People

-- Coweb --

Back in May 2008, 《战·无双》 (Skirmish, Peerless) Coweb, an action film by Xiong Xin Xin began production quietly. Filming has already wrapped up and Xiong Xin Xin proceeded to play a cameo role in Butterfly Lovers starring Wu Chun, Charlene Choi and Hu Ge. Coweb stars Jiang Lu Xia, Sam Lee, Kane Kosugi, Cheung Siu Fai and Mike Moller. Joe Ma, Chan Shu Chi are producing the film which is written by Chan Wing Sun.

After five years of studies at Professional Children's School, Shi Xiao Long (Aston Chen), 20, has graduated from the New York college in June and returned to China. He has made many close friends during the past few years, has grown up quite a bit and undergone various changes.

Shi Xiao Long plans to enroll at a local university, as this will allow him to do some filming in between.

Soon Shi Xiao Long will be doing an action thriller 《火线追踪》 (Huo Xian Zhui Zong) for CCTV movie channel. The project is set in 1930s Shanghai, and Shi Xiao Long will play a trainee cop. Ultimately, Shi Xiao Long aspires to break into Hollywood, and hopes to work with Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and learn from them.  Aston Chen Blog

-- Legendary Assassin --

Save for rather adorable roles in Master of Tai Chi and Young Heroes of Water Margin, former Beijing Wushu Team member 寇占文 Kou Zhan Wen has been playing major villains in various productions, such as Fist of Hero, Master Ma 2, matching Ji Chun Hua in terms of ruthlessness and menacing presence.

Most recently, Kou Zhan Wen has had a brief appearance in Fatal Move as a rival gang boss wielding dual weapons. He's also worked as martial arts director/assistant martial arts director on various occasions such as A Warrior's Tragedy, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Xanda.

-- Invisible Target --
Radwynn has kindly transcribed Philip Ng's Interview on Dragon Dynasty's version of Invisible Target. Philip Ng talked about many things that go on behind-the-scenes in the movie and working with the director Benny Chan, martial arts director Nicky Li, various co-stars Nicholas Tse, Andy On, Wu Jing, Jaycee Chan.

Below are some excerpts regarding Philip Ng's background and his thoughts on working with Wu Jing:
 

I started doing martial arts since I was very young. Traditional martial arts. I did Choy Li Fut with my father, who teaches in Chicago. And then in the summer, sometimes he would send me to Hong Kong to train Wing Chun with Wong Shun Leung. And... Which I really enjoyed, you know, I learned a lot from him. And when I was in America, actually it was funny, because I got my master's degree in art education.

Chris, introduce yourself to those who don’t know ya...
Hey Folks! I’m Chris Yen, the proud daughter of legendary martial arts master, Bow Sim Mark. I’m also the baby sister of Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen, and for those of you who has never heard of his name, look for the only Chinese hardass from ‘The Blood Pack’ in BLADE II, or the formidable ‘Wu Chow’ in Jackie Chan’s SHANGHAI KNIGHTS.

I’m also a professional actor and accomplished martial artist myself, thanks to years of arduous training at my mother’s dojo since the age of 4. I love all arts and music, especially jazz and classical, my favorite instrument is the piano, which I started playing at age 5 under the strict guidance of my dad. I think the bass and sax deliver some of the sexiest sounds. When I’m not working, I like to devote my time to the humane society and my 2 furry rescues, Rex & Yogi, whom I am totally in love with. I look forward to writing when I can as well as producing my own projects very soon. Did I also mention that I’m always open to a game of pool (billiards)? Anybody up for the challenge?   Twitch >>More<<

-- 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.

-- Grandmaster Yip Man --

Hong Kong's Long Fist gold medallist 杜宇航 To Yu Hang started his training in wushu at the age of six at Hong Kong Wushu Union's classes, before subsequently becoming Hong Kong Wushu Team member. He has recently taken part in Hong Kong leg of Olympics Torch Relay 2008 as one of the local 120 Torchbearers.

To Yu Hang has just made his screen debut in Wilson Yip's Grandmaster Yip Man, "Once, I was on a TV programme on the bus that introduced Hong Kong athletes, it happened that the boss of the a talent agency saw it, got in touch with me, asking if I would be interested to join the showbiz. We talked for a long time, he lamented about the dearth of martial artists on screen, and invited me to develop my career as an action star. I thought, since I'm still young, I should try out different things, and so I joined my agent's big family."

On the biggest reason for taking up Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan: If I were the director, I would not shoot such a movie in China. The story is too bizarre, it incongruent with Chinese culture. But the US studios think that it's fun to put everything together, such as Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon.

The storyline is very absurd, yet could be created in the West. Though to me, it's extremely ludicrous, but the US audience can accept it, so I shot it according to the script. The story is a fairy tale, just like a cartoon. I believe the scriptwriter loves Chinese culture, for he could combine Drunken Fist, Jade Emperor, Eight Immortals, Monkey King, etc. together.