Book series about warring cats to be developed as kids movie franchise.
China’s Alibaba Pictures Group has reached an agreement with UK-based fiction packager Working Partners and its parent company Coolabi Group at the 68th Frankfurt Book Fair, to secure the film rights for fantasy book series Warriors.
Warriors, which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, is a series about four clans of warring feral cats. The series is written by Erin Hunter, a pseudonym for the writing team of Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry and Victoria Holmes.
Warriors follows the growth of an intrepid cat named Rusty, who ventures into a mysterious forest where he befriends a group of wild cats. Rusty joins ThunderClan as an apprentice warrior and over an epic saga ultimately transforms into the clan’s leader Firestar.
Warriors was first published by HarperCollins in the USA in 2003 and has been licensed in 35 languages around the world. HarperCollins will also...
China’s Alibaba Pictures Group has reached an agreement with UK-based fiction packager Working Partners and its parent company Coolabi Group at the 68th Frankfurt Book Fair, to secure the film rights for fantasy book series Warriors.
Warriors, which has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, is a series about four clans of warring feral cats. The series is written by Erin Hunter, a pseudonym for the writing team of Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry and Victoria Holmes.
Warriors follows the growth of an intrepid cat named Rusty, who ventures into a mysterious forest where he befriends a group of wild cats. Rusty joins ThunderClan as an apprentice warrior and over an epic saga ultimately transforms into the clan’s leader Firestar.
Warriors was first published by HarperCollins in the USA in 2003 and has been licensed in 35 languages around the world. HarperCollins will also...
- 10/21/2016
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba Pictures is investing in Amblin Partners and has entered into a strategic partnership with the mini-major for co-productions, finance and distribution.
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners and Alibaba Pictures Group have entered into a strategic partnership to co-produce and finance films for global and Chinese audiences, as well as work together on the marketing and distribution of Amblin’s films in China.
Under the terms of the deal, Alibaba Pictures will also acquire a minority equity stake in Amblin Partners – joining existing investors Reliance Entertainment, Participant Media and Entertainment One – and an Alibaba Pictures representative will join the Amblin board.
Announced at a press conference in Beijing today, the deal also gives Alibaba Pictures the option to co-finance Amblin Partners’ films worldwide.
The deal kicks off with Alibaba handling the marketing and distribution in China of Spielberg’s The Bfg, which is scheduled for release on October 14.
Speaking at the event, Alibaba founder...
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners and Alibaba Pictures Group have entered into a strategic partnership to co-produce and finance films for global and Chinese audiences, as well as work together on the marketing and distribution of Amblin’s films in China.
Under the terms of the deal, Alibaba Pictures will also acquire a minority equity stake in Amblin Partners – joining existing investors Reliance Entertainment, Participant Media and Entertainment One – and an Alibaba Pictures representative will join the Amblin board.
Announced at a press conference in Beijing today, the deal also gives Alibaba Pictures the option to co-finance Amblin Partners’ films worldwide.
The deal kicks off with Alibaba handling the marketing and distribution in China of Spielberg’s The Bfg, which is scheduled for release on October 14.
Speaking at the event, Alibaba founder...
- 10/9/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
“Don’t make such a fuss — it could have been murder.” That’s what the Chinese police told sex activist Haiyan Ye (a.k.a. “Hooligan Sparrow”) when she filed a complaint about being physically assaulted by government cronies who were unhappy about the growing volume of her protests. Welcome to the world’s newest superpower, where everything is totally fine.
In 1997, China passed one of the most insidious and flagrant laws in the history of modern jurisprudence. Until then, and regardless of consent, sex with anyone under the age of 14 was considered rape (and rape is punishable by death). And then, just as the nation was regaining sovereignty over Hong Kong and pushing towards their future as a global economic powerhouse, they changed the law so that — in cases of consensual sex with a minor — the adult may be pardoned if he or she can convince the court that...
In 1997, China passed one of the most insidious and flagrant laws in the history of modern jurisprudence. Until then, and regardless of consent, sex with anyone under the age of 14 was considered rape (and rape is punishable by death). And then, just as the nation was regaining sovereignty over Hong Kong and pushing towards their future as a global economic powerhouse, they changed the law so that — in cases of consensual sex with a minor — the adult may be pardoned if he or she can convince the court that...
