75 films from 12 countries, 228 guests of honour and 65 thousand spectators. These are all the numbers of Udine Far East Film Festival 2024. There was an increase of accredited visitors (of 24% over 2023) and the screenings at Udine's 1,200-seat Teatro Nuovo venue were always full, from 9 in the morning to midnight. This says a lot about the growing interest in Asian Cinema.
China and South Korea were the protagonists of the opening Night of Wednesday the 24th of April, with two international premieres: Yolo and Citizen of a Kind, followed by some more South Korean box office sensations, The Roundup: Punishment, 12.12: The Day and horror movie Exhuma. Some very welcome returns of festival friends were Jun Lana, with LGBT comedy of errors Becky & Badette, Norris Wong with the musical The Lyricist Wanna Be, Nick Cheung, in the director's chair, with Peg O'My Heart and Herman Yau with three actioners: Moscow Mission, Raid of...
China and South Korea were the protagonists of the opening Night of Wednesday the 24th of April, with two international premieres: Yolo and Citizen of a Kind, followed by some more South Korean box office sensations, The Roundup: Punishment, 12.12: The Day and horror movie Exhuma. Some very welcome returns of festival friends were Jun Lana, with LGBT comedy of errors Becky & Badette, Norris Wong with the musical The Lyricist Wanna Be, Nick Cheung, in the director's chair, with Peg O'My Heart and Herman Yau with three actioners: Moscow Mission, Raid of...
- 5/6/2024
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
“Takano Tofu” claimed double honors on the closing night of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy. It won the Golden Mulberry audience award and the MyMovies Purple Mulberry award.
Directed by Mihara Mitsuhiro, “Takano Tofu” is a melodrama about an elderly tofu-making craftsman, who is stuck in his ways but is also experimental and who is kindly, but whose stubbornness brings suffering on those around him. Udine’s Japan selector, Mark Schilling compared the work to that of master director Ozu Yasujiro.
The prizes were handed out in the early hours of Friday after a marathon day of celebratory activity that started with Chinese director Zhang Yimou on hand for a screening of his “Raise the Red Lantern,” continued with a generous-spirited masterclass and in the evening continued with the handover of Zhang’s lifetime achievement award. Two more films – Zhang’s “To Live” and the premiere of...
Directed by Mihara Mitsuhiro, “Takano Tofu” is a melodrama about an elderly tofu-making craftsman, who is stuck in his ways but is also experimental and who is kindly, but whose stubbornness brings suffering on those around him. Udine’s Japan selector, Mark Schilling compared the work to that of master director Ozu Yasujiro.
The prizes were handed out in the early hours of Friday after a marathon day of celebratory activity that started with Chinese director Zhang Yimou on hand for a screening of his “Raise the Red Lantern,” continued with a generous-spirited masterclass and in the evening continued with the handover of Zhang’s lifetime achievement award. Two more films – Zhang’s “To Live” and the premiere of...
- 5/3/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Herman Yau has always been prolific, but 2023 was one of his most productive years ever, with him coming up with 4 movies, with “Raid on the Lethal Zone” being a mainland production, by streamer iQIYI. The scope is somewhat smaller, but Yau still has come up with an impressive picture.
Raid on the Lethal Zone is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2024
The story is based on a heavy 1992 crackdown, but this time unfolds in July 1998, around the fictitious Meng City. The area has been pummeled with rain for quite some time, and the emergency services have their hands full trying to prevent disaster both from landslides in the mountainous parts of the area and from floods that have been taking place all around. Even worse, the possibility of a nearby dam overflowing becomes bigger and bigger. At the same time, a rather well-organized group of drug traffickers led by Boss Wang,...
Raid on the Lethal Zone is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2024
The story is based on a heavy 1992 crackdown, but this time unfolds in July 1998, around the fictitious Meng City. The area has been pummeled with rain for quite some time, and the emergency services have their hands full trying to prevent disaster both from landslides in the mountainous parts of the area and from floods that have been taking place all around. Even worse, the possibility of a nearby dam overflowing becomes bigger and bigger. At the same time, a rather well-organized group of drug traffickers led by Boss Wang,...
- 4/27/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Incredibly prolific director Herman Yau presents his fourth film of the 2023, “Moscow Mission”, after “The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell”, “Death Notice” and “Raid on the Lethal Zone”. Yau has turned into a bona fide master of action and this last effort is a bombastic take on the true story of a series of violent robberies in 1993 on the Beijing-Moscow train and the Chinese mission to eradicate them and capture the robbers. It's not the first film dealing with these particular incidents; Michael Mak had directed “The Train Robbers” in 1995, and there is also a more recent 31-episode online drama, directed by Zhang Rui. Chen Daming has curated the screenplay, incorporating as much action set pieces as possible, although, maybe at the expense of the script's fluidity.
Moscow Mission is screening at UdineFar East Film Festival 2024
It's 1993 and the economy situation in China and Russia is in a state of great confusion.
Moscow Mission is screening at UdineFar East Film Festival 2024
It's 1993 and the economy situation in China and Russia is in a state of great confusion.
- 4/26/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Jeonju Jaunt
Korea’s second largest generalist film event the Jeonju International Film Festival has set eight fiction films by first or second-time feature directors, for its main competition.
They are “Cu Li Never Cries,” by Pham Ngoc Lan; “Junkyard Dog,” by Jean-Baptiste Durand, “La Palisiada,” by Philip Sotnychenko; “My Endless Numbered Days,” by Shaun Neo; “Oxygen Station,” by Ivan Tymchenko; “Practice,” by Laurens Perol; “The Major Tones,” by Ingrid Pokropek; and “The Permanent Picture,” by Laura Ferres.
Additionally, two documentary features also compete: “After the Snowmelt,” directed by Lo Yi-Shan and “Kix,” by Balint Revesz and David Mikulan.
The Covid-pandemic continues to affect filmmaking and festival selection, organizers said. “Even films planned to be made beforehand had to extend their production period due to the pandemic, and many works highlighted the limitations of the production environments, such as smaller cast numbers and minimal locations,” said chief programmer Chun Jinsu.
Korea’s second largest generalist film event the Jeonju International Film Festival has set eight fiction films by first or second-time feature directors, for its main competition.
They are “Cu Li Never Cries,” by Pham Ngoc Lan; “Junkyard Dog,” by Jean-Baptiste Durand, “La Palisiada,” by Philip Sotnychenko; “My Endless Numbered Days,” by Shaun Neo; “Oxygen Station,” by Ivan Tymchenko; “Practice,” by Laurens Perol; “The Major Tones,” by Ingrid Pokropek; and “The Permanent Picture,” by Laura Ferres.
Additionally, two documentary features also compete: “After the Snowmelt,” directed by Lo Yi-Shan and “Kix,” by Balint Revesz and David Mikulan.
The Covid-pandemic continues to affect filmmaking and festival selection, organizers said. “Even films planned to be made beforehand had to extend their production period due to the pandemic, and many works highlighted the limitations of the production environments, such as smaller cast numbers and minimal locations,” said chief programmer Chun Jinsu.
- 4/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Zhang Yimou is set to receive the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Far East Film Festival (Feff).
