Titles include ‘Delicious Romance’ and ‘The Ex-File 4’
Beijing-based sales agency Blossoms Entertainment returns to Hong Kong Filmart – the company’s first physical market since 2019 – with a trio of new film titles, including Delicious Romance and The Ex-File 4, both from Chinese studio Huayi Brothers.
Delicious Romance is adapted from 2021’s hit TV series of the same name, which streamed on Tencent Video and Netflix. It reunites directors Leste Chen and Hsu Chao-Jen with the same main cast members Li Chun, Zhang Hanyun and Naomi Wang from the original series. The story continues to follow three best friends as they lean on...
Beijing-based sales agency Blossoms Entertainment returns to Hong Kong Filmart – the company’s first physical market since 2019 – with a trio of new film titles, including Delicious Romance and The Ex-File 4, both from Chinese studio Huayi Brothers.
Delicious Romance is adapted from 2021’s hit TV series of the same name, which streamed on Tencent Video and Netflix. It reunites directors Leste Chen and Hsu Chao-Jen with the same main cast members Li Chun, Zhang Hanyun and Naomi Wang from the original series. The story continues to follow three best friends as they lean on...
- 3/13/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Lou Ye’s embattled 2019 film “Saturday Fiction” will have a theatrical outing in the Chinese auteur’s home country nearly two years after its planned high-profile premiere there was abruptly cancelled.
After its long time in the dark, the black-and-white drama will return triumphantly to the official limelight as the closing film of the Beijing Intl. Film Festival on Sept. 10, then go on to light up Chinese theaters Oct. 15. Its star, the iconic Gong Li, is this year’s chairman of the international jury for the festival’s top Tiantan Awards.
“Saturday Film” originally debuted in competition at Venice in 2019 and was set to premiere in China soon after as the opening film of the country’s highly politicized government-run Golden Rooster Film Festival. It was yanked without warning from the line-up the night before due to unspecified “internal production problems” and replaced by a low-budget documentary about traditional bamboo flutes.
After its long time in the dark, the black-and-white drama will return triumphantly to the official limelight as the closing film of the Beijing Intl. Film Festival on Sept. 10, then go on to light up Chinese theaters Oct. 15. Its star, the iconic Gong Li, is this year’s chairman of the international jury for the festival’s top Tiantan Awards.
“Saturday Film” originally debuted in competition at Venice in 2019 and was set to premiere in China soon after as the opening film of the country’s highly politicized government-run Golden Rooster Film Festival. It was yanked without warning from the line-up the night before due to unspecified “internal production problems” and replaced by a low-budget documentary about traditional bamboo flutes.
- 9/10/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Action film directed by the late Benny Chan grossed a further $21.6m for a cumulative total of $82.8m.
Hong Kong-China action film Raging Fire stayed atop the China box office over its second weekend (August 6-8), grossing a further $21.6m for a cumulative total of $82.8m, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
The film is not facing much new competition as no major US studio films have been released since F9: The Fast Saga, which grossed $214m in May. Chinese regulators have still not issued release dates for films that have been released in the US, such as Black Widow,...
Hong Kong-China action film Raging Fire stayed atop the China box office over its second weekend (August 6-8), grossing a further $21.6m for a cumulative total of $82.8m, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
The film is not facing much new competition as no major US studio films have been released since F9: The Fast Saga, which grossed $214m in May. Chinese regulators have still not issued release dates for films that have been released in the US, such as Black Widow,...
- 8/9/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The list of major Hollywood tentpoles that have released in the U.S. in the past month but not yet fixed a China release date is growing ever longer — an issue of significant concern to industry players on both sides of the Pacific.
“Black Widow,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Jungle Cruise” and now “The Suicide Squad” have all rolled out Stateside but given no formal indication of when and whether they will debut in the world’s largest film market. Within hours, pirated versions of each have been widely accessible in China, shrinking the local pool of future ticket-goers with each day of delay.
U.S. studios will have to reign in their expectations without Chinese sales to bolster their global cumes, while Chinese exhibitors still fighting to come back from a pandemic-striken year continue to flounder. Chinese film authorities, typically tasked with the goal of growing the local...
“Black Widow,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Jungle Cruise” and now “The Suicide Squad” have all rolled out Stateside but given no formal indication of when and whether they will debut in the world’s largest film market. Within hours, pirated versions of each have been widely accessible in China, shrinking the local pool of future ticket-goers with each day of delay.
U.S. studios will have to reign in their expectations without Chinese sales to bolster their global cumes, while Chinese exhibitors still fighting to come back from a pandemic-striken year continue to flounder. Chinese film authorities, typically tasked with the goal of growing the local...
- 8/8/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Huayi Brothers’ Upcoming Summer, directed by Leste Chen and starring Zhang Zifeng, came in second with $20m.
Raging Fire, the last film from late Hong Kong director Benny Chan, topped the box office in its opening weekend in China (July 30-Aug 1), grossing $37.2m over three days, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse star in the crime action title about a cop whose past comes back to haunt him when his sting operation is attacked by a mysterious group of criminals headed by his former protégé.
One of Hong Kong’s leading action directors,...
Raging Fire, the last film from late Hong Kong director Benny Chan, topped the box office in its opening weekend in China (July 30-Aug 1), grossing $37.2m over three days, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse star in the crime action title about a cop whose past comes back to haunt him when his sting operation is attacked by a mysterious group of criminals headed by his former protégé.
One of Hong Kong’s leading action directors,...
- 8/2/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Gong Li heads the jury of the international competition, which also includes Nadine Labaki, Renny Harlin and Leste Chen.
Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), which is scheduled to take place in a physical format next month (August 14-21), has unveiled the line-up for its international competition section, the Tiantan Awards.
The 15-title selection includes Russian co-production Conference, which won best director and actress at last year’s Cairo film festival; Rotterdam Youth Jury Award winner Night Of The Kings; Indian director Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show; and Cannes 2020 Label entry Slalom, directed by Charlene Favier (see full list below...
Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), which is scheduled to take place in a physical format next month (August 14-21), has unveiled the line-up for its international competition section, the Tiantan Awards.
The 15-title selection includes Russian co-production Conference, which won best director and actress at last year’s Cairo film festival; Rotterdam Youth Jury Award winner Night Of The Kings; Indian director Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show; and Cannes 2020 Label entry Slalom, directed by Charlene Favier (see full list below...
- 7/21/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller topped the May 7-9 weekend box office with $24.3m for a cumulative total of $117.5m.
Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller Cliff Walkers outstripped romantic comedy My Love at the China box office during the May Day holidays, grossing $24.3m over the weekend (May 7-9), propelled by strong reviews and word-of-mouth.
The film, about four Communist agents who have been trained in the Soviet Union to carry out a secret operation in the city of Harbin, has now reached a cumulative total of $117.5m, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Initially boosted by its two star leads,...
Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller Cliff Walkers outstripped romantic comedy My Love at the China box office during the May Day holidays, grossing $24.3m over the weekend (May 7-9), propelled by strong reviews and word-of-mouth.
