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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"

-- 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.

 

-- Just Another Pandora's Box --

Trailer to Just Another Pandora's Box has recently been made available on Youtube

 

Just Another Pandora's Box is director Jeffrey Lau's spoof on Red Cliff, with many characters from numerous other films being brought through time using the Pandora's Box to the Three Kingdoms period and turning everything topsy-turvy. Apart from the main cast Ronald Cheng and Sun Li, it features cameos by over 50 stars, including Yuen Biao, Athena Chu, Ada Choi, Yuen Cheung Yan, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu, Xing Yu, Wu Jing, Alex Fong, Fan Siu Wong, Gillian Chung, Huang Yi, Lam Tse Chung, and more..

 

Just Another Pandora's Box opens in theatres on March 18, 2010.

Continue reading "Just Another Pandora's Box Trailer"

-- Shaolin --

As opposed the bustling press conference (that was rather rowdy and disorganised due to huge turnout) held last October, Shaolin has begun production very quietly in Hengdian in the beginning of this month. Benny Chan is keeping a low profile as usual, and Shaolin's sets are off-limits to anyone, with tight security being implemented, as some reporters snooping around, fishing for information found out. Majority of  scenes revolving around Shaolin Temple will be filmed on the custom-built set; only a handful of scenes will be shot on actual Shaolin Temple.

Apart from previously announced cast Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Wu Jing, Fan Bing Bing, Xing Yu, Yu Shao Qun, Liang Jing Ke, et al., Yu Hai and Xiong Xin Xin are also joining the production. Shooting takes around 4 to 5 months, and the film is tentatively scheduled for year-end/next Chinese New year release.

-- Shaolin --
As Shaolin is about to go into production later this month, the cast are receiving training in either Hong Kong or Mainland. Since two months back, Andy Lau has been training under martial arts directors Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak, as well as watching videos to learn the basics of Shaolin Fist.

Recently, Reverend Yongzhi and his disciple Xing Yu (aka 延能 Yan Neng) arrived in Hong Kong to give the cast specialised training. Andy Lau has been learning Seven-Star Fist under both of them, Reverend Yongzhi's fist is quick and powerful, and he is very fastidious about each movement and footwork, while Andy Lau is working very hard on it, practising each and every stance repeatedly and mindfully. Apart from martial arts training, Andy Lau, who meditates 45 minutes daily, also went to Shaolin Temple for a three-day retreat earlier on, hoping to understand the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one, in preparation for his role in Shaolin.

Andy Lau, whose earnest attitude influences his colleagues to train with him, says, "I have never tried meditating in the temple, studying scriptures and doing not doing, I didn't even have my handphone with me, thinking of nothing, purifying my thoughts. Actually, it's possible to talk nothing for three days, I felt more at ease and free. The true meaning of Shaolin kungfu is not limited to the kungfu per se, but also relates to the cultivation of one's mind, to reach the state of union of Zen and martial arts, gaining a deeper realisation of martial spirit."

Reverend Yongzhi, who rarely takes in any disciples, and has never taught anyone else outside the premises of Shaolin Temple, is making an exception for the film Shaolin, "I hope this new Shaolin film will propagate the real meaning of Shaolin martial arts. Shaolin kungfu is not simply about fighting, it also encompasses autogenous, infinity, understanding of Self, this is the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one. It's an affinity for Andy Lau to have the chance to pick up Shaolin kungfu."  

Aside from Andy Lau, director Benny Chan reveals that Wu Jing and Yu Shao Qun would be learning Joint-lock Techniques and Sticky Hands respectively, while Nicholas Tse gets a unique set of skills specially devised for the film. However, as the three of them are busy filming in Mainland, missing the chance to be coached personally by Reverend Yong Zhi, Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak will record his movements and pass the instructions to them later. Benny Chan has also gone to Shaolin Temple with the assistant director several months back to meditate, to experience firsthand the spiritual practice of Shaolin martial arts.  Netease

  

Video: Andy Lau Training in Seven Star Fist   Sina

At the pre-production press conference (video) at the famed Shaolin Temple on Mt Song on October 22, it was announced that apart from Emperor Motion Pictures and Shaolin Cultural Communication, China Film Group, Huayi Brothers and Henan TV are also co-producing the kungfu epic, Shaolin, budgeted at close to 200 million yuan. Continue reading "Benny Chan Narrates A New Story of Shaolin"

Light-Transcending Pandora's Box is currently undergoing production in Guangzhou (video) and, despite some similarities, director Jeffrey Lau clarifies that he won't repeat what he has done previously: Light-Transcending Pandora's Box is a completely different story from Chinese Odyssey.

