It may not boast the glitz of Cannes or provide the buzz of Sundance, but the New York Asian Film Festival — now in its 16th year — has swiftly become one of the most consistently exciting fests on the planet. Arguably the world’s best-curated program of new and classic Asian cinema, the annual showcase has made itself an increasingly essential institution by introducing American audiences to little-seen masterpieces like Park Hoon-jung’s “New World,” Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng’s “Gallants,” and Li Yu’s “Buddha Mountain” (to name three random classics from a list of dozens).
Read More: Ambitious South Korean Actioner ‘The Villainess’ Just Might Be This Year’s ‘Train to Busan’ — Film Festival Roundup
But it’s not the quality control or the comprehensiveness that makes Nyaff such an indispensable event, it’s that they deliver both of those things with style; no one who attended the...
Read More: Ambitious South Korean Actioner ‘The Villainess’ Just Might Be This Year’s ‘Train to Busan’ — Film Festival Roundup
But it’s not the quality control or the comprehensiveness that makes Nyaff such an indispensable event, it’s that they deliver both of those things with style; no one who attended the...
- 6/30/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
- 3/13/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Hong Kong-based start-up Young Live Entertainment (Yle) is introducing its debut slate at Filmart, including action titles The Game Changer, starring Huang Zitao and Peter Ho, and Kungfu Is Not Fighting, directed by Marco Mak.
Directed by Xixi Gao, The Game Changer is a period action title about gang wars in Shanghai.
Currently in pre-production, the film also stars Wang Xueqi (Helios, Iron Man 3). Gao previously directed top-rating TV dramas including Legend Of Chu And Han, Three Kingdoms and Shanghai Bund.
Also in pre-production, Kungfu Is Not Fighting is produced by veteran director-producer Jeffrey Lau. Mak’s directing credits include Naked Soldier and Colour Of The Truth.
A subsidiary of China’s Yongle Group, Yle aims to develop and finance Hong Kong stories as well as cherry-pick mainland Chinese titles for international distribution.
Former Star Alliance executive Angus Chan heads the Hong Kong-based operation.
Hong Kong titles on the company’s slate include action thriller...
Directed by Xixi Gao, The Game Changer is a period action title about gang wars in Shanghai.
Currently in pre-production, the film also stars Wang Xueqi (Helios, Iron Man 3). Gao previously directed top-rating TV dramas including Legend Of Chu And Han, Three Kingdoms and Shanghai Bund.
Also in pre-production, Kungfu Is Not Fighting is produced by veteran director-producer Jeffrey Lau. Mak’s directing credits include Naked Soldier and Colour Of The Truth.
A subsidiary of China’s Yongle Group, Yle aims to develop and finance Hong Kong stories as well as cherry-pick mainland Chinese titles for international distribution.
Former Star Alliance executive Angus Chan heads the Hong Kong-based operation.
Hong Kong titles on the company’s slate include action thriller...
- 3/14/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (Fpp) has unveiled this year’s selection of 25 films chosen from a record 117 submissions.
The organization stated “these projects reflect the active and engaged state of Chinese-language film industry in all corners of the world, including: Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, UK, France, Us, Australia, and New Zealand.”
Nine sponsoring companies offer post-production service awards and this year, a number of them will be increasing their awards to equal the symbolic amount of Nt$500,000 (Us$16,900) to celebrate the Golden Horse Film Festival’s 50th anniversary.
The Fpp’s Grand Prize is a cash award of Nt$1m (Us$33,800). France’s Centre National du Cinéma (Cnc) also offers the €10,000 Cnc Award to support projects with high potential for international co-production.
The 2013 Golden Horse Fpp runs Nov 19-21 with meetings and workshops. They will announce the winners of the various prizes on the last day’s closing ceremony...
The organization stated “these projects reflect the active and engaged state of Chinese-language film industry in all corners of the world, including: Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, UK, France, Us, Australia, and New Zealand.”
Nine sponsoring companies offer post-production service awards and this year, a number of them will be increasing their awards to equal the symbolic amount of Nt$500,000 (Us$16,900) to celebrate the Golden Horse Film Festival’s 50th anniversary.
The Fpp’s Grand Prize is a cash award of Nt$1m (Us$33,800). France’s Centre National du Cinéma (Cnc) also offers the €10,000 Cnc Award to support projects with high potential for international co-production.
The 2013 Golden Horse Fpp runs Nov 19-21 with meetings and workshops. They will announce the winners of the various prizes on the last day’s closing ceremony...
