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Donnie Yen Defines the Art of Practical Combat Onscreen

Watching Movie, 13/7/2007
Zhu Qin
 

 
I heard that the concept of mixed martial arts is implemented in the upcoming summer movie Flash Point.
Donnie Yen: Mixed martial arts, a combat sport that has become popular in the West in the recent years, is an effective fighting system that employs a vast array of different martial arts techniques. Each contestant possesses a variety of martial arts techniques such as Jujitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, etc. I believe this is the most authentic type of combat. I have been researching, studying and learning it. I introduced some of it in SPL - Brazilian Ju-jitsu.

-- City Without Mercy --

Ray Lui, Ngai Sing (Collin Chou), and Shi Xing Yu are joining City Without Mercy 《破军》 as the main villains, who are also masters of fighting. They are expected to have some solid fights against police officers played by Donnie Yen and Louis Koo in this Wilson Yip's follow up to SPL (but is not a sequel per se). Main female roles are being played Fan Bing Bing, who stars in the upcoming Battle of Wits by Cheung Chi Leung, which is perhaps the only period production worth anticipating this year, and Xu Qing. Fan Bing Bing plays Louis Koo's girlfriend and is someone who is unyielding in love while Xu Qing is a high-ranking police, Donnie Yen's superior, who treads finely between good and evil and is related to the various male leads. Originally planned to take place in Macau, director Wilson Yip eventually decides to move to story back to Hong Kong, with filming be done there as well.  Shanghai News Times

-- 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.

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV Series --

Ray Lui, who's playing General Duo Duo in Seven Swords of Mt Tian, has a major battle against Fu Qing Zhu (Yu Cheng Hui) at the former's camp. On that day, Ray Lui was required to work for over ten hours yet he showed no signs of weariness. On the set, he's the most glamorous actor, for all his scenes were done with a single take, with no outtakes at all. Director Clarence Fok remarked, "Brother Lui is indeed Brother Lui, so experienced in acting."

Being set in Manchu Dynasty, all actors, except those playing the minority race, are required to have their heads shaved and put on a fake pigtail. But when Ray Lui removed his helmet, his head was still not shaved. He explained, "I have to wear helmet in the scenes we are doing right now, so I need not shave my head yet, but, eventually, I still have to part with my hair. I still have two commercials to do and I have to get them done before shaving my head."

Martial artist Xu Xiang Dong, who is also the swordplay choreographer for the series, is playing Commander Niu Gu Lu, who's Duo Duo's subordinate. Ray Lui and Xu Xiang Dong had worked together in The Great Conqueror's Concubine over ten years ago and he was glad to meet his old friend again.  Jiefang Daily

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV Series --

Being in Xinjiang for more than a month has turned Sang Wei Lin's skin swarthy. Sang Wei Lin, now 27, made his debut in Tsui Hark's Xanda. Being happy with his performance, Tsui Hark recommended him to play Wu Yuan Ying in Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series.

Sang Weilin grew up in a farm village and like most kids there, joined the military police force. His diligence in martial arts led him to becoming a Sanda champion. That was how Tsui Hark began to take notice of him and brought him into the entertainment field, lifting him out of poverty. 

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV Series --

Both Zhao Wen Zhuo and Ray Lui just arrived on the set of Filming Unit A in Xinjiang on August 20. The production was filming a scene where Chu Zhao Nan battles the Manchu soldiers when this reporter reached Wuerhe Wind City (aka City of Ghosts), a desert region with constant strong winds stirring up the sands, and infrequent sandstorms which disrupt the production.

Being an aerial combat with Chu Zhao Nan being suspended by wires, the action was done by a double. Later, Zhao Wen Zhuo, who is playing Chu Zhao Nan, got on the set personally to complete the ground-based actions of the same scene.

-- 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.

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian --

Beijing Ciwen Oriental Digital Film and TV Production's President Ma Zhong Jun made confirmation with the press that Seven Swords of Mt Tian TV series will commence production officially in August. He said Producer Tsui Hark will put all attention on the TV series before shooting the movie, which is being put on hold temporarily. Ma Zhong Jun also said Seven Swords of Mt Tian has a colossal screenplay team and Wu Jiu Xi and Liu Yu Zhu are but part of the team.  The Beijing News

Ray Lui (Lu Liang Wei), famous for his role as Zhan Zhao in Justice Bao series, indicated in an interview that he will join Seven Swords of Mt Tian serial as the duke who is all out to eliminate the Seven Swordmasters. (It appears to be Prince Duo Duo or perhaps Wu San Gui.)  Henan Press

TV version will start production in around 10 August 2004. A press conference will be held on 28 July, with the attendance of major cast members, Zhao Wen Zhuo, Ada Choi, etc, who are arriving in Xinjiang in late July. The Xinjiang recruitment drive, organised in collaboration with Xinjiang City Daily, is also coming to an end. Last Saturday(17 July), Sang Wei Lin, one of the lead actors, had already come to Xinjiang, to role play with the nominees and candidates.

The movie version of Seven Swords of Mt Tian will begin production in September or October, with Leon Lai and Charlie Yeung playing the leads. The other movie cast-members have yet to be finalised.  Xinjiang City Daily