The film, about four Communist agents who have been trained in the Soviet Union to carry out a secret operation in the city of Harbin, has now reached a cumulative total of $117.5m, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Initially boosted by its two star leads,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Romcom starring Greg Hsu and Zhang Ruonan grosses $65.1m, while Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller takes $37.7m in opening three days.
Youth Enlight Pictures’ romantic comedy My Love and Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller Cliff Walkers were the clear winners at the China box office over the May Day holiday weekend (April 30-May 2), although the romcom easily took pole position despite weak reviews.
A remake of hit South Korean romantic drama On Your Wedding Day (2018), My Love grossed $65.1m over the three-day weekend, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Directed by Han Tian, the film stars Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu,...
Youth Enlight Pictures’ romantic comedy My Love and Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller Cliff Walkers were the clear winners at the China box office over the May Day holiday weekend (April 30-May 2), although the romcom easily took pole position despite weak reviews.
A remake of hit South Korean romantic drama On Your Wedding Day (2018), My Love grossed $65.1m over the three-day weekend, according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Directed by Han Tian, the film stars Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu,...
- 5/3/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Zhang Yimou’s snowy period spy thriller “Cliff Walkers” debuted in China this Labor Day holiday weekend with $37.7 million. But it was outrun by local rom-com “My Love,” which took a comfortable box office victory.
That tale of young love starring Taiwan’s Greg Hsu and Zhang Ruonan of the popular TV show “Cry Me A Sad River” opened Friday to earn $65.1 million over three days, according to data from Artisan Gateway. Produced by Youth Enlight Pictures and directed by Han Tian (“Only the Wind Knows”), it grossed almost double the earnings of any competitor.
Hsu is one of a small handful of Taiwanese actors who declared political fealty to Beijing in March by vocally throwing his weight behind a state media-supported boycott of Western fashion brands worried about potential forced labor in the Xinjiang cotton industry. Critics say China has held more than a million ethnic Uighurs in the...
That tale of young love starring Taiwan’s Greg Hsu and Zhang Ruonan of the popular TV show “Cry Me A Sad River” opened Friday to earn $65.1 million over three days, according to data from Artisan Gateway. Produced by Youth Enlight Pictures and directed by Han Tian (“Only the Wind Knows”), it grossed almost double the earnings of any competitor.
Hsu is one of a small handful of Taiwanese actors who declared political fealty to Beijing in March by vocally throwing his weight behind a state media-supported boycott of Western fashion brands worried about potential forced labor in the Xinjiang cotton industry. Critics say China has held more than a million ethnic Uighurs in the...
- 5/3/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Update: After a couple of relatively slow sessions, China turned up the heat again this weekend as the five-day May Day/Labor Day holiday dawned. At least 10 new local titles released across Friday and Saturday with romance drama My Love in the lead through Sunday at an estimated Rmb 424M ($65M). It was followed by Zhang Yimou’s better-reviewed Cliff Walkers with Rmb 260M ($40M) and Leste Chen’s crime thriller Home Sweet Home Rmb 126M ($19.5M). Those three films, plus others in the pack of new offerings from the Middle Kingdom, were the top grossers globally this session. Overall, IMAX had a solid China weekend with Cliff Walkers at $2.3M, and gaining $1M from Home Sweet Home.
The China May Day holiday this year sits in stark contrast to 2019 when Avengers: Endgame was in its second frame and maintained a massive lead over everything else in its wake. Indeed,...
The China May Day holiday this year sits in stark contrast to 2019 when Avengers: Endgame was in its second frame and maintained a massive lead over everything else in its wake. Indeed,...
- 5/2/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Box office slumps ahead of busy May Day holiday weekend when several big local titles are scheduled for release.
Japanese anime Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet topped the China box office over the weekend (April 23-25), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, grossing $4.8m.
The film, which is the 24th installment in a popular franchise, has grossed $26m since its April 17 release in China. It was followed by Lian Ray Pictures’ Sister, starring Zhang Zifeng, which grossed $4.6m over the weekend for an impressive cume of $128.2m.
The re-release of the second installment in the Lord Of The Rings franchise,...
Japanese anime Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet topped the China box office over the weekend (April 23-25), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, grossing $4.8m.
The film, which is the 24th installment in a popular franchise, has grossed $26m since its April 17 release in China. It was followed by Lian Ray Pictures’ Sister, starring Zhang Zifeng, which grossed $4.6m over the weekend for an impressive cume of $128.2m.
The re-release of the second installment in the Lord Of The Rings franchise,...
- 4/26/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Beijing-based sales agency is also handling war epic Sacrifice and Vincent Zhao’s Counter Attack.
Beijing-based sales agency Blossoms Entertainment is launches sales on three new productions from leading Chinese studio Huayi Brothers at Filmart Online, headed by historical war epic Railway Heroes.
Starring Zhang Hanyu (Operation Red Sea) and Fan Wei (One Second), the film follows a group of Chinese railway workers during the Sino-Japanese War, who attempt to sabotage the enemy’s vital transport links whilst evading arrest. The film, directed by Yang Feng, is currently in production for release over China’s National Day Holidays in October.
Beijing-based sales agency Blossoms Entertainment is launches sales on three new productions from leading Chinese studio Huayi Brothers at Filmart Online, headed by historical war epic Railway Heroes.
Starring Zhang Hanyu (Operation Red Sea) and Fan Wei (One Second), the film follows a group of Chinese railway workers during the Sino-Japanese War, who attempt to sabotage the enemy’s vital transport links whilst evading arrest. The film, directed by Yang Feng, is currently in production for release over China’s National Day Holidays in October.
- 3/15/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Chinese indie sales agency Blossoms Entertainment returns to FilMart with a slate of large-scale commercial pictures sourced from a clutch of China’s biggest film studios.
The agency, operated by former Im Global staffers Vicky Ding and Leslie Chen, is pre-selling “Railway Heroes,” a tale of heroism and wartime sabotage which is targeting a National Day release in October. The film is directed by Yang Feng with a cast headed by Zhang Hanyu and Fan Wei.
“Never Stop,” a sports drama about the careers of two sprinters, is poised to release in China around the time of the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The cast is headed by “Shadow” star Zheng Kai (aka Ryan Zheng), with direction by Han Bowen.
Leste Chen’s “Upcoming” (aka “Sheng Xia Wei Lai”) marks the “Eternal Summer” director’s return to the romantic coming of age genre after more recent efforts in other directions including...
The agency, operated by former Im Global staffers Vicky Ding and Leslie Chen, is pre-selling “Railway Heroes,” a tale of heroism and wartime sabotage which is targeting a National Day release in October. The film is directed by Yang Feng with a cast headed by Zhang Hanyu and Fan Wei.
“Never Stop,” a sports drama about the careers of two sprinters, is poised to release in China around the time of the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The cast is headed by “Shadow” star Zheng Kai (aka Ryan Zheng), with direction by Han Bowen.