- 9/26/2013
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Directors Yan Yan Mak (Hu Die) and Clement Sze-Kit Cheng (Gallants) team up for a film that dares to gives some extra shine to the Hong-Kong arthouse scene. Joining others like High Noon and Ex (both by Heiward Mak), this film once again strengthens my beliefs that Hong Kong is capable of a lot more than it dares to (mass)produce. Now if only films like Merry-Go-Round would get the proper international exposure, more of them would find the light of day. Like it or not, but the Hong Kong movie scene is mostly treasured in the West for its abundance in genre film making. Sprawling martial arts epics, gritty police thrillers and some classy Triad action are all fan favorites and are easy to sell...
- 10/20/2011
- Screen Anarchy
The San Francisco Film Society, along with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, will present the inaugural Hong Kong Cinema festival September 23-25 at the Society's new home of New People Cinema. Clement Cheng's and Yan Yan Mak's "Merry-Go-Round" and Vincent Kok's "Mr. and Mrs. Incredible" will open the festival, while Benny Chan's "City Under Siege" will close it. Tickets are $13 for the general public. For more information, ...
- 8/16/2011
- Indiewire
Gallants
Stars: Teddy Robin, Wong You Nam, Jia Xiao Chen, Mc Jin, Li Hai Tao, Law Wing Cheong, Leung Siu Lung, Chan Koon Tai, Susan Shaw, Chan Wai Man, Li Ka, Turbo Law | Directed by Derek Kwok, Clement Cheng
When legendary kung fu master Law Sun (Teddy Robin) unexpectedly awakes from a 30-year coma he discovers that his once celebrated martial arts school has become a teahouse and is now under threat from a takeover bid by his former rival. Aided by his now middle-aged apprentices, Dragon (Chan Koon Tai) and Tiger (Leung Siu Lung), and an unlikely hero in the form of the nerdy estate agent tasked with progressing the takeover, Master Law sets about training a rag-tag band of fighters to compete in a forthcoming martial arts tournament. Winning the prize could safeguard all their futures, but anything less would mean a certain end for the both the...
Stars: Teddy Robin, Wong You Nam, Jia Xiao Chen, Mc Jin, Li Hai Tao, Law Wing Cheong, Leung Siu Lung, Chan Koon Tai, Susan Shaw, Chan Wai Man, Li Ka, Turbo Law | Directed by Derek Kwok, Clement Cheng
When legendary kung fu master Law Sun (Teddy Robin) unexpectedly awakes from a 30-year coma he discovers that his once celebrated martial arts school has become a teahouse and is now under threat from a takeover bid by his former rival. Aided by his now middle-aged apprentices, Dragon (Chan Koon Tai) and Tiger (Leung Siu Lung), and an unlikely hero in the form of the nerdy estate agent tasked with progressing the takeover, Master Law sets about training a rag-tag band of fighters to compete in a forthcoming martial arts tournament. Winning the prize could safeguard all their futures, but anything less would mean a certain end for the both the...
- 7/24/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Following on from the first part of our interview with Gallants director Clement Cheng, which you can find here, below is the continuation of that interview.
Clement touches on few different subjects, including his follow up to Gallants, Merry Go-Round, which has is yet to find UK distribution.
Gallants is released on DVD in the UK on the 25th of July.
What are your wider inspirations, beyond obviously The Shaw Brothers?
My favourite directors are definitely Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Clint Eastwood and Robert Zemekis. They are people that have a great influence on me. I can just watch their movies over and over again and I don’t get bored with them. When you watch them you discover new things and when you watch it again it reminds you of what life should be and what you want to be as a human being. And on top of everything they’re very entertaining.
Clement touches on few different subjects, including his follow up to Gallants, Merry Go-Round, which has is yet to find UK distribution.
Gallants is released on DVD in the UK on the 25th of July.
What are your wider inspirations, beyond obviously The Shaw Brothers?
My favourite directors are definitely Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Clint Eastwood and Robert Zemekis. They are people that have a great influence on me. I can just watch their movies over and over again and I don’t get bored with them. When you watch them you discover new things and when you watch it again it reminds you of what life should be and what you want to be as a human being. And on top of everything they’re very entertaining.
- 7/22/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Released in Hong Kong and China in June 2010, Gallants has taken over a year to reach the UK and for the bulk of that time I’ve been raving about the film to anyone who’ll listen.
