Wu-Jing.org

-- Thangka --

Director Cheung Chi Leung is working on preproduction of in a wuxia movie 《唐卡》 Thangka. Thangka refers to a type of Buddhist painting or embroidery that can be rolled up and transported easily. Concerned about the difficulties of moving Buddha statues across highlands as she's married off to Tibetan King Songtsän Gampo, Tang Princess Wencheng had them painted instead. Written by Liu Heng Dan, the film tells of a pugilist being arranged as a stand-in for Princess Wencheng by Emperor Li Shimin in order to protect her from assassination as she travels to a foreign land. Cheung Chi Leung hopes to get Andy Lau and Tang Wei to star in Thangka. Set-building has already begun, and filming, which begins sometime in 2008, is expected to take several months in Tibet.  Nanfang Daily

As opposed to many recent big-budget Chinese period productions of late, which were made to impress with elaborate sets and dandified costumes, but are ultimately lacking in plot, A Battle Of Wits, while not perfect, is a heartfelt attempt in movie-making. It's brilliantly written, and unpretentious in its presentation by not over-indulging in opulently ornate sets and spotlessly clean, garish and outlandish costumes. Although the director Cheung Chi Leung doesn't dig deep into Mohism, he still tries his best to bring out the message of universal love and peace through the selfless deeds of the Mohist follower protagonist Ge Li, and showing the traumas and tragedies caused by war. A Battle of Wits is about how Ge Li helps defends a tiny State of Liang against the overwhelming troops led by the formidable general from the much larger State of Zhao, in the hope of preventing casualties and massacres. At the same time, he has to face treachery from the politicians of the nation he is defending. Directed by Cheung Chi Leung. Starring Andy Lau, Ahn Sung Ki, Fan Bing Bing Tak Wah, Wang Zhi Wen, Nicky Wu, Zensyo Sakamoto, with cameos from Yu Cheng Hui, Xu Xiang Dong, Chin Siu Ho.

The 2-Disc Special Edition of A Battle of Wits, to be released on 1 Feb,  comes with 86 minutes extras, including teasers and trailers, a making-of featurette, premier clips, interviews with Jacob Cheung, Andy Lau, and Nicky Wu, photo gallery, etc. Available from YesAsia.

-- Seven Swordsmen TV Series DVD with English Subtitles --

Taiseng is releasing the epic wuxia adaptation Seven Swordsmen TV series on DVD that includes English subtitles. Those finding the movie version disjointed or felt too rushed in some parts will appreciate the details in the TV version, which has a more coherent feel. It also features a more dynamic, ethnic soundtrack, and great audio and visuals. While boasting a cast of top martial artists from Mainland, save for a rare few scenes, the fights aren't especially worth lauding thanks to the quirky-editings. 

In Seven Swordsmen, Tsui Hark sets forth to to provide a logical explanation to the events before the original Liang Yu Sheng novel Seven Swords of Mt Tian, telling how The Seven Swords are formed, introducing new characters and fresh plotlines of scintillating intrigues and twists. He also explores the complex inner world of Chu Zhao Nan, whose ideals, beliefs and pride get shattered time and again once he sets foot onto the mundane world, which results in his change.

 In this wuxia saga set in 17th century China, the Manchurians have taken over the country from the Ming dynasty rulers. As the new Ching government begins a crackdown on martial arts practitioners, seven kung fu masters, each of whom carry a sword that represents one of the seven states of being, must struggle to keep their art and themselves alive. Based on the classic martial arts novel by renowned novelist Liang yusheng, Seven Swords is an epic story of love betrayal, friendship, heroism and masterful swordplay.

Directed by Jacob Cheung Chi Leung, Clarence Fok Yiu Leung. Cast includes Zhao Wen Zhuo, Yu Cheng-Hui, Xu Xiang Dong, Ji Chun-Hua, Qiao Zhen Yu, Sang Wei-Lin, Sun Jian Kui, Ada Choi, Li Xiao Ran, Wang Li Kun, Edell Ai Dai, Ray Lui, Wang Xue Bing, Leung Kar Yan...

Seven Swordsmen DVD ships on May 19 and maybe ordered from YesAsia.

