Trailers

-- Just Another Pandora's Box --

Behind-the-scenes:

Athena Chu's multiple personalities befuddle Ada Choi

The various cast members speak

 

Some new images from Sina:

 

-- 14 Blades --
A newer 14 Blades trailer has been posted 3 weeks back on Youtube, showing the promising action in more coherence and detail.

Also, there's a behind-the-scenes footage of forest battle (non-IMAX version) on Sohu, which shows, based on some elements of the action, Donnie Yen having some input in the choreography by Ku Huen Chiu, and also how he sprained his leg as he grabbed and gyrated to throw off his opponent.

 

And finally, some images of Vicki Zhao in the film from Sina.

 

 

14 Blades' release date has been brought forward by a week to Feb 4, 2010.

 

In the meantime, Bodyguards and Assassins is doing very well in China, having crossed the 200m yuan boundary in 12 days and Peter Chan is planning a TV version of the film, providing more background on the characters.

Sina has released yet another bunch of stills from True Legend, this time containing a few images of Gordon Liu. Gordon Liu plays the role of Whitebeard, a mischievous elderly who is a doyen of martial arts. Seeing through Zhao Wen Zhuo's heart, he helps him gain deeper understanding of the essence of martial arts, pushing him to new heights. 

 

Continue reading "Gordon Liu in True Legend and Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 3"

-- Shaolin --
As Shaolin is about to go into production later this month, the cast are receiving training in either Hong Kong or Mainland. Since two months back, Andy Lau has been training under martial arts directors Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak, as well as watching videos to learn the basics of Shaolin Fist.

Recently, Reverend Yongzhi and his disciple Xing Yu (aka 延能 Yan Neng) arrived in Hong Kong to give the cast specialised training. Andy Lau has been learning Seven-Star Fist under both of them, Reverend Yongzhi's fist is quick and powerful, and he is very fastidious about each movement and footwork, while Andy Lau is working very hard on it, practising each and every stance repeatedly and mindfully. Apart from martial arts training, Andy Lau, who meditates 45 minutes daily, also went to Shaolin Temple for a three-day retreat earlier on, hoping to understand the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one, in preparation for his role in Shaolin.

Andy Lau, whose earnest attitude influences his colleagues to train with him, says, "I have never tried meditating in the temple, studying scriptures and doing not doing, I didn't even have my handphone with me, thinking of nothing, purifying my thoughts. Actually, it's possible to talk nothing for three days, I felt more at ease and free. The true meaning of Shaolin kungfu is not limited to the kungfu per se, but also relates to the cultivation of one's mind, to reach the state of union of Zen and martial arts, gaining a deeper realisation of martial spirit."

Reverend Yongzhi, who rarely takes in any disciples, and has never taught anyone else outside the premises of Shaolin Temple, is making an exception for the film Shaolin, "I hope this new Shaolin film will propagate the real meaning of Shaolin martial arts. Shaolin kungfu is not simply about fighting, it also encompasses autogenous, infinity, understanding of Self, this is the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one. It's an affinity for Andy Lau to have the chance to pick up Shaolin kungfu."  

Aside from Andy Lau, director Benny Chan reveals that Wu Jing and Yu Shao Qun would be learning Joint-lock Techniques and Sticky Hands respectively, while Nicholas Tse gets a unique set of skills specially devised for the film. However, as the three of them are busy filming in Mainland, missing the chance to be coached personally by Reverend Yong Zhi, Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak will record his movements and pass the instructions to them later. Benny Chan has also gone to Shaolin Temple with the assistant director several months back to meditate, to experience firsthand the spiritual practice of Shaolin martial arts.  Netease

  

Video: Andy Lau Training in Seven Star Fist   Sina

While promoting Bodyguards and Assassins in Shanghai on December 9, producers Peter Chan and Yu Dong gave their thanks to Donnie Yen for helping the film wrap up successfully, returning to the set after filming had ended to re-enact a fight scene without taking extra pay. They also presented Donnie Yen with a film print of the parkour fight scene, that Donnie Yen, working with Cung Le and his longstanding team of 17 stuntmen, choreographed.

Continue reading "Donnie Yen Crossing Path with Cung Le in More Ways than One"

-- Confucius --

In this biopic of Confucius, directed by Hu Mei, starring Chow Yun Fatt, Zhou Xun, Chen Kai Li, Ren Quan, Lu Yi and Chen Jian Bin, set against the backdrop of Spring and Autumn Period, the kingdom of Eastern Zhou is close to collapse, and the land is divided by feudal lords who are waging wars against each other to be the ultimate ruler.

 

Confucius, for his ideals, traverses between various states, standing alone against the times, hoping to use his transcendental philosophies and wisdom to influence the various warlords and the progress of history. But like all other sages in history, Confucius' time hasn't come, he is trapped various times in the midst of a war, with no food to eat,  gets embroiled in conspiracies, and has been misunderstood by the folks...

 

Confucius is set for release on January 28, 2010.

 

Trailer: Sina

Making of: Sina

Stills: Netease