I was lucky enough to see it at the Fantasia film festival in Montreal in August and the film has been garnering widespread praise since its original domestic release and various festival screening such as this one. It has also picked up a slew of awards, including Best Picture at the 2011 Hong Kong film awards.
When Clement Cheng, one of the film’s two directors (he co-directed with Derek Kwok), recently visited the UK for the film’s UK premiere at the Terracotta Far East Film Festival, I grabbed the opportunity to sit down with him and chat about Gallants and a number of other topics.
The first in this two part interview...
I was lucky enough to see it at the Fantasia film festival in Montreal in August and the film has been garnering widespread praise since its original domestic release and various festival screening such as this one. It has also picked up a slew of awards, including Best Picture at the 2011 Hong Kong film awards.
When Clement Cheng, one of the film’s two directors (he co-directed with Derek Kwok), recently visited the UK for the film’s UK premiere at the Terracotta Far East Film Festival, I grabbed the opportunity to sit down with him and chat about Gallants and a number of other topics.
The first in this two part interview...
- 7/21/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Director: Derek Kwok & Clement Cheng. Review: Adam Wing. With Gallants, Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng invite you on an old-school Hong Kong martial arts journey with a 21st century twist. Gallants brings together a winning cast of old and new, featuring Shaw Brothers veteran Chen Kuan Tai (The Tea House), Bruce Leung (Kung Fu Hustle), and a scene-stealing turn from Teddy Robin. Wong Yau Nam, Mc Jin, and Jj Jia are on hand to represent the new age, but it’s the spectacular action choreography by Yuen Tak that’s most likely to appeal to the kids of today. Gallants took home the Audience Award at the 2010 New York Asian Film Festival, and while Shaw Brothers fanatics are sure to lap it up, will Gallants appeal to a younger demographic raised on Tony Jaa and The Rock? Cheung (Wong Yau Nam) used to be a tough bully as a kid,...
- 7/11/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Co-directed by Derek Kwok (The Pye-Dog) and Clement Cheng (and winner of the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Film Score at the 2011 Hong Kong Film Awards) Kung-Fu comedy Gallants boasts a stellar cast of acting talent and legendary Hong Kong cinema veterans and its arriving on UK via Mvm on 25th July 2011. There’s not much more to be said really. Its great, go get pre-ordering! Synopsis: When legendary kung fu master Law Sun (Teddy Robin) unexpectedly awakes from a 30-year coma he discovers that his once celebrated martial arts school has become a teahouse and is now under threat from a takeover bid by his former rival. Aided by his now middle-aged apprentices, Dragon (Chan Koon Tai) and Tiger (Leung Siu Lung), and an unlikely hero in the form of the nerdy estate agent tasked with facilitating the takeover, Master Law sets about...
- 6/18/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
Derek Kwok, Clement Cheng's Gallants Best film: Gallants Best Asian film: Confessions (Japan) Best director: Tsui Hark, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Best actor: Nicholas Tse, The Stool Pigeon Best actress: Carina Lau, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Best supporting actor: Teddy Robin, Gallants Best supporting actress: Susan Shaw, Gallants Best new performer: Hanjin Tan, Bruce Lee, My Brother Best screenplay: Pang Ho-cheung and Heiward Mak, Love in a Puff Best cinematography: Peter Pau, Confucius Best film editing: Cheung Ka-fai, Ip Man 2 Best original film score: Teddy Robin and Tommy Wai, Gallants Best original film song: Here to Stay, music, lyrics and performed by Jun Kung Best art direction: James Choo, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Best costume and make-up design: Bruce Yu, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Best action choreography: Sammo Hung,...
- 4/20/2011
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Low budget martial arts comedy Gallants was the surprise Best Picture winner at tonight's 30th Hong Kong Film Awards, also garnering Best Supporting gongs for Teddy Robin and Susan Shaw, as well as Best Score. In a rare display of good taste, the awards jury showered love upon Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng's love letter to classic kung-fu, as well as handing the Best Screenplay award to Pang Ho Cheung and Heiward Mak for Love In A Puff and favouring Tetsuya Nakashima's Confessions over Feng Xiao Gang's earthquake weepie Aftershock as Best Asian Movie of the year. The biggest winner of the evening, however, was Tsui Hark's superb medieval adventure Detective Dee And The Mystery Of The Phantom Flame, with 6 awards, including Best Director and...
- 4/17/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Running from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May at the Prince Charles Cinema in London, this year’s Terracotta Film Festival features a good range of films and the full line up can be found at the bottom of this post.
