The Berlin Film Festival is once again finding house room for Hong Kong’s most commercially successful enfant terrible, Soi Cheang, aka Cheang Pou Soi, who previously brought film noir “Limbo” to the Berlinale.
This time he attends with “Mad Fate,” a film about destiny that may be Cheang’s most bloodthirsty, but which the director says is intended to be inspirational. It plays in the Berlinale Special section.
Born in Macau, Cheang developed his career at the feet of Ringo Lam, Andrew Lau, Joe Ma, Wilson Yip and Johnnie To, the great stylists of the crime and action film genre across the Pearl River estuary in Hong Kong. To, who is on the Berlin jury this year, is also a producer on “Mad Fate” through his Makerville label.
“Essentially the story is about a fortune teller who meets a young man who has this really strong desire to commit murder.
This time he attends with “Mad Fate,” a film about destiny that may be Cheang’s most bloodthirsty, but which the director says is intended to be inspirational. It plays in the Berlinale Special section.
Born in Macau, Cheang developed his career at the feet of Ringo Lam, Andrew Lau, Joe Ma, Wilson Yip and Johnnie To, the great stylists of the crime and action film genre across the Pearl River estuary in Hong Kong. To, who is on the Berlin jury this year, is also a producer on “Mad Fate” through his Makerville label.
“Essentially the story is about a fortune teller who meets a young man who has this really strong desire to commit murder.
- 2/18/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
‘Motorway’ Director In The Driving Seat
Cheang Pou Soi (better known as Soi Cheang) whose latest film “Mad Fate” will premiere this month at the Berlin Film Festival, will be further honored next month when the Hong Kong International Film Festival makes him its Filmmaker in Focus.
He was born in Macau, but gained his footing in the much larger Hong Kong film industry, under the tutelage of Ringo Lam, Andrew Lau, Joe Ma, Wilson Yip and Johnnie To. He achieved a breakthrough with 1999 digital video “Our Last Day.”
“Cheang is a key figure among Hong Kong’s post-1997 generation of filmmakers and notable for his sombre but unmistakably personal visual style,” Hkiff Society director Albert Lee said in a statement. “He seldom deviates from mainstream storytelling conventions, but innovatively explores new boundaries of filmmaking across different genres, from horror and thriller to action films. In the stark dystopia he creates,...
Cheang Pou Soi (better known as Soi Cheang) whose latest film “Mad Fate” will premiere this month at the Berlin Film Festival, will be further honored next month when the Hong Kong International Film Festival makes him its Filmmaker in Focus.
He was born in Macau, but gained his footing in the much larger Hong Kong film industry, under the tutelage of Ringo Lam, Andrew Lau, Joe Ma, Wilson Yip and Johnnie To. He achieved a breakthrough with 1999 digital video “Our Last Day.”
“Cheang is a key figure among Hong Kong’s post-1997 generation of filmmakers and notable for his sombre but unmistakably personal visual style,” Hkiff Society director Albert Lee said in a statement. “He seldom deviates from mainstream storytelling conventions, but innovatively explores new boundaries of filmmaking across different genres, from horror and thriller to action films. In the stark dystopia he creates,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The 47th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF47) will honour Soi Cheang as this year’s Filmmaker-in-Focus.
One of Hong Kong’s most stylish and formidable directors, Cheang joins an illustrious and growing list of recent Hkiff Filmmakers-in-Focus, including Sandra Ng, Stanley Kwan, Michael Hui, Sammo Hung and Brigitte Lin.
Returning to its traditional dates after last year’s postponement, HKIFF47 will take place from 30 March to 10 April. At the centre of this year’s cinephile extravaganza is the showcase of Cheang’s 12 seminal works, the publication of a commemorative book and, in collaboration with long-term festival partner Moleskine, the release of a limited edition notebook. Cheang will also attend a Face-to-Face session to share his insights and vision with the public.
In making the announcement, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Executive Director Albert Lee paid tribute to Cheang and said the festival was proud to recognise his indelible contribution to Hong Kong cinema.