Leste Chen’s “Upcoming” (aka “Sheng Xia Wei Lai”) marks the “Eternal Summer” director’s return to the romantic coming of age genre after more recent efforts in other directions including...
- 3/14/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Five competitive local titles have announced as of Monday that they will be vying for box office supremacy in China over the May 1 Labor Day weekend, a public holiday.
They include a long-anticipated video game adaptation, an omnibus pandemic film helmed by three different female big shots from China, Hong Kong and the U.S., a sleek Aaron Kwok-starring thriller, a TV series adaptation and the first title from helmer Li Yu not to star the now-disgraced Fan Bingbing in 14 years.
Their sales will be worth tracking, as holiday periods tend to be the most money-making in the world’s largest film market, where the February Chinese New Year box office set world records with an impressive $1.2 billion in sales in just six days.
In years past, Labor Day was considered a less significant holiday for movie-going than Chinese New Year, the summer holidays, October’s weeklong National Day holiday in October,...
They include a long-anticipated video game adaptation, an omnibus pandemic film helmed by three different female big shots from China, Hong Kong and the U.S., a sleek Aaron Kwok-starring thriller, a TV series adaptation and the first title from helmer Li Yu not to star the now-disgraced Fan Bingbing in 14 years.
Their sales will be worth tracking, as holiday periods tend to be the most money-making in the world’s largest film market, where the February Chinese New Year box office set world records with an impressive $1.2 billion in sales in just six days.
In years past, Labor Day was considered a less significant holiday for movie-going than Chinese New Year, the summer holidays, October’s weeklong National Day holiday in October,...
- 3/8/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Though China was among the first in the world to restart film shoots in the wake of Covid-19, the number of projects going into production has been drastically reduced by the pandemic and its accompanying economic uncertainty.
Recent financial reports and public comments from China’s major studios reveal some trends in what to expect from those productions still in the pipeline. There will be a blast of coronavirus-themed films and patriotic content to mark next year’s 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party that are unlikely to make much of a dent abroad, a strong line-up of actioners and crime thrillers — some more hard-boiled and some more fantasy-based — and inventive animated fare with big ambitions, alongside a steady stream of rom-coms and titles from up-and-coming talent.
In late July, Bona Film Group chairman Yu Dong said that Chinese film industry practitioners are “actually very anxious” and “should be...
Recent financial reports and public comments from China’s major studios reveal some trends in what to expect from those productions still in the pipeline. There will be a blast of coronavirus-themed films and patriotic content to mark next year’s 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party that are unlikely to make much of a dent abroad, a strong line-up of actioners and crime thrillers — some more hard-boiled and some more fantasy-based — and inventive animated fare with big ambitions, alongside a steady stream of rom-coms and titles from up-and-coming talent.
In late July, Bona Film Group chairman Yu Dong said that Chinese film industry practitioners are “actually very anxious” and “should be...
- 9/10/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
As the wave of J-horror was slowly dying down with the last of the Us-American remakes making their way to the cinemas, of course, other film industries wanted to get their hands on the commercial opportunities. However, apart from copying the usual formula, adding a creepy, long-haired girl as the monster and relying on the early 2000s skepticism towards modern technology, others wanted to go different ways. One of those examples is Leste Chen’s 2005 effort “The Heirloom”, or “Zhai bian” which is its original title, that tells a story defined mostly by the use of an uncanny atmosphere, dread and impressive visuals. Even though the film has its narrative flaws, the overall outcome is quite interesting as it points at a tradition of horror that goes as far back the stories of a family curse, which lie at the heart of “Fall of the House of Usher” and other...
- 6/30/2020
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Amsterdam and Beijing-based sales company is also stepping into Asian TV series sales with Horizon Tower.
Fortissimo Films is launching sales at the Efm on two Chinese titles – fantasy action film The Yin-Yang Master: Dream Of Eternity and arthouse drama Hot Soup, directed by Zhang Ming, whose 2018 The Pluto Moment premiered in Cannes Directors Fortnight.
The Amsterdam and Beijing-based sales company is also stepping into Asian TV series sales with Horizon Tower, produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures. All three titles are currently in post-production and scheduled for delivery later in 2020.
Directed by Guo Jingming (Tiny Times franchise), The Yin-Yang Master:...
Fortissimo Films is launching sales at the Efm on two Chinese titles – fantasy action film The Yin-Yang Master: Dream Of Eternity and arthouse drama Hot Soup, directed by Zhang Ming, whose 2018 The Pluto Moment premiered in Cannes Directors Fortnight.
The Amsterdam and Beijing-based sales company is also stepping into Asian TV series sales with Horizon Tower, produced by Tencent Penguin Pictures. All three titles are currently in post-production and scheduled for delivery later in 2020.
Directed by Guo Jingming (Tiny Times franchise), The Yin-Yang Master:...
- 2/18/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Love is an eternal quest. The mind does not care of the body when it searches love. The feeling of love is more dominant than the passion of love and that’s where the film transcends into a classic love story.” “Eternal Summer” is one of the most classically made love stories I have watched in recent times, where the scent of love prevails over the sexuality.
“Eternal Summer” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
The narrative revolves around three friends: Jonathan (Bryant Chang), Shane (Joseph Chang) and Carrie (Kate Yeung) and their relationships and sexual orientations. Jonathan and Shane are childhood friends and slowly, with time, Jonathan evolves a feeling of love for Shane, which turns out to be an emotional attraction, difficult for Jonathan to ignore. Here enters Carrie, a girl from Hong Kong, who is attracted to Jonathan. Both of them enjoy a date in...
“Eternal Summer” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
The narrative revolves around three friends: Jonathan (Bryant Chang), Shane (Joseph Chang) and Carrie (Kate Yeung) and their relationships and sexual orientations. Jonathan and Shane are childhood friends and slowly, with time, Jonathan evolves a feeling of love for Shane, which turns out to be an emotional attraction, difficult for Jonathan to ignore. Here enters Carrie, a girl from Hong Kong, who is attracted to Jonathan. Both of them enjoy a date in...
- 8/24/2019
- by Sankha Ray
- AsianMoviePulse
First feature of Matt Wu pays homage to several European directors and movements, and shows some important talents – among them the talents to tame Aaron Kwok, and not to become a slave of inspirations and models. In “One Night Only”, he offers a world, where the story of two strangers in the night works smoother and better than its script suggests. That makes the film an overall entertaining experience, despite all its ups and downs.
Gao Ye (Aaron Kwok) is a gambler, he is very very late with his rent, and in general, he is out of luck. Suddenly, a knock on his door changes not only the course of that night, but also his life. Momo (Yang Zishan) introduces herself as a prostitute hired by/for Ye and forces herself in. After a while, she lets Ye to all the money she has on her, and...
Gao Ye (Aaron Kwok) is a gambler, he is very very late with his rent, and in general, he is out of luck. Suddenly, a knock on his door changes not only the course of that night, but also his life. Momo (Yang Zishan) introduces herself as a prostitute hired by/for Ye and forces herself in. After a while, she lets Ye to all the money she has on her, and...