One film that already comes with a solid recommendation from me is Gallants. The film featured highly in my top ten Asian films last year (I cheated somewhat with the release dates for my list) and it finally receives its UK première as part of the Terracotta film festival.
In addition to the films, the festival also boasts many special guests including Gallants director Clement Cheng, Karate Girl star Rina Takeda and Yakuza Weapon director Tak Sakaguchi.
Terracotta is an interesting festival and one with an important place in my diary. I look forward to checking out a number of the films and reporting back here.
Tickets are on...
One film that already comes with a solid recommendation from me is Gallants. The film featured highly in my top ten Asian films last year (I cheated somewhat with the release dates for my list) and it finally receives its UK première as part of the Terracotta film festival.
In addition to the films, the festival also boasts many special guests including Gallants director Clement Cheng, Karate Girl star Rina Takeda and Yakuza Weapon director Tak Sakaguchi.
Terracotta is an interesting festival and one with an important place in my diary. I look forward to checking out a number of the films and reporting back here.
Tickets are on...
- 4/12/2011
- by Craig Skinner
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The UK’s Premiere Asian movie festival, the Terracotta Far East Film Festival is back again in London to present its third roundup of choice hand-picked films from the Far East. Running from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May 2011, there are 14 films in the stellar line-up, and the first great titles announced are: Karate Girl (European Premiere) – starring Rina Takeda, real teenage Karate Champion (star of High Kick Girl!), Japan. Petty Romance (UK Premiere) – starring Lee Sun-kyun (Oki’s Movie), Choi Kang-hee, directed by Kim Joung-hoon, South Korea. Revenge: A Love Story (UK Premiere) – starring and written by Juno Mak, directed Wong Ching Po (Jiang Hu) and co-starring Sola Aoi (Big Tits Zombie), Hong Kong. Gallants (UK Premiere) – directed by Clement Cheng, Hong Kong. Yakuza Weapon (European Premiere) – directed by Tak Sakaguchi., Japan. Lost Bladesman (European Premiere) – starring Donnie Yen (Ip Man), directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong (Infernal Affairs), China.
- 4/7/2011
- 24framespersecond.net
The pipeline is bursting with them – the potential blockbuster co-productions with their eyes on the Chinese box office that is nowadays counted in hundreds of millions of yuan.
Emperor Motion Picture's 200 million yuan-costing December 2010 release Shaolin, starring Andy Lau and Jackie Chan, Media Asia's biopic Bruce Lee My Brother, due for end of this month, Peter Chan's Us$20 million directorial outing Wu Xia, featuring Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the leads (for late 2011), or the 400-million-yuan 3D fantasy The Monkey King and the remake of A Chinese Odyssey, Filmko and Stephen Chow's different takes on the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West, These are among some of the eyeball-drawing upcoming titles that serves as examples of what is now called "Greater China films."
However, in Hong Kong, new investors are surfacing and trying to capitalize on the atmosphere of diversity in the local marketplace, bringing with...
Emperor Motion Picture's 200 million yuan-costing December 2010 release Shaolin, starring Andy Lau and Jackie Chan, Media Asia's biopic Bruce Lee My Brother, due for end of this month, Peter Chan's Us$20 million directorial outing Wu Xia, featuring Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the leads (for late 2011), or the 400-million-yuan 3D fantasy The Monkey King and the remake of A Chinese Odyssey, Filmko and Stephen Chow's different takes on the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West, These are among some of the eyeball-drawing upcoming titles that serves as examples of what is now called "Greater China films."
However, in Hong Kong, new investors are surfacing and trying to capitalize on the atmosphere of diversity in the local marketplace, bringing with...
- 11/4/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival will celebrate its 14th year as Canada's longest-running and largest showcase of contemporary cinema by East Asian and Southeast Asian moviemakers from Canada and around the world. From November 9 to 15, 2010, the festival will present more than 50 films and videos from 12 countries, including Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Canada and the U.S.
The festival is starting with an advanced screening of Ip Man 2, but the big gala opener is Twitch favourite Martial Arts Feel Good Comedy Gallants starring a host of old school kung fu veterans, not the least of which is Bruce Leung (Recently seen as Kung Fu Hustle's villain) and the iconic Teddy Robbin (who is used here to magnificent effect (and pictured above) as the brusque and womanizing Martial Arts Master.)
The rest of the festivals offerings are outlined below from the festivals press release:
Galas...
