News Archives
March 2006
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News Archives |
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March 2006 |
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Zhang Ziyi Is Asked to Play a Different HUA MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 31, 2006 |
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According to newspaper The Beijing News, Zhang Ziyi said there were several projects waiting for her commitment and one of them was about the story of Hua Mulan, a fictional heroine, who joined the army to defend her country while disguising as a man. This one is not the Stanley Tong project and is produced by Thomas Chung, the ex-boyfriend of Michelle Yeoh. Chung has been pushing the project since 2001 with Yeoh attached to play the heroine until their relationship ended over a year ago. Reportedly, the Thomas Chung project was recommended by Beijing-based studio HTF, which just produced Zhang Ziyi's upcoming historical drama The Banquet. I am not convince that any one of these two projects would work. A successful project needs a good subject, a nicely written script, a confident director and a strong cast.
Related story: Stanley Tong Wants Ziyi as MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 20, 2006 |
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Remaking of King Hu's Classic THE VALIANT ONES Begins (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 30, 2006 |
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Shanghai Youth Daily reports that the production of a remake of director King Hu's martial-art classic The Valiant Ones began yesterday at Hengdian World Studios. Released in 1975, the original The Valiant Ones won the Outstanding Contribution Award at Chicago Film Festival of that year. The Valiant Ones is about a group of warriors helping a Chinese general to fight Japanese pirates. The cast of the original film consists such familiar names like Sammo Hung, Hsu Feng, Yuen Biao, Corey Yuen and Yuen Wah and the cast of the remake includes Nicky Wu, Huang Yi, Yuen Wah and Yuen Qiu. Yuen Wah is also on board as the choreographer. |
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March 30, 2006 |
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The very rare Tibetan language film tells the story of a teenage lama who returns home for the new year and is obsessed by something called TV.
Click here for the 15 minute clip.
Written and directed by Wanmacaidan; starring Luosangdanpai (as the teenage lama), Quesai (as the senior lama) and Living Buddha Jühuan (as the teenage Living Buddha).
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Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun Would Play Sisters or Lovers in A Future Project (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 29, 2006 |
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Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun have been talking about playing sisters or lovers in a future project, according to Wang Zhonglei, the CEO of Beijing-based movie studio HTF. Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun recently worked together in Feng Xiaogang's The Banquet. Zhang played the young empress and Zhou played the the love interest of the crown prince.
Left: Zhang Ziyi (L) and Zhou Xun (R). |
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SUN RISES AGAIN Promotional Stills (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 29, 2006 |
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Eight promotional stills of Sun Rises Again (literal title) have been distributed to the Chinese media. Jiang Wen wrote and directed the movie based on short story Velvet by woman writer Ye Mi. The original story tells the story of a married couple, who were sent to a remote village for being "re-educated" for their experience of living abroad. In the village, the wife started an affair with a young local farmer. She told her lover that someone said her skin was like velvet. The husband discovered his wife's secret and threatened to kill the young man. However, the young farmer had no idea of what velvet was and the husband decided to show him a piece of velvet, which was impossible to find in this part of the world.
As for the story of the movie, nobody seems to know what it really about. Jaycee Chan said it was an actioner, in which he jumped and climbed more frequently than he would do in a martial-art movie; Anthony Wong said it was an erotic film, in which he got the change to sing a song; Joan Chen said it was just like her own Roman Holiday; and Zhou Yun said it was like a fantasy love story because her role is crazy as well as touching.
Sun Rises Again tells four interlocked stories. The first story, set in present days, is about a mentally ill woman (Zhou Yun); the second story is about a young farmer (Jaycee Chan); the third story is about a school teacher (Anthony Wong) and a nurse (Joan Chan); and the fourth story is about a Chinese man (Jiang Wen), who used to live overseas, and his wife (Kong Yishan).
The movie was somewhat expensive to make. It involved hundreds of birds and animals, several dozen cases of ammunitions and over a hundred burning tents. A traditional Tibetan style house, about 300 square meters, several dozen tons of stream cobbles and red dirt, and a boat were shipped to a lake high on the Tibetan Plateau. Production of Sun Rises Again has wrapped up with one shot remaining unmade. The shot is about an antique train rolling through a field of flowers, which might be made in the northern China, Russia or New Zealand.
More promotional stills: Cui Jian Zhou Yun 1 Zhou Yun 2 Kong Yishan (Thanks to Marie M.)