- 7/21/2016
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Chinese director Zhang Wei has lined up an exciting new feature in the form of "The Rib," a drama that will focus on a transgender Chinese teen who is forced to grapple with the rigid expectation of both Chinese society and her very religious family as she struggles to blossom into the person she was meant to be. The film will follow a teen who wants to transition from male to female, and the fallout when her very Christian mother finds out about her plans. Read More: Transgender Oscar Nominee Anohni Writes Powerful Boycott Letter Zhang is no stranger to features that depict fraught situations influenced by the societal expectations of his home country, and his previous work includes the award-winning "Factory Boss," which focuses on a businessman fighting against untenable economics, along with a new feature centered on a mother who fights to get her autistic son the education he deserves.
- 4/29/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Factory Boss filmmaker Zhang Wei to direct feature loosely based on true events.
Zhang Wei, the Chinese writer, director and producer known for socially conscious films such as Factory Boss and Destiny, is to focus on transgenderism for his next feature.
The Rib, which deals with the intersection of a transgendered youth, religion and family life in modern day China, is in pre-production with principal photography set to begin early 2017.
Loosely based on true events, The Rib follows a transgender teenager who is born into a devoutly Christian family.
When his mother discovers that he wants to transition from male to female, she is filled with grief, rage and confusion as she struggles to come to terms with the life-changing decision. The two fight to overcome their differences and face a society where prejudice against the underground Lgbt community is rife.
Zhang Wei has made his name as an independent filmmaker who has focussed on socially conscious...
Zhang Wei, the Chinese writer, director and producer known for socially conscious films such as Factory Boss and Destiny, is to focus on transgenderism for his next feature.
The Rib, which deals with the intersection of a transgendered youth, religion and family life in modern day China, is in pre-production with principal photography set to begin early 2017.
Loosely based on true events, The Rib follows a transgender teenager who is born into a devoutly Christian family.
When his mother discovers that he wants to transition from male to female, she is filled with grief, rage and confusion as she struggles to come to terms with the life-changing decision. The two fight to overcome their differences and face a society where prejudice against the underground Lgbt community is rife.
Zhang Wei has made his name as an independent filmmaker who has focussed on socially conscious...
- 4/29/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The biggest European film festival excludsively dealing with Asian cinema will open on Friday the 22nd of April with the South Korean blockbuster “The Tiger” and close with the Hong Kong thriller “The Bodyguard” on Saturday the 30th with the presence of the legendary Sammo Hung. Legendary director Johnnie To and composer Lim Giong will also attend.
The festival will feature 72 films in the official selection (5 world premieres) a retrospective of Japanese science fiction, the restored 4K versions of four Bruce Lee masterpieces and over 100 events organized around the city.
The line up of 2016 includes the followings:
Competition Section
China (10)
Chongqing Hot Pot, Yang Qing, crime-action- hipster noir, China 2016, European Premiere
The Dead End, Cao Baoping, cop-loves-cop thriller, China 2015, European Premiere
Destiny, Zhang Wei, human drama, China 2016, World Premiere
The Left Ear, Alec Su, youth drama, China 2015, European Premiere
Lost in Hong Kong, Xu Zheng, clash of cultures comedy, China 2015, International Festival Premiere
The Master,...
The festival will feature 72 films in the official selection (5 world premieres) a retrospective of Japanese science fiction, the restored 4K versions of four Bruce Lee masterpieces and over 100 events organized around the city.
The line up of 2016 includes the followings:
Competition Section
China (10)
Chongqing Hot Pot, Yang Qing, crime-action- hipster noir, China 2016, European Premiere
The Dead End, Cao Baoping, cop-loves-cop thriller, China 2015, European Premiere
Destiny, Zhang Wei, human drama, China 2016, World Premiere
The Left Ear, Alec Su, youth drama, China 2015, European Premiere
Lost in Hong Kong, Xu Zheng, clash of cultures comedy, China 2015, International Festival Premiere
The Master,...
- 4/21/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
China’s Alibaba Pictures has signed to invest in two further projects from Paramount Pictures – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows and Star Trek Beyond.
The deals follow Alibaba’s investment last year in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
TMNT2and Star Trek Beyond will be released in North America this summer and are being lined up for a Chinese release in the second half of 2016. China Film Group and Huaxia Film will jointly distribute both movies.