The festival is starting with an advanced screening of Ip Man 2, but the big gala opener is Twitch favourite Martial Arts Feel Good Comedy Gallants starring a host of old school kung fu veterans, not the least of which is Bruce Leung (Recently seen as Kung Fu Hustle's villain) and the iconic Teddy Robbin (who is used here to magnificent effect (and pictured above) as the brusque and womanizing Martial Arts Master.)
The rest of the festivals offerings are outlined below from the festivals press release:
Galas...
- 10/13/2010
- Screen Anarchy
As we end the Summer of 2010, we leave a series of box office bombs behind us, and look forward to an incredible film festival season this fall. With such film festivals as Toronto, New York, and Venice to look forward to, this year may still be saved for the cineastes of the world. One film festival in particular that may not be on your radar, but deserves to be placed alongside those others, is Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, taking place September 23-30.
Last month they announced their first wave of films (listed below), and this morning, they’ve announced their second wave, a total of 16 more films. It is an incredible line up of horror, martial arts, sci-fi, and other genre films. I’ve listed the films announced below, and while I won’t be able to make it to Austin next month to attend, I can tell you that if you are going,...
Last month they announced their first wave of films (listed below), and this morning, they’ve announced their second wave, a total of 16 more films. It is an incredible line up of horror, martial arts, sci-fi, and other genre films. I’ve listed the films announced below, and while I won’t be able to make it to Austin next month to attend, I can tell you that if you are going,...
- 8/27/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
The Dead Movie Still 2010
Fantastic Fest 2010 is taking place in Austin, Texas beginning September 23 and this film festival lasts one week. This event hosts some of the finest in film, from horror to sci-fi and even some fantasy is thrown in. This year Fantastic Fest has announced the first thirteen films in the line-up and this year's event will show some of Asia's most horrifying, while offering a quaint tale of a "psychokinetic automobile tire" in Rubber (Fantastic). Have a look at the first wave of cinema for Fantastic Fest here and inside.
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
"If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you’d best hide the farm implements" (Fantastic).
Corridor Movie Still
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg and Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
"Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat,...
Fantastic Fest 2010 is taking place in Austin, Texas beginning September 23 and this film festival lasts one week. This event hosts some of the finest in film, from horror to sci-fi and even some fantasy is thrown in. This year Fantastic Fest has announced the first thirteen films in the line-up and this year's event will show some of Asia's most horrifying, while offering a quaint tale of a "psychokinetic automobile tire" in Rubber (Fantastic). Have a look at the first wave of cinema for Fantastic Fest here and inside.
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
"If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you’d best hide the farm implements" (Fantastic).
Corridor Movie Still
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg and Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
"Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat,...
- 7/21/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Ross Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Fans of Fantastic Fest (which should include all human beings and several species of extra-terrestrials) always look forward to the wanton violence and downright weird imagery on display during the festival. On the eve of Comic-Con, in a truly wise marketing move, the freaky folks at Fantastic Fest released their first fireball toward the castle of our minds. That fireball consists of 13 films that look like a collective 24 hours of awesome. Cannes favorite Rubber and martial arts follow-up Ip Man 2 are just the tip of the iceberg. From the official site: Bedevilled (2010) Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you’d best hide the farm implements. Corridor (2009) Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But...
- 7/21/2010
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
We all love our horror film festivals and today Fantastic Fest 2010 announced the first wave line up including the film Rubber aka the crazy tire that rolls around and kills people! I have to see this movie!
From the Press Release:
Fantastic Fest 2010 Announces
First Wave Of Film Programming
World Renowned Film Festival Features Indie and Major Studio Releases
Austin, TX---Tuesday, July 20, 2010--- Fantastic Fest is proud to announce our first wave of programming for the sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, happening September 23-30 in Austin, Texas.
This batch of 13 feature films includes bloody revenge from Korea and Australia, South African and German zombies, Swedish musical terrorists, a renaissance of action heroes from Hong Kong, more disturbing images from Serbia, aging Yakuza from Japan and a psychokinetic automobile tire from France.
Fantastic Fest is scouring the globe for the very best in action, horror, science fiction, fantasy to the truly...
From the Press Release:
Fantastic Fest 2010 Announces
First Wave Of Film Programming
World Renowned Film Festival Features Indie and Major Studio Releases
Austin, TX---Tuesday, July 20, 2010--- Fantastic Fest is proud to announce our first wave of programming for the sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, happening September 23-30 in Austin, Texas.