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
The auteur, a key figure in China’s Fifth Generation of filmmakers, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Red Sorghum, To Live, Hero and House of the Flying Daggers, and was also directed the memorable opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Also receiving the coveted Golden Mulberry at the 26th edition of Feff is Taiwanese producer Chiu Fu-sheng. Chiu, a legendary figure in the Asian film industry, is known for his collaborations with auteur filmmakers including Hou Hsiao-hsien, producing A City of Sadness (1989) and The Puppetmaster (1993) and Zhang, producing both Raise the Red Lantern and To Live (1994). Zhang’s 2023 film Under the Light will also compete in the main competition at Feff.
Feff, the respected Italian festival that takes place in the northern city of Udine,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Far East Film Festival (Feff) in Italy’s Udine has unveiled the full line-up for its 26th edition, which will honour Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou with an honorary award and world premiere restored versions of his Raise The Red Lantern and To Live.
Running April 24 to May 2, the festival will open with a double bill: Chinese box office hit Yolo and South Korean action-comedy Citizen Of A Kind.
Yolo dominated this year’s Lunar New Year releases, grossing $484m in China, and is directed by Jia Ling, who stars as an unemployed woman in her 30s whose life is...
Running April 24 to May 2, the festival will open with a double bill: Chinese box office hit Yolo and South Korean action-comedy Citizen Of A Kind.
Yolo dominated this year’s Lunar New Year releases, grossing $484m in China, and is directed by Jia Ling, who stars as an unemployed woman in her 30s whose life is...
- 3/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Despite the decrease in budget that took its toll in various levels of the festival, the Asian representation was quite strong this year too, with the awards night cementing the fact in the most obvious fashion, as the majority of accolades went to movies from the region. “Rei” winning the big award was definitely a big surprise (and also the most memorable moment of the whole festival) but I think the film that truly stole the show was “Kiss Wagon” an almost three hour animation by Midhun Murali who did almost everything in the film by himself, and whose artfulness and contextual intricacy is truly on another level. The Iranian participation was of quality as usual, while Tamil cinema stole the show once more, both in the Masala style of the Indian productions and the more ‘art-house' one of the Malaysian “Fire on Water”, which actually criticizes the aforementioned industry.
- 2/14/2024
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Winners of the 2024 Tiger Award and Vpro Big Screen Award announced.
International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) announces the 2024 winners from its two feature competitions: the Tiger Competition and the Big Screen Competition. The prizes were handed out during the IFFR Awards Ceremony on Friday 2 February, along with the Fipresci, Netpac and Youth Jury awards.
Tiger Competition
IFFR's trademark Tiger Competition celebrates the innovative and adventurous spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers. From the 14 titles presented in the 2024 edition, the jury granted three prizes: the Tiger Award, worth €40,000, and two Special Jury Awards, worth €10,000 each.
Rei (Japan) by Tanaka Toshihiko wins the Tiger Award 2024.
The jury stated: “The jury decided to give the Tiger Award to a burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment. His strength relies on a collaborative environment centred on the actors, an attention to the power of recitation – and, perhaps most importantly,...
International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) announces the 2024 winners from its two feature competitions: the Tiger Competition and the Big Screen Competition. The prizes were handed out during the IFFR Awards Ceremony on Friday 2 February, along with the Fipresci, Netpac and Youth Jury awards.
Tiger Competition
IFFR's trademark Tiger Competition celebrates the innovative and adventurous spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers. From the 14 titles presented in the 2024 edition, the jury granted three prizes: the Tiger Award, worth €40,000, and two Special Jury Awards, worth €10,000 each.
Rei (Japan) by Tanaka Toshihiko wins the Tiger Award 2024.
The jury stated: “The jury decided to give the Tiger Award to a burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment. His strength relies on a collaborative environment centred on the actors, an attention to the power of recitation – and, perhaps most importantly,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
On the occasion of his film, “White Storm 3” screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam, Herman Yau talks about his past in films like “Ebola Syndrome” and “Untold Story”, change, the many problems he faced in shooting White Storm 3 and particularly a number of injuries, shooting big action scenes, working in editing, the current state of Hong Kong cinema, and his future projects.
- 2/3/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Toshihiko Tanaka’s Rei won the top prize at the 2024 International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), taking home the €40,000 Tiger award at tonight’s closing ceremony (February 2).
The Japanese actor’s three-hour directorial debut explores human connection through a thirtysomething woman who embarks on a journey through the mountains and meets a deaf photographer. Tanaka also stars and produced the film which used mostly non-professionals and students in the cast and crew.
The jury, which included former IFFR director Marco Müller, said of the film: “[Tanaka’s] strength relies on a collaborative environment centred on the actors, an attention to the power of recitation – and,...
The Japanese actor’s three-hour directorial debut explores human connection through a thirtysomething woman who embarks on a journey through the mountains and meets a deaf photographer. Tanaka also stars and produced the film which used mostly non-professionals and students in the cast and crew.
The jury, which included former IFFR director Marco Müller, said of the film: “[Tanaka’s] strength relies on a collaborative environment centred on the actors, an attention to the power of recitation – and,...
- 2/2/2024
- ScreenDaily
Tanaka Toshihiko’s “Rei” was awarded the Tiger Award, the top prize of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, on Friday. Toshihiko’s feature debut chronicles a woman in her early 30s employed in a corporate job in Tokyo who meets a deaf landscape photographer living deep in the mountains of Hokkaido.
Toshihiko worked with a cast and crew of mostly-non professionals and students and not only directed “Rei,” but also produced, edited and acted in the film. He takes home a prize worth €40,000 given by a jury comprised of “Sweet Dreams” director Ena Sendijarević, producer and historian Marco Müller, “Ebola Syndrome” director and screenwriter Herman Yau, pioneering “Bless Their Little Hearts” filmmaker Billy Woodberry and producer Nadia Turincev.
The jury called Toshihiko a “burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment,” and whose strength lies in “a collaborative environment centered on the actors.
Toshihiko worked with a cast and crew of mostly-non professionals and students and not only directed “Rei,” but also produced, edited and acted in the film. He takes home a prize worth €40,000 given by a jury comprised of “Sweet Dreams” director Ena Sendijarević, producer and historian Marco Müller, “Ebola Syndrome” director and screenwriter Herman Yau, pioneering “Bless Their Little Hearts” filmmaker Billy Woodberry and producer Nadia Turincev.
The jury called Toshihiko a “burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment,” and whose strength lies in “a collaborative environment centered on the actors.
- 2/2/2024
- by Rafa Sales Ross
- Variety Film + TV
Japanese actor and director Toshihiko Tanaka’s human relationships drama Rei and Iranian filmmaker Oktay Baraheni’s tale of identity and society The Old Bachelor have won the top awards at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Rei won the €40,000 Tiger Award in the main Competition.
The drama revolves around a woman in her early thirties in a company job in Tokyo who is struggling to understand the value of her life until she meets a deaf landscape photographer living deep in the mountains of Hokkaido.
“The jury decided to give the Tiger Award to a burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment,” said the jury consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Billy Woodberry and Herman Yau.
The two Special Jury Awards, worth €10,000 each, went to Indian director Midhun Murali’s Kiss Wagon, a political drama shot with a shadow play technique,...
Rei won the €40,000 Tiger Award in the main Competition.