- 2/2/2019
- by Anomalilly
- AsianMoviePulse
The concept of memory and its connection to reality is a theme that has produced cinematic masterpieces, with Akira Kurosawa’s “Rashomon” being one of the most prominent sample. Taiwanese director Leste Chen tackles this theme by adding scifi and crime thriller elements.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” will screen at the New York Asian Film Festival, that will be on June 30 to July 16
The story takes place in 2025, when the erasing of undesired memories and feelings has become a trend. Jiang Feng is an author on the verge of divorcing his wife, Zhang Daichen.. In order to leave the painful memories of their marriage behind, he decides to erase them. After the procedure, he is given a device that can reinstate his memories, if he ever regrets his decision. However, the technology of the memory-erase dictates that in the case of reinstating, one has 72 hours to decide whether he will keep or erase his memories permanently.
“Aroused by Gymnopedies” will screen at the New York Asian Film Festival, that will be on June 30 to July 16
The story takes place in 2025, when the erasing of undesired memories and feelings has become a trend. Jiang Feng is an author on the verge of divorcing his wife, Zhang Daichen.. In order to leave the painful memories of their marriage behind, he decides to erase them. After the procedure, he is given a device that can reinstate his memories, if he ever regrets his decision. However, the technology of the memory-erase dictates that in the case of reinstating, one has 72 hours to decide whether he will keep or erase his memories permanently.
- 6/29/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive Screen International Rising Star Award.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema announced on Monday the updated roster of honourees at the upcoming 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
China’s Duan Yihong and South Korea’s Gang Dong-won will receive the Star Asia Award, South Korea’s Jung Byung-gil will collect the Daniel E. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, and Eric Tsang will receive the Star Hong Kong Lifetime Achievement Award.
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive the Screen International Rising Star Award and stars in opening night selection Bad Genius.
Duan Yihong will receive his Star Asia Award on July 1 in recognition of his entire body of work and will be presented before screenings of Extraordinary Mission and Battle Of Memories.
This is the first time a Star Asia Award has been presented to an actor...
The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema announced on Monday the updated roster of honourees at the upcoming 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff).
China’s Duan Yihong and South Korea’s Gang Dong-won will receive the Star Asia Award, South Korea’s Jung Byung-gil will collect the Daniel E. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema, and Eric Tsang will receive the Star Hong Kong Lifetime Achievement Award.
As previously announced, Thailand’s Chutimon ‘Aokbab’ Chuengcharoensukying will receive the Screen International Rising Star Award and stars in opening night selection Bad Genius.
Duan Yihong will receive his Star Asia Award on July 1 in recognition of his entire body of work and will be presented before screenings of Extraordinary Mission and Battle Of Memories.
This is the first time a Star Asia Award has been presented to an actor...
- 6/19/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Centerpiece Gala is North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The Us premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s revenge thriller and recent Cannes Midnight screening The Villainess will close the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), set to run from June 30-July 16.
Festival brass unveiled on Monday the selection of 57 films including seven entries in the new Main Competition: previously announced festival opener Bad Genius (Thailand, pictured); Birdshot (Philippines); A Double Life (Japan); The Gangster’s Daughter (Taiwan); Kfc (Vietnam); Jane (South Korea); and With Prisoners (Hong Kong).
The Centerpiece Gala is the North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The festival programme includes a 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Panorama with a focus on emerging talent called Young Blood Hong Kong. Selections include Wong Chun’s Mad World, Derek Hui’s This Is Not What I Expected, and Alan Lo’s Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight.
An Lgbtq showcase features five films: Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit from Japan...
The Us premiere of Jung Byung-gil’s revenge thriller and recent Cannes Midnight screening The Villainess will close the 16th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), set to run from June 30-July 16.
Festival brass unveiled on Monday the selection of 57 films including seven entries in the new Main Competition: previously announced festival opener Bad Genius (Thailand, pictured); Birdshot (Philippines); A Double Life (Japan); The Gangster’s Daughter (Taiwan); Kfc (Vietnam); Jane (South Korea); and With Prisoners (Hong Kong).
The Centerpiece Gala is the North American premiere of Filipino thriller Birdshot.
The festival programme includes a 20th Anniversary Hong Kong Panorama with a focus on emerging talent called Young Blood Hong Kong. Selections include Wong Chun’s Mad World, Derek Hui’s This Is Not What I Expected, and Alan Lo’s Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight.
An Lgbtq showcase features five films: Naoko Ogigami’s Close-Knit from Japan...
- 6/5/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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
Huang Bo takes the lead role in Battle Of Memories, the latest effort from The Great Hypnotist director Leste Chen and the result appears to be something unusual for mainland China - a slick scifi thriller in a nation where local censorship and content laws make science fiction a generally tricky proposition. With a starting point similar to Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Battle Of Memories revolves around a famous novelist who opts to cope with his recent divorce by having a decade of his memory wiped. But when he has second thoughts and tries to recover those lost memories he instead finds himself in the mind of a serial killer. Production values here are fantastic - which should be no surprise as backers...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/21/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: Chinese outfit is launching sales at Cannes.
Beijing-based Wanda Pictures is launching sales on two big-budget productions in Cannes – Leste Chen’s $20m Battle Of Memories and Pan An Zi’s $14m For A Few Bullets.
A follow-up to Chen’s 2014 psychological thriller The Great Hypnotist, Battle Of Memories tells the story of a famous novelist who recovers from a painful divorce by having a decade of his memory wiped. But when he tries to recover the lost memories, he finds himself in the mind of a serial killer.
Huang Bo, Xu Jinglei, Yang Zishan and Duan Yihong head the cast of the film, which recently wrapped in Thailand and is being lined up for Chinese release in December. Tina Shi produced the film, with De Warrenne Pictures’ Tom Waller on board as co-producer.
Set in the 1930s, For A Few Bullets is a comedy western about a professional thief who teams up with a special...
Beijing-based Wanda Pictures is launching sales on two big-budget productions in Cannes – Leste Chen’s $20m Battle Of Memories and Pan An Zi’s $14m For A Few Bullets.
A follow-up to Chen’s 2014 psychological thriller The Great Hypnotist, Battle Of Memories tells the story of a famous novelist who recovers from a painful divorce by having a decade of his memory wiped. But when he tries to recover the lost memories, he finds himself in the mind of a serial killer.
Huang Bo, Xu Jinglei, Yang Zishan and Duan Yihong head the cast of the film, which recently wrapped in Thailand and is being lined up for Chinese release in December. Tina Shi produced the film, with De Warrenne Pictures’ Tom Waller on board as co-producer.
Set in the 1930s, For A Few Bullets is a comedy western about a professional thief who teams up with a special...