In addition to investing in the two films, Alibaba Pictures will provide support through its online ticketing platform Taobao Movie and crowdfunding platform Yulebao.
“We had a great experience working with Paramount on Mission: Impossible and are very excited to join forces again for these two pictures, both of which have terrific fan bases in China that we hope to cooperate with Paramount to grow even larger,” said Alibaba Pictures president Zhang Wei.
Paramount vice chairman...
The deals follow Alibaba’s investment last year in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
TMNT2and Star Trek Beyond will be released in North America this summer and are being lined up for a Chinese release in the second half of 2016. China Film Group and Huaxia Film will jointly distribute both movies.
In addition to investing in the two films, Alibaba Pictures will provide support through its online ticketing platform Taobao Movie and crowdfunding platform Yulebao.
“We had a great experience working with Paramount on Mission: Impossible and are very excited to join forces again for these two pictures, both of which have terrific fan bases in China that we hope to cooperate with Paramount to grow even larger,” said Alibaba Pictures president Zhang Wei.
Paramount vice chairman...
- 4/18/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The 18th Feff will feature 50 titles in competition, including Lost In Hong Kong, Mojin: The Lost Legend and Ip Man 3, as well as a new Focus Asia market.Scroll down for full programme
The Udine Far East Film Festival (Feff) has revealed the programme for its 18th edition (April 22-30), featuring a myriad of high-profile Asian titles from the past year.
The event will close with the European premiere of director and actor Sammo Hung’s latest feature, The Bodyguard [pictured], with Hung due to be in attendance.
Hung’s appearance marks the second year in a row that the festival has played host to a Hong Kong film icon, after Jackie Chan attended last year’s edition.
The Bodyguard (also known as My Beloved Bodyguard) has grossed close to $50m since its release in China on April 1. The film stars Sammo Hung as a retired bodyguard who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young girl.
The...
The Udine Far East Film Festival (Feff) has revealed the programme for its 18th edition (April 22-30), featuring a myriad of high-profile Asian titles from the past year.
The event will close with the European premiere of director and actor Sammo Hung’s latest feature, The Bodyguard [pictured], with Hung due to be in attendance.
Hung’s appearance marks the second year in a row that the festival has played host to a Hong Kong film icon, after Jackie Chan attended last year’s edition.
The Bodyguard (also known as My Beloved Bodyguard) has grossed close to $50m since its release in China on April 1. The film stars Sammo Hung as a retired bodyguard who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young girl.
The...
- 4/13/2016
- ScreenDaily
Randall Wallace
Skydance and Alibaba Pictures, Alibaba Group’s entertainment affiliate, have announced that they will join forces to finance and produce a Flying Tigers feature film for global release. It has been designated by Skydance Media and Alibaba Pictures as a high-priority development project. The screenplay will be written by Oscar-nominated writer Randall Wallace (Braveheart) and the film will be produced by David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance together with a team from Alibaba Pictures.
The Flying Tigers – formally known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force – was a group of volunteer pilots from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Led by Captain Claire Lee Chennault, the group fought alongside the Chinese during World War II. The Flying Tigers project will tell the story of the unique brotherhood formed by these intrepid soldiers.
“This production partnership with Alibaba Pictures on Flying Tigers...
Skydance and Alibaba Pictures, Alibaba Group’s entertainment affiliate, have announced that they will join forces to finance and produce a Flying Tigers feature film for global release. It has been designated by Skydance Media and Alibaba Pictures as a high-priority development project. The screenplay will be written by Oscar-nominated writer Randall Wallace (Braveheart) and the film will be produced by David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance together with a team from Alibaba Pictures.
The Flying Tigers – formally known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force – was a group of volunteer pilots from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Led by Captain Claire Lee Chennault, the group fought alongside the Chinese during World War II. The Flying Tigers project will tell the story of the unique brotherhood formed by these intrepid soldiers.
“This production partnership with Alibaba Pictures on Flying Tigers...
- 4/8/2016
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Skydance and China’s Alibaba Pictures will jointly finance and produce Flying Tigers, a World War II drama to be scripted by Braveheart writer Randall Wallace.
Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg will produce the global release with a team from Alibaba Pictures.
Also known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, the Flying Tigers was a group of volunteer pilots from the Us Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps that fought alongside the Chinese during World War II.