This batch of 13 feature films includes bloody revenge from Korea and Australia, South African and German zombies, Swedish musical terrorists, a renaissance of action heroes from Hong Kong, more disturbing images from Serbia, aging Yakuza from Japan and a psychokinetic automobile tire from France.
Fantastic Fest is scouring the globe for the very best in action, horror, science fiction, fantasy to the truly...
- 7/20/2010
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
If you were among the hundreds of people who were shut out of screenings of the film Rubber at the Fantasia film fest (or the thousands of us who didn't even make it up to Canada in the first place), then quite possibly a trip to Austin, Texas, is in your future as the flick has just shown up on the first wave of programming for the sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, happening September 23rd-30th.
Thirteen films are listed in the first press release for the Fest, and we're including them all here, even if a few aren't strictly horror, just to give you an idea of how truly diverse Fantastic Fest is:
This batch includes bloody revenge from Korea and Australia, South African and German zombies, Swedish musical terrorists, a renaissance of action heroes from Hong Kong, more disturbing images from Serbia, aging Yakuza from Japan and a psychokinetic automobile tire from France.
Thirteen films are listed in the first press release for the Fest, and we're including them all here, even if a few aren't strictly horror, just to give you an idea of how truly diverse Fantastic Fest is:
This batch includes bloody revenge from Korea and Australia, South African and German zombies, Swedish musical terrorists, a renaissance of action heroes from Hong Kong, more disturbing images from Serbia, aging Yakuza from Japan and a psychokinetic automobile tire from France.
- 7/20/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: With the majority of the film community turning its collective attentions to San Diego for the brewing publicity storm that is Comic-Con, the good folks at Fantastic Fest in Austin have decided to steal a little thunder of their own by announcing the first wave of programming.
The sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, which describes itself as a film festival with the boring parts cut out, is scheduled for Sept. 23-30 in Austin, Texas. The fest will include:
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you’d best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs,...
Hollywoodnews.com: With the majority of the film community turning its collective attentions to San Diego for the brewing publicity storm that is Comic-Con, the good folks at Fantastic Fest in Austin have decided to steal a little thunder of their own by announcing the first wave of programming.
The sixth edition of Fantastic Fest, which describes itself as a film festival with the boring parts cut out, is scheduled for Sept. 23-30 in Austin, Texas. The fest will include:
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you’d best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs,...
- 7/20/2010
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Austin, TX's Fantastic Fest, the country's largest genre film celebration and a self-described "film festival with the boring parts cut out," has announced the first part of this year's program. Highlights include haunted tire saga turned surprise Cannes hit "Rubber," zombie movies from Berlin ("Rammbock") and Africa ("The Dead") and Takeshi Kitano's return to the gangster flick "Outrage."
Here's the line-up so far (descriptions courtesy of the festival):
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you'd best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs, his peace and quiet, his sanity and possibly even his life become jeopardized.
Here's the line-up so far (descriptions courtesy of the festival):
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you'd best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs, his peace and quiet, his sanity and possibly even his life become jeopardized.
- 7/20/2010
- by Alison Willmore
- ifc.com
It's almost time again for Fantastic Fest and the first titles have been announced which includes a bunch of films we've chanpioned and are excited to see. This includes, but is not limited to:
Corridor A Swedish mystery thriller.
The Dead The zombie apocalypse in the desert! Yes!
and the one I'm most excited for is the German zombie flick Rammbock!
Full list after the break.
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you'd best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs, his peace and quiet, his sanity and his possibly even his life become jeopardized.
The Dead...
Corridor A Swedish mystery thriller.
The Dead The zombie apocalypse in the desert! Yes!
and the one I'm most excited for is the German zombie flick Rammbock!
Full list after the break.
Bedevilled (2010)
Director: Cheol-soo Jang, South Korea, 115 minutes
If you beat, brutalize, dehumanize and torment a country girl for her entire life, take note: when she reaches the breaking point, you'd best hide the farm implements.
Corridor (2009)
Directors: Johan Lundborg & Johan Storm, Sweden, 80 min
Lonely medical student Frank is pleased with his flat, a quiet place to focus on his coming exams. But when he meets the girl upstairs, his peace and quiet, his sanity and his possibly even his life become jeopardized.
The Dead...