- 5/11/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Korean box-office smash Miss Granny has been subject to a spate of remakes across Asia since its 2014 debut. Leste Chen's Chinese effort 20 Once Again was released back in January of last year before Sweet 20, the debut feature from director Phan Gia Nhat Linh, sailed to the top of the Vietnamese charts in December. This April will see the release of Japan's own take on the story.Ayashii Kanojo sticks to the successful formula of previous versions as Baisho Mitsuko takes up the role of the cantankerous grandmother who enters a mysterious photo studio only to leave in the body of her twenty-year-old self. Played by Tabe Mikako, the now youthful Katsu undergoes a makeover and enters a singing contest leading to the opportunity...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 1/7/2016
- Screen Anarchy
At Busan’s Asian Film Market, producers of Chinese blockbusters shared their secrets to success such as walking their own paths and not trying to emulate Hollywood, Japan or Korea’s systems, even in co-productions.
Fang Li, producer at Laurel Films Company, Ltd. whose credits include Fan Bing Bing starrer Ever Since We Loved and Han Han’s The Continent, said, “I don’t make films for box office hits, I make them to get viewers emotional, to impress and to inspire. Art is the more important thing. Emotions and impressions are your biggest weapon.”
The panelists agreed that Chinese audiences have grown cinema savvy enough that they don’t necessarily go for star vehicles.
Du Yang, general manager at Beijing Skywheel Entertainment Co., Ltd., whose credits include Ning Hao’s Breakup Buddies and Zhang Ziyi starrer Sophie’s Revenge, said, “If you get many good reviews and audiences hear good word-of-mouth, they choose...
Fang Li, producer at Laurel Films Company, Ltd. whose credits include Fan Bing Bing starrer Ever Since We Loved and Han Han’s The Continent, said, “I don’t make films for box office hits, I make them to get viewers emotional, to impress and to inspire. Art is the more important thing. Emotions and impressions are your biggest weapon.”
The panelists agreed that Chinese audiences have grown cinema savvy enough that they don’t necessarily go for star vehicles.
Du Yang, general manager at Beijing Skywheel Entertainment Co., Ltd., whose credits include Ning Hao’s Breakup Buddies and Zhang Ziyi starrer Sophie’s Revenge, said, “If you get many good reviews and audiences hear good word-of-mouth, they choose...
- 10/6/2015
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Korea’s Next Entertainment World (New) and China’s Huace have launched a Beijing-based joint venture and announced their first projects.
The collaboration of the two entertainment media majors will be titled Huace & New and their first three projects have been revealed at the Busan International Film Festival (Biff)
Kim Woo Taek, CEO of New, said: “The company is a 50:50 joint venture established in China. On principle, both companies will be investing and producing together in all the films. We’ll be sending employees to the new company to work on site.
“Huace has the highest market share in China. When they first decided to invest, it was a year ago. Since then, we’ve had exchanges and confirmations and have decided which projects to work on.
“But the biggest reason we have made this joint venture is because both companies share similar cultures of positivity, enterprise and creativity, so that we...
The collaboration of the two entertainment media majors will be titled Huace & New and their first three projects have been revealed at the Busan International Film Festival (Biff)
Kim Woo Taek, CEO of New, said: “The company is a 50:50 joint venture established in China. On principle, both companies will be investing and producing together in all the films. We’ll be sending employees to the new company to work on site.
“Huace has the highest market share in China. When they first decided to invest, it was a year ago. Since then, we’ve had exchanges and confirmations and have decided which projects to work on.
“But the biggest reason we have made this joint venture is because both companies share similar cultures of positivity, enterprise and creativity, so that we...
- 10/5/2015
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Village Roadshow Pictures Asia (Vrpa) and Beijing-based Hairun Pictures have entered into a strategic film production alliance and unveiled a slate of five features.
The two partners will jointly develop, finance, produce and distribute a slate of films, initially consisting of Sino-foreign co-productions, with plans to also co-produce English-language content in the near future.
The alliance was signed today at the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) by Vrpa CEO Ellen Eliasoph and Liu Yanming, chairman of Hairun Media & Entertainment Group.
Larry Yang’s Mountain Cry, the partners’ initial project together, originated at last year’s Bjiff Pitch and Catch event, where it was awarded as the project with “Top Commercial Potential”. The film is currently in post-production.
The other four projects on the Vpra/Hairun slate include:
Ipo, a fast-paced contemporary drama depicting the dark underworld of China’s booming financial markets;
My Other Home (working title), a biopic of Stephon Marbury, the former...
The two partners will jointly develop, finance, produce and distribute a slate of films, initially consisting of Sino-foreign co-productions, with plans to also co-produce English-language content in the near future.
The alliance was signed today at the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) by Vrpa CEO Ellen Eliasoph and Liu Yanming, chairman of Hairun Media & Entertainment Group.
Larry Yang’s Mountain Cry, the partners’ initial project together, originated at last year’s Bjiff Pitch and Catch event, where it was awarded as the project with “Top Commercial Potential”. The film is currently in post-production.
The other four projects on the Vpra/Hairun slate include:
Ipo, a fast-paced contemporary drama depicting the dark underworld of China’s booming financial markets;
My Other Home (working title), a biopic of Stephon Marbury, the former...
- 4/20/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Since rocketing to worldwide fame after starring in the highly-acclaimed “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” Zhang Ziyi has steadily filled her portfolio not only with multi-awarded acting roles–the most memorable perhaps being Mei (“House of Flying Daggers”) and Sakamoto Chiyo (“Memoirs of a Geisha”)–but also some magnificent producer credits.
Zhang Ziyi
Zhang’s first produced film, “Sophie’s Revenge,” may have gotten mixed reviews from critics but went on to bag a handful of awards, including Best New Director from China Film Media Awards and Next Generation Director Awards, Best Supporting Actress from China Hua Ding Film Awards, and Most Popular Actress from China Student Film Awards for Zhang herself.
This year, Zhang Ziyi continues to explore the cinematic field as a producer with the movie “The Baby from Universe.”
Juicy Details of the Much-Anticipated “The Baby from Universe”
Otherwise known as “Oh My God” (从天儿降/Cóng Tiān Er...
Zhang Ziyi
Zhang’s first produced film, “Sophie’s Revenge,” may have gotten mixed reviews from critics but went on to bag a handful of awards, including Best New Director from China Film Media Awards and Next Generation Director Awards, Best Supporting Actress from China Hua Ding Film Awards, and Most Popular Actress from China Student Film Awards for Zhang herself.
This year, Zhang Ziyi continues to explore the cinematic field as a producer with the movie “The Baby from Universe.”
Juicy Details of the Much-Anticipated “The Baby from Universe”
Otherwise known as “Oh My God” (从天儿降/Cóng Tiān Er...
- 4/16/2015
- by Mary Ann Simuangco
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Sales also made of Salut d’Amour, The Peaceful Island and Empire of Lust by Korea’s Cj.
Korea’s Cj Entertainment has secured a raft of sales led by Jk Youn’s hit Ode to My Father going to Latin America (Alebrije) and Spain (European Dream Factory).
Taegukgi director Kang Je-kyu’s new romance Salut d’Amour, set for local release in April, sold to Australia (Mingyo).
