Exclusive: MakerVille, the recently launched entertainment subsidiary of Hong Kong media group Pccw, is set to make a splash at Filmart, unveiling an ambitious slate of movies and premium series, following its debut feature Mad Fate, which had its world premiere at Berlin film festival.
Lofai Lo, MakerVille’s CEO and former General Manager of Pccw’s free-to-air channel ViuTV, sat down with Deadline to talk through the slate and outline the company’s production strategy. In addition to movies with international appeal, which Hong Kong has long been known for, he aims to put local creators on the map with a slate of high-end Cantonese and Mandarin-language TV series that can travel beyond Hong Kong.
“We produce around 2,000 hours of programming a year for ViuTV, and while most is targeted at the local market, it’s allowed us to create an incubator structure where we can experiment with new ideas,...
Lofai Lo, MakerVille’s CEO and former General Manager of Pccw’s free-to-air channel ViuTV, sat down with Deadline to talk through the slate and outline the company’s production strategy. In addition to movies with international appeal, which Hong Kong has long been known for, he aims to put local creators on the map with a slate of high-end Cantonese and Mandarin-language TV series that can travel beyond Hong Kong.
“We produce around 2,000 hours of programming a year for ViuTV, and while most is targeted at the local market, it’s allowed us to create an incubator structure where we can experiment with new ideas,...
- 3/14/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Boxing has always been a very cinematic sport, with the its overall rules and the head-to-head mentality providing material for both captivating scripts and impressive visuals. Asian cinema has also been dealing with the concept, even if sporadically, but recently, there has been a surge of titles revolving around boxing, as we are still waiting for Brillante Mendoza’s “Gensan Punch”, which the protagonist, Shogen, having described the shooting as a once in a lifetime experience.
Among these titles, we picked 15 we think are among the most captivating to watch, as always with a focus on diversity in country of origin, filmmaker and style, although Japan has taken the lion’s share of entries in this list. The list is in chronological order.
1. Knockout
Violent, funny, dramatic and quirky are few of the contradictory words that can describe both “Knockout” and Hidekazu Akai, who plays the protagonist here, Eiji. As...
Among these titles, we picked 15 we think are among the most captivating to watch, as always with a focus on diversity in country of origin, filmmaker and style, although Japan has taken the lion’s share of entries in this list. The list is in chronological order.
1. Knockout
Violent, funny, dramatic and quirky are few of the contradictory words that can describe both “Knockout” and Hidekazu Akai, who plays the protagonist here, Eiji. As...
- 7/12/2021
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
A Japanese bra manufacturing company located in Hong Kong wants to expand their markets and decide to create the “ultimate bra”. Accordingly, they are even breaking their tradition of only hiring female employees by recruiting two male designers for the project.
Enter Johnny (Lau Ching-wan), a designer of men’s briefs and Wayne (Louise Koo), the tanned playboy. The company’s head designer Lena (Gigi Leung) is not pleased to be working with the new male designers. However, they all answer to their boss, Samantha (Carina Lau), the executive of this Hong Kong branch. Nonetheless, the female stuff is excited to work with their new male recruits. In return Johnny and Wayne are more than happy flirting with them even though they only have three months to create the “ultimate bra”. As the deadline is creeping up fast, can they deliver the goods?
If Wong Jing were...
Enter Johnny (Lau Ching-wan), a designer of men’s briefs and Wayne (Louise Koo), the tanned playboy. The company’s head designer Lena (Gigi Leung) is not pleased to be working with the new male designers. However, they all answer to their boss, Samantha (Carina Lau), the executive of this Hong Kong branch. Nonetheless, the female stuff is excited to work with their new male recruits. In return Johnny and Wayne are more than happy flirting with them even though they only have three months to create the “ultimate bra”. As the deadline is creeping up fast, can they deliver the goods?
If Wong Jing were...
- 10/29/2019
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Golden Scene, one of Asia’s most enduring independent film distributors, is known for its year-round billboards attached to bus shelters around Hong Kong, and also for the spot-on taste of founder Winnie Tsang.