- 7/20/2010
- QuietEarth.us
[There are a number of reviews of Gallants in the archives, feel free to browse, and since it is playing on the big screen at Fantasia, here is Stefan's take on the film]
Of all the films that I've watched during the festival, Gallants gets my vote as my personal favourite because it's witty, hilarious, intelligent, has plenty to offer fans of Hong Kong martial arts cinema of the yesteryears, great production values, and having action sequences that will just blow your mind away since it comes hard hitting and sans gimmicks, something which is sorely missed. If I can use one Cantonese word to describe the film, that word will unquestionable be Jheng (Awesome)!
Produced under Andy Lau's Focus Films with actor Lau Kar Tung on board as producer, directors Clement Cheng and Derek Kwok have a winner on their hands, as they exalt the spirit of what it means to never give up when the odds are stacked against you, and in some way live up that spirit of theirs when they had embarked to make this project which had clear risks.
Of all the films that I've watched during the festival, Gallants gets my vote as my personal favourite because it's witty, hilarious, intelligent, has plenty to offer fans of Hong Kong martial arts cinema of the yesteryears, great production values, and having action sequences that will just blow your mind away since it comes hard hitting and sans gimmicks, something which is sorely missed. If I can use one Cantonese word to describe the film, that word will unquestionable be Jheng (Awesome)!
Produced under Andy Lau's Focus Films with actor Lau Kar Tung on board as producer, directors Clement Cheng and Derek Kwok have a winner on their hands, as they exalt the spirit of what it means to never give up when the odds are stacked against you, and in some way live up that spirit of theirs when they had embarked to make this project which had clear risks.
- 7/10/2010
- Screen Anarchy
[Once again thanks goes to Alexander Thebez for the following review.]
When I first read or heard about Derek Kwong and Clement Cheng's Gallants, I thought the movie would be funnier. I was pleasantly surprised that aside from being a great, entertaining martial arts flick, Gallants is also a movie brimming with a lot of heart.
Gallants, which stars Hong Kong's many heavyweight contenders, follows the story of Cheung (Wong Yue-nam), an overall wimpy loser, who is assigned to rural China to settle a property dispute. Cheung finds himself in a long conflict with local property developers who are trying to take over an old teahouse. The teahouse, which used to be a reputable martial arts studio, belongs to Dragon (Chen Kuan-tai) and Tiger (Bruce Leung). Both Dragon and Tiger have been struggling to keep the place afloat, while they wait for their legendary master Law (Teddy Robin) to wake up from a coma. At this point Cheung's existence becomes...
When I first read or heard about Derek Kwong and Clement Cheng's Gallants, I thought the movie would be funnier. I was pleasantly surprised that aside from being a great, entertaining martial arts flick, Gallants is also a movie brimming with a lot of heart.
Gallants, which stars Hong Kong's many heavyweight contenders, follows the story of Cheung (Wong Yue-nam), an overall wimpy loser, who is assigned to rural China to settle a property dispute. Cheung finds himself in a long conflict with local property developers who are trying to take over an old teahouse. The teahouse, which used to be a reputable martial arts studio, belongs to Dragon (Chen Kuan-tai) and Tiger (Bruce Leung). Both Dragon and Tiger have been struggling to keep the place afloat, while they wait for their legendary master Law (Teddy Robin) to wake up from a coma. At this point Cheung's existence becomes...
- 7/4/2010
- Screen Anarchy
We've been very vocal in our love for recent Hong Kong cult hit Gallants in these pages for a very simple reason. It's fantastic. It's not just that it casts a stack of vintage Shaw Brothers stars and gives them a new moment to shine - though that certainly helps - and it's not just that the film was created by people who clearly know and love the genre immensely - though that helps too - and it's not just that they embrace the old way of doing things. No, though Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng certainly know their roots if that's all there was to this we'd probably end up with another failed throwback film a la Grindhouse. What makes this different is that the duo takes those old influences and respect for the past and molds them into something fresh that works for today's audience, too. And nowhere...
- 6/9/2010
- Screen Anarchy
"Gallants", which opens in Hong Kong today and China tomorrow, is probably the most enjoyable kung-fu comedy made in Hong Kong since "Shaolin Soccer". First movie produced by actor Gordon Lam Ka-tung ("Infernal Affairs", "Election", "Vengeance") for Focus Films Limited (a film production, investment, acquisition, and distribution company founded in 2002 by superstar Andy Lau), "Gallants" stars veteran actors from the 70's such as Chen Kuan-tai ("Boxer From Shangtung"), Michael Chai Wai-man ("The Club"), Bruce Leung ("Kung-fu Hustle"), Teddy Robin Kwan ("Mad Mission"), Susan Shaw ("Big Bad Sis") and Lo Meng ("5 Deadly Venoms").