Chang Youn-hyun’s mystery thriller The Peaceful Island has sold to Hwa Yea (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei).
Period action romance Empire of Lust, starring Shin Ha-kyun, Jang hyuk and Kang Hanna, sold to Mongolia (Bloomsbury).
Popcorn has picked up Pan-Asian pay TV rights to romantic comedy Love Forecast and 20, Once Again, Leste Chen’s hit Chinese-language remake of the Korean comedy Miss Granny.
Korea’s Cj Entertainment has secured a raft of sales led by Jk Youn’s hit Ode to My Father going to Latin America (Alebrije) and Spain (European Dream Factory).
Taegukgi director Kang Je-kyu’s new romance Salut d’Amour, set for local release in April, sold to Australia (Mingyo).
Chang Youn-hyun’s mystery thriller The Peaceful Island has sold to Hwa Yea (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei).
Period action romance Empire of Lust, starring Shin Ha-kyun, Jang hyuk and Kang Hanna, sold to Mongolia (Bloomsbury).
Popcorn has picked up Pan-Asian pay TV rights to romantic comedy Love Forecast and 20, Once Again, Leste Chen’s hit Chinese-language remake of the Korean comedy Miss Granny.
- 3/23/2015
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
International actuals took their time arriving after the long holiday weekend in the U.S. Most studios have now reported, and in some cases have included grosses through Monday. There were no massive fluctuations, but some of the Oscar nominees including The Theory Of Everything, Boyhood and Birdman enjoyed nice bumps in holdover markets. Figures have also been added below for Jason Statham’s Wild Card, which opened to a strong hand in France, two weeks ahead of its domestic debut.
Figures for the above films have been updated below along with: Taken 3, Seventh Son, Big Hero 6, Penguins Of Madagascar, Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, American Sniper, Exodus: Gods And Kings, Into The Woods, Unbroken, Ouija, Blackhat, Dumb And Dumber To, Horrible Bosses, Honig Im Kopf, Gone Girl, Let’s Be Cops,...
Figures for the above films have been updated below along with: Taken 3, Seventh Son, Big Hero 6, Penguins Of Madagascar, Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, American Sniper, Exodus: Gods And Kings, Into The Woods, Unbroken, Ouija, Blackhat, Dumb And Dumber To, Horrible Bosses, Honig Im Kopf, Gone Girl, Let’s Be Cops,...
- 1/21/2015
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
2Nd Update, Tuesday 3:21 Am Pt: Actuals have been reported from most of the studios, with very few discrepancies amongst the major titles. The Top 5 remain the same as projected on Sunday, save for a tie-break between Exodus: Gods And Kings and China’s Miss Granny with the latter landing at No. 4 and the former at No. 5 on the international chart. There are also more markets reporting on The Imitation Game which added $6.6M for a $41.8M cume.
Figures have been updated throughout the below for those films as well as: Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, Taken 3, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, Penguins Of Madagascar, Big Hero 6, Seventh Son, Into The Woods, Ouija, Honig Im Kopf, Unbroken, The Theory Of Everything, American Sniper, Dumb And Dumber To, Let’s Be Cops, The Water Diviner, Boyhood, Horrible Bosses 2, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Birdman and Gone Girl.
Figures have been updated throughout the below for those films as well as: Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, Taken 3, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, Penguins Of Madagascar, Big Hero 6, Seventh Son, Into The Woods, Ouija, Honig Im Kopf, Unbroken, The Theory Of Everything, American Sniper, Dumb And Dumber To, Let’s Be Cops, The Water Diviner, Boyhood, Horrible Bosses 2, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Birdman and Gone Girl.
- 1/13/2015
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
Korean smash hit [pictured] sells to Germany, Latin American and Italy, among others.
Korean distributor Cj Entertainment has sold all-time local hit Roaring Currents to a slew of territories including Germany (Ksm), Latin America (Alebrije) and Italy (Minerva).
Starring Choi Min-shik, the historical naval battle drama also sold to Benelux and Scandinavia (Splendid), Taiwan (Movie Cloud), India (Visual Reality), Turkey (Medyavizyon) and Mongolia (Bloomsbury). Pay TV rights for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam went to Popcorn, and in-flight rights to Emphasis.
At Afm, Cj is screening a newly edited international version of the film, 20 minutes shorter to pick up the pace. Cj says this edit was originally started for mainland China censors but was judged to be better for other overseas audiences’ understanding of the film as well. The market premiere screening is on Nov 7.
The company reports Roaring Currents has opened in the Us, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, becoming the biggest...
Korean distributor Cj Entertainment has sold all-time local hit Roaring Currents to a slew of territories including Germany (Ksm), Latin America (Alebrije) and Italy (Minerva).
Starring Choi Min-shik, the historical naval battle drama also sold to Benelux and Scandinavia (Splendid), Taiwan (Movie Cloud), India (Visual Reality), Turkey (Medyavizyon) and Mongolia (Bloomsbury). Pay TV rights for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam went to Popcorn, and in-flight rights to Emphasis.
At Afm, Cj is screening a newly edited international version of the film, 20 minutes shorter to pick up the pace. Cj says this edit was originally started for mainland China censors but was judged to be better for other overseas audiences’ understanding of the film as well. The market premiere screening is on Nov 7.
The company reports Roaring Currents has opened in the Us, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and Thailand, becoming the biggest...
- 11/5/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The festival’s 25th edition will feature a contribution from Ai Weiwei and competition titles including Whiplash, Nightcrawler and Foxcatcher.
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
The Stockholm International Film Festival (Nov 5-16) is to present its Achievement Award to Us actress Uma Thurman.
The Kill Bill star will will visit Stockholm to receive the prestigious Bronze Horse and meet the audience during an exclusive “Face2Face”.
Thurman will also take part in the inauguration ceremony, which will include the unveiling of an ice sculpture by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Weiwei was a Stockholm jury member last year but since he wasn’t allowed to leave China, he sent an empty chair named ”The Chair for Non-attendance” as symbol of his absence.
He is still not allowed to leave China so will send a design that will be portrayed in the form of a large ice sculpture symbolising this years’ Spotlight theme - Hope.
Brazil
The festival will focus this year on Brazil...
- 10/16/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Larry Yang’s Mountain Cry, co-produced by Hairun Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures Asia, started production today in the Taihang Mountains of China’s Shanxi Province.
Yang, a young mainland Chinese filmmaker, has also written the script based on Ge Shuiping’s award-winning Chinese novel of the same name.
Set in a remote village, the story begins with the sudden death of a husband and father whose family is new to the village’s tight-knit community. Following his death, the villagers get to know the man’s widow, a mysterious mute with the power to tell her story wordlessly.
Ge’s novel was inspired by real life events that occurred in the Taihang Mountain region where she grew up and still lives today.
Lang Yueting plays the mute wife, while Wang Ziyi plays the role of Han Chong, a young man in the village who is forced to take responsibility for her husband’s death.
Lang...
Yang, a young mainland Chinese filmmaker, has also written the script based on Ge Shuiping’s award-winning Chinese novel of the same name.
