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-- Detective Dee --

Tsui Hark will direct period martial arts suspense thriller Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame in Hong Kong, Beijing, Hangzhou and Henan beginning in May 2009, with proposed release in summer 2010.

With a $13 million budget, a script by Chen Kuofu and production by Chen Kuofu, Tsui Hark's wife and partner Nansun Shi and Peggy Lee, Tsui Hark and Huayi Brothers will bring to life an imagined case solved by a real Tang Dynasty detective Di Ren Jie, to be played by Andy Lau.

When the mysterious deaths of a series of loyal subjects threaten to delay the 690 A.D. inauguration of Empress Wu Zetian, China's only female leader, she summons the infamous Detective Dee back from an exile into which she cast him eight years earlier.

"They had such an interesting relationship of hatred, love and passion," said Tsui Hark, who is focused on finding the perfect empress to play opposite Andy Lau. "She was the sole one, the first and last empress in China, who claimed to be very iron-fisted, using all these cruel methods in handling her politics. At the same time she was very smart, using all the intelligent people she selected for her cabinet."

Detective Dee accepts the challenge and partners with gung-ho Commander Bei and the Ghost Doctor, a master of disguise, to solve the crimes. Tsui Hark has not yet chosen actors to play the rest of the historical figures.  The Hollywood Reporter

-- Chasing Shadow -

Chasing Shadow, a wuxia movie co-directed by Francis Ng and Marco Mak, produced by Huayi Brothers, starring Francis Ng, Pace Wu, Jaycee Chan, began production without much fanfare in early December 2008. Ma Yuk Sing provides the action choreography while the screenplay was written by Chinese film critic Wei Jun Zi.

 Press conference marking the camera rolling inauguration of 100m 《机器侠》 yuan Robot/Kungfu Cyborg Attraction (working title), a co-production by Leshi Zhenwei Productions, Mei Ah and HTV Film was held on December 15 morning in Ningbo. Director Jeffrey Lau, cast members Hu Jun, Sun Li, Ronald Cheng, Wu Jing, Alex Fong, Gan Wei turned up to unveil the mysteries behind this romantic sci-fi kungfu comedy.

-- Hot-blooded Union --
A while back at a press conference for Legendary Assassin, Paco Wong mentioned giving actor/martial arts director Kou Zhan Wen a chance to direct a teen movie. And he's making good his promise with 《热血同盟》 Hot-blooded Union, Kou Zhan Wen's directorial debut. This co-production between Beijng Polybona and Gold Typhoon, began production officially on Dec 14.

The teen idol wushu movie stars pop stars from Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong including Da Zhang Wei, Owodog Zhuang, Wayne Liu, Therasa Fu, some real-life martial artists such as 张驰 Zhang Chi.

The movie is about some teens, having a common goal - pursuit of wushu - eventually turn from enemies to friends, and forming an alliance. Da Zhang Wei plays a wisecracking person who strives to learn wushu, but creates a series of nonsensical situations instead. Owodog Zhuang plays a rich, rebellious, terse, aloof kungfu kid.

Director Kou Zhan Wen indicates, "The action scenes in most films today rely on special effects and editing, but we insist on doing our own stunts in this film. I know that many of the cast members are singers, but they have undergone specialised training for a short period in Beijing. I respect their effort, and hope that we can complete this film smoothly."

Wu Jing was also spotted on the set while they're filming at Lucerne Lake Villa in Miyun, Beijing.   Sina | Video: Sohu

-- True Legend --

True Legend is currently being filmed in an indoor set created on a soundstage in Huairou, Beijing. Seen on the set are director Yuen Wo Ping, cast members Zhao Wen Zhuo, Cung Le, Guo Xiao Dong, Jacky Heung, etc. The set features a brigand stockade built on a mountain.