There have previously been other attempts to make a feature film about the pilots, including a long-gestating project to be directed by John Woo and backed by China Film and Cyrte Investments.
“Flying Tigers carries with it a rich legacy and a movie about this subject matter has been highly anticipated for a very long time,” said Alibaba Pictures president Zhang Wei.
“It is an ideal piece of content in which to invest...
Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg will produce the global release with a team from Alibaba Pictures.
Also known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, the Flying Tigers was a group of volunteer pilots from the Us Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps that fought alongside the Chinese during World War II.
There have previously been other attempts to make a feature film about the pilots, including a long-gestating project to be directed by John Woo and backed by China Film and Cyrte Investments.
“Flying Tigers carries with it a rich legacy and a movie about this subject matter has been highly anticipated for a very long time,” said Alibaba Pictures president Zhang Wei.
“It is an ideal piece of content in which to invest...
- 4/7/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Asia House Film Festival | Borderlines Film Festival
As you’d expect, there are new titles from big regional hitters such as China and Japan here, but also films from the Asian countries you rarely hear from or about. Like Kazakhstan – two sides of which can be seen in the films of Yermek Tursunov: Zhat (Stranger) is a scenic wilderness adventure in the vein of Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala; and Little Brother (Kenzhe), an urban hitman thriller. There are also new features from Myanmar (monk’s story Panchagavya), Tajikistan (rural women’s tale Chilla), Mongolia (rockumentary Live From Ub) and even a short from Saudi Arabia. Offerings closer to the sort of thing you might expect include an eye-opening documentary on South Korea’s celebrity pro-gamers (State Of Play) and Japanese schoolgirl anime The Case Of Hana And Alice, while rising Chinese star Zhang Wei is one of many directors in attendance here,...
As you’d expect, there are new titles from big regional hitters such as China and Japan here, but also films from the Asian countries you rarely hear from or about. Like Kazakhstan – two sides of which can be seen in the films of Yermek Tursunov: Zhat (Stranger) is a scenic wilderness adventure in the vein of Kurosawa’s Dersu Uzala; and Little Brother (Kenzhe), an urban hitman thriller. There are also new features from Myanmar (monk’s story Panchagavya), Tajikistan (rural women’s tale Chilla), Mongolia (rockumentary Live From Ub) and even a short from Saudi Arabia. Offerings closer to the sort of thing you might expect include an eye-opening documentary on South Korea’s celebrity pro-gamers (State Of Play) and Japanese schoolgirl anime The Case Of Hana And Alice, while rising Chinese star Zhang Wei is one of many directors in attendance here,...
- 2/19/2016
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Fortissimo Films said today it has inked a multi-picture sales deal with Chinese multi-hyphenate Zhang Wei that includes his first two films, Factory Boss and Destiny. The deal will begin in time for Berlin. An entrepreneur-turned-filmmaker, Zhang is a graduate of the acclaimed Beijing Film Academy. His banner Huahao Film & Media has become known for presenting candid visions of marginalized Chinese lives through his films. Factory Boss tells the tragic story of factory…...
- 2/8/2016
- Deadline
Fortissimo Films has signed a multi-picture deal with Chinese filmmaker Zhang Wei, which includes his first two features, Factory Boss and Destiny.
Factory Boss tells the story of a factory owner who accepts an order from an American conglomerate with a tiny profit margin in a desperate move to save his business, while Destiny depicts an autistic boy’s fight for the right to an education.
Factory Boss won best actor at the Montreal World Film Festival in 2014 and will also screen in the upcoming Berlin Chinese Film Festival.
Zhang is a Beijing Film Academy graduate who became a filmmaker following a successful career as an entrepreneur. Through his production company, Huahao Film & Media, he produces candid portrayals of marginalised Chinese lives.
Fortissimo will commence sales on Zhang’s two titles at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. The two parties say they are looking to continue the relationship through Zhang’s developing career.
Zhang is currently...
Factory Boss tells the story of a factory owner who accepts an order from an American conglomerate with a tiny profit margin in a desperate move to save his business, while Destiny depicts an autistic boy’s fight for the right to an education.
Factory Boss won best actor at the Montreal World Film Festival in 2014 and will also screen in the upcoming Berlin Chinese Film Festival.
Zhang is a Beijing Film Academy graduate who became a filmmaker following a successful career as an entrepreneur. Through his production company, Huahao Film & Media, he produces candid portrayals of marginalised Chinese lives.
