Wu-Jing.org

-- Champions --
Trailer for old school martial arts film 《夺标》 Champions (Duo Biao), directed by Tsui Siu Ming, starring Dicky Cheung, Wong Tsui Yu, Debbie Goh, Xie Miao, Yu Rong Guang, Xu Xiang Dong, unveiled at Hundred Flowers Film Festival, is now up at MTime.

Champions is about an underdog wushu athlete played by Dicky Cheung who takes part in a martial arts tournament in order represent China in a martial arts performance at an Olympic Games so as to win the heart of a national sprinter, the girl he's in love with.

Champions, which showcases various schools of martial arts ranging from Praying Mantis Boxing through Eagle Claw to Taichi, is due out in November 2008.

-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: 13 Cudgel Monks --

On 9 July, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu director Du Xiao, joined by cast members Bao Guo An, Ji Chun Hua, Xie Miao, Sun Hui Ning, attended a chat organised by Sina, whereby they shared their experiences on the set of the 40-part TV series.

A 12-minute trailer to the upcoming Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2, starring Yuen Biao, Li Yuan, Xie Miao, Leung Kar Yan, Ji Chun Hua, Xu Xiang Dong, Sun Hui Ning, Wu Ma, etc. was also shown then and may now be viewed on Sina.

Based on the trailer, which is interspersed with excerpts from the original from 8th minute onwards, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 looks to be of bigger scale and even more epic. However, being an unfinished product, it's too early to tell if the martial arts scenes would live up to expectations of the original.
 

Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 is currently in post-production with a targeted release by early 2009.

-- Duo Biao --

《夺标》 Duo Biao, co-produced by Sundream and Huayi Brothers, directed by Tsui Siu Ming, has wrapped up after over two months of filming. The martial arts film is slated for release this autumn.

Duo Biao is set in 1936 when China sent 69 athletes to take part in Berlin Olympics. At the same time 9 wushu team members also performed there. While China didn't do very well back then, her wushu performance greatly impressed the Westerners. And it was then that Chinese wushu was spread throughout the world.  Tsu Siu Ming hopes to show the spirit and culture of wushu through this film, with emphasis on realistic and detailed portrayal of traditional martial arts.

-- Duo Biao --

A ceremony marking the production of Sundream Pictures' major project of the year, 《夺标》 Duo Biao (Capturing the Cup), a movie on Chinese wushu, sports and Olympics, was held on April 27 in Hengdian. The inauguration kicked off with a lion dance and martial arts performances. Produced by Tsui Siu Ming and Amy Lee Fung Ming, directed by Kong Tao Hoi and Lee Kong Lok, the cast includes Dicky Cheung, Wong Tsui Yu, Debbie Goh, Michael Wai, Eric Li.

Tsui Siu Ming has also specially sought out martial artists Xu Xiang Dong and Yu Rong Guang, both of whom he worked with in Holy Robe of Shaolin Temple, to join the cast. Currently, Tsiu Siu Ming is in negotiations with Jackie Chan to play a cameo role as the arena contest organiser. 2 million yuan were spent building the arena which is expected to be filled up with 4000 extras.

-- Legend of Twin Dragons and Wing Chun DVDs --

Based on the trailer as well as plot, cast, costumes, etc, Legend of Twin Dragons appears to be same work as the 40-part TV series Wing Chun that's scheduled for airing on Mainland TV later this month. It seems that the two are different versions in terms of length, with Legend of Twin Dragons, being called a "movie" and reportedly containing more violent scenes such that it was barred from theatrical screening (though this could possibly be publicity stunt since the "movie", possibly being carved out of the same mould as the TV version, would not likely get wide release anyway even if it made it to the theatres), having a shorter running time of around 1 and 1/2 hrs. Legend of Twin Dragon has just been released on DVD in China and is available from such Chinese online video store as Cnave.

Wing Chun, starring Yuen Biao, Nicholas Tse, Sammo Hung, Rain Li, Ji Chun Hua, Xu Xiang Dong, Sammy Hung, Hu Ke, Elanne Kwong, is due for DVD release on July 24. 

Pre-ordered DVD from YesAsia.

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.

-- Wing Chun --

Wing Chun TV Series, produced by Hong Kong's Universe Entertainment Ltd, will begin production soon. The martial arts comedy, which emphasises authentic martial arts sequences, stars Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Nicholas Tse, Rain Li, Hu Ke, Zhao Xue Fei, Philip Ng, Xu Xiang Dong, Ji Chun Hua, Gordon Liu. Wing Chun is based on 1981's kungfu film The Prodigal Son, which starred Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung, Lam Ching Ying, and Billy Chan.

Sammo Hung hopes that the audience will be able to re-experience the thrills of authentic martial arts, since the films and TV series these days employ too much special effects, and martial arts scenes are but empty poses. And he also looks forward to working with Yuen Biao again.

Billy Chan, producer for the TV series, hopes to blend elements of martial arts comedies of yore with the rebelliousness of the younger generation into the drama serial. Stephen Tung Wei will be the martial arts director. To prepare for his role in the TV series, Nicholas Tse has been training in Wing Chun under the tutelage of Lai Ying Chau, Yip Man's disciple, since last November.

At the turn of 20th century, Leung Jan (Yuen Viao), will his kindness and superb medical skills, is well-loved by the the people of Foshan. His eldest son Leung Bik (Nicholas Tse), is a gifted but arrogant brat who loafs around. Owing to the founder's rules that the successor of Wing Chun must possess wisdom, compassion and valour, Leung Jaan has forbidden Leung Bik to learn the martial arts.

Leung Bik runs away from home in a fit of anger. He arrives in Hong Kong and meets the mischievous Uncle Wah (Sammo Hung), a martial descendant of Wing Chun, by chance, and inadvertently picks up Wing Chun. Ko Ming (Sammy Hung), whose love for Little Bun is spurned by the latter who in turn carries a torch for Leung Bik, seeks to fight a death match against him. Ko Ming is skilled in Iron Thread Fist, taught by Master Hung Fu.  Chang Jiang Daily

-- 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.