Related stories: Jiang Wen's SUN RISES AGAIN in Production (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 1, 2006Jiang Wen's WHERE THE SUN RISES to Be Filmed in Shangri-La (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 30, 2005 Wong Chau-Sang Joints THE PAINTED VEIL Remake and Jiang Wen's THE SUN RISES AGAIN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) August 13, 2005 Actor Director Jiang Wen Plans His Third Directorial Effort - THE SUN RISES AGAIN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 30, 2005 |
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The Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove, Ang Lee's Next Film? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 28, 2006 |
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According to a Chinese newspaper, someone has worked with Ang Lee Eat Drink Man Woman and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, said Lee's next film would probably tell the story of The Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove during China's Three Kingdoms Period (AD 220 - 265) and the Jin Dynasty (AD 265 - 420). The Seven Sages were scholars and poets who regularly gathered in a bamboo grove to escape the troubles of the outside world and to lose themselves in pure thoughts and conversations. The Seven Sages project, if true, is only one of multiple projects Ang Lee is developing now and the project is still in a very early stage.
Related story: Ang Lee May Return to China for His Next Project (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 8, 2006 |
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March 28, 2006 |
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Harmony Is a Virtue (Election 2) Trailer
Related story: ELECTION Sequel HARMONY IS A VIRTUE Premiered at Hong Kong International Film Festival (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 12, 2006 |
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March 28, 2006 |
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Five trailers of The Music Box are now available from Sina.com.
The Music Box trailers (Click the numbers below the screen to select.)
Related stories: THE MUSIC BOX Production Stills (Nanfang Daily) March 16, 2006JASMINE WOMEN and THE MUSIC BOX Both Set for April Release in China (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 25, 2006Monkeypeaches' Most Anticipated Films of 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 1, 2006Leung Chiu-Wai Appointed For A BARBER'S MUSIC BOX / LI FA SHI (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 29, 2003 Chen Yifei Halts MUSIC BOX For Leung Chiu-Wai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 4, 2003 |
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March 27, 2006 |
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Production diary: pre-production
Related Stories: DRAGON TIGER GATE Press Conference (The Hong Kong Sun) March 6, 2006
DRAGON TIGER GATE Official Site
Launched
(DragonTigerGateMovie.com)
February 8, 2006
DRAGON TIGER GATE Poster
Designs
(Sina.com)
DRAGON TIGER GATE Production
Photos from Hong Kong
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
DRAGON TIGER GATE
Preview Video
(Sina.com) DRAGON TIGER GATE Promotional Stills (Beijing Times) October 22, 2005 Production of DRAGON TIGER GATE Begins (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 1, 2005Donnie Yen's DRAGON AND TIGER GATE Will Go into Production This Fall (DonnieYen.net) September 26, 2005 Donnie Yen Preps MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER / GATE OF DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) August 2, 2005
Donnie Yen in Negotiation
for MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches
Exclusive)
March 27, 2005
Donnie Yen To Helm Film Adaptation Of
Comic Series MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
June 24, 2003 |
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March 26, 2006 |
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A trailer has been added to the official Japanese website.
Japanese trailer: MP4 (by JasmineWomen.jp) QuickTime (play it with QuickTime Player / by HelloZiyi.us)
(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us)
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THE BANQUET Might Be Shown in Two Different Cuts (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 25, 2006 |
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According to a Chinese newspaper, Zhang Ziyi's only two action scenes may be included in the international print, but many not show up in the domestic Chinese print. The first scene is the Empress (Zhang Ziyi) and the Crown Prince (Daniel Wu) practicing swords with movements they learnt from the previous emperor. I suspect a few second of the scene is included in the latest teaser trailer. The second scenes is the Empress playing polo with the current Emperor (Ge You). Ge You suggested to limit the weight of Zhang Ziyi's action in the film because she had already done that so many times and director Feng Xiaogang agreed. He said Zhang Ziyi's performance was so good that no action was needed to strengthen her role. Feng would cut these scenes because he believes they were not closely related to the main storyline. Feng said he would avoid showing lavish fight scenes with a weak story.
Loosely Inspired by William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Zhang Ziyi plays a young Empress, who was forced to marry the current Emperor, played by Ge You, who took the throne after murdered the previous Emperor, his own brother. Daniel Wu plays the exiled Crown Prince, son of the previous Emperor and was once in love with the Empress. He returned to the imperial palace after survived an assassination attempt ordered by his uncle.
The Banquet will be released in China this September, by which it will be qualified for the Best Foreign Language Film Award of next year's Oscar. Reportedly, this film has been selling very well internationally. Media Asia, co-producer of the film, will release it in Hong Kong. Gaga Communications Inc. acquired the Japanese rights with US$5 million. The unidentified Korean distributor is now pushing for a simultaneous in the country. Release in Southeast Asia is also being secured. Rights in seven European countries have already been sold and a deal for UK release will be signed soon. Distribution in France and Germany are currently in negotiation. Several US distributors, including Paramount, WB and Miramax, have shown their interests on the film, after a 15 minute featurette was shown at American Film Market last November.