Fortissimo will commence sales on Zhang’s two titles at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin. The two parties say they are looking to continue the relationship through Zhang’s developing career.
Zhang is currently...
- 2/8/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Asia House is delighted to announce the full programme of the Asia House Film Festival 2016, once again generously supported by Prudential plc. This year’s theme of ‘Breaking Boundaries’ will be reflected in the diverse programme of 19 films, which include five European and six UK premieres. All of the films will be shown in London for the first time.
The Festival, now in its eighth year, will take place from 22 February to 5 March, and includes 11 feature films, three documentaries and five short films coming out of countries including Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Jasper Sharp, the Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “The films selected as part of the 2016 programme represent a world in which culture, politics and economies are transcending national boundaries. There will be a number of films from countries often completely overlooked by followers of Asian cinema, giving audiences a chance to experience the lives and landscapes...
The Festival, now in its eighth year, will take place from 22 February to 5 March, and includes 11 feature films, three documentaries and five short films coming out of countries including Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Jasper Sharp, the Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “The films selected as part of the 2016 programme represent a world in which culture, politics and economies are transcending national boundaries. There will be a number of films from countries often completely overlooked by followers of Asian cinema, giving audiences a chance to experience the lives and landscapes...
- 1/15/2016
- by The Tiger
- AsianMoviePulse
Nomad drama Stranger headlines London-based Asian festival.
Asia House Film Festival (Feb 22-Mar 5), held in London, has unveiled the line-up for its 2016 edition and revealed it will open with Ermek Tursunov’s Stranger (Zhat) - Kazakhstan’s submission for the 88th Academy Awards.
The period drama, which debuted at Toronto in September, centres on a young man who survived the famine of the 1930s, Stalinist deportation and Second World War by retreating in a cave to live off the land, but finds himself battling society in a bid to retain his freedom.
Tursunov and the film’s producer, Kanat Torebay, will host a Q&A session following the screening.
The director, whose previous feature Old Man (Shal) was selected as Kazakhstan’s official submission for the Oscars in 2012 and had nomadic drama Kelin shortlisted in 2010, will also present the European premiere of his latest film, Little Brother (Kenzhe), at London’s newly reopened Regent Street Cinema and will...
Asia House Film Festival (Feb 22-Mar 5), held in London, has unveiled the line-up for its 2016 edition and revealed it will open with Ermek Tursunov’s Stranger (Zhat) - Kazakhstan’s submission for the 88th Academy Awards.
The period drama, which debuted at Toronto in September, centres on a young man who survived the famine of the 1930s, Stalinist deportation and Second World War by retreating in a cave to live off the land, but finds himself battling society in a bid to retain his freedom.
Tursunov and the film’s producer, Kanat Torebay, will host a Q&A session following the screening.
The director, whose previous feature Old Man (Shal) was selected as Kazakhstan’s official submission for the Oscars in 2012 and had nomadic drama Kelin shortlisted in 2010, will also present the European premiere of his latest film, Little Brother (Kenzhe), at London’s newly reopened Regent Street Cinema and will...
- 1/12/2016
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba Pictures has removed group digital content chief, Patrick Liu Chunning, who has been in police custody relating to a corruption investigation since July 2015.
Liu was an executive director at Alibaba Pictures and also headed digital entertainment business for parent company Alibaba. He was detained by Chinese authorities for questioning over a corruption case relating to his time at Tencent Holdings, where he served as vice president.
Alibaba Pictures announced to the Hong Kong stock exchange that Liu would be removed as executive director as he hasn’t reported for duty for six months: “The company is unable to contact Mr. Liu until the date of this announcement, as Mr. Liu has failed to report his duties as director to the company and failed to attend any board meetings and general meetings of the company for a consecutive period of more than six months since June 11, 2015.”
Liu is one of several Chinese film executives to be taken...
Liu was an executive director at Alibaba Pictures and also headed digital entertainment business for parent company Alibaba. He was detained by Chinese authorities for questioning over a corruption case relating to his time at Tencent Holdings, where he served as vice president.
Alibaba Pictures announced to the Hong Kong stock exchange that Liu would be removed as executive director as he hasn’t reported for duty for six months: “The company is unable to contact Mr. Liu until the date of this announcement, as Mr. Liu has failed to report his duties as director to the company and failed to attend any board meetings and general meetings of the company for a consecutive period of more than six months since June 11, 2015.”
