General Chinese Movie Thread

[daigong]

in case you missed it :

Mother Wins Best Film at the 4th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong





A Total of 14 Awards Were Presented at the Glamorous Event with South Korea Leading in Wins

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mother, the South Korean thriller by BONG Joon-ho was awarded Best Film at the 4th Asian Film Awards (AFA), held on 22nd March 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is the second win for Director BONG Jooh-ho for Mother at the Asian Film Awards.

Mother also claimed awards for Best Actress and Best Screenwriter. South Korea took home the most awards, a total of six including Best Film, Best Actress, Best Newcomer, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenwriter, and Best Visual Effects.

A total of 14 awards and three special awards were presented at the glamorous ceremony attended by a dazzling ensemble of celebrities, international guests, and prominent figures in film industry including the inaugural Best Costume Designer award presenter Donatella VERSACE, the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Amitabh BACHCHAN, the internationally acclaimed director ZHANG Yimou, who received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema, also including ANDO Sakura, Andrew LAU, Angela CHOW, Anne DUNSFORD, Brillante MENDOZA, CHANG Chen, CHEUNG Chi Lam, Daniel WU, Didier COSTET, TON Kong, Peter LAM, Dora NG, Eddie PENG, FENG Xiao Gang, GAO Yuan Yuan, GUEY Lun-Mei, HUANG Jianxin, Jack SO, Jean-Pierre JEUNET, John CHOHG, KIM Kkob-bi, Leon DAI, Leslie HAN, LI Bingbing, Lisa LU, Lisa S., LI Yuchun, LU Chuan, MOON Yang-kwon, NG Meng Hui, Nicholas TSE, Peter CHAN, Richard TAYLOR, Sandrine PINNA, Sean LAU Ching Wan, SHIM Hyun-seob, SONO Sion, Teddy ROBIN, Terence CHANG, Tina KALIVAS, Tony LEUNG Chiu-wai, TOU Chung-Hua, TSUI Hark, Stanley KWAN, Vaughan ALEXANDER, Vivian HSU, WAI Ying-hung, WANG Chia-Hu, WANG Xueqi, Wilfred WONG, WU Chun, YAN Ni, Yonfan, YUKISADA Isao, ZHOU Xun, ZHU Xuan and AFA Jury President Tony LEUNG Ka-fai.

The winners of the 4th AFA are:

BEST FILM
Mother (South Korea)

BEST DIRECTOR
LU Chuan / City of Life and Death (China)

BEST ACTOR
WANG Xueqi / Bodyguards and Assassins (Hong Kong / China)

BEST ACTRESS
KIM Hye-ja / Mother (South Korea)

BEST NEWCOMER
NG Meng Hui / At the End of Daybreak (Malaysia / Hong Kong / South Korea)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nicholas TSE / Bodyguards and Assassins (Hong Kong / China)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
WAI Ying-hung / At the End of Daybreak (Malaysia / Hong Kong / South Korea)

BEST SCREENWRITER
PARK Eun-kyo / BONG Joon-ho / Mother (South Korea)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
CAO Yu / City of Life and Death (China)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Alain-Pascal HOUSIAUX / Patrick DECHESNE/ LEE Tian-Jue / Face (Taiwan)

BEST COMPOSER
LO Ta-Yu / Vengeance (Hong Kong)

BEST EDITOR
Lee CHATAMETIKOOL / Karaoke (Malaysia)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
YI Zeon-hyoung / Thirst (South Korea)

BEST COSTUME DESIGNER
Christian LACROIX / Anne DUNSFORD/ WANG Chia-Hui / Face (Taiwan)

The recipients of the special awards of the 4th AFA are:

The Asian Film Award for Outstanding Contribution to Asian Cinema
ZHANG Yimou

The Asian Film Award for Lifetime Achievement Award
Amitabh BACHCHAN

The Asian Film Award for 2009’s Top-Grossing Film Director
John WOO

The 4th AFA presentation ceremony will be broadcasted on aTV World on 23rd March 2010 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time and aTV HD on 10th April 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, on FOX from 2nd April 2010 onwards, and on Phoenix on 3rd April 2010 onwards.