Teaser trailer (by HelloZiyi.us)
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WU JI / THE PROMISE North American Trailer in HD (Apple.com) |
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March 24, 2006 |
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(Thanks to "Yannina" from Warner Bros.)
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Johnnie To, Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam to Make a Three-Piece Jigsaw Thriller (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 24, 2006 |
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Johnny To, Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark were all born in the 1950s and they all became famous by directing action movies in Hong Kong. Now, according to AFP, they have decided to make a new cop-thriller together. Each director will be solely responsible for one third of the film (about 30 minute long). They will not discuss their segments with each other and they will shoot it with no script at all. "Tsui Hark will first start shooting the film, then Ringo will look at the development of it before shooting the second part, and then I'll complete it with the third part," To said. Three masters will make the untitled film in a relay format. To said, "Ringo might decide everyone dies in his part and I will have to finish it off." They came out an idea of doing a movie with three independent stories during tea gatherings and later they realized that had already been done and adopted the current format. This film will be shot entirely in Hong Kong with actors from the city and the mainland China. The original AFP story mentions that making the movie is just like piecing together a jigsaw. Then two reporters, with bad English, thought it had something to do with Saw, the hit horror flick and wrote a story claiming a Hong Kong version of Saw would be made. According to an assistant of Johnny To, this project is not a remake of Saw and is not inspired by it either.
Related story: Hong Kong directors plan Asian first with 'jigsaw', AFP |
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Opening This Week: March 18 - 24, 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 24, 2006 |
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A guy tries very hard to get the girl he likes, a newlywed man reunites with a tutor from his school years and an actor is hired by the police to infiltrate a gang of cons...
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March 23, 2006 |
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Two trailers of Dragon Tiger Gate are now available from Sina.com - the teaser trailer (1:15) we have already seen plus an never-seen-before international trailer (4:30). For whatever reason, the screen is not in the right ratio.
Related Stories: DRAGON TIGER GATE Press Conference (The Hong Kong Sun) March 6, 2006
DRAGON TIGER
GATE Official Site Launched
(DragonTigerGateMovie.com)
February 8,
2006
DRAGON TIGER
GATE Poster Designs
(Sina.com) DRAGON TIGER GATE Production Photos from Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 7, 2006DRAGON TIGER GATE Preview Video (Sina.com) December 19, 2005DRAGON TIGER GATE Promotional Stills (Beijing Times) October 22, 2005 Production of DRAGON TIGER GATE Begins (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 1, 2005Donnie Yen's DRAGON AND TIGER GATE Will Go into Production This Fall (DonnieYen.net) September 26, 2005 Donnie Yen Preps MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER / GATE OF DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) August 2, 2005
Donnie Yen in Negotiation for MEGA
DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches
Exclusive)
March 27, 2005
Donnie Yen To Helm Film
Adaptation Of Comic Series MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
June 24, 2003 |
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Video: Behind the Scene of Jackie Chan's PROJECT BB (Sina.com) |
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March 23, 2006 |
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Related Stories: PROJECT BB Location Photos (The Hong Kong Sun) March 6, 2006More PROJECT BB Location Photos (Sina.com) February 6, 2006PROJECT BB Location Photos (Sina.com) February 4, 2006PROJECT BB Is Under Way in Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
January 16, 2006
Jackie Chan Engages in
Baby-Kidnapping PROJECT BB
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
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March 23, 2006 |
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Jadesoturi / Jade Warrior, a Finish-Chinese co-production is now ready for release.
Related Stories: Exclusive Promotional Stills of JADESOTURI / JADE WARRIOR (Sina.com) December 21, 2005 JADESOTURI / JADE WARRIOR, the First Finish Produced Kung Fu Film (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)October 1, 2005 |
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Wong Kar-Wai Gives Update on MY BLUEBERRY NIGHT (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 22, 2006 |
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According to several Hong Kong newspapers, Wong Kar-Wai said his
new project with Norah Jones, Rachel Weisz and Jude Law,
also known as
My Blueberry Night,
would go into production in the States in June. He said this
movie was not related to Hurricane Katrina as previously
reported and the rumor probably started when he was scouting
locations in New Orleans. It would be a "highway movie" shot on
multiple locations from New York to California, including Las
Vegas. Wong said
The Lay from Shanghai
project with Nicole Kidman was still in preparation and Kidman
would do the untitled Baz Luhrmann project first. Shooting of Ye
Wen biopic with Leung Chiu-Wai has been pushed back to 2007
because Leung need more time to practice martial-art. Their
upcoming project is written by American novelist
Lawrence Block
Related Stories: THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI Teaser Poster (The Beijing News) February 15, 2006Update on Wong Kar-Wai's THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI AND the Katrina Project (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 14, 2006 Wong Kar-Wai's THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI is a Remake of Orson Welles Classic? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 8, 2005 Wong Kar-Wai Still Gets No Story For THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 3, 2004 The Wong Kidman Project Now Has A Title - THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 28, 2004 Update on The Wong Kar-Wai / Nicole Kidman Project (AICN) September 21, 2004 Director Wong Kar-Wai To Work With Nicole Kidman (Various) September 19, 2003 |
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March 21, 2006 |
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Teaser trailer: The Banquet Teaser trailer: Battle of WitsThe Banquet.