The drama revolves around a woman in her early thirties in a company job in Tokyo who is struggling to understand the value of her life until she meets a deaf landscape photographer living deep in the mountains of Hokkaido.
“The jury decided to give the Tiger Award to a burgeoning film director who chose to develop his debut film in a loose and unbounded environment,” said the jury consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Billy Woodberry and Herman Yau.
The two Special Jury Awards, worth €10,000 each, went to Indian director Midhun Murali’s Kiss Wagon, a political drama shot with a shadow play technique,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The late Benny Chan directed “The White Storm” back in 2013 starring Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Nick Cheung. In “The White Storm 2: Drug Lords” (2019) which starred Andy Lau and Louis Koo, Herman Yau took over as director. Now in 2023, Yau is back in this in-title-only third installment again featuring Koo, Lau Ching Wan and Aaran Kwok, the newcomer to the series. All these actors play different characters altogether but the themes of war against drugs, royalty and brotherhood are still there but told in a new storyline.
Check also this article The 20 Best Asian Action/Martial Arts Movies of 2023
The year is 2021 and Kang Su Chat, a Thai-Chinese drug lord who runs his operation in Hong Kong has his men fish up a few barrels containing heroin off the coast. As they leave the docks after unloading their precious cargo, the police show up which results in an intense firefight.
Check also this article The 20 Best Asian Action/Martial Arts Movies of 2023
The year is 2021 and Kang Su Chat, a Thai-Chinese drug lord who runs his operation in Hong Kong has his men fish up a few barrels containing heroin off the coast. As they leave the docks after unloading their precious cargo, the police show up which results in an intense firefight.
- 1/4/2024
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
International Film Festival Rotterdam has revealed its lineup for the Tiger, Big Screen and Tiger Short competitions. The festival runs from January 25-February 4. Scroll down for the full lists.
Head South by Jonathan Ogilvie will open the proceedings with M. Raihan Halim’s comedy La Luna on closing duties. The Tiger Competition jury will be comprised of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Herman Yau and Billy Woodberry.
Also confirmed are the first names for the Talks lineup including Marco Bellocchio, Anne Fontaine, Alexander Kluge and Rachel Maclean.
Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic said today, “For over half a century, IFFR has stood as a haven for diverse voices – a convergence where artists share perspectives. Our program celebrates the resilience and creativity of global filmmakers, a testament to cinema’s power to transcend borders. From Indian to Japanese epics, a Kazakh thriller, Finnish Freudian reinterpretations, Dominican sci-fi and underground Iranian cinema,...
Head South by Jonathan Ogilvie will open the proceedings with M. Raihan Halim’s comedy La Luna on closing duties. The Tiger Competition jury will be comprised of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Herman Yau and Billy Woodberry.
Also confirmed are the first names for the Talks lineup including Marco Bellocchio, Anne Fontaine, Alexander Kluge and Rachel Maclean.
Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic said today, “For over half a century, IFFR has stood as a haven for diverse voices – a convergence where artists share perspectives. Our program celebrates the resilience and creativity of global filmmakers, a testament to cinema’s power to transcend borders. From Indian to Japanese epics, a Kazakh thriller, Finnish Freudian reinterpretations, Dominican sci-fi and underground Iranian cinema,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
International Film Festival Rotterdam has revealed that Belgian cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove will be the recipient of the fifth annual Robby Müller Award, which pays homage to the craft of artists working behind the lens in the spirit of the celebrated cinematographer.
Vandekerckhove is “known for delicately capturing the inner lives of characters,” the festival said, such as a cleaning lady on a late-night journey in “Ghost Tropic” or the encounter of a foreign construction worker and a moss researcher in “Here,” both directed by Bas Devos. He also shot Stephan Streker’s “A Wedding,” about a teenager forced into an arranged marriage.
“With profound commitment and a wondrous tranquillity he captures details and hidden shades of everyday existence in his own singular way that mirrors the emotionally moving images of Robby Müller,” the jury stated.
In other announcements, the festival, which runs Jan. 25 – Feb. 4, revealed that the jury for the...
Vandekerckhove is “known for delicately capturing the inner lives of characters,” the festival said, such as a cleaning lady on a late-night journey in “Ghost Tropic” or the encounter of a foreign construction worker and a moss researcher in “Here,” both directed by Bas Devos. He also shot Stephan Streker’s “A Wedding,” about a teenager forced into an arranged marriage.
“With profound commitment and a wondrous tranquillity he captures details and hidden shades of everyday existence in his own singular way that mirrors the emotionally moving images of Robby Müller,” the jury stated.
In other announcements, the festival, which runs Jan. 25 – Feb. 4, revealed that the jury for the...
- 12/12/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Titles for the Limelight, Harbour, Cinema Regained and Focus strands have been added to the line-up.
Marco Müller, who headed International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) from 1989-1991, is returning as part of the 2024 Tiger international competition jury.
He is being joined by Bosnian-Dutch filmmaker Ena Sendijarević,producer, industry expert and founder of Easy Rider Films, Nadia Turincev; Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau; and LA Rebellion film movement figure and filmmaker Billy Woodberry, whose title Mário will have its world premiere in the Harbour strand.
They will choose the winners of the Tiger award, worth €40,000, and the special jury awards, worth...
Marco Müller, who headed International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) from 1989-1991, is returning as part of the 2024 Tiger international competition jury.
He is being joined by Bosnian-Dutch filmmaker Ena Sendijarević,producer, industry expert and founder of Easy Rider Films, Nadia Turincev; Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau; and LA Rebellion film movement figure and filmmaker Billy Woodberry, whose title Mário will have its world premiere in the Harbour strand.
They will choose the winners of the Tiger award, worth €40,000, and the special jury awards, worth...
- 12/12/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Spa Selections
“Carmen,” “Foe,” “Limbo,” Australia’s Oscar contender “Shayda,” “Streets of Colour” and “The Royal Hotel” have received the six nominations for best feature film at this year’s Screen Producers Australia Awards. The Spa Awards will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, the final evening of the Screen Forever conference.
In the documentary feature section, the nominations are “Flyaways,” “Harley & Katya,” “Living With Devils,” “Onefour: Against All Odds,” “The Cape,” “The Giants,” “The Jewish Nazi?” and “The Platypus Garden.” Nominations for best telemovie or miniseries production are “While the Men Are Away,” “The Claremont Murders,” “Wellmania,” “The Messenger,” “Bad Behaviour” and “The Clearing.”
“2023 was a year filled with a number of challenges for our industry, but the Australian screen sector continued to delight audiences globally with stories that share our unique culture and creativity,” said Spa CEO Matthew Deaner.
Storm Brewing
Hong Kong-made crime action film “The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell...
“Carmen,” “Foe,” “Limbo,” Australia’s Oscar contender “Shayda,” “Streets of Colour” and “The Royal Hotel” have received the six nominations for best feature film at this year’s Screen Producers Australia Awards. The Spa Awards will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, the final evening of the Screen Forever conference.
In the documentary feature section, the nominations are “Flyaways,” “Harley & Katya,” “Living With Devils,” “Onefour: Against All Odds,” “The Cape,” “The Giants,” “The Jewish Nazi?” and “The Platypus Garden.” Nominations for best telemovie or miniseries production are “While the Men Are Away,” “The Claremont Murders,” “Wellmania,” “The Messenger,” “Bad Behaviour” and “The Clearing.”