Liu is one of several Chinese film executives to be taken...
- 1/4/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Alibaba Pictures has restructured its management team with the appointment of Zhang Wei as president and Deng Kangming as COO.
Zhang, who is currently Alibaba Group senior vice president, will be responsible for the company’s overseas business, including investments and mergers and acquisitions. She may be based out of the company’s La office, although this has yet to be confirmed.
Deng will oversee e-commerce business and various administrative functions, including legal, finance, human resources, marketing and public relations. Both appointees will report to Alibaba Pictures CEO Zhang Qiang.
In a statement, Alibaba Pictures said it will establish four key strategic areas of focus: content development and production; marketing and publishing of film and TV programmes; development of an e-commerce entertainment platform; and development of an overseas entertainment business.
Zhang Qiang, CEO of Alibaba Pictures, said: “Technological changes in the film industry will have a great impact on the development of Alibaba Pictures and it will...
Zhang, who is currently Alibaba Group senior vice president, will be responsible for the company’s overseas business, including investments and mergers and acquisitions. She may be based out of the company’s La office, although this has yet to be confirmed.
Deng will oversee e-commerce business and various administrative functions, including legal, finance, human resources, marketing and public relations. Both appointees will report to Alibaba Pictures CEO Zhang Qiang.
In a statement, Alibaba Pictures said it will establish four key strategic areas of focus: content development and production; marketing and publishing of film and TV programmes; development of an e-commerce entertainment platform; and development of an overseas entertainment business.
Zhang Qiang, CEO of Alibaba Pictures, said: “Technological changes in the film industry will have a great impact on the development of Alibaba Pictures and it will...
- 8/13/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
She wanted to be the Oprah Winfrey of China. Instead, sources say American-educated Zhang Wei is relocating from Shanghai to Los Angeles to head an office for e-commerce giant Alibaba as it makes a much-watched incursion into Hollywood. In October, Alibaba founder and chairman Jack Ma described his firm — the Amazon of China, only with more money after its Ipo raised $25 billion — as "the world's biggest entertainment company." He is known to be interested in purchasing American content to stream and possibly investing in American movies. But some observers believe his ambitions also
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- 11/20/2014
- by Clifford Coonan, Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Transformers: Age of Extinction conquering all before it at the Chinese box office it seems the Chinese can't get enough of the toy-inspired franchise. Transformers toy collector Zhang Wei has become something of a star on Chinese social media for his huge collection of the Hasbro robots. Photos 'Transformers,' 'Battleship' and 'Barbie': The Highs and Lows of Toy-Inspired Movies With a little help from his wife, the retired soldier from the Chinese port city of Qingdao has been collecting the toys since 2002 and has amassed 380 Transformers, which he displays in his living room. Zhang's collection
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- 7/16/2014
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 16th annual Bradford International Film Festival, which will run March 18-28, is a total celebration of all forms of cinema, from classic films to modern world cinema to a tribute to Cinerama and more. But, most excitingly, is a bombastic collection of some of the best, most exciting underground films being made today.
From Bad Lit’s perspective, the most thrilling screening of the entire 10-day affair is the new film by British filmmaker Peter Whitehead, Terrorism Considered as One of the Fine Arts. In the U.S., Whitehead is a “lost” filmmaker from the underground’s heyday in the ’60s, being left out of most histories of the underground movement. Whitehead directed several influential films, including Wholly Communion and The Fall, before dropping out of filmmaking in the mid-’70s.
Film historian Jack Sargeant wrote extensively about and interviewed Whitehead for his wonderful book on Beat cinema, Naked Lens.
From Bad Lit’s perspective, the most thrilling screening of the entire 10-day affair is the new film by British filmmaker Peter Whitehead, Terrorism Considered as One of the Fine Arts. In the U.S., Whitehead is a “lost” filmmaker from the underground’s heyday in the ’60s, being left out of most histories of the underground movement. Whitehead directed several influential films, including Wholly Communion and The Fall, before dropping out of filmmaking in the mid-’70s.
Film historian Jack Sargeant wrote extensively about and interviewed Whitehead for his wonderful book on Beat cinema, Naked Lens.
- 3/5/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
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