Battle of Wits, a US$16 million movie jointly produced by China, Japan and Korea, is set in BC 370 Spring Autumn Warring Period, in which the powerful Zhao tries to conquer the weaker Liang. Ge Li, a Mohist who advocates benevolence rather rather than war, is sent to help Liang fight against the marauding nation, with contradiction between war and peace being the main theme of the movie, in which a gripping story emerges from amongst the feudal lords and populace. Director Cheung Chi Leung, who denies giving up arthouse movies for martial arts movies, says that his movie is always about love, which is a trait of everyone, be they commoners and pugilists. It's just that he uses other means to express love this time. Starring Andy Lau, Fan Bing Bing, Wang Zhi Wen, Lin Yong Jian, Nicky Wu, Chin Siu Ho, Wu Ma, Anh Sung Ki.  Sohu, Xiao Xiang News | Photos: Sohu, Sina | Video: Sina

-- Battle of Wits --

Production of Battle of Wits 《墨攻》has begun on Oct 7. Recently, an epic battle scene was shot on Inner Mongolia steppes. To highlight the wisdom and courage of Ge Li (Andy Lau), who comes from the House of Mo, director Cheung Chi Leung planned out various battle formations and strategies. Well over 1000 actors were employed for the scene, including 700 infantries, 150 extras, 400 horses and equestrians, plus 40 full time actors. The scene took over 40 hrs to shoot, with 350 production crew working at both sides of the mountains, using four cameras and cranes. Stephen Tung Wei directs the action. Cast includes Andy Lau, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Ma, Nicky Wu, Chin Siu Ho, Anh Sung Ki, Sammy Hung. Today Evening News

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian 2 --

40 episodes Seven Swords of Mt Tian 《七剑下天山》 TV series, currently in post-production, is set for release in October, says Ciwen Digital's president Ma Zhong Jun. Seven Swords of Mt Tian 2, the final and concluding chapter to the 2-part wuxia saga, is slated to begin production by early 2006. The first draft of the script has been completed, and based on Tsui Hark's intention, there will be at least 30 episodes. The original crew, Tsui Hark, Cheung Sing Yim, Cheung Chi Leung, etc, will continue to work on Seven Swords of Mt Tian 2, which relates to the second generation Swordmasters. Whether the original cast-members such as Zhao Wen Zhuo and Ada Choi, etc, whose characters become supporting roles in the sequel, will return is contingent upon their schedule.  Nanfang City Daily

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV Series --

On October 20, this reporter visited the set of Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series in Hengdian. Yuen Bun, the new martial arts director, would demonstrate every stunt himself and was particularly demanding.

When interviewed in the evening, he said that he was facing tremendous pressure. While he understands what kind of action he has to choreograph and the visuals, he wasn't exactly sure of what Tsui Hark wants. He says this is the most difficult job he has ever done.

Cast and Crew on Seven Swords

Back in the 1970s, when TVB was making a TV adaptation Liang Yusheng's Jade Bow, Tsui Hark sought hard to direct the TV series, only to be rejected by TVB's powers that be on the grounds that he had never done wuxia before. It had a major impact on Tsui Hark, who has since then set out to produce exemplary wuxia productions.

Tsui Hark says he intends to make Seven Swords China's answer to Lord of the Rings trilogy. He says because of the sheer scope of the novel, a total of six movies will be made, "In Liang Yusheng's original novel, many people die at the very beginning, such as Yang Yun Cong. The development of the story, of The Seven Swords are thus incomplete. So, I thought, firstly, I had to define the skeleton of the characters very clearly, in order to allow ample room for the story.

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV Series --

On 13 August, 4 pm, Xinjiang City Daily's reporters accompanied Producer Wang Yong to the set of Seven Sword of Mt Tian series at Tiechanggou. On the set were Sang Wei Lin, Qiao Zhen Yu, Wang Li Kun and child actors Liu Xiang Yu and Tang Kai Cheng, etc. On that day, they were shooting at a sunflower meadow.

Liu You Fang (Wang Li Kun) has just mastered the arts and descended the mountain, and Mu Lang (Qiao Zhen Yu), in order to test her skills, asks her to pierce at him, "just like piercing the sunflowers." Liu You Fang is hesitant, for the fear of hurting her lover. Under Mu Lang's encouragement, Liu You Fang eventually attacks with her sword... and the two begin an exciting duel.

This scene which lasts for two minutes were shot repeatedly for countless times. Newcomer Wang Li Kun was rather nervous and had difficulty entering her role, and her lines were not delivered without errors. The director Clarence Fok was especially patient.

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian --

As Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series is about to begin production this Saturday at the foot of Mt Tian, Ciwen Digital's President Ma Zhong Jun shed some light on the project. He said the first 36 episodes of Seven would be filmed first. Each episode is budgeted at 1 million yuan.

Tsui Hark, Cheung Sing Yim, Cheung Chi Leung and Clarence Fok would work hand in hand on this work. Zhao Wen Zhuo, Sang Wei Lin, Ji Chun Hua, Wang Xue Bing, Qiao Zhen Yu, Wang Li Kun and Yu Cheng Hui will play the first Seven Swordmasters. Other cast members include Ada Choi, and Ray Lui. Liu Ye and Guo Jin An will play cameo roles.