’s 2002 Hero (Yingxiong).
Deng Chao’s Astro Boy haircut
THR: Golden Harvest promises rebirth
New managers vow to resurrect storied HK studio Golden Harvest
Benny Chan’s New Shaolin Temple won’t be like the Jet Li version. Filming begins in December and will feature Nic Tse, Fan Bingbing, Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, and Wu Jing. But the female lead has not been cast yet. Fan Bingbing replaces Zhou Xun who was originally announced but had a schedule conflict. Script is by New Police Story’s Yuen Kam-Lun. Filming will take place at the actual Shaolin Temple then move to Hengdian Studio. (Xinhua)
Keanu Reeves will act in producer/investor capacity and ’spiritual pillar’. He will not star, as previously reported, in Kung Fu Hero. Keira Knightly is slated to guest appear. Ning Ying will direct.[An odd choice as she is noted for harder hitting films like On The Beat and Railroad of Hope.] Beijing launch ceremony photos below. (Sina.com)
Tiger Chen Hu
Chen Hu, Lin Shen
Director Ning Ying
Three leads - Chen Hu, Jiang Mengjie, Lin Shen
Brandy Yuen, action director
October 15, 2009
October 15, 2009
Debut screening scheduled for Golden Rooster
Feng Xiaogang leading rehearsals
The Keanu Reeves - Tiger Chen Hu martial arts collaboration is back on track. The Li Xiaowan production ‘Kungfu Xia’ is slated to start up this month, likely with multiple directors: Yuen Wo-Ping, Yuen Cheung Yan and Chen Hu. Lucy Liu, a Chen Hu student, is likely to be cast for the North American targeted film. In 2007, Chen Hu and Keanu Reeves scouted locations near Sichuan, especially scenic Mount Emei. Han Sanping is also one of the producers and Keanu Reeves is providing investment. (Sina.com)
October 14, 2009
October 14, 2009
CRI: Jia Zhangke Helps Korean ‘Flying Duck’
Veteran Chinese actors Jackie Chan and Ge You are also in talks to appear in the picture.
Jackie Chan eyes role in ‘Flying Duck’
Jia Zhangke film described as ‘cross-border bromance’
Mascot Weiwei
70’s era is meticulously recreated
Xu Jiao
Mulan is now in post-production and as the release data approaches stills of the film’s characters are being released. (Sina.com)
October 13, 2009
October 13, 2009
Zhao Wei - 14 Blades (Sina.com)
Donnie Yen (cri.cn)
Tan Weiwei, Anya Wu - Chengdu, I Love You
Fruit Chan
Cui wants to bring hope with “Chengdu”
Hong Kong director Cui Jian hopes he can help bring a brighter future for the people who have been pained by the Sichuan earthquake with film “Chengdu, I Love You.”
Polaroid, the instant camera that transformed the photography market, is to make a comeback.
October 12, 2009
October 12, 2009
CRI: Donnie Yen Is a Royal Spy in New Martial Art Film 14 Blades
Yen will continue his action hero routines to play the head agent of the royal espionage network during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), a relatively dark period in China’s history when the feudal court made unprecedented use of a spy system to run the ruling machine…
Peter Ho Yun-Tung - Once Upon A Time In Tibet
Variety: The Warrior and The Wolf review
Variety: Fireball (Thailand) review
Basketball becomes an underground bloodsport in “Fireball,” a lively Thai actioner in which Bangkok’s toughest street gangs smash each other senseless in the quest for championship honors.
“Astro Boy II” could soon be in the works if all goes well with this week’s release of the animated superhero movie “Astro Boy.” That would also spell a new lease on life for its production house Imagi and could redefine the concept of co-production in Asia.
Chinese directors pay tribute to quake-hit city
In the same style as the anthology films “New York, I Love You” and “Paris, I Love You,” two Chinese filmmakers have profiled a Chinese city that was hit by a massive earthquake last year.
“Chengdu, I Love You” was conceived as a tribute to the southwestern city in Sichuan province that was decimated by a 7.9-magnitude quake in May 2008, leaving nearly 90,000 people dead or missing, Hong Kong director Fruit Chan said.