One of Hong Kong’s most stylish and formidable directors, Cheang joins an illustrious and growing list of recent Hkiff Filmmakers-in-Focus, including Sandra Ng, Stanley Kwan, Michael Hui, Sammo Hung and Brigitte Lin.
Returning to its traditional dates after last year’s postponement, HKIFF47 will take place from 30 March to 10 April. At the centre of this year’s cinephile extravaganza is the showcase of Cheang’s 12 seminal works, the publication of a commemorative book and, in collaboration with long-term festival partner Moleskine, the release of a limited edition notebook. Cheang will also attend a Face-to-Face session to share his insights and vision with the public.
In making the announcement, Hong Kong International Film Festival Society Executive Director Albert Lee paid tribute to Cheang and said the festival was proud to recognise his indelible contribution to Hong Kong cinema.
- 2/3/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Sunny Chang graduated in script-writing from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and since then has been working in the Hong Kong film industry as a script-writer, often collaborating with director Joe Ma. “Men on the Dragon”, produced by One Cool Picture, is his first film on the director’s chair. He wrote the script in 2004 and slowly collected experience and all the elements to realize it.
A true explorer of human compulsions and feelings, Sunny also writes love columns in Hong Kong, where he probably finds lots of inspirations and knowledge of what men and women think.
Tony Wu Tsz Tung is a real-life baseball athlete and was discovered by director Steve Chan Chi-fat while casting for his “Weeds on Fire”. His, role in this film won Tony the Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Performer.
On the occasion of the screening of the film “Men on...
A true explorer of human compulsions and feelings, Sunny also writes love columns in Hong Kong, where he probably finds lots of inspirations and knowledge of what men and women think.
Tony Wu Tsz Tung is a real-life baseball athlete and was discovered by director Steve Chan Chi-fat while casting for his “Weeds on Fire”. His, role in this film won Tony the Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Performer.
On the occasion of the screening of the film “Men on...
- 2/2/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The initiative kicks off on August 8 with the restored version of Johnnie To’s 2004 martial arts drama Throw Down.
Hong Kong Arts Centre (Hkac) has reopened its main cinema following an extensive refurbishment and partnered with One Cool Film Production on a three-year programme to showcase local films.
Rebranded as the Louis Koo Cinema, the Hkac venue will screen one Hong Kong film a month for three years through the “Great Hong Kong Movies” programme, which will focus on previews of films from emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and classics that have been digitally restored.
The initiative kicks off on August...
Hong Kong Arts Centre (Hkac) has reopened its main cinema following an extensive refurbishment and partnered with One Cool Film Production on a three-year programme to showcase local films.
Rebranded as the Louis Koo Cinema, the Hkac venue will screen one Hong Kong film a month for three years through the “Great Hong Kong Movies” programme, which will focus on previews of films from emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and classics that have been digitally restored.
The initiative kicks off on August...
- 7/20/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Film is based on a true event from 2014 when an armoured vehicle spilled its cash load into the street.
Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment unveiled a slate of new projects at Filmart yesterday, including Michael Sit’s Keyboard Warriors, starring Stephy Tang and Grace Chan.
Currently in post-production, the film is based on a true event in Hong Kong in 2014 when an armoured vehicle spilled large bundles of cash in a busy street.
Mei Ah’s slate also includes an as-yet-untitled romantic drama, produced by Joe Ma and starring Niki Chow and Ron Ng. The company is also selling Doris Wong’s New Turn,...
Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment unveiled a slate of new projects at Filmart yesterday, including Michael Sit’s Keyboard Warriors, starring Stephy Tang and Grace Chan.
Currently in post-production, the film is based on a true event in Hong Kong in 2014 when an armoured vehicle spilled large bundles of cash in a busy street.
Mei Ah’s slate also includes an as-yet-untitled romantic drama, produced by Joe Ma and starring Niki Chow and Ron Ng. The company is also selling Doris Wong’s New Turn,...
- 3/19/2018
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Sales company boards pair of projects at Hong Kong market.
One Cool Pictures has picked up worldwide sales rights to two Haf 2017 projects from Hong Kong, No.1 Chung Yi Street and Man On The Dragon.
Production is underway for Derek Chiu’s No.1 Chung Yi Street with about one third of the shoot completed.