“2023 was a year filled with a number of challenges for our industry, but the Australian screen sector continued to delight audiences globally with stories that share our unique culture and creativity,” said Spa CEO Matthew Deaner.
Storm Brewing
Hong Kong-made crime action film “The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell...
- 11/29/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The crime drama will be released on December 30.
Trinity CineAsia has acquired Hong Kong tentpole The Goldfinger for the UK and Ireland after striking a deal with Emperor Motion Pictures.
The crime drama will reunite Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung with writer/director Felix Chong for the first time since 2002’s Infernal Affairs. That film, co-written by Chong and directed by Lau and Alan Mak, spawned a trilogy of films and inspired Martin Scorsese’s 2006 Oscar-winning crime thriller The Departed.
UK-based Trinity CineAsia will theatrically release The Goldfinger in UK and Irish cinemas on December 30, co-ordinated with...
Trinity CineAsia has acquired Hong Kong tentpole The Goldfinger for the UK and Ireland after striking a deal with Emperor Motion Pictures.
The crime drama will reunite Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung with writer/director Felix Chong for the first time since 2002’s Infernal Affairs. That film, co-written by Chong and directed by Lau and Alan Mak, spawned a trilogy of films and inspired Martin Scorsese’s 2006 Oscar-winning crime thriller The Departed.
UK-based Trinity CineAsia will theatrically release The Goldfinger in UK and Irish cinemas on December 30, co-ordinated with...
- 10/31/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
It’s turning into the year of Zhang Yimou at China’s box office. The venerable 73-year-old director’s 26th feature, crime drama Under the Light, topped ticket sales during China’s Mid-Autumn Festival holiday over the past four days, opening to $62.6 million, according to data from Artisan Gateway. This comes after Zhang’s previous feature, the historical mystery thriller Full River Red (2023), dominated China’s previous big holiday release window, the Lunar New Year in January, with a whopping $673 million tally — the country’s biggest haul this year and sixth-biggest of all time. Local ticketing app Maoyan currently forecasts Under the Light to earn between $250 million and $300 million before its run is complete, which would put Zhang close to the $1 billion mark for total ticket sales in 2023.
The Mid-Autumn Festival weekend wasn’t without some spirited competition, however. Huayi Brothers Media’s comedy franchise sequel The Ex-Files 4: Marriage Plan...
The Mid-Autumn Festival weekend wasn’t without some spirited competition, however. Huayi Brothers Media’s comedy franchise sequel The Ex-Files 4: Marriage Plan...
- 10/2/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer nudged near the $60 million mark in China during a somewhat downbeat weekend for moviegoing in the world’s second-largest theatrical territory.
The Universal Pictures-backed historical blockbuster added $2.5 million from Friday to Sunday, taking its total to $58.1 million, according to data from box office tracker Artisan Gateway. Oppenheimer came in fourth place for the frame behind local crime thriller Dust to Dust, Millennium Pictures’ action franchise misfire Expend4bles and Chinese comedy blockbuster No More Bets.
Oppenheimer has been huge on Imax in China. The film earned $740,000 this past weekend for a $17 million total in the format, which is a whopping 30 percent of its nationwide cume to date.
Oppenheimer opened in China nearly a month ago and its staying power has been considerable. Nolan has a strong following in China — a fact that Universal leveraged with a very well-received prerelease promotional visit to Beijing by the director in late August.
The Universal Pictures-backed historical blockbuster added $2.5 million from Friday to Sunday, taking its total to $58.1 million, according to data from box office tracker Artisan Gateway. Oppenheimer came in fourth place for the frame behind local crime thriller Dust to Dust, Millennium Pictures’ action franchise misfire Expend4bles and Chinese comedy blockbuster No More Bets.
Oppenheimer has been huge on Imax in China. The film earned $740,000 this past weekend for a $17 million total in the format, which is a whopping 30 percent of its nationwide cume to date.
Oppenheimer opened in China nearly a month ago and its staying power has been considerable. Nolan has a strong following in China — a fact that Universal leveraged with a very well-received prerelease promotional visit to Beijing by the director in late August.
- 9/25/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bangkok. July 18, 2023 – The global token and blockchain platform, Crown Token Project, which reimagines traditional IPs in the entertainment industry, announces its first Nft collection on its Adot platform. It will be rolling out a limited-edition Nft collection based on the animated film Legend of the Two Heroes.
The $15 million dollar budget film, Legend of the Two Heroes first limited Nft series showcases characters from the upcoming animated action feature film by renowned Hong Kong director, Herman Yau, and screenwriter, Robert Lence. Robert's scripts have been featured in masterpieces such as Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, and Shrek. The film is in its post-production and will be released to the global market early next year.
Typically, once an Nft collection is created, its chances of being turned into a film would depend on the success of the collection. In this case, the film is already in the post-production phase, making...
The $15 million dollar budget film, Legend of the Two Heroes first limited Nft series showcases characters from the upcoming animated action feature film by renowned Hong Kong director, Herman Yau, and screenwriter, Robert Lence. Robert's scripts have been featured in masterpieces such as Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, and Shrek. The film is in its post-production and will be released to the global market early next year.
Typically, once an Nft collection is created, its chances of being turned into a film would depend on the success of the collection. In this case, the film is already in the post-production phase, making...
- 7/19/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
In the realms of Asian cinema, where fascination and sadism frequently intertwine, the existence of a legion of unforgettable villains is not exactly a surprise. Menacing yakuza bosses, cruel moguls, serial killers, vengeful parents, trigger happy crime lords and rogue samurais among others have casted their sinister shadows and have left an indelible mark on the silver screen. With their complex motivations, chilling charisma, and uncanny ability to evoke both fear and fascination, these 30 villains have become iconic figures, embodying the depths of human malevolence. Join us as we delve into their twisted minds and explore the mesmerizing realm of Asian cinema's most unforgettable antagonists.
Without further ado, here are 30 of the most iconic villains ever to appear on Asian cinema, in random order.
1. Lee Woo-jin
The case of Lee Woo-jin in “Oldboy” shows the futility of revenge as an action for a man that could do so much with what he had,...
Without further ado, here are 30 of the most iconic villains ever to appear on Asian cinema, in random order.
1. Lee Woo-jin
The case of Lee Woo-jin in “Oldboy” shows the futility of revenge as an action for a man that could do so much with what he had,...
- 7/12/2023
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong action film “The White Storm: Heaven or Hell” will have its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival, where it is a late addition to the line-up. The festival runs July 14–30, 2023 at Film at Lincoln Center (Flc).
Directed by Herman Yau, the film sees Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok and Sean Lau (aka Lau Ching-wan) appear together for the first time. It is set in the ‘Golden Triangle’ region famous for drugs production and trafficking. Kwok plays an undercover cop who infiltrates a drug cartel led by a notorious Thai drug lord (Lau). In classic heroic bloodshed fashion, the two develop a bond of brotherhood. The cop’s only hope of escaping the treacherous jungle region and his ambiguous morality is to somehow contact the superintendent of the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau, who has solemnly sworn to demolish the cartel once and for all.
The predecessor...