Tsang started the company 20 years ago by snatching opportunity from adversity. Having risen from secretary to board member at the legendary Golden Harvest production to exhibition group, Tsang jumped in when the studio made a strategic decision to exit distribution.
She set up shop nearby in the Tsim Sha Tsui district and took with her a small staff. They handled distribution on behalf of Golden Harvest’s various labels and its sub-distribution relationship with Uip.
While benefitting from a steady supply of studio business, Tsang relished the freedom to make her own choices. “I could do anything, go anywhere, visit more festivals,” says Tsang. “I had less need to be commercial and instead could pick films...
Tsang started the company 20 years ago by snatching opportunity from adversity. Having risen from secretary to board member at the legendary Golden Harvest production to exhibition group, Tsang jumped in when the studio made a strategic decision to exit distribution.
She set up shop nearby in the Tsim Sha Tsui district and took with her a small staff. They handled distribution on behalf of Golden Harvest’s various labels and its sub-distribution relationship with Uip.
While benefitting from a steady supply of studio business, Tsang relished the freedom to make her own choices. “I could do anything, go anywhere, visit more festivals,” says Tsang. “I had less need to be commercial and instead could pick films...
- 10/6/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Austin Film Society's "French Noir" series continues tonight with a Free Member Friday screening at The Marchesa of Henri Verneuil's The Burglars, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Omar Sharif, and Dyan Cannon. Based on the pulp novel by David Goodis, tonight's digital screening is free for all Afs members, and the movie will also screen on Sunday afternoon at The Marchesa.
Monday night, SXSW alumni Above All Else (Don's review) is presented by The Texas Observer. Austin filmmaker John Fiege and two subjects from the documentary about the Keystone Xl pipeline protests in East Texas will be on hand for a post-film panel discussion with Forrest Wilder, associate editor of The Texas Observer. The current Essential Cinema series, "Songs Of The South," continues this week on Tuesday night with a screening of To Kill A Mockingbird. Richard Linklater is taking the week off from the new installment of "Jewels In The Wasteland,...
Monday night, SXSW alumni Above All Else (Don's review) is presented by The Texas Observer. Austin filmmaker John Fiege and two subjects from the documentary about the Keystone Xl pipeline protests in East Texas will be on hand for a post-film panel discussion with Forrest Wilder, associate editor of The Texas Observer. The current Essential Cinema series, "Songs Of The South," continues this week on Tuesday night with a screening of To Kill A Mockingbird. Richard Linklater is taking the week off from the new installment of "Jewels In The Wasteland,...
- 4/17/2015
- by Matt Shiverdecker
- Slackerwood
You’ve seen ShockYa’s review of Patrick Leung’s intense martial arts adventure film “Wu Dang,” and now it’s available to own on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download from Well Go USA Entertainment. Wenzhuo Zhao (“Sacrifice,” “True Legend”), Mi Yang (“Painted Skin: The Resurrection”) and Siu-Wong Fan (“Flying Swords of Dragon Gate”) star in this new take on “wire-fu” martial arts films. The film, also choreographed by Corey Yuen (“Shaolin”) the first film to talk about the art of Wu Dang Kung Fu and the mysticism behind Ying Yang. The bonus features you can look for with the release include a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted/extended scenes. “There is a rumor: secret treasures [ Read More ]
The post Wu Dang On DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download Now appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Wu Dang On DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download Now appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/12/2012
- by monique
- ShockYa
Title: Wu Dang Directed by: Patrick Leung Starring: Wenzhuo Zhao, Mini Yang, Siu-Wong Fan, Yu-Hang To, Jiao Xu Running time: 101 minutes, Not Rated, Available on Blu-ray Special Features: Behind the Scenes, Trailer During the early days of Republican China, a widower treasure seeker and his martial arts prodigy daughter travel to Wu Dang mountain to compete in a Kung Fu championship, and also look for the fabled seven treasures hidden within. Despite this film is completely in Mandarin (because having to read subtitles can get irritating), it is an entertaining action-adventure/comedy/fantasy. The fight choreography albeit fantastical, was visually stunning; and note the martial arts is the star of the [ Read More ]
The post Wu Dang DVD Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Wu Dang DVD Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/4/2012
- by juliana
- ShockYa
China loves epics. If there's anything that China does unusually well, it's throw thousands of people in a field and film them killing each other. What China is less known for is smaller action adventure films. That is usually the terrain of their southern brethren in Hong Kong. Patrick Leung's (Twins Effect II, Beyond Hypothermia) Wu Dang is a little action adventure film with a spiritual twist. I've read several lukewarm to cold reactions to the film, but I have to say I don't feel at all like I wasted my 101 precious minutes.The story is remarkably contained, especially for a Chinese film. There is a martial arts tournament every five hundred years at the Taoist temple on holy Wu Dang mountain. When an adventurer...