The Hong Kong-set drama is split in two parts, revolving around a controversial anti-British riot in 1967 and imaginary political movements in 2019.
The cast includes Yau Hawk Sau, noted for his role in She Remembers, He Forgets, and Fish Liew, who has been nominated for best supporting actress for her role in Sisterhood at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards.
Produced by Joe Ma, Man On The Dragon is the directorial debut of established screenwriter and column writer Sunny Chan. The comedy drama is about five Hong Kong middle-aged underdogs who risk it all in a dragon boat contest.
One Cool Pictures has picked up worldwide sales rights to two Haf 2017 projects from Hong Kong, No.1 Chung Yi Street and Man On The Dragon.
Production is underway for Derek Chiu’s No.1 Chung Yi Street with about one third of the shoot completed.
The Hong Kong-set drama is split in two parts, revolving around a controversial anti-British riot in 1967 and imaginary political movements in 2019.
The cast includes Yau Hawk Sau, noted for his role in She Remembers, He Forgets, and Fish Liew, who has been nominated for best supporting actress for her role in Sisterhood at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards.
Produced by Joe Ma, Man On The Dragon is the directorial debut of established screenwriter and column writer Sunny Chan. The comedy drama is about five Hong Kong middle-aged underdogs who risk it all in a dragon boat contest.
- 3/13/2017
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
This year’s event features an unprecedented increase in women directors and a new work-in-progress lab.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Mar 13-15), which has its 15th edition this year, has revealed its lineup of 25 projects.
Unprecedentedly, nearly half of the projects are from female directors, about a third are by first-time directors and two rarely seen genres at Haf are included - science fiction and gothic thriller.
As with previous editions, Hong Kong has a strong presence with five projects, including Derek Chiu’s No.1 Chung Ying Street, a drama about the 1967 riots in Hong Kong; Sobel Chan’s The Goddess, a tribute to classic 1930s Chinese films; new director Sunny Chan’s Man On The Dragon, a comedy-drama about five middle-aged men who take part in a dragon boat competition; new director Tom Chung-sing’s Impossible Split, about a bowling athlete who becomes a world champion despite a fatal disease, produced by She...
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Mar 13-15), which has its 15th edition this year, has revealed its lineup of 25 projects.
Unprecedentedly, nearly half of the projects are from female directors, about a third are by first-time directors and two rarely seen genres at Haf are included - science fiction and gothic thriller.
As with previous editions, Hong Kong has a strong presence with five projects, including Derek Chiu’s No.1 Chung Ying Street, a drama about the 1967 riots in Hong Kong; Sobel Chan’s The Goddess, a tribute to classic 1930s Chinese films; new director Sunny Chan’s Man On The Dragon, a comedy-drama about five middle-aged men who take part in a dragon boat competition; new director Tom Chung-sing’s Impossible Split, about a bowling athlete who becomes a world champion despite a fatal disease, produced by She...
- 1/18/2017
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong-based Mei Ah Entertainment Group has announced a slate of six films at Hong Kong Filmart, including a film centred on a half-butterfly woman and China’s answer to Boyhood.
Based on Cai Jun’s popular suspense novel, Butterfly Cemetery 3D is a $12m fantasy thriller about a half-butterfly woman directed by Joe Ma and produced by Manfred Wong.
The effects-heavy film was shot mainly in Budapest and stars Zhang Li and Vivian Dawson.
Wong is the producer of a further two projects, of which the first is an untitled crime thriller by Philip Yung. Inspired by a true story, the film follows a village woman who travels across China to track down the murderer of her husband over 17 years. It is also produced by Julia Chu, who produced Yung’s critically acclaimed Port Of Call.
The second is Yu Zhong’s Growing Up, a coming-of-age drama that follows Wu Zang Suet, the child star...
Based on Cai Jun’s popular suspense novel, Butterfly Cemetery 3D is a $12m fantasy thriller about a half-butterfly woman directed by Joe Ma and produced by Manfred Wong.
The effects-heavy film was shot mainly in Budapest and stars Zhang Li and Vivian Dawson.