-- Ip Man --

Ip Man gala premiere was held in Beijing on December 10, attended by producer Raymond Wong, director Wilson Yip, martial arts choreographer Sammo Hung, the cast members Donnie Yen (and his wife), Lynn Hung, Fan Siu Wong, who wowed the audience with a highly impressive martial arts display, as well as Yip Chun, Daniel Chan, Hu Yan Bin and others.

Donnie Yen says that it took him 9 months before he truly comprehended Wing Chun, and also incorporated some of his ideas. In the movie, the quick, successive punches are no special effects, but a result of his training, and he was actually having much difficulty delivering such a chain of supersonic moves, having to endure the pains from his ailing right shoulder.

In Ip Man, what they wish to convey is not the ostentation of kungfu, but its inner cultivation, it's a film promulgating Chinese martial arts philosophy. It's not about fighting, but understanding of martial arts essence through sparring, swapping pointers with each other.
 

Sammo Hung hopes to eulogise grandmaster Ip Man with pure kungfu, "Nowadays, you only see special effects in action films, but no real kungfu. Kungfu has gone above the sentient world, becoming impracticable. I hope to let the people see that fistplay can be humanly attainable, returning to the original forms. Wing Chun is a simple kungfu that anyone can pick up, I have no reason not to use real kungfu."

Wilson Yip says they intend to make a series out of Ip Man franchise, and hope to shoot the sequel next April. Ip Man opens on December 12 in China, and across other Asian territories next week.  Sina, Beijing Youth Daily

On December 9, gala premiere of the romantic comedy All About Women was held in Beijing, attended by the director Tsui Hark and cast members Zhou Xun, Gui Lun Mei, Zhang Yu Qi, Stephen Fung, Eddie Peng etc.

In the film, Zhou Xun is an antiquated doctor who petrifies upon contact with any man. Kwai Lun Mei plays a rock band singer who has violent inclinations, and often hallucinates about having a perfect boyfriend. Zhang Yu Qi is a self-centred entrepreneur who doesn't believe in having a boyfriend.

-- Somebody to Love --
Here's the trailer to Somebody to Love, a self-financed short action film directed by Seamus Walsh, starring Philip Ng, shot over 7 days: Youtube.

The 25 minute film is expected to be completed by end of January 2009. And director Seamus Walsh is looking into releasing the film via internet on streaming format or even on high definition download.

-- Legendary Assassin --

Following Legendary Assassin's Beijing premiere, Nicky Li, Wu Jing, Celina Jade and Paco Wong proceeded to its premiere screenings in other Chinese cities including Nanchang, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. In Hong Kong, they were joined in by Ken Lo, various Gold Label artistes Ronald Cheng, Alex Fong, Stephy Tang, etc. while Celina Jade sang the theme song on the stage.

-- Robot --
Jeff Lau says that Robot succeeds the slapstick comedy and narrative style he employed in A Chinese Odyssey, but the major difference being various factors change with times. Robot is set against science-fiction backdrop, and robots in the film will not be restricted to just one or two. While the film will carry comical elements, romantic elements, and Jeff Lau elements, it will be very different from his earlier works, giving the audience an exciting novelty.

-- Ip Man --

Test screening for Ip Man was held in Beijing on Dec 4. Based on the survey sheets returned by the audience, it's an unanimous recommendation. Donnie Yen's portrayal of Yip Man was billed as the year's best performance. Donnie Yen has acquitted himself well as a great master, besting his two other works this year. High marks were also given to Fan Siu Wong, Lam Ka Tung, and Lynn Hung.

The first half of the film is filled with more laidback, humourous moments, amply showing Ip Man's kungfu. The second half is thoughtful, stirring and nationalistic, amply showing Ip Man's grandmaster spirit. As a traditional kungfu film, Ip Man's martial arts scenes were awarded 8 to 9 out of 10 by 85% of the audience, while full marks were given by the rest.

Ip Man's premiere and release date in China have been brought forward to December 10 and December 12 respectively.  Beijing Times