Directed by Herman Yau, the film sees Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok and Sean Lau (aka Lau Ching-wan) appear together for the first time. It is set in the ‘Golden Triangle’ region famous for drugs production and trafficking. Kwok plays an undercover cop who infiltrates a drug cartel led by a notorious Thai drug lord (Lau). In classic heroic bloodshed fashion, the two develop a bond of brotherhood. The cop’s only hope of escaping the treacherous jungle region and his ambiguous morality is to somehow contact the superintendent of the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau, who has solemnly sworn to demolish the cartel once and for all.
The predecessor...
- 6/21/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Jacky Cheung has been absent from the silver screen for a while now, with his last leading role coming in 2016 with “Heaven in the Dark” and his last action film coming a year before that with “Helios”. On the other hand, if there's one thing the late, great Benny Chan's swansong “Raging Fire” did, it rekindled Nicholas Tse's interest in action films. Both Cheung and Tse are back with action and will be seen in Herman Yau's upcoming “Customs Frontline”.
Plot details are still under wraps but the trailer promises an exciting narrative revolving around illegal arms smuggling that promises fists, guns and lots of explosives.
The stacked star-cast also includes Francis Ng, Karena Lam and Cya Liu. No official release date has been announced yet but it can be expected to release in the 2nd half of 2023.
Plot details are still under wraps but the trailer promises an exciting narrative revolving around illegal arms smuggling that promises fists, guns and lots of explosives.
The stacked star-cast also includes Francis Ng, Karena Lam and Cya Liu. No official release date has been announced yet but it can be expected to release in the 2nd half of 2023.
- 3/19/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Some 16 titles were showcased at a packed launch in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) presented a massive line-up of 16 titles at Filmart, including actor Nicholas Tse’s directorial debut New Police Story 2 and a further two action films also led by Tse.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first New Police Story, which was directed by the late filmmaker Benny Chan. The new feature reunites the original cast, including Tse, Jackie Chan and Charlene Choi, from the original film. Chan will produce for Tse who will direct for the first time.
The film is set to enter production this year,...
Hong Kong-based Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) presented a massive line-up of 16 titles at Filmart, including actor Nicholas Tse’s directorial debut New Police Story 2 and a further two action films also led by Tse.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first New Police Story, which was directed by the late filmmaker Benny Chan. The new feature reunites the original cast, including Tse, Jackie Chan and Charlene Choi, from the original film. Chan will produce for Tse who will direct for the first time.
The film is set to enter production this year,...
- 3/15/2023
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Jackie Chan made a rare public appearance in Hong Kong on Tuesday, taking center stage and amping up the star wattage at the Filmart market when he joined local heartthrob Nicolas Tse in front of a hall packed by hundreds as the pair helped local giant Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) launch its 2023 slate.
Emp used the platform, and the presence of so many people gathered, to officially launch Chan’s latest production, New Police Story 2, in which he takes a leading role, while also producing. The film, which promises to pretty much deliver what’s on its label, also marks the directorial debut of Tse, the genre-jumping popstar-turned-filmmaker who emerged with a string of hits across both mediums in the early 2000s.
Emp was behind Chan’s New Police Story, which also helped Tse to stardom when it was released in 2004 and itself was a reboot of the Police Story...
Emp used the platform, and the presence of so many people gathered, to officially launch Chan’s latest production, New Police Story 2, in which he takes a leading role, while also producing. The film, which promises to pretty much deliver what’s on its label, also marks the directorial debut of Tse, the genre-jumping popstar-turned-filmmaker who emerged with a string of hits across both mediums in the early 2000s.
Emp was behind Chan’s New Police Story, which also helped Tse to stardom when it was released in 2004 and itself was a reboot of the Police Story...
- 3/14/2023
- by Mathew Scott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One Shot is a series that seeks to find an essence of cinema history in one single image of a movie. A pair of scissors; a tongue. Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau begins his cult classic Ebola Syndrome (1996) with a gesture reminiscent of the slice across the retina that notoriously opens Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí’s surrealist masterpiece Un chien andalou (1929). Whereas Buñuel and Dalí’s gesture was an assault on the visual order of bourgeois normativity, Yau’s unsettling slash strikes at something more corporeal and indefinable: taste. Both aesthetic and somatic taste is the primary focus of Ebola Syndrome, and the film is as much about the unpleasant sights Yau serves his audience as it is about the nasty ingredients the film’s protagonist, the repugnant chef Kai Sun (Anthony Wong), serves to his customers, such as snot, sperm, urine, human flesh, and the Ebola virus just to name a few.
- 1/3/2023
- MUBI
2021 was one of the best years in recent memory for Asian films on physical media, with a number of boutique, established and newer labels realising the market for it and trying to capitalise on it, giving us consumers and collectors plenty to spend our money on and lots of Asian cinemas to watch. And if it seemed hard to top, most labels one-upped themselves by giving us even more releases, giving fan favourites, classics as well as hidden gems on stacked blu-ray and 4K Uhd releases.
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
- 12/24/2022
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
During the late 1990s, at China’s southwestern borders, the “8077” Special Forces of the Frontier Armed Police are engaged in a drug bust. They successively faced not only the drug traffickers’ deadly schemes but also flash floods, resulting in several casualties. For the sake of their fallen brothers, the “8077” surviving team members launch a dangerous all-out counteroffensive. The movie is adapted from real cases. (Source: Translated from Douban)
An original iQIYI movie directed by Herman Yau (Shock Wave and Shock Wave 2), featuring Oho Ou Hau (The Captain) and Jason Gu (Monster Hunt 2).
An original iQIYI movie directed by Herman Yau (Shock Wave and Shock Wave 2), featuring Oho Ou Hau (The Captain) and Jason Gu (Monster Hunt 2).
- 12/20/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Director Herman Yau puts aside for a moment the social and political themes that often are the backbone of his films to dedicate his time to “Nessun Dorma”, an exercise in the noir genre which is a bit pulp and rather disposable. The film takes inspiration for its title from the Puccini’s opera Turandot, as Nessun Dorma is the famous aria from its final act, but it has very little to do with the events of the opera itself.
Jasmine (Janice Ma) is a beautiful and young Hongkonger who runs a cheerful shelter for abandoned dogs – probably just out of passion given her luxurious standard of living – and is about to marry Vincent (Gordon Lam), a wealthy and famous businessman. We can guess that Vincent is famous from magazine covers portraying the couple and from constant references to lurking paparazzi and journalists but it is never clear why he is so famous.
Jasmine (Janice Ma) is a beautiful and young Hongkonger who runs a cheerful shelter for abandoned dogs – probably just out of passion given her luxurious standard of living – and is about to marry Vincent (Gordon Lam), a wealthy and famous businessman. We can guess that Vincent is famous from magazine covers portraying the couple and from constant references to lurking paparazzi and journalists but it is never clear why he is so famous.
- 8/12/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Filming set to begin on Cantonese-language remake in September.
Hong Kong stars Selena Lee, Kenny Kwan and Adam Pak are to take the lead roles in an Asian remake of Richard Linklater’s 2001 drama Tape, which is set to begin filming next month.
The film will be directed by Bizhan Tong as a co-production between Tong’s Phoenix Waters Productions, Marvion and Agog Films.
The original starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard and took place in real time. The remake – also titled Tape – centres on three friends who, following an event at a graduation party that transforms their lives,...
Hong Kong stars Selena Lee, Kenny Kwan and Adam Pak are to take the lead roles in an Asian remake of Richard Linklater’s 2001 drama Tape, which is set to begin filming next month.
