The Happenings

-- Missing --

The underwater ruins off Yonaguni coast are exquisite, invaluable, and captivating beyond imagination. The ruins show the advancement of the civilisation over 10 thousand years ago, before the city was flooded, remaining submerged under the sea to the present day. It makes Tsui Hark wonder why no one has given a serious thought about how the priceless treasure could serve as a warning to us on avoiding a repeat of history.

"Actually, it isn't in my element to do a suspense/mystery. However, as I took a keen interest on the ancient citadel, and also thought that weaving a romantic tale with it would be meaningful, I came up with the story." In Missing, Tsui Hark wishes to show the ancient civilisation, the relationships between (Wo)Man and environment, the thoughts and concerns of people dwelling in city.

Looking at the gradually evanescing remnants of the historical civilisation inevitably reminds Tsui Hark of the crisis the Earth is facing in the 21st century - global warming: melting of Arctic ice at an alarming rate that results in release of methane from the seabed and rising sea level... The Earth is facing such serious global threats. What are the causes. What would happen to our world 50 years later? How could we change our lifestyles to salvage the situation?

-- Missing --

Filming of Missing took place in four major locations - Hong Kong, Shanghai, Japan and Taiwan. Apart from Yonaguni Island, underwater photography was also carried out off a few Taiwanese coasts.

Training in scuba diving began in March 2007. In April, the production arrived in Okinawa, spending a week acclimatising themselves with the water conditions and climate. A Taiwan scuba diving coach Xie and his four assistants were employed to assist in filming, for they are familiar with the underwater conditions in Japan and Taiwan.

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

Having worked with Yuen Wo Ping a number of times, Ngai Sing, who plays Jade Warlord in the recently released Forbidden Kingdom, describes him as one of martial arts directors he most enjoys working with. Whenever Yuen Wo Ping invites him to join a project, he would not turn down him down.

Ngai Sing, who is expected to join Yuen Wo Ping's upcoming directorial project Iron Mask, elaborates, "Yuen Wo Ping's techniques change and improve with the advancement of technology and filmmaking, he is vastly different from some of the older generations who are not receptive to changes or new ideas. Yuen Wo Ping is often willing to listen to suggestions of younger filmmakers, he is willing to employ their creative ideas, and combined with his years of experience in martial arts choreography, re-works on his own ideas. His martial arts direction often tells a story, like a graceful, beautiful ballet.