Images

Over 10 million yuan and around 4 months were spent on building the 1:1 life-size replica of Shaolin Temple in Yanshi, Yongkang. Some structures or props of the new Shaolin Temple were actually built larger for ease of filming or to impart a more numinous feel, such as the towering giant Buddha statue.

Continue reading "Shaolin: Andy Lau Teams up with Wu Jing, Xing Yu and Yu Shao Qun Against Nicholas Tse and Xiong Xin Xin"

From Wu Jing's February 26, 2010 blog entry:

To experience life in Shaolin
To be better immersed in character
With the intention of paying respect to Shaolin
Staying for seven days in Shaolin Temple to practise Zen

Whether it is practising martial arts, meditating, filming, calligraphy
Tea appreciation, discussing Tao, doing business, or falling in love
They are but a voyage of self-discovery, the process of illuminating, perfecting oneself
To boost one's own confidence, calmly facing trials and tribulations in life

Buddha - an enlightened being

 

-- Shaolin --
Here are some early mages of director Benny Chan and action director Corey Yuen, as well as cast members Andy Lau, Wu Jing, Xing Yu and Nicholas Tse rehearsing on the set of Shaolin in Hengdian, courtesy of Netease and Sina.

 

 

It appears that both Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse are warlords initially, while Wu Jing is originally a monk. Though this is likely to change drastically as the film progresses, with the former becoming monks while the latter turns into a treacherous warlord. Yu Hai, 68, is playing the Shaolin abbot, Wu Jing's mentor. Jackie Chan would soon be joining the production for his cameo as a Shaolin chef with concealed skills.

 

-- True Legend --
 There are only two scenes - Thousand-Buddha Cliff and Thousand-Snake Cavern - in True Legend which are in 3D, clocking around 20 minutes in all. Both use different 3D-technologies and finale between Zhao Wen Zhuo and Andy On in the Thousand-Snake Cavern is significantly better, with clearer, more palpable images and 3D effects, as well as better fighting.
 
 The Thousand-Buddha Cliff is an imagined place which sees Beggar Su (Zhao Wen Zhuo) raising his martial arts skills under the guidance of Whitebeard (Gordon Liu) and through his sparring with Lord of Martial Arts. It's rather jarring watching this scene as the audience have to keep putting on and removing the 3D lenses as it's interrupted occasionally by other scenes, which are in 2D.
 
 But why is the film not in full 3D? Director Yuen Wo Ping explains, "Producing a 3D film consumes lots of human resources as well as material resources. It already took over 100 digital artists slogging day and night for over half a year to create these two 3D fight scenes. Initially, I had hoped to make this a full 3D film, but the budget was really astronomical, requiring US$200m to 300m, and the post-production would take 5 years. So, I picked the two most important action scenes to be in 3D."
 
 Alternatively, Yuen Wo Ping might take a leaf out of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' book, which was shot in 2D, but converted to 3D at US$5m per film or US$10m for both parts.
 
 The script, written by Du Zhi Lang, follows the tried and tested forumla typical of kungfu films, and is said to bear close resemblance to Fearless that she also wrote: From Su Can's arrogant beginning to being badly beaten, demoralised and thrown into Yellow River, through his healing in a paradise-like place and elevation of his level of martial arts, to his return to fight the villain plus foreigner challengers. Still, Yuen Wo Ping finds the script to be pretty good, as Beggar Su's emotions are handled very well, and it has great character development, like how Beggar Su gradually becomes a great master.  Netease, Sina

 Set against backdrop of the boundless, arid, desolate desert in the western part of China, revolving around the three polar groups: detectives, runaway convicts, and assassins, Tempest of the Westerly Winds explores the hope for survival, the true meaning of love, the final resting place of destiny as the three groups keep each other in check and struggle against each other. Continue reading "Nicky Li Responds to Gao Qun Shu's Call to Give Everyone a Tempestuous Ride on Tempest of the Westerly Winds"

With True Legend's release date drawing nearer, more and more videos and stills from the film are surfacing. The gala premiere will be held in Beijing on January 31, possibly attended by some Hollywood personages. In addition, True Legend, as well as Little Big Soldier, will get a special screening at 60th Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Continue reading "True Legend: More Images, Footages, and Yet More Yuen Wo Ping Pep Talk"

-- Legend of Chen Zhen --
After watching a sample reel and production stills from Legend of Chen Zhen, the producers, being very happy with the results, are increasing the budget by 20m yuan to 120m yuan, for use mainly in post-production, as they intend to hire Hollywood special effects team to give the film a more polished look.

When conceptualising Legend of Chen Zhen, Gordon Chan hoped to do something that has never been done by Chinese directors, but he felt very pressurised after finishing the script, "After having the script written, I dared not direct by myself, so whom should I work with? Andrew Lau and Donnie Yen came to my mind. Even though during the initial meetings, we had very fierce debates over the script and the nature of the character, but it was precisely because of such a tense atmosphere that we quickly developed a great rapport, fast turning it into a very happy collaboration.

"When I first talked to Donnie Yen on this film, he asked me if there was such a need to take such a risk. For the story and the character are all new, and it's a very audacious move. I told him, if we were not enterprising enough, and simply go about shooting a Huo Yuan Jia or Chen Zhen story that everyone is familiar with, we would just be repeating ourselves, it's not creativity and challenge.

"Everyone's doing a pretty good job on this film, but the biggest surprise to me comes from Donnie Yen. In this film, Donnie Yen has yet elevated himself to another level, whether it is drama or action. He is bound to become a superstar in 2010, and be crowned Best Actor at Hong Kong Film Awards the following year.

   

"This film is more drama oriented. We don't have minor brawls strewn all over the film. We are concentrating on a few more important fight scenes."

 

Producer Zhang Zhao says, "The action in this film is rather unusual, it's like Spider-man, going from top to bottom, or going up from below, something like that."

 

Andrew Lau says that they hare having a great time working together on the set, and both he and Donnie Yen are eager to shoot a sequel.  Sina

Video: This is like Spider-man, say the producers  Sohu

It had long been the wish of Sin Kwok Lam, a longtime martial arts practitioner and shrewd businessman and capitalist who is a major player in Hong Kong financial sector and has even published a controversial book on big corporations swallowing up small firms last year, to bring the account of his grandmaster Yip Man to screen, but he couldn't find any filmmakers willing enough to take the risk as Yip Man was little known. Continue reading "And thus, Ip Man, The Legend, is Born"

《西风烈》

Director: Gao Qun Shu

Screenplay: Gao Qun Shu

Cinematography: Du Jie

Art Direction: Xiao Hai Hang

Action & Car Stunts: Nicky Li

Composer: Han Jae Kwon

Principal Photography: Late Oct 2009 to Feb 2010

Release: Mid 2010

Cast: Duan Yi Hong, Ni Da Hong, Wu Jing, Zhang Li, Francis Ng, Yu Nan, Charlie Yeung, Xia Yu, He Tie Hong, Ma Guo Wei

Cameos: Ma Su, Wang Shuang Bao, Luo Luo, Ma Zi Han, Biao Zi

 

Plot Synopsis:

On the vast and boundless desolate desert in the Western part of China, Zhang Ning (Xia Yu) and girlfriend Sun Jing (Charlie Yeung) are facing great difficulties staying afloat: on the one hand, four super sleuths are pursing them relentlessly; on the other hand, a pair of male  and female assassins are mercilessly hot on their heels too...

Continue reading "Tempest of The Westerly Winds Information"