- 12/4/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Debuting on Blu-Ray and DVD this 4th of December is “Wu Dang”, a new enthralling kung-fu action-adventure from Patrick Leung, filmmaker behind “Blade of Kings”. Any type of kung-fu is, let’s face it, kick-ass and legitimately is kick-ass; but Leung’s “Wu Dang” makes it even better as he fleshes out for the first time in cinema, the art of Wu Dang kung-fu, and the mysticism of Yin and Yang. The movie’s tense and kick-ass martial arts sequences are crafted by action choreographer Corey Yuen from “Shaolin”, anything less than Yuen would be disappointing. And if you’re smart, when Yuen is choreographing, you know you’re in for some good stuff.
“Wu Dang” follows a greedy American man who brings his prodigal martial artist daughter to enter a kung-fu championship he sponsored himself. You have seen it coming, his hidden agenda: to steal the Wu Dang treasures...
“Wu Dang” follows a greedy American man who brings his prodigal martial artist daughter to enter a kung-fu championship he sponsored himself. You have seen it coming, his hidden agenda: to steal the Wu Dang treasures...
- 11/9/2012
- by ArmandDC
- AsianMoviePulse
Wire-Fu alert!! Director Patrick Leung’s (‘Blade of Kings’) action-adventure film Wu Dang debuts on Blu-ray™, DVD...December 4th. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted/extended scenes. That is all Synopsis: There is a rumour: secret treasures hide in Wu Dang Mountain. In the early days of Republican China, an American man - greedy for gold and hungry for riches - brings his daughter, a prodigy in martial arts, to compete for a championship title in kung fu combat, while planning to find and steal the riches for himself. It won't be easy. Fierce competition, dedicated protectors, and unexpected romance block the path to the Wu Dang fortune, and when the true nature of the prize is discovered - everything you know about martial arts will change forever. Wu Dang trailer...
- 10/29/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
No offense to director Patrick Leung, but I’m more excited about Corey Yuen’s involvement with the upcoming martial arts flick “Wu Dang” than anything else. Yuen’s films helped foster my love for Asian action cinema, so I always get a little excited whenever the guy has something new in the works. “Wu Wang” looks damned impressive, and features plenty of Yuen-flavored mayhem. If you missed the trailer, don’t fret — it, too, has been embedded below. But first, a plot synopsis to grease the wheels of your imagination: In early Republican China, rumors were going around about the treasure in Wudang Mountain. An American conspirator took his well-trained kung fu daughter to Wudang by sponsoring a Taoist martial arts competition, to steal the treasure. Out of expectation, a disciple represented Wudang to compete with other martial arts masters for the championship. During the competition, resentment incurred against different parties,...