Related story: BATTLE OF WITS Production Wrapped Up (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 14, 2006 |
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March 21, 2006 |
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According to Shanghai Morning Post, screenwriter Lu Wei (To Live, Farewell My Concubine) has been asked to polish the script of The Battle of Red Cliff, written by Zou Jingzhi (Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles), Lan Xiaolong and Wang Qian. Lu Wei said he John Woo did not want to make a martial-art flick or an actioner, he wanted to make a historic epic. Based on classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this high-budget project will be a dramatized retelling of a real historical event, the Battle of Red Cliff (A.D. 208), during which two warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan, jointed force to defeat a much stronger warlord Cao Cao. So far Zhow Yun-Fat is now the signed actor and the cast may also include Leung Chiu-Wai, Ken Watanabe, Chen Baoguo, Collin Chou, Zhang Jingchu and Lin Chiling. The Battle Of Red Cliff |
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Jay Chou Had His Own THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Press Conference (Sina.com) |
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March 21, 2006 |
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The second press conference was held for Jay Chou this morning at Beijing Film Studios. Other attendants include director Zhang Yimou, cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding, costume designer Yee Chung-Man and sound recordist Tao Jing.
Left: director Zhang Yimou (L), Jay Chou (M) and Yee Chung-Man.
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March 20, 2006 |
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Hong Kong director Stanley Tong is pushing his Hua Mulan project forward and he is asking Zhang Ziyi to play the lead role, according to the Chinese media. However, Zhang Ziyi has yet made any commitment. Shooting of this US$20 million movie, which is based on a Chinese folksong written in the 5th or 6th Century, will be carried out in China, Kazakhstan and Canada. Stanley Tong said the Canadian snowy wildness would be perfect for a war scene in the movie. According to Beijing-based PKU Starlight, which is co-producing the movie, Hua Mulan would follow the heroine's twelve years in the army while disguised as a man. Stanley Tong is not the only one being interested in the subject. Michelle Yeoh has also been planning his own Hua Mulan for many years and a Korean production with the same subject also exists. No doubt, Zhang Ziyi is the best choice for the role but I am not convinced that Stanley Tong is the right man for the subject. He is good at adding lots of action sequences into a movie without telling a story and what would make the movie successful is a good story not any good action sequence.
Related stories: Michelle Yeoh Tempts Zhang Ziyi With Hua Mulan? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) July 24, 2004 Tim Yip Whispers On Michelle Yoeh's HUA MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 21, 2003Stanley Tong Talks About TITANIUM RAIN And His Version Of Hua Mulan (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 14, 2003 Stanley Tong: HUA MULAN In February And TITANIUM RAIN In June (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) November 30, 2002 Stanley Tong Wants To Make His MULAN And A Jackie Chan Flick Simultaneously (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)September 26, 2002 Stanley Tong Wants To Pick Lucy Liu And The Rock To Play HUA MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 24, 2002 Michelle Yeoh Reserved The Title HUA MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 15, 2002 Zhang Ziyi Might Join The MULAN Race OR Tell More HERO Story (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) August 7, 2002 Stanley Tong Planning Another HUA MULAN (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 12, 2002 Michelle Yeoh As Mulan! (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 8, 2001 |
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March 19, 2006 |
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Judgment at Tokyo (literal title), previously known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, is a Chinese produced courtroom drama, which retells the story of 28 top Japanese war criminals being tried from 1946 to 1948. Shanghai Film Group recently acquired the distribution rights and would release it in China during the coming May Day vacation. This trailer is actually a slideshow of dozens of promotional stills:
Trailer transcript: This is a segment of history and a miracle, a segment of history, which forever changed the structure of Asia, a piece of misery, which endured together by China and Japan, a fragment of memory, which cannot be ignored; ... A film by Gao Qunshu, Judgment in Tokyo, a legend in a courtroom sixty years ago, the birth of a miracle, a death trial of the century; ... A few Chinese during a trial in Tokyo; ... A Chinese man's encounter of love in Tokyo; ... We do not want revenge, but tragedy cannot be avoided; ... This is a film about evaluating war and responsibility for war; ... To recall war and to preserve peace, Judgment in Tokyo is coming soon, May 3, nationwide.
Related story: Stills: the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Sina.com) July 21, 2005
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March 18, 2006 |
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These are taken at Hengdian World Studios. The photo on the left shows the a round shape structure being built; and the photo on the right shows some movable set piece. Shooting at Beijing Film Studios will end this month.
