Seven Swords: Post Production, Xiong Xin Xin Interview, Cannes Participation ...

He says that his biggest reward is that initially, he wanted to play the role of the ultimate villain Wind-Fire, but it was subsequently given to Sun Hong Lei, "While Sun Hong Lei does not know martial arts, the moves he performed carried very strong explosive strength, so the action was staged with persuasiveness." Xiong Xin Xin was grateful to Tsui Hark for having introduced him to Hollywood by employing him as Double Team's stunt coordinator. He was touched by Hollywood's respect for him as a martial arts choreographer, for respecting his choice and views. Finally, he says he will still be working internationally, such as an upcoming film that begins production soon in Middle East. He believes there is great potential in Mainland market. He is interested in directing TV series, for he finds the production of Mainland wuxia serials to be somewhat crude, so he hopes to improve this area.  Shanghai Youth Daily

-- The Seven Swords Official Site --

Seven Swords Official Site has been launched. Presently, it's still under construction and only available in Chinese (Traditional) but there is quite a bit of information, with more to be available, including the online game and comics.  DonnieYen.us

-- The Seven Swords --

Recently, Tsui Hark was interviewed regarding The Seven Swords. "This movie is different from my previous works, it's more poetic, be it the cinematography or fights, they are all different from what I have done in the past, I believe that this kind of poetic elegance is very rarely found in any movie at all." He said it's still too early and difficult to say if the movie will be taking part in the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. It depends on whether they could complete post-production in time. He indicates that he has put in far too much effort and time into Seven Swords (Actress Zhang Jing Chu reveals in a recent interview with The Beijing News that when Seven Swords was in production, "Tsui Hark basically did not sleep, running back and forth between two filming units. He would take a bath on returning to hotel and would at most catch forty winks in the car."), which is currently in post-production in Beijing, with some special effects to be handled in Australia. He is pushing to get things done by mid-July and have the movie released on schedule.  New Culture Daily

-- The Seven Swords in Post-Production --

Recently in Chongqing with Angie Lam for a break from work, Tsui Hark said that The Seven Swords might not be taking part in Cannes Film Festival in May as they are unlikely to make it in time. Though they have sacrificed tremendous amount of man-hours into post-production, it's still far from completion. He said that he shot The Seven Swords primarily for the audience and winning awards is secondary. He also said that The Seven Swords is different from his previous works in the manner of storytelling, and the way the logic of relationships and emotions is handled. Remaining ever cryptic, he won't elaborate any further, other than, "You will know once you've seen it."

He did not confine himself to any single formula when filming. Rather, many inspirations were formed ad lib, so, many of cast said he's one director who's impossible to please. As to the cool reception to Legend of Zu, he said he collaborated with the wrong people from the outset. He was given a very tight schedule to follow and was slightly negligent due to the rush. He discovered a major problem but did not have time to rectify. He won't be making the same mistake again. This time, he will be doing the special effects in Australia, and avoid the pitfalls of Legend of Zu. Tsui Hark, who worked with burgeoning Mainland actress Zhang Jing Chu for the first time in The Seven Swords, said she lends a primordial air. He said his next work is in preparation and it will, unlike The Seven Swords, cast new blood in the leading roles, but for now, the premise is strictly being kept classified.  Chongqing Daily