The film will be directed by Bizhan Tong as a co-production between Tong’s Phoenix Waters Productions, Marvion and Agog Films.
The original starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard and took place in real time. The remake – also titled Tape – centres on three friends who, following an event at a graduation party that transforms their lives,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Selena Lee, Kenny Kwan, and Adam Pak lead the cast of “Tape,” a Cantonese-language remake of the Richard Linklater drama film that debuted in 2001. The new film is to be directed by Bizhan Tong with cameras set to roll next month in Hong Kong.
“Tape” tells the story of 3 best friends who, following an event at a graduation party that transforms their lives, reunite 15 years later where a case of blackmail forces them to confront a terrible secret from their past.
The original film starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard and played at the Sundance, Toronto and Rotterdam festivals.
In Tong’s remake, Kwan, Lee, and Pak play the contemporary characters while Mason Fung, Summer Chan, and Angus Yeung portray their younger versions.
The script is written by Stephen Belber, Tong, Lee and Bonnie Lo, and is an adaptation of Belber’s own scripts from both the original film and stage play.
“Tape” tells the story of 3 best friends who, following an event at a graduation party that transforms their lives, reunite 15 years later where a case of blackmail forces them to confront a terrible secret from their past.
The original film starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard and played at the Sundance, Toronto and Rotterdam festivals.
In Tong’s remake, Kwan, Lee, and Pak play the contemporary characters while Mason Fung, Summer Chan, and Angus Yeung portray their younger versions.
The script is written by Stephen Belber, Tong, Lee and Bonnie Lo, and is an adaptation of Belber’s own scripts from both the original film and stage play.
- 8/12/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Hong Kong actors Selena Lee, Kenny Kwan and Adam Pak have been cast in the Asian remake of Richard Linklater’s Tape, scheduled to start shooting in Hong Kong in September.
Stephen Belber, who wrote both the original film and stage play, has co-written the remake with Bizhan Tong, Selena Lee and Bonnie Lo. Belber is also on board as a producer with Tong and Lee, while Tong directs. The film is a co-production between Hong Kong’s Phoenix Waters Productions and Agog Films and Singapore-based Marvion.
The original film starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard in the story of three friends who are reunited 15 years after a life-changing event and forced to confront painful secrets from their past.
Belber said: “I’m excited to be part of a project that Bizhan has pursued with integrity, passion, intelligence and care, which the subject matter obviously requires. Bringing...
Stephen Belber, who wrote both the original film and stage play, has co-written the remake with Bizhan Tong, Selena Lee and Bonnie Lo. Belber is also on board as a producer with Tong and Lee, while Tong directs. The film is a co-production between Hong Kong’s Phoenix Waters Productions and Agog Films and Singapore-based Marvion.
The original film starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Robert Sean Leonard in the story of three friends who are reunited 15 years after a life-changing event and forced to confront painful secrets from their past.
Belber said: “I’m excited to be part of a project that Bizhan has pursued with integrity, passion, intelligence and care, which the subject matter obviously requires. Bringing...
- 8/12/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Last year, Ben Stykuc wrote in his review of “Three Days of a Blind Girl”: “In retrospect, Anthony Wong is the only actor I know that could outNicolasCage Nicolas Cage”, and his comment could not have been more spot on. Having build his career with secondary roles and first roles in Cat III films, Wong eventually managed to become one of the most respected character actors in the industry with a string of awards and outstanding performances to his credit. Just his presence is frequently enough by itself to elevate the films he participates in, with him portraying rather different characters throughout his career, with equal artistry and much gusto. To celebrate this wonderful actor, we present 16 of his best performances, in alphabetical order, focusing on a diversity of roles that have him play from a a priest to rapist, from a cop to a sadistic killer, and anything between.
- 8/10/2022
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
Herman Yau tackles political and social issues, re-proposing the classic atmospheres and themes of Hong Kong Triade cinema in “The Mobfathers,” a gritty and satirical tale of power struggle and a nod to Hong Kong’s troubles with the China-manoeuvred elections.
on Amazon
The film begins immediately in full swing, with a violent brawl in which Chat (Chapman To), the head of the Metal gang, is arrested and locked up in Stanley prison, just as his beautiful wife discovers she is expecting a baby; an event that for wrong timing fails to divert the course of fate. In fact Chat, with a 5-year sentence, is going to miss the birth and early years of his son and has no other options than to leave his trusty lieutenant Luke (Philip Keung) in charge of the boys of the gang, and also to take care of his wife and child.
on Amazon
The film begins immediately in full swing, with a violent brawl in which Chat (Chapman To), the head of the Metal gang, is arrested and locked up in Stanley prison, just as his beautiful wife discovers she is expecting a baby; an event that for wrong timing fails to divert the course of fate. In fact Chat, with a 5-year sentence, is going to miss the birth and early years of his son and has no other options than to leave his trusty lieutenant Luke (Philip Keung) in charge of the boys of the gang, and also to take care of his wife and child.
- 8/9/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Yes, there are 10 now, with the latest one introducing the Young Ip Man, in a desperate effort to continue the franchise. Despite its evident downward spiral, though, the Ip Man series has presented a number of martial arts masterpieces through the years, which highlighted the prowess of individuals like Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Wilson Yip and Yuen Woo Ping among others. Also of interest was the path Wong Kar Wai and Herman Yau took the life of Bruce Lee’s teacher, resulting in more artistic entries, while the inclusion of individuals like Mike Tyson, can only be perceived as a treat.
Here is a look of all the entries in the series, in chronological order.
1. Ip Man (2008) by Wilson Yip
The story takes place in Foshan, a city in southeast China that was considered a centre of martial arts, even including a street completely dedicated to it, where teachers are...
Here is a look of all the entries in the series, in chronological order.
1. Ip Man (2008) by Wilson Yip
The story takes place in Foshan, a city in southeast China that was considered a centre of martial arts, even including a street completely dedicated to it, where teachers are...
- 6/27/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong director Alan Mak has brought together award-winning actors Francis Ng (“Drifting”) and Aaron Kwok in new Hong Kong crime thriller “Insider,” 22-years after the two shared the big screen together.
Produced by Tenky Tin for Emperor Motion Picture, the film also stars Simon Yam and Niki Chow. A start of production ceremony took place on Monday, attended by Emp supremo Albert Yeung. Kwok also uploaded images to his Instagram account. International sales are yet to be announced.
Ng and Kwok last worked together in Gordon Chan-directed action thriller “2000 Ad” (2000).
In “Insider,” Ng plays a police officer, who rubs up against a lawyer played by Kwok. But the two later became friends and collaborators to fight against the antagonist. The filming will involve large amounts of action and gunfight scenes.
The announcement of the new production also marks what could be a sign of recovery of the local film industry,...
Produced by Tenky Tin for Emperor Motion Picture, the film also stars Simon Yam and Niki Chow. A start of production ceremony took place on Monday, attended by Emp supremo Albert Yeung. Kwok also uploaded images to his Instagram account. International sales are yet to be announced.
Ng and Kwok last worked together in Gordon Chan-directed action thriller “2000 Ad” (2000).