It also stars younger talents like Wong Yau-Nam ("Just One Look", "Ip Man"), Jj Jia ("Isabella") and the rapper Mc Jin. Third movie directed by Derek Kwok after "The Pye-Dog" and "The Moss", "Gallants" is also the first movie that he co-directed with his long-time friend Clement Cheng, who makes his director debut with "Gallants". Enjoy the first...
It also stars younger talents like Wong Yau-Nam ("Just One Look", "Ip Man"), Jj Jia ("Isabella") and the rapper Mc Jin. Third movie directed by Derek Kwok after "The Pye-Dog" and "The Moss", "Gallants" is also the first movie that he co-directed with his long-time friend Clement Cheng, who makes his director debut with "Gallants". Enjoy the first...
- 6/3/2010
- Screen Anarchy
I’m a sucker for comedic hybrids. Action/comedies, horror/comedies, drama/comedies — if it’s funny, I’m on it like a bonnet. Directors Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng’s 2010 combo platter “Gallants” is marketed as a comedic martial arts flick, but judging from the teaser embedded below, it honestly doesn’t look that funny. I’m guessing that all will be revealed when an official theatrical trailer is released, which should be sometime soon. Until then, I suppose I’ll just have to take their word for it. Since the teaser reveals absolutely nothing, here’s a synopsis to fill in the holes: Two has-been martial arts masters, Leung Siu-lung and Chen Kwun-tai, are holed up in a village restaurant, tending to their master who is in a coma. Trouble arrives in the form of a gang of roughs – diplomats for the ruthless developers that are drooling over their property.
- 4/13/2010
- by Todd
- Beyond Hollywood
There's no school like the old school, they say. You would be hard pressed to find a Twitch writer who doesn't pine for those golden days of cinema to return to Hk and it looks like Derek Kwok and Clement Cheng share the same sentiments as we do. They've co-directed a throw back to those classic kungfu films called Gallants. The film premiered at Hkiff in March and is set to open in Hk in June.
An exhilarating homage to Hong Kong's action star of yesteryear and Hong Kong cinema's action comedies, Gallanats sees two have-been masters Leung Siu-lung and Chen Kwun-tai holed up in a village restaurant, tending their master in a coma. Trouble arrives in the form of a gang of roughs - diplomats of ruthless developers drooling over their property. The master wakes up with a start, and kick starts the old boys into action for home and country.
An exhilarating homage to Hong Kong's action star of yesteryear and Hong Kong cinema's action comedies, Gallanats sees two have-been masters Leung Siu-lung and Chen Kwun-tai holed up in a village restaurant, tending their master in a coma. Trouble arrives in the form of a gang of roughs - diplomats of ruthless developers drooling over their property. The master wakes up with a start, and kick starts the old boys into action for home and country.
- 4/11/2010
- Screen Anarchy
"As for those Kung Fu-titled films, frankly I do not like them, whatever they are trying to tell, I feel like those veteran actors in the films were being disrespectfully used, they have the talents that should have been worthily made more use of. We pick this cast and make this film because we like and admire these actors..." - Out of all the romantic-themed local films screened at this year’s Hkiff, The Gallants certainly feels like a different breed. Working alongside first-time filmmaker Clement Cheng, director Derek Kwok, perhaps best known for his debut directorial work The Pye-Dog, dodges from his usual dark, edgy styled films that revolve around story-lines with child characters, to co-direct a film that is packed with the neat Kung Fu sequences that are a throwback to Hong Kong action cinema of the 70s & 80s. Aided by spot-on casting choices,...
- 4/9/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
Peng Ho-Cheung’s cigarette-oriented romantic comedy Love In A Puff remained faithful to what Ho-Cheung does best: his writing. Much of this might have to do with his chosen collaborator. His co-writer, Heiward Mak offers much insight, modern-day relationships in the Hong Kong. - As this year’s edition came to a close, I've decided to look back and filter through some of the highs and lows of the fest. Among the disappointments, at the top of the list we have Ivy Ho's Crossing Hennessy which stars Tang Wei (from Lust, Caution fame) and Jacky Cheung. Peng Ho-Cheung’s cigarette-oriented romantic comedy Love In A Puff remained faithful to what Ho-Cheung does best: his writing. Much of this might have to do with his chosen collaborator. His co-writer, Heiward Mak (see clip below) offers much insight, modern-day relationships in the Hong Kong.
- 4/9/2010
- IONCINEMA.com
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