High resolution pictures can be downloaded from the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47659546@N07/collections/72157623519824701/

SOURCE: Business Wire

[Masa]

[daigong]

Trailer of "Dream Home" Unveiled

In the wake of its trailer officially unveiled, Hong Kong director Po Ho-cheung's latest film "Dream Home" is scheduled to hit screens nationwide on May 13.



The film describes a fervent advocate of the feminist movement who has an extreme prejudice toward men. One day, she comes up with an idea of creating a world without men and begins to secretly plan it. But during the process, she meets with a man by accident and unknowingly falls in love with him.

Stars Josie Ho, Eason Chan

[daigong]

and what's a Chinese movie thread without mentioning him?


Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, right, and actress Sandra Ng pose with the Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear prize for their movie "Echoes of a Rainbow" during a press conference in Hong Kong Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. Hong Kong on Monday celebrated a rare foreign film prize for a low-budget family drama set in the 1960s a triumph viewed as a huge moral boost for a struggling industry overshadowed by the booming Chinese market. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Gritty movie about old time Hong Kong:

[daigong]

Cover Photos for 29th Hong Kong Film Awards Released     
2010-04-11 11:35:51     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: libo



The 29th Hong Kong Film Awards committee revealed its cover photos at a press conference on Friday afternoon, April 9, 2010, ent.sina.com reports.



At the press conference, two cover photos revealed the Best Actor" and "Best Actress" nominees. Many candidates attended the conference to promote the upcoming event, including director Chen Desen, actress Kara Hui and Zhang Jingchu. The committee also announced the winner of the "Lifetime Achievement" award, Liu Chia Liang, the famous Hong Kong kungfu star and director.

The "Best Actor" cover photo gathered all the nominees who will compete for this award, however, actress Zhao Wei was absent from the "Best Actress" photo due to her pregnancy.


The 29th Hong Kong Film Awards will open on April 18, 2010.

Nomination lists:

Best Actor:
Wang Xue Qi – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Simon Yam – 'Night and Fog'
Simon Yam – 'Echoes of the Rainbow'
Lau Ching Wan – 'Overheard'
Aaron Kwok – 'Murderer'

Best Actress:
Kara Hui – 'At the End of Daybreak'
Zhang Jinchu – 'Night and Fog'
Vicki Zhao – 'Mulan'
Shu Qi – 'Look for a Star'
Sandra Ng – 'Echoes of the Rainbow'

Best Film:
'Bodyguards and Assassins'
'Red Cliff: Part II'
'KJ: Music and Life'
'Overheard'
'Shinjuku Incident'

Best Director:
Alan Mak & Felix Chong – 'Overheard'
Ann Hui – 'Night and Fog'
Derek Yee – 'Shinjuku Incident'
John Woo – 'Red Cliff: Part II'
Teddy Chan – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'

Best Supporting Actor:
Stanley Fung – 'Accident'
Chang Chen – 'Red Cliff: Part II'
Tony Leung Kar Fei – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Nicolas Tse –  'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Alex Fong (the older one) – 'Overheard'

Best Supporting Actress:
Vicki Zhao –  'Red Cliff: Part II'
Fan Bing Bing – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Michelle Yip – ‘Accident’
Dennis Ho – 'Look for a Star'
Li Yuchun – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'

Best New Performer:
Li Yuchun – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Wang Po Chieh – 'Bodyguards and Assassins'
Aarif Lee – 'Echoes of the Rainbow'
Buzz Shiuto – 'Echoes of the Rainbow'
Zhu Xuan – 'Prince of Tears'

Best Cinematography:
Arthur Wong – 'Bodyguards And Assassins'
Anthony Pun – 'Empire of Silver'
Lu Yue & Zhang Li – 'Red Cliff: Part II'
Chin Tingchang – 'Prince of Tears'
Nobuyasu Kita – 'Shinjuku Incident'

Best Action Choreography:
Stephen Tung & Lee Tat Chiu – 'Bodyguards And Assassins'
Corey Yuen Kwai – 'Red Cliff: Part II'
Ma Yu Sing – 'The Storm Warriors'
Chin Ka Lok – 'Shinjuku Incident'
Ku Huen Chiu – '14 Blades'

Best Asian Film:
'City Of Life And Death'
'The Founding Of A Republic'
'The Message'
'Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea'
'Departures'

Best Original Film Score:
Chan Kwong Wing & Peter Kam Pui Tat – 'Bodyguards And Assassins'
Taro Iwashiro – 'Red Cliff'
Yu Yat Yiu – 'Prince Of Tears'
Lo Tayu – 'Vengeance'
Keiichi Tomita – 'Dance, Subaru!'