Set in a remote village, the story begins with the sudden death of a husband and father whose family is new to the village’s tight-knit community. Following his death, the villagers get to know the man’s widow, a mysterious mute with the power to tell her story wordlessly.
Ge’s novel was inspired by real life events that occurred in the Taihang Mountain region where she grew up and still lives today.
Lang Yueting plays the mute wife, while Wang Ziyi plays the role of Han Chong, a young man in the village who is forced to take responsibility for her husband’s death.
Lang...
- 10/5/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) announced its line-up today with Maximilian Erlenwein’s German thriller Stereo [pictured] as the opening film.
Stereo received its world premiere in the Berlinale Panorama section in February but will recieve its Asian premiere at PiFan.
The festival’s closing film will be the world premiere of Korean director Kwon Lee’s sophomore feature My Ordinary Love Story, featuring popular stars Song Sae-byeok and Kang Ye-won.
“My Ordinary Love Story starts off as a humorous romantic comedy and later transforms into a horror mystery,” said chief programmer Jangwan Pyeon, describing it and the opening film as representative of the PiFan’s focus on more “complex genre films” this year.
The festival will screen 210 films from 47 countries with 43 world premieres and 20 international premieres. It will run July 17-27 with the closing ceremony on July 25 and encore screenings on the last two days.
Competition titles
The Puchon Choice: Feature competition section of 12 titles...
Stereo received its world premiere in the Berlinale Panorama section in February but will recieve its Asian premiere at PiFan.
The festival’s closing film will be the world premiere of Korean director Kwon Lee’s sophomore feature My Ordinary Love Story, featuring popular stars Song Sae-byeok and Kang Ye-won.
“My Ordinary Love Story starts off as a humorous romantic comedy and later transforms into a horror mystery,” said chief programmer Jangwan Pyeon, describing it and the opening film as representative of the PiFan’s focus on more “complex genre films” this year.
The festival will screen 210 films from 47 countries with 43 world premieres and 20 international premieres. It will run July 17-27 with the closing ceremony on July 25 and encore screenings on the last two days.
Competition titles
The Puchon Choice: Feature competition section of 12 titles...
- 6/19/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Cj E&M has announced Korea-China co-production Once Again, 20’s (working title), a Chinese-language film based on hit Korean comedy Miss Granny.
Taiwanese director Leste Chen, whose credits include The Heirloom and The Great Hypnotist, will direct star Yang Zishan from the mainland China hit So Young with veteran actress Gua Ah Leh (Eat, Drink, Man, Woman) and actor Bolin Chen.
The film starts shooting next month in China and is due for release this winter.
South Korea’s Cj E&M and China’s Beijing Century Media Co., Ltd. are producing and investing, while C2M, Huace Media and Media Asia are co-financing.
The original Miss Granny took $62m at the local box office according to the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Starring Shim Eun-kyung, the Korean film directed by Hwang Dong-hyeuk features a cranky old granny who is magically transformed into her 20-year-old self and joins her grandson’s band.
Kiyun Lee, senior...
Taiwanese director Leste Chen, whose credits include The Heirloom and The Great Hypnotist, will direct star Yang Zishan from the mainland China hit So Young with veteran actress Gua Ah Leh (Eat, Drink, Man, Woman) and actor Bolin Chen.
The film starts shooting next month in China and is due for release this winter.
South Korea’s Cj E&M and China’s Beijing Century Media Co., Ltd. are producing and investing, while C2M, Huace Media and Media Asia are co-financing.
The original Miss Granny took $62m at the local box office according to the Korean Film Council (Kofic). Starring Shim Eun-kyung, the Korean film directed by Hwang Dong-hyeuk features a cranky old granny who is magically transformed into her 20-year-old self and joins her grandson’s band.
Kiyun Lee, senior...
- 5/27/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo Films has sold recent pick-up The Great Hypnotist to several territories and continues to do brisk business on Berlin Golden Bear winner Black Coal, Thin Ice, which was gone to Broadmedia Studios for Japan.
Produced by Wanda Media, The Great Hypnotist has been sold to Hong Kong (Golden Scene), Singapore and Malaysia (Clover Films) and Taiwan (Eagle Pictures). Fox International Channels has acquired pay-tv and digital rights for South-East Asia, while worldwide airline rights went to Encore.
Golden Scene is planning a mid-June release for the film, which has grossed more than $35m in mainland China. The mystery thriller is directed by Leste Chen and stars Xu Zheng and Karen Mok.
Broadmedia is planning a theatrical release in early 2015 for Black Coal, Thin Ice, which has also gone to Belgium (Imagine Film Distribution), Netherlands and Luxembourg (Non-Stop Entertainment) and Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland (Ab). HBO Central Europe acquired first run pay-tv rights for Central...
Produced by Wanda Media, The Great Hypnotist has been sold to Hong Kong (Golden Scene), Singapore and Malaysia (Clover Films) and Taiwan (Eagle Pictures). Fox International Channels has acquired pay-tv and digital rights for South-East Asia, while worldwide airline rights went to Encore.
Golden Scene is planning a mid-June release for the film, which has grossed more than $35m in mainland China. The mystery thriller is directed by Leste Chen and stars Xu Zheng and Karen Mok.
Broadmedia is planning a theatrical release in early 2015 for Black Coal, Thin Ice, which has also gone to Belgium (Imagine Film Distribution), Netherlands and Luxembourg (Non-Stop Entertainment) and Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland (Ab). HBO Central Europe acquired first run pay-tv rights for Central...
- 5/19/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo Films has struck a deal with China’s Wanda Media to handle worldwide sales (excluding Hk, Taiwan, Se-Asia) on current box office hit The Great Hypnotist.
Directed by Leste Chen, the film was released last weekend in China and has so far grossed an estimated $25m. Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales on the film, excluding Hong Kong, Taiwan and South-East Asia, which will handled by Wanda’s own distribution team.
The mystery thriller, representing a new direction in genre filmmaking in China, tells the story of a renowned therapist, skilled in hypnotherapy who meets a deeply troubled patient he is unable to help. Xu Zheng (Lost In Thailand) and Karen Mok head the cast. The film was produced by Tina Shi and Wanda’s James Li and executive produced by Xu Zheng and Wanda’s Gillian Zhao.
Taiwan-born director Leste Chen scored a hit last year with romantic comedy Say Yes!, and also previously...
Directed by Leste Chen, the film was released last weekend in China and has so far grossed an estimated $25m. Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales on the film, excluding Hong Kong, Taiwan and South-East Asia, which will handled by Wanda’s own distribution team.
The mystery thriller, representing a new direction in genre filmmaking in China, tells the story of a renowned therapist, skilled in hypnotherapy who meets a deeply troubled patient he is unable to help. Xu Zheng (Lost In Thailand) and Karen Mok head the cast. The film was produced by Tina Shi and Wanda’s James Li and executive produced by Xu Zheng and Wanda’s Gillian Zhao.