Wong is the producer of a further two projects, of which the first is an untitled crime thriller by Philip Yung. Inspired by a true story, the film follows a village woman who travels across China to track down the murderer of her husband over 17 years. It is also produced by Julia Chu, who produced Yung’s critically acclaimed Port Of Call.
The second is Yu Zhong’s Growing Up, a coming-of-age drama that follows Wu Zang Suet, the child star...
- 3/15/2016
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment will unveil several projects at Filmart today, including a co-production with Wong Kar Wai’s Jet Tone Productions titled Drive Me Crazy, and a Boyhood-inspired drama, Growing Up, which will be shot over a period of 15 years.
Drive Me Crazy, a $12m romantic drama scripted by Zhou Jingzhi (The Grandmaster), tells the story of a jilted bride who pays a stranger to take her on a road trip from Beijing to Yunnan.
Chen Chang and Luodan Wang (The Continent) will head the cast of the film, which is currently in pre-production. The director has yet to be confirmed.
Produced by Manfred Wong and directed by Yu Zhong, Growing Up will follow a group of child actors as they grow up in Beijing – with the aim of capturing the growth of the city and China as a country, as well as the children.
In addition, Gordon Chan and [link...
Drive Me Crazy, a $12m romantic drama scripted by Zhou Jingzhi (The Grandmaster), tells the story of a jilted bride who pays a stranger to take her on a road trip from Beijing to Yunnan.
Chen Chang and Luodan Wang (The Continent) will head the cast of the film, which is currently in pre-production. The director has yet to be confirmed.
Produced by Manfred Wong and directed by Yu Zhong, Growing Up will follow a group of child actors as they grow up in Beijing – with the aim of capturing the growth of the city and China as a country, as well as the children.
In addition, Gordon Chan and [link...
- 3/24/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Hong Kong’s Mei Ah Entertainment is producing new projects from Soi Cheang, director of Chinese New Year hit The Monkey King, and veteran filmmaker Joe Ma.
Soi is directing futuristic thriller Unforgotten (working title) about two police officers working in the Memory Investigation Department (Mid) who read victims’ memories to reveal details of the suspects.
The $12m film is currently in pre-production.
Ma’s On Fallen Wings is a 3D fantasy thriller set on a campus where a student is investigating the disappearance of his girlfriend. The $8m project is also in pre-production.
Mei Ah is also selling Jonathan Li’s $2m crime drama Black And White (working title), also in pre-production, and Shi Chang’s $2.5m comedy mystery Live@Love (working title), which is currently shooting.
Produced by Yuan Fang Film Production, Live@Love stars Yang Chin-hua and Liu Yi-hao in the story of a female private detective who uses fortune-telling techniques.
Black and White, produced...
Soi is directing futuristic thriller Unforgotten (working title) about two police officers working in the Memory Investigation Department (Mid) who read victims’ memories to reveal details of the suspects.
The $12m film is currently in pre-production.
Ma’s On Fallen Wings is a 3D fantasy thriller set on a campus where a student is investigating the disappearance of his girlfriend. The $8m project is also in pre-production.
Mei Ah is also selling Jonathan Li’s $2m crime drama Black And White (working title), also in pre-production, and Shi Chang’s $2.5m comedy mystery Live@Love (working title), which is currently shooting.
Produced by Yuan Fang Film Production, Live@Love stars Yang Chin-hua and Liu Yi-hao in the story of a female private detective who uses fortune-telling techniques.
Black and White, produced...
- 3/24/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
“Love in Time” is an old fashioned Hong Kong romantic comedy directed by Leefire, a multi-talented type also known as a playwright, radio host and song writer, following up on his not entirely successful 2007 “Give Love”, which he co-helmed with Joe Ma. Now making his solo debut, he offers up another slightly leftfield take on the genre, with popular Tvb actor Bosco Wong (“Together”) and actress Stephy Tang (“East Meets West”) headlining as a couple of (hopefully!) distant cousins falling in love, with support from Sammy Leung (“Love Undercover”), Danny So (“The Way we Were”) and Zhao Ke (“Chase our Love”). Bosco Wong plays Cho, an amiable slacker type, who scrapes out a living by selling ice cream from his truck with his amusingly named friend and roommate, the womanising Beer (Sammy Leung), living together in a small flat owned by his uncle. Things change when Cho is forced to...