Best Visual Effects:
Ng Yuen Fai, Chas Chau, Joe Tam & Yung Kwok Yin – 'Bodyguards And Assassins'
Teddy Mak, Ken Law & Mary Ng Sze Sze – 'Written By'
Craig Hayes 'Red Cliff: Part II'
Ng Yuen Fai, Chas Chau & Tam Kai Kwan – 'The Storm Warriors'
Cecil Cheng & Don Ma – 'Kungfu Cyborg : Metallic Attraction'

Best New Director:
Philip Yung – 'Glamorous Youth'
Cheung King Wai – 'KJ: Music and Life'
Roy Chow – 'Murderer'



Hong Kong kungfu star Liu Chia Liang [File Photo]


Best Actress Nominee Zhang Jingchu [Photo: CFP]



Best New Performer Nominee Zhu Xuan [Photo: CFP]

[Masa]

Incredible Teaser for Chinese Earthquake Movie 'Aftershocks'

I'm pretty damn sure no one has heard of this film before today, but you won't forget about it after watching this trailer. Twitch  first discovered this extraordinary teaser trailer for a disaster film called Aftershocks coming out of China about the devastating 1976 Tangshan Earthquake that killed over 240,000 people. This trailer reminds me of Schindler's List with the little girl and the way it uses the red to accent the terror and chaos of the situation. I would say this is China's big disaster film in response to 2012, but since this is about an event that already happened, it's very different and much more emotional.

When a mother is informed by a rescue team that, since her 7-year old twins are buried under the debris close to each other, digging one out would result in the collapse of the wreckage on the other, she is forced to make the most difficult decision of her life. Based around the devastating Tangshan Earthquake of 1976.

Aftershocks, originally titled Tangshan Dadizheng in Chinese, is being directed by Beijing-born filmmaker Xiaogang Feng, of other Chinese films like The Dream Factory, Happy Funeral, A World Without Thieves and The Banquet previously. The film will be released in China in July of this year, but it does not have a US release date. In fact, it doesn't even have a US distributor yet. We'll let you know if we hear more about it!

http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/04/16/wonderful-teaser-for-chinese-earthquake-film-aftershocks/



More info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1393746/

[daigong]

'Bodyguards' Dominates HK Film Awards    


By Polly Hui (AFP) – 13 hours ago

HONG KONG — An epic drama about a group of volunteers who risked their lives to protect modern China's founding father Sun Yat-sen from imperial assassins blitzed the Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday.

"Bodyguards and Assassins" scooped seven gongs, including best film, best director, best supporting actor, best cinematography, and best action choreography.

"Lots of films have been made about Chinese revolutions, but in this film we wanted to touch the audience's heart by zeroing in on the relationships between the revolutionaries," director Teddy Chen told reporters after grabbing the award.

Singer-cum-actor Nicholas Tse, who starred as a rickshaw puller and one of Sun's "bodyguards" during his visit to Hong Kong to discuss plans with his fellow revolutionaries to overthrow the Qing Dynasty in the 1900s, was crowned best supporting actor.

"Echoes of the Rainbow", a low-budget drama on Hong Kong in the 1960s, emerged as the second biggest winner at the annual awards, after receiving the Crystal Bear prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The film snatched four awards, including best screen play and best actor.

Director Alex Law said he was grateful for the many unexpected surprises the film had brought him.

"My starting point was to make a film to remember my elder brother," he said.

"Never would I imagine that it could be such a box-office success. It even helped protect a street from demolition," he said.

Law was referring to the Hong Kong government's decision to halt a plan to bulldoze the historic Wing Lee Street -- where his film was set -- following the publicity generated by the Berlin award.

Simon Yam, who played the father of a struggling shoemaking family in "Echoes", won the best actor honour.

Aarif Lee, who played Yam's son in the film, grabbed the best newcomer award.

Films such as "Echoes" and "The Way We are", a gritty, low-budget docudrama set in one of the city's most poverty-stricken districts, marked audiences' growing appetite for films with a distinctive local flavour in recent years.