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Opening This Week: March 11 - 17, 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 17, 2006 |
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A young boy struggles to fit in the little society of a kindergarten and a young man rents a nightclub girl as his wife to fool his family.
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March 16, 2006 |
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The Music Box (Chinese title: The Barber) is scheduled to be released in China on April 9. Set from late 1930s to late 1940s, The Music Box tells a Doctor-Zhivago-like epic love story. The movie begins with the Japanese invasion of China in 1937. A young barber killed a Japanese soldier and fled to a small town, where he fell in love with a girl. Soon after, the town was captured by the Japanese and they were separated during chaos. The girl then married to a Chinese general while the barber joined the army. By the time the Japanese surrendered in 1945, the barber had already become a general. The civil war broke out and the barber was captured by the communist lead force. He was sent to a remote labor farm and reunited with the only love of his life...
Related stories: JASMINE WOMEN and THE MUSIC BOX Both Set for April Release in China (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 25, 2006Monkeypeaches' Most Anticipated Films of 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 1, 2006Leung Chiu-Wai Appointed For A BARBER'S MUSIC BOX / LI FA SHI (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 29, 2003 Chen Yifei Halts MUSIC BOX For Leung Chiu-Wai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 4, 2003 |
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March 15, 2006 |
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Hong Kong's Apple Daily yesterday reported that director Johnny To would work with Chow Yun-Fat in a Hollywood remake of John Woo classic Hard Boiled. However, according to today's edition of The Hong Kong Sun, this was simply not true. According to the newspaper, ever since Johnny To made Fulltime Killer, many foreign producers had talked to him with various projects and an Hard Boiled remake had been one of them. Johnny To said he would like to work with Chow Yun-Fat but they had yet found the right one.
(Thanks to Maria Leung for the Apple Daily story.) |
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March 15, 2006 |
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Yesterday during a press conference, Hong Kong Film Critics Society announced this year's list of Top-Ten Chinese Films and Top-Ten Foreign Language Films, as part of the annual Golden Bauhinia Awards.
Local filmmakers like Andy Lau, Chapman To and Pang Ho-Cheng attended the press conference: video photos
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Related stories: Hong Kong's The 10th Golden Bauhinia Awards (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 6, 2005 Hong Kong's The 10th Golden Bauhinia Awards Nomination (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 6, 2005 Hong Kong's The 9th Golden Bauhinia Awards (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 28, 2004 Hong Kong's The 9th Golden Bauhinia Awards Nomination (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 27, 2004 The 8th Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Awards (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 30, 2003 The 8th Hong Kong Golden Bauhinia Awards Nominations (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 28, 2003 7th Golden Bauhinia Awards By Hong Kong Film Critics' Association (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) March 17, 2002 |
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March 14, 2006 |
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Donnie Yen had a face-to-face chat with a few hundred college students at Peking University last Sunday. During the chat, he said the script for Sha Po Lang 2 was being written and the shooting would begin by June. No one is cast yet for the movie, which is produced by Donnie Yen. Does this mean no one from the original Sha Po Lang, including Donnie Yen will return for the sequel? He said the sequel would tell another unrelated crime story and would be much brighter, much more splendid and much more colorful.
Review (AICN) S.P.L. Official Japanese Website and Poster (DonnyYen.net) January 13, 2006Official S.P.L. Website (ShaPoLangTheMovie.com) November 17, 2005SPL / SHA PO LANG Trailer No. 2 (DonnieYen.net) August 23, 2005
SPL (SHA PO LANG) Promotional Stills
(CinemAsie.com)
June 26,
2005
Sammo Hung Vs. Donnie Yen In
SHA PO LANG
(DonnieYen.net)
October 31, 2004
More About SHA PO LANG
(DonnieYen.us)
September 23, 2004
Stills Of SHA PO LANG, A
New All-Star Hong Kong Martial-Art Production
(DonnieYen.net
/
hkfilmart.com)
September 11, 2004 |
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March 14, 2006 |
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(Thanks to "Wilson" of BlackFilm.com.) Gong Li talks 'Miami Vice' and 'Young Hannibal' (BlackFilm.com) Teaser Trailers: MIAMI VICE and M:I3 (MiamiVice.com / Yahoo.com) December 13, 2005Shots Showing Gong Li in MIAMI VICE Remake (AdmiringGongLi.com) October 25, 2005Dose Every International Talent Has to Début in Hollywood by Playing a Villain? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) April 5, 2005 Jamie Foxx Greenlights Gong Li's Share in MIAMI VICE (Daily Mail - UK) March 14, 2005 |
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THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Spy Photos (Sina.com / China News Agency) |
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March 13, 2006 |
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Shooting of Zhang Yimou's The City of Golden Armor continues at the biggest soundstage of Beijing Film Studios. Several photographers hid inside an nearby apartment building to take pictures of anyone showing up and occasionally they sneaked into the soundstage to take quick shots.