- 5/14/2013
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
For those who don’t remember the original, “The Lion Roars 2” is a sequel to the 2002 Hong Kong hit, continuing the period comedy wackiness after a break of some 10 years. The Mainland production sees director Joe Ma (“Love Undercover”) returning along with actress Cecilia Cheung, comedian Xiao Shenyang (“Just Call Me Nobody”) replacing Louis Koo in the male lead role. With support from Xiao Shenyang’s mentor Zhao Benshan, Hui Siu Hung (“I Love Hong Kong 2012”), Victor Huang (“Nightmare”), and Zhang Xinyu (“Flying Swords of Dragon Gate”), the film mixes comedy, romance and Three Kingdoms intrigue in an attempt to serve up more of what made the first film so popular. Cecilia Cheung again plays Ying, a woman disliked in her village for her outspoken and bad-tempered behaviour, not to mention her habit of beating up men who take concubines or cheat on their wives. With her poor father...
- 11/14/2012
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Above: Director Cheang Soi. Photo © Robert Newald.
One of the most pleasant experiences of the movie year was the Viennale tribute to Cheang Soi (Zeng6 Bou2 Seoi6), and not just because it was long overdue—during the last decade, Cheang has established himself as the last (so far) addition to Hong Kong cinemas's key genre auteurs. What's more, the director proved himself an easygoing, merry presence, visibly delighted to attend his first retrospective, despite being occupied with two major releases lined up for 2012: The Monkey King (Dà nào tiān gōng), a new big-budget version of the Chinese classic, and the racing film Motorway (Ce1 sau2), his second production by Johnnie To's (Dou6 Kei4 Fung1) Milky Way Company after Accident (Ji3 ngoi6, 2009) brought Cheang Venice competition recognition. He gladly sat down for a chat with the Ferroni Brigade, discussing the upcoming features as well as his promising career, which...
One of the most pleasant experiences of the movie year was the Viennale tribute to Cheang Soi (Zeng6 Bou2 Seoi6), and not just because it was long overdue—during the last decade, Cheang has established himself as the last (so far) addition to Hong Kong cinemas's key genre auteurs. What's more, the director proved himself an easygoing, merry presence, visibly delighted to attend his first retrospective, despite being occupied with two major releases lined up for 2012: The Monkey King (Dà nào tiān gōng), a new big-budget version of the Chinese classic, and the racing film Motorway (Ce1 sau2), his second production by Johnnie To's (Dou6 Kei4 Fung1) Milky Way Company after Accident (Ji3 ngoi6, 2009) brought Cheang Venice competition recognition. He gladly sat down for a chat with the Ferroni Brigade, discussing the upcoming features as well as his promising career, which...
- 12/19/2011
- MUBI
Starry Starry Night is an adaptation of one of Taiwan's most famous illustrators, Jimmy Liao's beloved illustrated novel of the same name. In 2003, Liao's other popular novels, Colour Of Sound and Turn Left, Turn Right, were adapted by Hong Kong directors Joe Ma and Johnnie To respectively. Synopsis: It is a coming-of-age love story about a twelve year old girl's struggle with her family, her first love interest and about how the worst time during her growing up can become her fondest, most beautiful memory. Starry Starry Night is directed by Tom Lin Shu-Yu, regarded as one of the most promising new directors from Taiwan. His debut feature, Winds of September, was a critical and audience favourite when it was shown in 2008....
- 10/17/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Given that the original Korean romantic comedy “My Sassy Girl” was such a phenomenal and influential hit back in 2001, the idea of a sequel probably shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. However, “My Sassy Girl 2” has come a little from leftfield, arriving nearly a decade later and shifting the action from Korea to China, with a Hong Kong director in Joe Ma (“The Lion Roars”) and an all new cast headed by Lynn Xiong (“Ip Man”), Singaporean idol Leon Jay Williams (recently in the Stephen Chow produced “Jump”), Mainland TV show host He Jiong, gorgeous Taiwanese actress Abby Fung, and popular Hong Kong Tvb actor Bosco Wong (“I Love Hong Kong”). Although the film has no real links to its predecessor, it does see the return of writers Choi Seok Min and Kim Ho Sik, who ensure that it sticks to similar themes and delivers the same brand of aggressive,...
