The Happenings

On January 30, the media was allowed visit to the set of Wushu, which is about 5 kids training rigorously at a wushu school, eventually making some accomplishments in the field, and spreading wushu ethos.

Director Antony Szeto, who's also choreographing the action scenes, says that the film employs only realistic combat scenes, with almost no doubling or special effects. They will show be showing a diverse range of Chinese wushu on the screen, including Southern Fist, Sanda, etc.

Painted Skin is based on a story by Pu Song-ling. The tales of supernatural horrors collected in his Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the classic A Chinese Ghost Story (and its sequels), Li Han-hsiang’s Enchanting Shadow and King Hu’s Cannes award-winning A Touch Of Zen. Painted Skin (Hua Pi) was previously filmed by Fong Pao (in 1966) and again, in 1993, as the final film of King Hu. The current version is a Hong Kong-Chinese co-production, and its to the credit of director Gordon Chan’s script that the project was approved by the state censors, who tend to frown on stories focusing on ‘superstitious’ elements.  Bey Logan Blog >>More<<

After making brief appearances in Seven Swords, Fox Volant of Snowy Mountain, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu, Angela Chen Jia Jia lands a leading role in upcoming 31 episodes kungfu TV series 《董海川传奇》 Legend of Dong Hai Chuan, which is based on real-life events of Bagua Zhang (Eight Trigram Palm) founder Dong Hai Chuan from late Manchurian Dynasty. She will be playing the romantic interest of Dong Hai Chuan. Li Qi Long (aka Shi De Qiang, Tom Lee) will play the title role as young Dong Hai Chuan, while the fifth generation disciple of Eight Trigram Palm Wu Guang Yu will play middle-aged Dong Hai Chuan. Famous Bagua Zhang exponents Mou Jun Dong, Li Yun Long have also been invited to assist in coaching of Bagua Zhang.

-- Painted Skin --

Painted Skin is wrapping up on Feb 2 or so and the production is currently spending two weeks to shoot the finale. Sun Li's role, as well as more of the plot, has been revealed. She comes from a family of exorcists and it's her onus to get rid of the fox vixen Zhou Xun. However, she's a bumbling neophyte with mediocre skills and nobody believes a word when she says that there is a fox spirit for she lacks concrete evidence, even though she has a demon detector. Sun Li also provides comic relief. While she carries an arsenal of talismans and magical devices with her all the time, finding the right item at the right time to deal with demons is a challenge.

-- Five Disciples of Master Wong --

Five Disciples of Master Wong TV series focuses on the stories of, well, the five renowned disciples of Wong Fei Hung, namely Leung Foon, Clubfoot Seven, Lam Sai Wing, Bucktooth Su, and Moon, starting from how they become accepted by Wong Fei Hung, who was unwilling initially, as his disciples and how they eventually join forces to fight against the mastermind behind illegal opium trade. Max Mok, Xiong Xin Xin and Kent Cheng return as Leung Foon, Clubfoot Seven and Lam Sai Wing. Xiong Xin Xin also directs the action which appears to be realistic and hard-hitting. Trailer: Sina | Order DVD: YesAsia

-- The Shao Lin Warriors (Shaolin Temple: Monks and Marines) --

Filming of  36 episodes 《少林僧兵》 The Shaolin Warriors TV series has wrapped up recently and is now undergoing post-production. The cast includes Sammo Hung, Cui Lin, Li Man, Sammy Hung, Liu Ying, Jeanette Aw, Qin Yan, Christopher Lee, Cui Peng. Director Raymond Lee says in an interview on January 16 that he loves Cheung Sing Yim's Shaolin Temple, and filming Shao Lin Warriors TV series is a fulfilment of his childhood dreams. Shaolin Temple: Monks and Marines is about Shaolin monks joining General Qi Ji Guang's marines to help defend the nation against Japanese pirates. Shao Lin Warriors is scheduled for release later this year.

-- Interview with Jet Li --

Jet Li, the multi-talented star who counts martial arts, acting and extensive humanitarian work among his many accomplishments, joined CNN's Anjali Rao for a special edition of "Talk Asia" filmed in front of a live audience in Hong Kong. Li reveals how martial arts led him to Hollywood fame, his thoughts on meeting the U.S. president, his relationship with the Dalai Lama, and how the 2004 tsunami changed his perspective on life.  CNN >>More<<