The Regency South Coast Village Theater will screen, in its West Coast premiere, John Woo’s latest epic, “Red Cliff” (Oct. 15), the most expensive Chinese film ever made, followed by a Q and A with the director. In collaboration with the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum, a series of ping pong tournaments will be held in South Coast Plaza to commemorate Nixon-era Ping Pong Diplomacy (Oct. 17-18). The Bowers Museum, South Coast Repertory, and the Orange County Museum of Art will also present “Ancient Paths” events.
Two Hollywood projects lined up for John Woo
THR: ‘Ong Bak’ team ready for English-language ‘City of Angels’
Dwayne Johnson and Robin Shou to costar
THR: Disaster director ready for America
‘Haeundae’ helmer writing English comedy with Korean story
Fan Bingbing
With Wilson Chen Bo-lin
Fan Bingbing has started work in Chengdu on Li Yu’s Guanyin Mountain which also costars Sylvia Chang. (Xinhuanet.com)
Ge You to Chair Macao Int’l Film Festival
Li Feier - newcomer in Wang Xiaoishua’s Mosaic/Sunshine in Chongqing
Visitors From the Sui Dynasty - slide show
A time travel comedy.
China’s Hottest Entertainers for 2009
Xiao Shenyang, Liu Qian, Li Yugang
May 21, 2009
May 21, 2009
Posters for new Jiang Wen film Let the Bullets Fly released at Cannes
Jiang Wen Will “Let the Bullets Fly”
Confucius photo gallery
Decipher Confucius’ Alleged Romance
http://news.xinhuanet.com/ent/2009-05/21/content_11410367.htm
East Wind and Rain photo gallery
Director To poses with cast members at film “Vengeance” at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival
Vengeance premiere
Vengeance red carpet photo gallery
Donnie Yen Longs for Romance in New Film
Donnie Yen says his new film “14 Blades” will compensate for his unrequited love for Zhao Wei in a previous film.
Screen Daily: Like You Know It All (South Korea)
Screen Daily: Air Doll (Japan)
Variety: Air Doll
Screen Daily: A Brand New Life (Une Vie Toute Neuve)(France-South Korea)
Korea Times: Bong’s ‘Mother’ Highlights Maternal Love
Confucius Chow
Director given French honour
Johnnie To, whose latest movie ‘Vengeance’ is competing for the Cannes festival’s Palme d’Or, on Monday was made an officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters.
Two Johnnies bid for Cannes glory
Variety: China central to Hong Kong’s film future
Mainland’s size, potential lure island producers
Tony Leung Ka-Fai in Hong Kong crime thriller
Award-winning actor Tony Leung Ka Fai has the distinction of being picked to play Hong Kong’s notorious Chief Inspector Lee Rock in the 1960s.
Basketball-Playing ‘Bodyguard’
Zhang’s Turandot Fervor a Riddle for Critics
‘Red Cliff’ to Hit North America
Hollywood Reporter: Art house pic ‘Prince of Tears’ finds home
Variety: Hong Kong cinema timeline
Hong Kong Cinema at 100
Variety: Spotlight: Hong Kong talent
Hollywood Reporter: Cannes’ red carpet is blood-soaked
Gore quotient giving even festival veterans pause
Josie Ho slashes conventions in new film, Dream Home
Vengeance - Cannes Photo Call
Johnnie To Receives Award - photo gallery
Vengeance Premiere - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
‘Spring Fever’ Photocall At Cannes Film Festival
Spring Fever Premiere
Shu Qi attending Inglourious Basterds screening
Maggie Cheung is a no-show at Cannes this year (and reportedly cut from film)
Zhang Ziyi on short film judging panel at Cannes
Karen Mok for a shampoo brand
http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/p/2009-05-21/09472530779.shtml
Zhang Ziyi Shows Care for Children
Oops! Be Careful with Your Lipstick, Ziyi!
Faye Wong from shampoo commercial, looking like Gong Li in Curse of the Golden Flower
I spy: Michelle Reis with older sister, without her wedding ring