In “Insider,” Ng plays a police officer, who rubs up against a lawyer played by Kwok. But the two later became friends and collaborators to fight against the antagonist. The filming will involve large amounts of action and gunfight scenes.
The announcement of the new production also marks what could be a sign of recovery of the local film industry,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran Hong Kong director Herman Yau has assembled a top-notch cast for “War Customised,” a high-octane action thriller that is one of the highest-profile commercial productions to emerge from the territory in the past couple of years.
The cast is headed by Jacky Cheung and Nicholas Tse, along with Karena Lam and Francis Ng.
The supporting cast includes Liu Yase (“Limbo”), Michelle Wai, Angus Yeung (“Raging Fire”), Melvin Wong (“Above the Law”), Ben Yuen, Amanda Strang (“Final Romance”), and Brahim Chab as the villain of the piece.
Production, now underway, is by Emperor Motion Pictures, with principal Albert Yeung named as producer. Emperor is also handling international rights licensing.
The “War Customised” screenplay is by Erica Li. Plot details have been withheld.
In addition to playing the lead, Tse will also act as the film’s action choreographer.
Yau is a veteran of the action, martial arts and comedy genres...
The cast is headed by Jacky Cheung and Nicholas Tse, along with Karena Lam and Francis Ng.
The supporting cast includes Liu Yase (“Limbo”), Michelle Wai, Angus Yeung (“Raging Fire”), Melvin Wong (“Above the Law”), Ben Yuen, Amanda Strang (“Final Romance”), and Brahim Chab as the villain of the piece.
Production, now underway, is by Emperor Motion Pictures, with principal Albert Yeung named as producer. Emperor is also handling international rights licensing.
The “War Customised” screenplay is by Erica Li. Plot details have been withheld.
In addition to playing the lead, Tse will also act as the film’s action choreographer.
Yau is a veteran of the action, martial arts and comedy genres...
- 4/7/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Further titles include Herman Yau’s War Customised and Alan Mak’s Insider.
Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) has unveiled a slate of 12 upcoming films, including a sequel to Zhang Yimou’s box office hit Cliff Walkers and new all-star features from Herman Yau and Alan Mak.
It has also released the first images of Felix Chong’s The Goldfinger, which reunites Infernal Affairs stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau for the first time in nearly 20 years (see below).
The 12 titles, along with two projects in development, equate to an investment of $191.7m (Hk$1.5b), representing the company...
Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp) has unveiled a slate of 12 upcoming films, including a sequel to Zhang Yimou’s box office hit Cliff Walkers and new all-star features from Herman Yau and Alan Mak.
It has also released the first images of Felix Chong’s The Goldfinger, which reunites Infernal Affairs stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau for the first time in nearly 20 years (see below).
The 12 titles, along with two projects in development, equate to an investment of $191.7m (Hk$1.5b), representing the company...
- 3/24/2022
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, has acquired North American rights to “Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend.” The film is a currently in-production sequel to “Ip Man: Kung Fu Master,” which Magnet previously released.
“Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend” is written and directed by Li Liming and produced by Beijing-based Kai Pictures. International licensing is handled by All Rights Entertainment, a film sales company based in Hong Kong, Paris and Los Angeles.
The real-life Ip Man was mentor to Bruce Lee before Lee became a movie star and has been the subject of multiple film franchises. The new film sees the young Ip, then a police captain, fight opium traffickers trying to take control of the mainland Chinese port city of Foshan.
Dennis To (aka To Yu-hang) reprises the role of Ip for the fourth time following previous appearances in Herman Yau’s “Ip Man: The Legend Is Born,...
“Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend” is written and directed by Li Liming and produced by Beijing-based Kai Pictures. International licensing is handled by All Rights Entertainment, a film sales company based in Hong Kong, Paris and Los Angeles.
The real-life Ip Man was mentor to Bruce Lee before Lee became a movie star and has been the subject of multiple film franchises. The new film sees the young Ip, then a police captain, fight opium traffickers trying to take control of the mainland Chinese port city of Foshan.
Dennis To (aka To Yu-hang) reprises the role of Ip for the fourth time following previous appearances in Herman Yau’s “Ip Man: The Legend Is Born,...
- 11/11/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Earlier this year, our own James Marsh described Herman Yau's Shock Wave 2 as a "delightfully bonkers cop actioner...not to be missed." The film will be premiering on November 2 to North American audiences, via various On Demand platforms, and the trailer, which you can watch below, immediately earns it a place on my personal "to watch as soon as it becomes legally available" list. Andy Lam produces and stars. Per an official release, "the film chronicles the riveting story of former bomb disposal officer, Poon Shing-Fung. Suffering from amnesia and the loss of his leg in an explosion five years ago, he becomes the top suspect of a terrorist attack. On the run from the police, Poon must stop a terrorist organization from destroying...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/7/2021
- Screen Anarchy
A Herman Yau feature starring Anthony Wong comes complete with its own level of expectation. You know that Anthony Wong is going to go crazy eyes at some point, it’s just a case of when and how far is he going to go. A title such as “Taxi Hunter” is a clue that this is going to fit into that expectation. Yet, whilst the pair don’t disappoint, the film does offer a bit more than the norm.
Insurance salesman Kin (Anthony Wong) lives a peaceful live with his pregnant wife until one evening she is killed by a negligent taxi driver. Completely broken despite the support of Yu (Yu Rong-guang), Kin descends into despair. One day whilst eating lunch, he sees a woman being accosted by another taxi driver. He walks over and slaps him to the applause of the passers-by. Shortly after, he murders...
Insurance salesman Kin (Anthony Wong) lives a peaceful live with his pregnant wife until one evening she is killed by a negligent taxi driver. Completely broken despite the support of Yu (Yu Rong-guang), Kin descends into despair. One day whilst eating lunch, he sees a woman being accosted by another taxi driver. He walks over and slaps him to the applause of the passers-by. Shortly after, he murders...
- 10/3/2021
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Chicago, Il – – Asian Pop-Up Cinema: Season 13 will present 30 films at an in-person and drive-in festival, with select titles available for online streaming. The festival opens September 15 and runs through October 12, 2021, at AMC River East 21, The Davis Theater and ChiTown Drive-In.
The programming celebrates the best Asian-centric cinema, with new work made by filmmakers from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S. and Canada. This season will highlight women in film, stories with humanitarian themes and action thrillers, including four restored martial arts classics.
Season 13 opens with Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, a documentary observing China’s growing class divide through labor, consumerism, and wealth. Structured in three parts, the film ascends through the levels of the capitalist structure and examines how the contemporary “Chinese Dream” remains an elusive fantasy for most.
Centerpiece film The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’T Kill is Japanese director Kan Eguchi’s action/comedy follow-up to The Fable,...
The programming celebrates the best Asian-centric cinema, with new work made by filmmakers from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the U.S. and Canada. This season will highlight women in film, stories with humanitarian themes and action thrillers, including four restored martial arts classics.
Season 13 opens with Jessica Kingdon’s Ascension, a documentary observing China’s growing class divide through labor, consumerism, and wealth. Structured in three parts, the film ascends through the levels of the capitalist structure and examines how the contemporary “Chinese Dream” remains an elusive fantasy for most.
Centerpiece film The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’T Kill is Japanese director Kan Eguchi’s action/comedy follow-up to The Fable,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
They include a film version of hit TV series ‘The Trading Floor’.
