Painted Skin (2008)

An action-thriller centered on a vampire-like woman who eats the skins and hearts of her lovers.

Directors:

Gordon Chan, Andy Wing-Keung Chin (co-director) (as Chin Wing Keung)

Writers:

Ho Leung Lau (screenplay) (as Lau Ho Leung), Abe Kwong (screenplay)

Stars:

Donnie Yen, Xun Zhou, Kun Chen

11 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donnie Yen	...	Pang Yong
Xun Zhou	...	Xiao Wei (as Zhou Xun)
Kun Chen	...	Wang Sheng (as Chen Kun)
Wei Zhao	...	Pei Rong (as Zhao Wei)
Li Sun	...	Xia Bing (as Sun Li)
Yuwu Qi	...	Xiao Yi (as Qi Yuwu)
Song Jin	...	Gao Xiang
David Leong	...	Xia Hou Xiang (as David Liang)
Cong Xiao	...	Jing Ping
Yan Liu	...	Patroness (as Liu Yan)
Yeerjiang Mahepushen	...	Bandit chief (as Ye Er Jiang)
Michael An-Ye Tan	...	Da Dao (as Michael Tan)
Yun-Peng Qi	...	Mo Zhui (as Qi Yun Peng)
Yang Wen	...	Tong Tou (as Wen Yang)
Chang-Zhou Zhao	...	Jing An (as Zhao Chang Zhou)

Storyline

Where there is trouble, there is a solution. This time, the trouble comes from two mythical spirits who take the forms of humans. Disguised in human skin and clothes, the pair continue to take the hearts of humans to stay alive and young. But one of them strays down the wrong path and falls in love with a married man. What will happen to the lives of this man and his wife after saving from the barbarians someone who didn't need any saving?

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Plot Keywords:

demon | based on novel | adaptation | supernatural | qin dynasty | 

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Taglines:

The battle for an empire begins.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

film information Official site [Japan]

Country:

China Hong Kong Singapore

Language:

Mandarin

Release Date:

25 September 2008 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Démon vadász

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,579,689

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mediacorp Raintree Pictures, Ningxia Film Studio, Shanghai Film Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 118 min (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hong Kong's 2009 Academy Awards official submission to Foreign-Language Film category.

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Goofs

All mail armor in this film is made with the the mail going vertically rather than sideways. This would make the armor less effective, as it spreads the ring pattern open, making it easier to penetrate. All historical examples of mail armor have the ring pattern going from side to side for this reason.

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Connections

Follows Hua pi (1966)

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Soundtracks

Painted Heart
Music by Ikuro Fujiwara (as Fujiwara Ikuro)
Lyrics by Siu-kei Chan
Performed by Jane Zhang (as Jane Zhang)

User Reviews

An absolute mess

Sigh. Donnie Yen, Wei Zhao, a killer concept - how could this not be great!

Well, unfortunately, "they" found a way.

There's honestly little point in giving a summary of the plot here, as it may make whoever reads this want to see it, only to turn it off a long time before the end credits roll.

So, how best to describe this film honestly?

Well, perhaps mumbled, confused, dull, with poor action sequences, humour that won't amuse and zero chemistry between those supposedly loving and trying to seduce one another would be a pretty good start.

Seriously, films like this make me feel so sorry for all those aspiring writers, actors and film-makers who can't get the funds to put a low-budget project together, when such dismal trash is clearly tossing cash into the wind.

I needn't have to advise anyone reading this to avoid it, but shall do all the same:

AVOID IT.