The trend was a big departure from moviemakers' traditional attempts to tap into the large mainland Chinese market by focusing on producing big-budget historical epics and imperial dramas.

The best actress award went to Wai Yin-hung, who admitted suffering from depression and trying to kill herself when her career went downhill.

"I fell from heaven to hell. And finally I have this award. I promise you I will do my very best in every movie I work on," she said in tears.

Michelle Ye bagged the best supporting actress award for her role in "Accident", a film about a professional hitman who trapped his victims in well-crafted "accidents".

"Departures", a Japanese drama about an unemployed cellist who was forced to take a job in the funeral business, was crowned the best Asian film. The drama also won the best foreign language film in last year's Oscars.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.


WAY TO GO SIMON!!!

A list of winners at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards, announced Sunday at the Hong Kong Cultural Center:

Best film: "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best director: Teddy Chen, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best screenplay: Alex Law, "Echoes of the Rainbow"

Best actor: Simon Yam, "Echoes of the Rainbow"

Best actress: Wai Ying-hung, "At the End of Daybreak"

Best supporting actor: Nicholas Tse, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best supporting actress: Michelle Ye, "Accident"

Best new performer: Aarif Lee, "Echoes of the Rainbow"

Best cinematographer: Arthur Wong, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best film editing: Kong Chi-leung, Chan Chi-wai, "Overheard"

Best art direction: Ken Mak, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best costume and makeup design: Dora Ng, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best action choreography: Stephen Tung, Lee Tat-chiu, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best original film score: Chan Kwong-wing, Peter Kam, "Bodyguards and Assassins"

Best original film song: "Echoes of the Rainbow" from "Echoes of the Rainbow," composer Lowell Lo, lyrics by Alex Law, performed by Aarif Lee

Best sound design: Steve Burgess, Wu Jiang, "Red Cliff II"

Best visual effects: Ng Yuen-fai, Chas Chau, Tam Kai-kwan, "The Storm Warriors"

Best new director: Cheung King-wai, "KJ: Music and Life"

Best Asian film: "Departures" (Japan)

Lifetime achievement award: Lau Kar-leung

[Masa]

[daigong]

China, US Create Colossal 3-D 'Empires'     
2010-04-28 15:02:46     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: Xie Tingting

Producers say the 3-D fantasy film "Empires of the Deep" will be the biggest ever China-U.S. co-production.'


Cast member Olga Kurylenko promotes the 3-D film "Empires of the Deep" at a press reception in Beijing on April 27, 2010. [Photo: CFP]


Cast members Olga Kurylenko (left) and Shi Yanfei promote the 3-D film "Empires of the Deep" at a press reception in Beijing on April 27, 2010. [Photo: CFP]

Get ready for another "Avatar" experience in cinemas. Anthony Arendt, the virtual camera operator on James Cameron's box-office behemoth, is on board to make a new 3-D fantasy movie named "Empires of the Deep", Sohu.com reports.

Arendt is working as a 3-D consultant on the film, which its producers say will be the biggest ever China-U.S. co-production. The film boasts an investment of 100 million U.S. dollars, topping the previous most-expensive film made in China, John Woo's 2008 hit "Red Cliff", by $20 million.

The cast of "Empires of the Deep" is also noteworthy. Former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko ("Quantum of Solace") and actor Steve Polites ("The Murder Game") take the leads in a film about a young man in possession of super powers who goes deep under the ocean to save his father.

Chinese acting stars including Hu Jun and Shi Yanfei will also join the production.

The movie is being filmed in Beijing by director Michael French. A release date is yet to be announced.

[daigong]

Shanghai Int'l Film Festival Releases Poster     
2010-04-29 15:19:49     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: zhucheng

The organizing committee of the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) released an official poster on Wednesday.



The 13th SIFF will be held from June 12 to 20 in Shanghai. Because it is taking place during the Shanghai World Expo, elements of that event have been included on the SIFF poster.

The Golden Goblet, the festival's top prize, occupies the main part of the poster. It also includes a video camera, the landmark Oriental Pearl Tower, the China Pavilion, lion-dancing boys, Chinese percussion, film, and peony and plum blossoms, showing a strong Chinese theme.