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ELECTION Sequel HARMONY IS A VIRTUE Premiered at Hong Kong International Film Festival (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 12, 2006 |
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Johnny To's new movie Harmony Is A Virtue, a follow-up to his Election premièred last year at the Cannes Film Festival, just had the worldwide premiere at the 30th Hong Kong International Film Festival. Set at the dawn of Hong Kong returning to China, Election tells a violent story of how a crime society choosing its new leader. The story of Harmony Is a Virtue begins after Hong Kong handed back to China in 1997. Jimmy (Louis Koo), a rising star in his crime society, wants to quit and turn his life to something legitimate. When expanding his business in the mainland China, he becomes a favorite of the authority and is forced to take part in the new election for the crime boss. Jimmy has to deal with challenges from other candidates while facing threat from Lok (Simon Yam), the current boss who would not give up power easily.
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March 11, 2006 |
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A press conference was held this morning at Beijing Film Academy.
From the press conference: Video (click the numbers below the screen to select.)
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The Weinstein Co. Swallows CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON Se/Prequel Rights (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 10, 2006 |
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Weinstein Co. has acquired
worldwide screen and stage rights to the entire Crane - Iron Pentalogy.
Harvey Weinstein has envisioned "a series of great films, much like the
'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. He said, "I think this is an opportunity to
create something revolutionary," and "they will in effects serve as
prequels and sequels to 'Crouching Tiger," which will not itself be
remade for the screen."
The series is very difficult to adapt and one of the biggest obstacles is how to make the major characters from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon show up in both the sequel and the prequels. Zhang Ziyi's character Jen is not introduced until the fourth book and in the movie, both Jen and Chow Yun-Fat's character Li Mu Bai die, but they are alive in the fifth book. If Ang Lee could not make it work, then no one would. I hope no prequel or sequel to be made, therefore everyone, who loves the classic film by Ang Lee, can image his or her own prequel and sequel, without being spoiled by a profit-seeking corporation.
(Thanks to "Chris" for the tip.)
Related stories: Weinsteins bringing martial arts to film, stage, by Gregg Goldstein, The Hollywood Reporter Weinsteins to unleash Crouching Tiger prequels, Guardian Unlimited
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One More THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Design Sketches (Sina.com) |
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March 10, 2006 |
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This is a design sketch for a courtesan, played by Li Man, the young actress making her big screen début in the Zhang Yimou's film.
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Opening This Week: March 4 - 10, 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 10, 2006 |
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Stories of women and their relationship with men... |
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(JasmineWomen.jp) | |||
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March 9, 2006 |
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(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | |||
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March 8, 2006 |
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In an interview with China's CCTV, Ang Lee said he had multiple projects in parallel development and one of them was about China. He will reteam with cinematographer Peter Pau, designer Tim Yip and screenwriter Wang Hui-Ling, who he worked with in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. With the project, Lee intents to try something new and offer inexperience young actors a chance to shine. Lee revealed no more detail of the project but he said it would not be the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon prequel or sequel. Reportedly, Focus Features, which produced Brokeback Mountain, is interested in a project to reunite Ang Lee with Zhang Ziyi but both of them has refused to offer any confirmation. |
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(Chongqing Economic Times / Sina.com) | |||
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March 8, 2006 |
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This short video was taken at Hengdian World Studios, where full-scale replicas of all major buildings of Beijing's Forbidden City are faithfully built. Workers are building additional structures designed specifically for the movie, including a wall and a round-shape structure. The terrace and the round-shape structure will be covered with gold color chrysanthemum flowers for shooting a fight scene.
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Two More THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Design Sketches (Sina.com) |
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March 7, 2006 |
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Two more character design sketches have been released during the weekend.
Left: the younger prince (Qin Junjie) Right: the minister (Ni Dahong)
Related stories: THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Design Sketches (Sina.com) February 28, 2006THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Opening Ceremony (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 24, 2006Spy Photos of THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Set (Sina.com) February 23, 2006A Star Will Born in THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 22, 2006THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Shooting Begins Tomorrow (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 21, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS in Lavish Preproduction (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 18, 2006Singer Jay Chou Joins Zhang Yimou's GOLDEN ARMORS? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 13, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS Preproduction Update (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 29, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS Plot Speculation (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 24, 2006Update on Zhang Yimou's AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 12, 2006Zhang Yimou Will Return to Hengdian World Studios for AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) December 10, 2005Set Design for Zhang Yimou's AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) November 18, 2005
Zhang Yimou / Chow Yun-Fat / Gong Li
Project - AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE?