 

In fact, it's closer to Eagle Shooting Hero in that it's a laugh-out-loud nonsensical comedy throughout the entire film, with romance being sidelined. Light-Transcending Pandora's Box is a burlesque on Red Cliff, much as what Eagle Shooting Hero is to the original Jin Yong novel.

Continue reading "Light-transcending Pandora's Box: Jeffrey Lau Calls Forth Other Film Characters"

-- Bodyguards and Assassins --

Two teaser trailers, one of which is Cannes promotional footage, and a detailed brochure may be found on Cinema Popular's film listing page.

 

 Bodyguards and Assassins, directed by Teddy Chan, stars Donnie Yen, Hu Jun, Fan Bing Bing, Nicolas Tse, Tong Leung Kar Fai, Xing Yu, Philip Ng, Cung Le, Wang Wen Jie, etc., is about a group of volunteers from all walks of life coming together to protect Sun Yat Sen from assassination when he was in Hong Kong.

 

According to a publicist, Michelle Reis would be making a brief appearance in the film, as someone who plays a pivotal role in the life of the Beggar.

 

Bodyguards and Assassins, which began production in late April, is wrapping up soon and is due for release on December 18, 2009.

Recently, Fan Siu Wong was interviewed about getting Hong Kong Film Awards' Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in Ip Man. He smiles, "I really did not expect it. When I was watching the film, I felt that Donnie Yen carried himself very well, and that he should have a chance to vie for Best Actor award and surprisingly, even my role was nominated."

Continue reading "Fan Siu Wong on Being Nominated For Best Support Actor Award"

Ip Man, the most successful collaboration between director Wilson Yip, martial arts director Sammo Hung and actor Donnie Yen to date, is due for home video release on Feb 13. The cast for this martial arts biopic includes Donnie Yen, Fan Siu Wong, Lynn Hung, Simon Yam, Xing Yu, Chen Zhi Hui, To Yu Hang, Ikeuchi Hiroyuki, etc. Ip Man is doing very well at the box office in the region, grossing around HK$24m in HK and over 90m yuan in China.

 

Ip Man features Donnie Yen in his breakthrough role as the atypical hero who doesn't go around standing up for justice. Yet when the times changed, he's forced out of his laidback and unassuming lifestyle to challenge the invaders. Ip Man, may be preordered from YesAsia on the following formats: 1-disc DVD, 2-disc special edition DVD, and Blu-ray.

 

Both the 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray versions come packed with extras like making of, interviews, deleted scenes, shooting diary, and featurettes on Ip Man and Wing Chun martial arts.

-- Ip Man --

Plot Outline:

In the 1930s, Foshan thrives as the hub of Chinese wushu, with various sects actively recruiting disciples. They often compete against each other to prove their strengths.

While Yip Man is an accomplished martial artist, he is unassuming and keeps a low-profile, and doesn't run any martial arts school nor accept students. He only stays at home, quietly sparring with his compatriots in friendly competitions, swapping pointers with each other.

Continue reading "Ip Man Plot Details"

-- Ip Man --
Owing to controversy over the film title, Mandarin Film's martial arts biopic on Yip Man will still be called Ip Man rather than 《一代宗师·叶问》 Grandmaster Yip Man, thanks to unpleasantries from Wong Kar Wai who claimed conflicts with his very version that still remains in development limbo despite being announced several years ago.

Raymond Wong explains, "Actually, all along, we have called our film 《叶问》 Ip Man, but our mainland investors said that Yip Man was a great master of his times, so we changed our title to Grandmaster Yip Man out of respect for him. Yet, this brought about a series of debates over the title. To settle this matter amicably, after discussions with our various investors, movie consultant Yip Chun, director Wilson Yip, we changed back to our original title."

He also believes that it's not worth arguing over a name, "The title is of secondary importance, our main aim in shooting the film is to propagate Wing Chun. All studios should cooperate with and support each other, especially in a time when the film industry is not doing well."

Tony Leung says, "Our film will still be produced. I think Donnie Yen's version will be more focused on martial arts, of younger age, but the Yip Man I'm playing will be more drama-oriented, and it deals mainly with the latter half of his life. The two are definitely completely different works."

Production of Ip Man has wrapped up in Shanghai, after around three to four months of filming. Ip Man, directed by Wilson Yip, featuring action by Sammo Hung and starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Lynn Hung, Fan Siu Wong, Xing Yu, Li Qi Long, To Yu Hang, is targeted for a Christmas 2008 release.  Shanghai Daily | Posters: Eastday