Official site: http://www.siff.com/MovieEn/Default.aspx

[daigong]

Two Chinese top directors coming out with epic new projects!!

Ang Lee's New Film Attempts 3D    
2010-04-30 14:57:11     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: zhanglin



Taiwan director Ang Lee wants to shoot Canadian writer Yann Martel's renowned novel "Life of Pi" in 3D. Filming is set to begin this August, qq.com reports.

Ang Lee was finally chosen to direct the film by 20th Century Fox, despite the studio receiving several letters of self-recommendation from other famous directors.

The best-selling novel "Life of Pi" has received many awards, including the 2002 Man Booker Prize and Amazon.com's Favourite Book of 2002.

The film will be based on the novel, which describes a magical adventure centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zookeeper. The family decides to move from their home in Pondicherry, India to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi is found adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival.

In light of the 3D revelation, the studio has increased the film's budget to $70 million. The film is scheduled to hit screens in 2012.


Chen Kaige Eyes 500 Million     
2010-04-30 14:51:45     Global Times      Web Editor: libo



Despite only starting to shoot last month, director Chen Kaige's Zhao's Orphan is scheduled to open on December 18, 2010 and is anticipating to reach 500 million yuan ($73.25 million) at the domestic box office.

The announcement was made Monday during a press conference held at the film's production base in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, where an ancient-looking city has been constructed especially for the epic tragedy film.

[daigong]

Minkoff to Direct 'Chinese Odyssey'    
2010-05-04 11:24:36     hollywoodreporter.com/CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: Xie Tingting

"The Forbidden Kingdom" director Rob Minkoff is to direct an English-language action-adventure fantasy titled "Chinese Odyssey".

Minkoff is attached to direct an English-language action-adventure fantasy titled "Chinese Odyssey", according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie will be shot primarily in China, and will be in 3-D. Co-producers include the China Film Group and Beijing Galloping Horse Film & TV.

"It's a story involving ancient mysteries, deadly sea monsters, great characters and larger-than-life adventures, which all make for a fantastic cinematic experience," Minkoff told The Hollywood Reporter. "The opportunity to film again in China is an added thrill."

Producer Pietro Ventani added, "Although our hero is very familiar to Asian audiences, he is less known in the West. Our intention is to launch the property as a major franchise for the international marketplace."

Minkoff's "Forbidden Kingdom" opened in North America in April 2008, topping the box-office chart in its opening weekend. The movie about a modern American teenager's time-traveling adventure in ancient China marked the first cooperation between Jackie Chan and Jet Li, two of the best-known Chinese action stars.

[daigong]

"Shanghai" to Hit Chinese Screens in June   
2010-05-06 14:33:03     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: zhanglin


 

     Stars of the film "Shanghai", Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li  and John Cusack (From left to right) [Photo: Mtime.com]

Spy thriller "Shanghai" will hit Chinese screens in June, domestic web portal sohu.com reports.

The film is directed by Swede Mikael Håfström and co-stars Chinese-born Singaporean actress Gong Li, Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat and American actor John Cusack, who previously worked with the director on horror movie "1408".

The story takes place during World War II in Shanghai, China. An American reporter in the city, played by John Cusack, discovers that his friend has been murdered. So he launches his own investigation to search for the killer. During the process, he falls in love with a Shanghai woman, played by Gong Li, and runs into trouble with the local gangster boss, played by Chow Yun-fat.

According to the report, the film was supposed to shoot in Shanghai, but permission wasn't granted by the relevant authorities due to a plot involving drugs and prostitution. The shoot later moved to London and Thailand, with production wrapping in August 2008.

China will be the first country in the world to screen the film.

[nimrod]

The First Trailer for Tsui Hark’s  Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame

http://blog.affenheimtheater.de/en/2010/05/10/first-trailer-tsui-hark-detective-dee-and-the-mystery-of-phantom-flame/

    The story takes place in 690AD, during the time when Empress Wu Ze Tian was preparing to ascend the throne. Everything was the ready and people of the Chang-An city are holding celebrations every night to commemorate the big day. Just when nothing could possibly go wrong, a series of unexplainable deaths begin to occur, creating panic within the city.