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
August 5, 2005
Zhang Yimou Wants Chow Yun-Fat and
Gong Li for his Third Martial-Art Piece?
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
June 27,
2005 |
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Gu Changwei to Follow His Peacock with THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 6, 2006 |
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Cinematographer-turned-director Gu Changwei will begin shooting Li Chun (literal meaning: The First Day of Spring) by this month. Peacock tells stories of a family of five in a small Chinese town form late 1970s to early 1980s, and as a follow-up, not a sequel, Li Chun is about stories of another group of people in another small Chinese town from late 1980s to late 1990s. Shooting will be done in China's Inner Mongolian city of Baotou, with a budget of $248 million, twice of that of Peacock. So far the only cast member being identified is Wang Yajie. |
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Zhang Yang to Tell a Story of FALLING LEAVES SETTLE ON THEIR ROOTS (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 6, 2006 |
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Sixth Generation Chinese Director Zhang Yang (Sunflower, Quitting, Shower) has talked to The Beijing News about his next project Ye Luo Gui Gen (literal meaning: Falling Leaves Settle on Their Roots). Inspired by a true story, Ye Luo Gui Gen is a black comedy about a migrant worker traveling thousands of miles to sent dead friend's body of his decease friend home. Zhang will put the focus on the life of millions of farmers, who migrate to big cities to work as cheap labor at construction sites and factories. Zhang's long-time working partner, producer Peter Loehr said the script and funding were almost done, and shooting would begin by May or June. |
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March 6, 2006 |
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The principal shooting of Jackie Chan's Project BB is almost complete. These snapshots show Jackie Chan chasing the bad guys, who has kidnapped the baby, and Louis Koo tries to get onto the baddie's vehicle from the hood. In the comedy action by New Police Story director Benny Chan, Jackie Chan plays a gambling-addicted thief who, alone with two other crooks (Michael Hui and Louis Koo), kidnapped the infant grandson of the richest woman in town (On-On Yu). The original plan was to hand over the baby to a gang leader (Zhang Tielin) for some quick cash, but the middle man is unexpected detained by the police and three kidnappers have to deal with the baby by themselves. Somehow, the little hostage warms their hearts and they decide to do the right thing against the order of the gang leader.
Related stories: More PROJECT BB Location Photos (Sina.com) February 6, 2006PROJECT BB Location Photos (Sina.com) February 4, 2006PROJECT BB Is Under Way in Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 16, 2006Jackie Chan Engages in Baby-Kidnapping PROJECT BB (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 2, 2006 |
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DRAGON TIGER GATE Press Conference (The Hong Kong Sun) | |||
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March 6, 2006 |
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A press conference for promoting Dragon Tiger Gate was held last Saturday in Macao. There were not much new from the press conference but some pictures.
Related stories: DRAGON TIGER GATE Official Site Launched (DragonTigerGateMovie.com) February 8, 2006DRAGON TIGER GATE Poster Designs (Sina.com) January 26, 2006DRAGON TIGER GATE Production Photos from Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 7, 2006DRAGON TIGER GATE Preview Video (Sina.com) December 19, 2005DRAGON TIGER GATE Promotional Stills (Beijing Times) October 22, 2005 Production of DRAGON TIGER GATE Begins (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 1, 2005
DRAGON SQUAD Official Site with A
Trailer
(DragonSquad.hk)
September 29, 2005
Donnie Yen's
DRAGON AND TIGER GATE Will Go into Production This Fall
(DonnieYen.net) September 26, 2005 Donnie Yen Preps MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER / GATE OF DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) August 2, 2005
Donnie Yen in Negotiation for MEGA
DRAGON AND TIGER (MonkeyPeaches
Exclusive)
March 27, 2005
Donnie Yen To Helm Film
Adaptation Of Comic Series MEGA DRAGON AND TIGER
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
June 24, 2003 |
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March 5, 2006 |
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Brokeback Mountain wins in the categories of best director, best adapted screenplay and best original score, while loses the title of best picture. Thank you, Mr. Lee An. Memoirs of a Geisha collected three technical awards - best costume design, best art direction and best cinematography.
Related Story: Ang Lee's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Sweeps BAFTA with Four Wins (BAFTA.co.uk) February 20, 2006Ang Lee's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Receives Eight Oscar Nominations (Oscar.com) January 31, 2006Ang Lee's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Collected Four Golden Globes (...) January 16, 2006Venice Golden Lion Goes to BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, Hail to Ang Lee (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 10, 2005 |
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More THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Design Sketches (Sina.com / The Beijing News) |
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March 5, 2006 |
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The Beijing News (a newspaper) has posted three more character design sketches.