Hong Kong’s Universe Films Distribution is (virtually) introducing a string of high-profile blockbuster titles to buyers at the Marche.
They include Herman Yau’s financial drama Trading Floor and Oxide Pang’s action thriller High Forces. Both are produced by and will star Andy Lau.
Trading Floor is about an intern and his mentor at a multinational investment bank. Filming is expected to begin early next year with Oho Au in the cast.
High Forces takes place on a plane where a former Swat member is caught up in a hijack.
Hong Kong’s Universe Films Distribution is (virtually) introducing a string of high-profile blockbuster titles to buyers at the Marche.
They include Herman Yau’s financial drama Trading Floor and Oxide Pang’s action thriller High Forces. Both are produced by and will star Andy Lau.
Trading Floor is about an intern and his mentor at a multinational investment bank. Filming is expected to begin early next year with Oho Au in the cast.
High Forces takes place on a plane where a former Swat member is caught up in a hijack.
- 7/6/2021
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
China’s two new propaganda films topped the box office over their first weekend in theaters, but it appears that the politically correct content may not prove popular enough to drive sales at blockbuster levels.
Most of the biggest local blockbusters set to hit China over the rest of the year are propaganda titles. Though analysts believe that China will keep its crown as the world’s largest film market this year, some question whether its annual gross may suffer from a surplus of “main melody” political films and fewer Hollywood tentpoles as the U.S. exhibition sector wobbles back on its feet post-covid.
China’s cumulative box office this weekend was just $44.9 million, down significantly from the comparable weekend of 2019, when Maoyan figures show it hit $120 million. Those heights were made possible by blockbusters “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and Herman Yau Hong Kong actioner “The White Storm 2: Drug Lords,...
Most of the biggest local blockbusters set to hit China over the rest of the year are propaganda titles. Though analysts believe that China will keep its crown as the world’s largest film market this year, some question whether its annual gross may suffer from a surplus of “main melody” political films and fewer Hollywood tentpoles as the U.S. exhibition sector wobbles back on its feet post-covid.
China’s cumulative box office this weekend was just $44.9 million, down significantly from the comparable weekend of 2019, when Maoyan figures show it hit $120 million. Those heights were made possible by blockbusters “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and Herman Yau Hong Kong actioner “The White Storm 2: Drug Lords,...
- 7/5/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Erica Li is an eclectic screenwriter who has collaborated with directors of the like of Herman Yau and Stephen Chow, on scripts ranging from comedy to action. Her directorial debut “Just 1 Day” is a very personal project as the script is adapted from her own novel.
“Just 1 Day” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film immediately introduces one of the two protagonists, Angelfish (Charlene Choi), a banker in her thirties and in a pretty typical relationship with a married man who eternally swears he will leave his wife but never keeps the promise. Angelfish is an incurable romantic and deeply misses little sweet gestures like watching the sun rising on Hong Kong with her lover, but unfortunately this doesn’t seem to be a possibility with him. Her old school girlfriends have opposite situations, one being a free and easy air hostess, the other a perfect-marriage paradigm.
“Just 1 Day” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film immediately introduces one of the two protagonists, Angelfish (Charlene Choi), a banker in her thirties and in a pretty typical relationship with a married man who eternally swears he will leave his wife but never keeps the promise. Angelfish is an incurable romantic and deeply misses little sweet gestures like watching the sun rising on Hong Kong with her lover, but unfortunately this doesn’t seem to be a possibility with him. Her old school girlfriends have opposite situations, one being a free and easy air hostess, the other a perfect-marriage paradigm.
- 7/4/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The Far East Film Festival returns with a hybrid edition for the first time, screening a total of 63 titles from 11 countries and regions and stretching the festival run from its home town of Udine to across Italy and the digital realm.
The 23rd edition of the Udine festival, which has long established itself as a key window to Asian cinema in Europe, will also be expanding its number of physical screenings with five screens, including an open-air cinema accommodating 400 cinema-goers on the Visionario lawn, an initiative that will allow more film buffs to enjoy the cinematic art in person while maintaining safety amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the fact that the pandemic has severely impacted cinema productions around the world, the festival is able to scout a slate of new features, including those from Macao and Myanmar which will be marking their debuts at the festival. Running from June 24 to...
The 23rd edition of the Udine festival, which has long established itself as a key window to Asian cinema in Europe, will also be expanding its number of physical screenings with five screens, including an open-air cinema accommodating 400 cinema-goers on the Visionario lawn, an initiative that will allow more film buffs to enjoy the cinematic art in person while maintaining safety amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the fact that the pandemic has severely impacted cinema productions around the world, the festival is able to scout a slate of new features, including those from Macao and Myanmar which will be marking their debuts at the festival. Running from June 24 to...
- 6/10/2021
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
Andy Lau plays a bomb-disposal officer in this old-school action thriller with tricksy, Infernal Affairs-esque storytelling
The “2” in the original title of this film would suggest this Hong Kong-action thriller is a sequel – or more likely a prequel given its ending – to the 2017 film Shock Wave, which like this starred megastar Andy Lau and was directed by one of his regular collaborators, Herman Yau. In fact, there’s no connective narrative tissue at all between the films, apart from the fact that the hero in both works for the Hong Kong police department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Eod) bureau, or bomb disposal unit. Still, the end result offers a regular drumbeat of suspense-followed-by-explosion throughout – one long tick-tick-boom symphony, in fact – which makes for fitfully stimulating entertainment.
Lau plays Poon Sing-fung, the Eod’s most reckless yet heroic debomber, who is best friends with his superior, Tung (Ching Wan Lau), and...
The “2” in the original title of this film would suggest this Hong Kong-action thriller is a sequel – or more likely a prequel given its ending – to the 2017 film Shock Wave, which like this starred megastar Andy Lau and was directed by one of his regular collaborators, Herman Yau. In fact, there’s no connective narrative tissue at all between the films, apart from the fact that the hero in both works for the Hong Kong police department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Eod) bureau, or bomb disposal unit. Still, the end result offers a regular drumbeat of suspense-followed-by-explosion throughout – one long tick-tick-boom symphony, in fact – which makes for fitfully stimulating entertainment.
Lau plays Poon Sing-fung, the Eod’s most reckless yet heroic debomber, who is best friends with his superior, Tung (Ching Wan Lau), and...
- 6/10/2021
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Asian cinema event to open with Zhang Yimou’s ‘Cliff Walkers’.
Italy’s Far East Film Festival (Feff), the Asian cinema event based in Udine, has revealed plans for this year’s edition, which will comprise a mix of physical and online screenings.
The 23rd edition of the festival is set to run from June 24 to July 2, postponed from its original launch date of June 11 to align with the reopening of cinemas in Italy.
It will open with a physical screening of Zhang Yimou’s epic spy thriller Cliff Walkers, which has proved a box office hit in its native China,...
Italy’s Far East Film Festival (Feff), the Asian cinema event based in Udine, has revealed plans for this year’s edition, which will comprise a mix of physical and online screenings.
The 23rd edition of the festival is set to run from June 24 to July 2, postponed from its original launch date of June 11 to align with the reopening of cinemas in Italy.
It will open with a physical screening of Zhang Yimou’s epic spy thriller Cliff Walkers, which has proved a box office hit in its native China,...
- 6/9/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
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