Taiwan-born director Leste Chen scored a hit last year with romantic comedy Say Yes!, and also previously...
- 5/6/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Richie Mehta’s Siddharth was awarded best film at the close of the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff), while Wong Kar Wai’s The Grandmaster picked up three prizes including best director.
The Grandmaster also scooped best actress for Zhang Ziyi and best cinematography for Philippe Le Sourd at the festival’s Tiantan Awards on Wednesday night. Wong Kar Wai and Zhang both won prizes for the film in the same categories at the recent Asian Film Awards in Macau.
Best actor at Beijing’s Tiantan Awards went to Guillaume Gouix for French director Sylvain Chomet’s Attila Marcel, which also won best music. Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s Hope won best supporting actress for the performance of child actor Lee Re. Alan Rickman won best supporting actor for his role in Patrice Leconte’s A Promise.
Peter Ho-sun Chan’s American Dreams In China won best screenplay (Zhou Zhiyong, Zhang Ji and...
The Grandmaster also scooped best actress for Zhang Ziyi and best cinematography for Philippe Le Sourd at the festival’s Tiantan Awards on Wednesday night. Wong Kar Wai and Zhang both won prizes for the film in the same categories at the recent Asian Film Awards in Macau.
Best actor at Beijing’s Tiantan Awards went to Guillaume Gouix for French director Sylvain Chomet’s Attila Marcel, which also won best music. Korean director Lee Joon-ik’s Hope won best supporting actress for the performance of child actor Lee Re. Alan Rickman won best supporting actor for his role in Patrice Leconte’s A Promise.
Peter Ho-sun Chan’s American Dreams In China won best screenplay (Zhou Zhiyong, Zhang Ji and...
- 4/24/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
“Say Yes” is a Mainland Chinese romantic comedy based on the hugely popular 1991 Japanese television series “101st Proposal”, which was previously adapted for the small screen in Korean a few years back. Sticking to the premise of a working class everyman falling in love with a rich, beautiful cellist, this new version was directed by Taiwanese helmer Leste Chen, who teams again with his “Love on Credit” leading lady Lin Chiling, joined by the ever likeable Huang Bo (“Lost in Thailand”) as her unlikely suitor. An official co-production with Fuji Television, the film was a considerable hit back in China, pulling in nearly 3 billion yen during its first few weeks of release. The film opens with Huang Bo as construction worker Huang Da out on the 99th in a string of unsuccessful blind dates. Although his rendezvous doesn’t work out, he runs into the gorgeous Yeh Shun (Lin Chiling...
- 6/11/2013
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
“Love on Credit” is a Mainland Chinese romantic comedy with a financial theme, directed by Taiwanese helmer Leste Chen, previously responsible for “Eternal Summer” and horror “The Heirloom”. The film is basically a vehicle for Taiwanese model turned actress Lin Chi Ling (“Red Cliff”), with her playing identical twin sisters wrestling with love, life and money. Vying for the sisters’ hearts are three eligible actors in Aloys Chen (“Rest on Your Shoulder”), Liao Fan (“Ocean Flame”), and Tony Yang (“In Case of Love”). Lin Chi Ling plays Xiaohong, a ruthless, money chasing woman who is on the verge of ending a 10 year affair with his boss after it becomes clear that he is unlikely to leave his wife. She also plays the far more innocent Xiaoqing, whose long term relationship with boyfriend Jiang Cheng (Liao Fan) runs into trouble after he is tricked by a friend into giving away their life savings.
- 7/4/2012
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Another one of these down-tempo Taiwanese dramas? In a sense, but one that quite openly deals with male homosexuality. A subject still prone to shock in some parts of our world. Apart from that, Eternal Summer simply proves to be among the best of its peers, enough reason to put it in the spotlight.
Leste Chen started out with Heirloom, a stylish and atmopsheric horror flick that didn't revolve around gore or scares. Such films are pretty hard to market so it wasn't too surprising his first didn't land him much success. Eternal Summer is a very different film and reaches out to a more typical Taiwanese arthouse crowd. Much easier to sell and so the praise he received for it was accordingly. The world isn't fair, nothing much you can do about that.
Even though Eternal Summer is considered gay-themed, it's actually a bit more complex than that. Central...
Leste Chen started out with Heirloom, a stylish and atmopsheric horror flick that didn't revolve around gore or scares. Such films are pretty hard to market so it wasn't too surprising his first didn't land him much success. Eternal Summer is a very different film and reaches out to a more typical Taiwanese arthouse crowd. Much easier to sell and so the praise he received for it was accordingly. The world isn't fair, nothing much you can do about that.
Even though Eternal Summer is considered gay-themed, it's actually a bit more complex than that. Central...
- 1/6/2010
- Screen Anarchy
BUSAN, South Korea -- In the latest example of how globalization is changing Asian filmmaking, Korean entertainment companies iHQ and Generation Blue Film are teaming up with Taiwan's Three Dots Entertainment to make the English-language horror film "Island", iHQ announced.
Directed by Taiwanese Leste Chen with a script by Korean Ko Jeong-un, "Island" is a $2 million project about two Asian families who go on vacation to Hawaii only to discover a mysterious island with a deadly secret.
Chen previously made "Eternal Summer" (2006) and "The Heirloom" (2005), both for Three Dots.
Principle photography is slated to run January-March, with a release in both Korea and Taiwan in June.
Directed by Taiwanese Leste Chen with a script by Korean Ko Jeong-un, "Island" is a $2 million project about two Asian families who go on vacation to Hawaii only to discover a mysterious island with a deadly secret.
Chen previously made "Eternal Summer" (2006) and "The Heirloom" (2005), both for Three Dots.
Principle photography is slated to run January-March, with a release in both Korea and Taiwan in June.
- 10/9/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Indie distributor Picture This! Entertainment has acquired North American rights to the Taiwanese gay-themed drama Eternal Summer from Three Dots Entertainment.
Leste Chen's feature revolves around two college-age childhood friends whose relationship is put to the test when a girl takes an interest in one of them. Her presence causes a conflict that unearths their long-supressed feelings for each other.
Summer is Chen's sophomore feature after his 2005 horror film The Heirloom. It won the best new performer prize for Bryant Chang at Taipei's 2006 Golden Horse Awards.
The film has appeared at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. The distributor said it will screen at North American festivals before a theatrical release this year.
The deal was negotiated by Picture This! president Doug Witkins with producer Michelle Yeh for Three Dots Entertainment.
Leste Chen's feature revolves around two college-age childhood friends whose relationship is put to the test when a girl takes an interest in one of them. Her presence causes a conflict that unearths their long-supressed feelings for each other.
Summer is Chen's sophomore feature after his 2005 horror film The Heirloom. It won the best new performer prize for Bryant Chang at Taipei's 2006 Golden Horse Awards.
The film has appeared at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. The distributor said it will screen at North American festivals before a theatrical release this year.
The deal was negotiated by Picture This! president Doug Witkins with producer Michelle Yeh for Three Dots Entertainment.
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