Related stories: THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Design Sketches (Sina.com) February 28, 2006THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Opening Ceremony (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 24, 2006Spy Photos of THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Set (Sina.com) February 23, 2006A Star Will Born in THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 22, 2006THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Shooting Begins Tomorrow (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 21, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS in Lavish Preproduction (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 18, 2006Singer Jay Chou Joins Zhang Yimou's GOLDEN ARMORS? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) February 13, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS Preproduction Update (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 29, 2006GOLDEN ARMORS Plot Speculation (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 24, 2006Update on Zhang Yimou's AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 12, 2006Zhang Yimou Will Return to Hengdian World Studios for AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) December 10, 2005Set Design for Zhang Yimou's AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) November 18, 2005
Zhang Yimou / Chow Yun-Fat / Gong Li
Project - AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE?
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
August 5, 2005
Zhang Yimou Wants Chow Yun-Fat and
Gong Li for his Third Martial-Art Piece?
(MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
June 27,
2005 |
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Li Shaohong to Build a Thrilling GATE or DOOR (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 4, 2006 |
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Mainland Chinese woman director Li Shaohong recently told a few Beijing-based newspapers that her next project would be a thriller titled Men (literal meaning: Gate or Door), based on San Cha Kou (literal meaning: Folk in the Road), which first appeared on the Internet. Men is about a man who is trying to get his memory back and during the process, he continues to discover that he has betrayed and has been betrayed by others. Young actor Chen Kun is cast for the role. Shooting will begin this March or April in Chinese cities of Wuhan and Chongqing. Li said she had two other projects also in development. The first one is Qing Long Yan Yue Dao (literal meaning: The Blade of a Green Dragon Blocking the Moon), a fictitious story of Chinese general Guan Yu (160 - 219). Li has contacted Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhang Ziyi for the lead roles and so for no commitment has been made. Another work-in-progress project is Qian N?/font> Yi Qian Nian (literal meaning: The Millennium Beauty), written by Tai An-Ping Chiu and is set up as a follow-up to A Chinese Ghost Story. Since the late 1980s, Li Shaohong has directed nine films, including two TV films, and three TV series. Her latest work, Stolen Life, was picked as the Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. |
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Joan Chen to Launch Fu Sang / THE LOST DAUGHTER OF HAPPINESS (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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March 4, 2006 |
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According to Chinese Business View, Joan Chen has planned to put the film version of Fu Sang / The Lost Daughter of Happiness into production this year. Written by Yan Geling, the book follows the life of a young Chinese girl named Fusang, who is kidnapped and sold into prostitution in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Yan is also involved in the project as a producer. Joan Chen has been pushing the film project since 2000, at least, and in the past five years, actresses like Zhou Xun, Shu Qi and most recently, Zhang Ziyi, were rumored for playing the lead role. China's Xi'an Film Group and an US studio are currently attached to the project, which is expected to cost over US$25 million. Related story: Hsu Chi Will Lead Joan Chen's FUSANG (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) September 10, 2001 |
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WU JI / THE PROMISE's Day Is Set for North America (D. Mac / aka. "Antibody" / HSX) |
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March 3, 2006 |
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Warner Bros. has picked May 5 to launch Chen Kaige's Wu Ji / The Promise. According to the plan, distribution will first focus on the top 20 markets, then will expand starting May 26 and will reach to a moderate scale by May 26. Under the label of Warner Independent Pictures, the version will be released is 102 minute long, reedited from the original 121 minute version by The Weinstein Co. the ex-distributor, and is attached with a new beginning and a new ending, which are presumably more understandable. (Thanks to Maria Leung.)
Related stories: Post by D. Mac (aka. "Antibody") The Promise North American release details, Kaiju Shakedown
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March 3, 2006 |
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Production Weekly reports that filming of Rouge will begin next Monday in Vancouver. The actioner is about an FBI officer (Jason Statham) starts a deadly game of cat and mouse with an infamous assassin (Jet Li). Jet Li has said Fearless was his last wushu movie, Rogue must be a kung fu / martial-art movie or a movie with kung fu / martial-art.
(Thanks to Jet Liang.)
Related stories: Report by Jet Li official website. Breaking News: Jet Li Will Continue Doing Action Movies / Jet Li's FEARLESS Premi鑢ed in Beijing (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) January 20, 2006Will Jet Li Reunite with Jason Stantham in ROGUE? (Production Weekly) January 19, 2006Nadine Velazquez to star in Rogue (ComingSoon.net) February 28, 2006 |
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Opening This Week: February 25 - March 3, 2006 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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FMarch 3, 2006 |
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A lonely old lady forms an unusual friendship with a young woman walks into her courtyard to look for a place to stay, four successful women gather together to talk about their not so successful life, and a young woman is about to loose a breast to cancer and earn the love of a man... |
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March 2, 2006 |
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Video 1: Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li and the costumes. Video 2: The set visited by Oliver Stone.
Related stories: |
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