- 5/3/2011
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Pinch me I’m dreaming! We’ve been waiting well over two (count them, Two) years to see this flick released anywhere with English subs! Joe Ma’s reboot of the classic 70’s extreme hard core revenge Manga series, Sasori (Female Scorpion Convict) is now up for release on R2 DVD, and to say we’re over the moon about this fact would be a teeny bit of an understatement. Sasori is release by Cine Asia in the U.K on August 10th. Joy! Synopsis: Faced with a do-or-die ultimatum, Nami (Miki Mizuno) is forced to commit a homicide, by a trio of sadistic murderers. Abandoned by her family and imprisoned by a brutal regime, she wins the battle for supremacy in a series of punishing bare-knuckle brawls, only to be tortured and buried alive by the ruthless warden. Left for dead, she is revived by the mysterious Corpse Collector,...
- 7/21/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
[Update: the Far superior UK trailer can be found below the break.]
Well, it’s been years, frankly, and while I have no idea what took so long, Joe Ma’s Hong Kong-Japan co-produced re-envisioning of classic cult title Female Convict Scorpion is finally geting a release in Japan. Which means that literally two full years after we first ran stills from the film’s shoot we can finally share a trailer. Temper your excitement, though ... while it’s good to finally have a trailer the source quality on this is unforgivably bad - low resolution and poorly encoded. But, for the time being it’s all there is and you’ll find it below the break.
Well, it’s been years, frankly, and while I have no idea what took so long, Joe Ma’s Hong Kong-Japan co-produced re-envisioning of classic cult title Female Convict Scorpion is finally geting a release in Japan. Which means that literally two full years after we first ran stills from the film’s shoot we can finally share a trailer. Temper your excitement, though ... while it’s good to finally have a trailer the source quality on this is unforgivably bad - low resolution and poorly encoded. But, for the time being it’s all there is and you’ll find it below the break.
- 7/19/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
More Filmart news
Hong Kong -- Hong Kong-based media distribution company Mei Ah Entertainment and sister production company Big Media have big plans for China that include an adjusted production strategy, a new, multifaceted distribution line and more movie houses.
"Our new strategy for development is definitely 'Toward the North,' " Big Media CEO Charley Zhuo told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Monday at Filmart, the sister companies will unveil a director-driven, 500 million yuan ($72 million) slate of 14 films that targets the Chinese market. The pics include the $12 million July release "Ku Fu Cyborg" by director Jeff Lau; the $1 million Taiwan romantic drama "More Than Close," produced by Terence Chang; the $2 million urban romance "Dirt Rich in Shanghai," produced by Chang, John Woo, Michelle Yeoh, Tang Tsai-yang and Matthew Tong and starring Kelly Lin and Sun Hong-lei; youth dance pic "Beat it," directed by Adam Wong; fantasy comedy "Amazing Stories" from directors...
Hong Kong -- Hong Kong-based media distribution company Mei Ah Entertainment and sister production company Big Media have big plans for China that include an adjusted production strategy, a new, multifaceted distribution line and more movie houses.
"Our new strategy for development is definitely 'Toward the North,' " Big Media CEO Charley Zhuo told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Monday at Filmart, the sister companies will unveil a director-driven, 500 million yuan ($72 million) slate of 14 films that targets the Chinese market. The pics include the $12 million July release "Ku Fu Cyborg" by director Jeff Lau; the $1 million Taiwan romantic drama "More Than Close," produced by Terence Chang; the $2 million urban romance "Dirt Rich in Shanghai," produced by Chang, John Woo, Michelle Yeoh, Tang Tsai-yang and Matthew Tong and starring Kelly Lin and Sun Hong-lei; youth dance pic "Beat it," directed by Adam Wong; fantasy comedy "Amazing Stories" from directors...