    Devastated, Empress Wu calls upon the only person she knows who can solve the crimes – the infamous Detective Dee, whom she sent on exile for defying her. Dee returns to Her Majesty’s service and as he sets out to unveil the truth, he is confronted with further danger and bizarre events…

[daigong]

^ nice! i dare you to post in the Andy Lau thread

Hong Kong action film "Triple Tap" (鎗王之王預告) directed by Derek Yee PREVIEW!

Opens in cinemas on 29 April 2010 (Hong Kong) June 30 in Chinese mainland, Xkb.com.cn reports.

The film stars Louis Koo, Daniel Wu and Charlene Choi.

 

Fund manager Ken (Louis Koo) beats police officer Jerry Chang (Daniel Wu) in a shooting match. The two subsequently become friends. Ken soon comes across an armored van robbery. When he sees a policeman held hostage, he shoots and kills four of the robbers. One of the robbers escapes and the policeman survives. The case is handled by Jerry, Ken's new friend. Ken is found not guilty of any wrongdoing in court. Soon after, however, Ken is attacked by the escaped robber. Their confrontation reveals a very different background story and brings about a myriad of lies and traps and changes in relationships as Jerry and Ken try to outsmart each other. (Plot courtesy of Imdb.com)

Louis Koo plays the Vancouver-educated Ken, who has a complicated personality. The actor calls the role the most difficult of his career, and says he went traveling as soon as filming concluded to help him escape the character.

However, director Yee says the film won't be as heavy-hearted as the 2009 crime film "Overheard", because he has added a romantic subplot to the suspenseful thriller.

Hong Kong actress-singer Charlene Choi plays a nurse who is in love with Koo's character.

Asked about their intimate scenes in the movie, Koo explained, "We did kiss in the film. We were in love for many years. There are scenes in which we lie next to each other in bed, but that's it."

"Triple Tap" is co-produced by Beijing Polybona Film Distribution Co. Limited, Emperor Motion Pictures and Sil-Metropol Organization.

The film is a follow-up to the 2000 film "Double Tap", directed by Chi-Leung Law and starring the late Leslie Cheung, Alex Fong and Monica Chan. Derek Yee was the executive producer of that film.

[daigong]

Fan Bingbing in Dragon Robe on Cannes Red Carpet     
2010-05-13 14:45:27     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: yangliu

 
Chinese actress Fan Bingbing attends the premiere of the film "Robin Hood" and the opening red carpet show of the 63rd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 12, 2010. [Photo: cfp.cn]

The 63rd Cannes Film Festival opened Wednesday in Cannes, France, with Chinese actress Fan Bingbing in attendance at the opening red carpet show, Sina.com.cn reports.

Fan wore a bright dragon-printed robe and Cartier jewelry as she walked the red carpet. Her dress was embroidered with two leaping dragons and numbers of rolling waves, which are traditionally thought to bring eternal peace and prosperity. Dragons have become a symbol of Chinese culture. At the international arena of Cannes, Fan showed beautiful Eastern charm to the world.

Fan stars in Wang Xiaoshuai's film "Chongqing Blues", the only Chinese-language film competing for the Golden Palm award. The actress said she was very proud to present Chinese films to the world at Cannes Film Festival.

[daigong]

lol Ip Man Jr. it also stars Sammo Hung who is in Ip Man 2

'The Legend Is Born - Ip Man' Set for Release in June

 
 
"The Legend Is Born - Ip Man", a new film on the legendary martial-arts master directed by Herman Yau, will open in Chinese cinemas at the end of June, M1905.com reports.

Unlike Wilson Yip's "Ip Man" films, which depict the martial artist as a dedicated family man, Herman Yau's film follows a younger Ip Man in his 20s. The master's love life will be a highlight, the report says.

To Yu-Hang plays Ip Man, and Huang Yi plays his girlfriend. Dedicated fans will recall To's appearance in "Ip Man 2" as a supporting actor. Sammo Hung and Louis Fan from "Ip Man 2" also star in the new film.

"The story and the fight scenes are just as good as they were in 'Ip Man' and 'Ip Man 2'," producer Xian Guolin said. Xian also produced the two Wilson Yip films.

Ip Chun, elder son of Ip Man, worked as the film's consultant. He also appears in the film as Ip Man's martial-arts teacher, Liang Bi.