- 5/17/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Attach Corey Yuen’s name to just about anything and, chances are, I’ll be there. And while he’s not directing the upcoming martial arts flick “Wu Dang” — that credit goes to “Twins Effect II” mastermind Patrick Leung — Yuen will serve as fight choreographer, which is equally as cool. The fights on-display in the embedded trailer retain the over-the-top nature of Yuen’s previous work, complete with outrageous, gravity-defying displays of kung fu wizardry. In short, I’m excited. No real surprise there. Would you like a synopsis? What a silly question: In early Republican China, rumors were going around about the treasure in Wudang Mountain. An American conspirator took his well-trained kung fu daughter to Wudang by sponsoring a Taoist martial arts competition, to steal the treasure. Out of expectation, a disciple represented Wudang to compete with other martial arts masters for the championship. During the competition, resentment incurred against different parties,...
- 5/8/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Backed by three strong Kung Fu performers - Vincent Zhao (aka Chiu Man Chuk), Dennis To and Louis Fan - Wu Dang (大武当之天地密码) is the first martial arts film that captures the treasure of Wu Dang Kung Fu and the mysticism of Ying Yang. The director is Patrick Leung (Twin Effects 2) with Corey Yuen (Shaolin) serving as action choreographer. Also in the cast is Mini Yang and Xu Jiao.In early Republican China, rumors were going around about the treasure in Wudang Mountain. An American conspirator took his well-trained kung fu daughter to Wudang by sponsoring a Taoist martial arts competition, to steal the treasure. Out of expectation, a disciple represented Wudang to compete with other martial arts masters for the championship. During the competition,...
- 5/7/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Unless you own an all-region DVD player or have access to cheap Chinese bootlegs, owning “Twins Effect II” is almost impossible to own in the States. Until now. Well Go USA has picked up distribution rights to the Patrick Leung and Corey Yuen actioner, though they’re releasing the flick until the dubious title “Blade of Kings”. I’m not sure why, exactly, they’ve decided to change things up a bit, especially since most people who would purchase a copy of “Twins Effect II” know what the flick is all about. I guess they’re hoping to trick unsuspecting consumers into thinking it’s some sort of Donnie Yen/Jackie Chan vehicle, which, of course, it’s not. I guess you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do to make these things released in the States, so I suppose I shouldn’t nitpick. Read this quick synopsis if...
- 1/30/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Never thought it would see the light of day in the United States, but here it is! Patrick Leung and Corey Yuen’s Twins Effect II has been picked up for release by Well Go USA. By all accounts they are releasing it intact and entirely uncut, so we’ll forgive them (only just) the slightly bizaree decision, to rename it ‘Blade of Kings??’ Lucky were here to steer Hk action fans in the right direction! As well as the main draw of it starring Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan slugging in out on screen, the cast also includes Charlene Choi (Triple Tap, The Jade and the Pearl), Gillian Chung (Vampire Effect), and Hong Kong Film Award nominee for Best Newcomer Jaycee Chan (Jackie’ son) in the tale of a humble boy born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu.
- 1/28/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
Never thought it would see the light of day in the United States, but here it is! Patrick Leung and Corey Yuen’s Twins Effect II has been picked up for release by Well Go USA. By all accounts they are releasing it intact and entirely uncut, so we’ll forgive them (only just) the slightly bizaree decision, to rename it ‘Blade of Kings??’ Lucky were here to steer Hk action fans in the right direction! As well as the main draw of it starring Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan slugging in out on screen, the cast also includes Charlene Choi (Triple Tap, The Jade and the Pearl), Gillian Chung (Vampire Effect), and Hong Kong Film Award nominee for Best Newcomer Jaycee Chan (Jackie’ son) in the tale of a humble boy born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu.
- 1/28/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: March 6, 2012
Price: DVD $24.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $29.98
Studio: Well Go USA
Donnie Yen (Ip Man), Jackie Chan (1911) and Bing Bing Fan (Shaolin) star in the 2004 Chinese epic action-adventure-romance-fantasy-comedy-martial arts mash-up movie Blade of Kings.
Directed by Patrick Leung and Corey Yuen, the film tells the fantastical tale of a humble boy (Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie!) born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu.
Originally released under the name of The Twins Effect II, Blade of Kings is a sequel to 2003’s The Twins Effect, though it has nothing whatsoever to do with its predecessor.