- 3/23/2009
- by By Karen Chu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Well well...Upcoming Hong Kong martial arts actioner Coweb (helmed by Xiong Xin Xin, once Wushu champion, turned actor and now director) has just appeared on the company site of U.S distributor Arclight films which has us wondering if we might well be in for a North American release? The film stars female martial arts newcomer Jiang Luxia in the lead, as the kick ass femme fatale, fighting her way through a literal army (wait till you see the trailer) of bad guys to save her boss from a gang of kidnappers. Great news if it is. Let's hope it sees the light of day a little quicker than another Arclight acquisition; Joe Ma's revenge pic Sasori, which they've been sitting on for over a year and still no sigh of a (Just saying Arclight) release. Coweb is set to open in Hong Kong in May.
- 3/15/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
Well well...Upcoming Hong Kong martial arts actioner Coweb (helmed by Xiong Xin Xin, once Wushu champion, turned actor and now director) has just appeared on the company site of U.S distributor Arclight films which has us wondering if we might well be in for a North American release? The film stars female martial arts newcomer Jiang Luxia in the lead, as the kick ass femme fatale, fighting her way through a literal army (wait till you see the trailer) of bad guys to save her boss from a gang of kidnappers. Great news if it is. Let's hope it sees the light of day a little quicker than another Arclight acquisition; Joe Ma's revenge pic Sasori, which they've been sitting on for over a year and still no sigh of a (Just saying Arclight) release. Coweb is set to open in Hong Kong in May.
- 3/15/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
Well well...Upcoming Hong Kong martial arts actioner Coweb (helmed by Xiong Xin Xin, once Wushu champion, turned actor and now director) has just appeared on the company site of U.S distributor Arclight films which has us wondering if we might well be in for a North American release? The film stars female martial arts newcomer Jiang Luxia in the lead, as the kick ass femme fatale, fighting her way through a literal army (wait till you see the trailer) of bad guys to save her boss from a gang of kidnappers. Great news if it is. Let's hope it sees the light of day a little quicker than another Arclight acquisition; Joe Ma's revenge pic Sasori, which they've been sitting on for over a year and still no sigh of a (Just saying Arclight) release. Coweb is set to open in Hong Kong in May.
- 3/15/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
A minor traffic accident causes a heated spat between easy-going Tung Choi (Tony Leung) and instantly dislikeable Deborah Fok (Sammi Cheng.) In an attempt to make amends the two end up spending the night together which is the beginning of a tentative love/hate relationship in Joe Ma’s romantic comedy.
Tony Leung (Chungking Express, 2046, Hero) is a third generation beef noodle restaurant owner with a speciality in tripe dishes and a secret 30 year old sauce recipe. Sammi Cheng (Infernal Affairs, Everlasting Regret) is a cold workaholic who is not averse to the odd cruel outburst of threatening behaviour. When coincidence and bad manners bring the two together the clash of personalities makes for a fiery pairing. In an attempt to sort out their vehicular feud the two find common ground over a mutual taste in beer. However, when this drunken peacemaking ends up in a night spent together it...
Tony Leung (Chungking Express, 2046, Hero) is a third generation beef noodle restaurant owner with a speciality in tripe dishes and a secret 30 year old sauce recipe. Sammi Cheng (Infernal Affairs, Everlasting Regret) is a cold workaholic who is not averse to the odd cruel outburst of threatening behaviour. When coincidence and bad manners bring the two together the clash of personalities makes for a fiery pairing. In an attempt to sort out their vehicular feud the two find common ground over a mutual taste in beer. However, when this drunken peacemaking ends up in a night spent together it...
- 8/6/2008
- by Fiona
- Latemag.com/film
Joe Ma’s Sasori is a film that comes with all sorts of expectations and baggage attached being, as it is, not only a restart but also something of a re-envisioning of the classic 1970’s Japanese exploitation series Female Convict Scorpion 701. It should come as no surprise then that reactions to the film have been sharply polarized, that this is a film that people either love or hate, but what is a bit surprising is why. It’s not that the film has in any way toned down the exploitation elements, those are there in spades. It’s not the fusion of Hong Kong and Japanese influences, that was expected with the film coming out of the ongoing partnership between Hong Kong’s Sameway and Japan’s Art Port and it falls in nicely with the bleak, hard edged 1980’s aesthetic already established in Shamo and Dog Bite Dog. No,...