[daigong]

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Stop fucking with the Classics!

'Ip Man' Director to Remake 'A Chinese Ghost Story'      
2010-05-26 11:28:40     CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: libo

Wilson Yip, the man behind "Ip Man" and its recent sequel, announced on Tuesday that his next project will be an updated version of the classic "A Chinese Ghost Story", Stardaily.com.cn reports.

A ceremony to kick off filming is set to take place at the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival, which will be held from June 12 to 20. Yip says he aims to put his own spin on the familiar story. It will not be a sequel, but rather a brand-new story, employing new elements such as computer-generated special effects.

The cast has not been decided yet, according to Yip, who told reporters not to trust unauthorized sources. Previous reports have claimed that stars Yu Shaoqun and Liu Yifei were selected as the leading actor and actress.

The original story, written by 17th-century Chinese author Pu Songling, tells a love story between a tax collector, Ning Caichen, and a ghost named Nie Xiaoqian. It has already been shot many times before, the most famous being a version produced by Tsui Hark, starring superstars Leslie Cheung and Joey Wong.

Here's the original:



new espionage thriller "Shanghai", starring John Cusack, Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe. The film will hit Chinese cinemas on June 17

[daigong]

Here's the "Shanghai" trailer!! starring Gong Li, Chow Yun-fat, John Cusack



 

[daigong]

'Aftershock' Releases IMAX Trailer

An IMAX trailer of the disaster film "Aftershock", directed by Feng Xiaogang, was released on Tuesday, Sohu.com reports.



The film is about a family separated by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that happened in Tangshan, a city about 100 miles southeast of Beijing in 1976.

This is the first ever Chinese-made IMAX release. The director said his goal is for the film to make 500 million yuan (US$74 million) at the box office.

The trailer begins with a flashback from the moment the earthquake begins to rattle the city. Many people in the audience cried as they watched it.

"Normal people with true emotions will be shocked and will cry when watching this film. But audiences will walk away from the theater with a warm heart," said Feng.

When he talked about the special effects in the film, Feng said, "Chinese films are quite behind in this area. There's no real industry to support this. The short cut to catch up is to apply technology from Hollywood."

Wang Zhonglei, president of the production company Huayi Brothers, said the film will be shown on 14 IMAX screens across China. Four of the screens are brand new and will make their public debut with "Aftershock".

Feng also informed the press that pop diva Faye Wong sings the closing music for the film.

also

Renowned Chinese director Chen Kaige's latest film "Orphan of Zhao" has released its first poster, Sina.com.cn reports.


Although the film features several famous actors, including Ge You, Wang Xueqi, Huang Xiaoming and Fan Bingbing, the poster only shows a baby in swaddling clothes and a woman whose face is not visible. A sword lies on the ground, and there is blood on the woman's dress.

Chen Kaige spent almost eight years writing the film's script, and he wanted the lead actors to get in touch with their characters during the filming, not just act the roles.

The director also emphasized that the film would focus on the value of life, so he wanted the actors to express real soul and spirit so that they would be accepted by audiences.

Although the film's entire crew has kept a low profile during the shooting, the movie has still managed to attract widespread attention.


Cecilia Cheung, Tony Leung to Star in Chinese Version of 'The Illusionist'
2010-06-30 16:31:09     CRIENGLISH.com       Web Editor: yangliu

Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung will star with Tony Leung in Derek Yee's new film which will begin shooting next February, Cheung said recently in Shanghai.

When Derek Yee replied to questions from the Hong Kong press, he confirmed that this film will be Cheung's first since giving birth to her two sons in three years.

The film, entitled "Da Moshu Shi" ("Great Magician"), is a story about two childhood sweethearts set during the early part of the twentieth century. Yee had intended to keep the film a secret until it was discovered by the Guangzhou Daily. Information about the film was found on the Web site of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT).

"Great Magician" is in line with "The Illusionist", a period drama based loosely on the Steven Millhauser story "Eisenheim the Illusionist", which was later adapted to the American big screen by Neil Burger. Actor Edward Norton starred in the film with Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti. The film tells the story of Eisenheim, a magician in early 20th century Vienna.

Derek Yee's version occurs during the same period in China. Tony Leung is set to play the role of the intelligent illusionist, while Cheung will play a concubine to a warlord.