Quite a popular film in Asia when it was released in theaters in 2004, the unrated movie was nominated for four Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Visual Effects.
Presented in Mandarin with English subtitles and an English-dubbed version, the...
Price: DVD $24.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $29.98
Studio: Well Go USA
Donnie Yen (Ip Man), Jackie Chan (1911) and Bing Bing Fan (Shaolin) star in the 2004 Chinese epic action-adventure-romance-fantasy-comedy-martial arts mash-up movie Blade of Kings.
Directed by Patrick Leung and Corey Yuen, the film tells the fantastical tale of a humble boy (Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie!) born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu.
Originally released under the name of The Twins Effect II, Blade of Kings is a sequel to 2003’s The Twins Effect, though it has nothing whatsoever to do with its predecessor.
Quite a popular film in Asia when it was released in theaters in 2004, the unrated movie was nominated for four Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Visual Effects.
Presented in Mandarin with English subtitles and an English-dubbed version, the...
- 1/26/2012
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
“Wu Dang” is an upcoming martial arts movie that tells the story of top martial artists, who are hunting for treasure on Wudang Mountain. The movie will be directed by Patrick Leung and will star Chiu Man Cheuk, Fan Siu-Wong, Yang Mi, To Yu-Hang and Wang Xiao.
The cast and crew recently held a a launch ceremonyon Wudang Mountain and the female lead in the movie Yang Mi said her role “is of a young woman from an exotic land with high-level martial arts in the film”.
At this time, the movie is being shot on location on Wu Dang mountain, but will eventually move to final part of filming in Shanghai. I am really looking forward to this movie, im a big fan of both Chiu Man Cheuk and Fan Siu-Wong, i just hope they both get a chance to shine and fight each other also.
Here are a few pictures from the event.
The cast and crew recently held a a launch ceremonyon Wudang Mountain and the female lead in the movie Yang Mi said her role “is of a young woman from an exotic land with high-level martial arts in the film”.
At this time, the movie is being shot on location on Wu Dang mountain, but will eventually move to final part of filming in Shanghai. I am really looking forward to this movie, im a big fan of both Chiu Man Cheuk and Fan Siu-Wong, i just hope they both get a chance to shine and fight each other also.
Here are a few pictures from the event.
- 11/5/2011
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
John Woo is one busy man. With his big-budgeted “Red Cliff” scheduled to hit the International circuit very soon, Woo’s already lining up a couple of high-profile projects. The first is finally getting together his “King’s Ransom”, a movie Woo has been attached to since the ’90s. According to Variety, Woo and his producing partner Terrence Chang will finally get the movie made, but not with Woo directing as per the original plans. Instead, longtime Woo protege Patrick Leung will direct. “King’s Ransom” is a caper film about two circus acrobats and the woman who comes between them. The film was originally set up at 20th Century Fox, but will now be produced by Fox Star, the Asian arm of Fox. They’re looking at possibly shooting the film in China, and will need a Chinese producing partner in order to release the film to the huge Mainland Chinese audience.
- 5/19/2009
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
HONG KONG -- Production has started on Emperor Multimedia Group's sequel to its 2003 summer action hit Twins Effect. Twins Effect 2, starring Charlene Tsoi and Gillian Chung, who form the highly popular pop duo Twins, will mark the first EMG film to roll into production since Albert Lee took over the helm of EMG from Carl Chang in May. Despite the name, Twins Effect 2 will not strictly be a sequel to Twins Effect, which grossed $3.7 million. While the first installment -- directed by Dante Lam and Donnie Yen -- was about two young vampire hunters, the sequel will be a period martial arts piece with Choi and Chung as two warriors from an all-female country out to conquer men. The sequel will be directed by Patrick Leung (Demi-Haunted) and also stars Daniel Wu (Purple Storm), Edison Chen (Gen-Y Cops) and Jackie Chan's son, Jaycee Chan, in his film debut.
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