- 7/13/2008
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
- Way back in the early ‘90s Hong Kong cinema was known for three things: Jackie Chan’s acrobatics, Jet Li’s bone-crushing , and John Woo’s bullet ballets. True to form, Hollywood made it a priority to poach these icons and bring them to America at large. While all three found great success in the transition, only Woo totally crossed over without looking back. As a consequence, Hk cinema was left scrambling to find someone to take up the mantle. Many tried to make their mark, from hacks like Joe Ma to the highly competent like Corey Yuen, but it wasn’t until Johnny To stepped up to the plate did the industry finally have a new action maestro. With an astounding 25 films to his credit in the last 8 years alone (and that’s just as a director!), few can boast his prolific output and sheer quality. Best known
- 7/9/2008
- IONCINEMA.com
A reboot of Ito Shunya's 1972 Japanese women in prison film "Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion" (itself based on a manga by Toru Shinohara), "Sasori" is a twice-removed throwback to the grand 1970s tradition of exploitation cinema. Though cut from the same cloth as its inspiration, "Caged Heat" and "Black Mama, White Mama", the film lacks a context to work within, ultimately rendering it a nasty piece of B pulp with few redeeming qualities.
There is limited boxoffice appeal for "Sasori", which is likely to get slapped with a Category III rating (Hong Kong's version of NC-17), but it could potentially appeal to genre festivals and see something of a life on DVD.
Nami (Mizuno Miki, "Bayside Shakedown") is happily engaged to a cop, Hei Tai (Dylan Kuo). This is made evident with plenty of languid close-ups as they lounge around in a highly stylized bedroom awaiting a visit from his father and sister. Things go downhill when three thugs, led by Akagi (Bruce Leung), break into their home intent on killing the father. Don't ask why. Nami is given a gruesome choice: Kill the sister or Hei Tai dies.
This being an exploitation film, the prison is run by a perverted warden (Lam Suet) and is populated by the worst of the worst. After some mud wrestling and a shower room throw-down, the prison staff leaves Nami for dead in the woods to be saved by the Corpse Collector (Simon Yam), who trains her in preparation for her revenge.
Director Joe Ma is more widely known for his romantic comedies than for hard-core action, and it shows. When "Sasori" isn't disjointed and mean-spirited (there's an unhealthy obsession with women being stabbed in the genital area), it tries to be a tragic romance and, for the most part, fails. Kuo makes for a dull male lead, and Mizuno lacks the fiery strength needed for this kind of feminine (some would say neo-feminist) avenger.
There is limited boxoffice appeal for "Sasori", which is likely to get slapped with a Category III rating (Hong Kong's version of NC-17), but it could potentially appeal to genre festivals and see something of a life on DVD.
Nami (Mizuno Miki, "Bayside Shakedown") is happily engaged to a cop, Hei Tai (Dylan Kuo). This is made evident with plenty of languid close-ups as they lounge around in a highly stylized bedroom awaiting a visit from his father and sister. Things go downhill when three thugs, led by Akagi (Bruce Leung), break into their home intent on killing the father. Don't ask why. Nami is given a gruesome choice: Kill the sister or Hei Tai dies.
This being an exploitation film, the prison is run by a perverted warden (Lam Suet) and is populated by the worst of the worst. After some mud wrestling and a shower room throw-down, the prison staff leaves Nami for dead in the woods to be saved by the Corpse Collector (Simon Yam), who trains her in preparation for her revenge.
Director Joe Ma is more widely known for his romantic comedies than for hard-core action, and it shows. When "Sasori" isn't disjointed and mean-spirited (there's an unhealthy obsession with women being stabbed in the genital area), it tries to be a tragic romance and, for the most part, fails. Kuo makes for a dull male lead, and Mizuno lacks the fiery strength needed for this kind of feminine (some would say neo-feminist) avenger.
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.