Ringing Korea’S Grand Bell
“Concrete Utopia,” South Korea’s Oscar contender, was Wednesday named best film at the country’s annual Grand Bell Awards. It also won prizes for best actor, best supporting actress, art direction, sound mixing and visual effects. A disaster movie set in a devastated Seoul, it makes an unusual Academy Awards selection, but has gained high praise from reviewers. Variety this week said the film felt like “’Earthquake’ crossed with ‘Lord of the Flies’.”
The Grand Bell’s best director award nevertheless went to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” while Ahn Tae-jin took the best new director award for “The Night Owl.”
In the other half of the event, Disney+’s “Moving” was named best series, earning Han Hyo-joo the best series actress award to boot.
The Grand Bell Awards, aka Daejong Film Awards, are organized by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea.
Cineasia Honors
The...
“Concrete Utopia,” South Korea’s Oscar contender, was Wednesday named best film at the country’s annual Grand Bell Awards. It also won prizes for best actor, best supporting actress, art direction, sound mixing and visual effects. A disaster movie set in a devastated Seoul, it makes an unusual Academy Awards selection, but has gained high praise from reviewers. Variety this week said the film felt like “’Earthquake’ crossed with ‘Lord of the Flies’.”
The Grand Bell’s best director award nevertheless went to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” while Ahn Tae-jin took the best new director award for “The Night Owl.”
In the other half of the event, Disney+’s “Moving” was named best series, earning Han Hyo-joo the best series actress award to boot.
The Grand Bell Awards, aka Daejong Film Awards, are organized by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea.
Cineasia Honors
The...
- 11/16/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Screenwriter for the likes of Stephen Chow (“Shaolin Soccer” and “The Mermaid”), Chih-chiang has since then been exploring, in the director’s chair, very diverse genres, including a musical and a contemporary western. His fourth feature as director/writer, dwells upon the mix of crime, police procedural, noir and a touch of psychology, reminiscent of past Hong Kong Cinema traditions. “A Witness Out of The Blue” puts together a convoluted script and a stellar cast helmed by ubiquitous Louis Koo to achieve mixed results.
A Witness out of the Blue is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
Immediately and before the rolling titles, we are catapulted on a murder scene; a junkie is found dead in a filthy basement by a passer-by before being knocked out by a mysterious man running away, probably the murderer. The only living soul present at the murder is a beautiful blood-red parrot that blurts out seemingly random words.
A Witness out of the Blue is streaming on Focus Hong Kong
Immediately and before the rolling titles, we are catapulted on a murder scene; a junkie is found dead in a filthy basement by a passer-by before being knocked out by a mysterious man running away, probably the murderer. The only living soul present at the murder is a beautiful blood-red parrot that blurts out seemingly random words.
- 2/5/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Screenwriter for the likes of Stephen Chow (“Shaolin Soccer” and “The Mermaid”), Chih-chiang has since then been exploring, in the director chair, very diverse genres including a musical and a contemporary western. His fourth feature as director/writer, dwells upon the mix of crime, police procedural, noir and a touch of psychology, reminiscent of past Hong Kong Cinema traditions. “A Witness Out of The Blue” puts together a convoluted script and a stellar cast helmed by ubiquitous Louis Koo to achieve mixed results.
Immediately and before the rolling titles, we are catapulted on a murder scene; a junkie is found dead in a filthy basement by a passer-by before being knocked out by a mysterious man running away, probably the murderer. The only living soul present at the murder is a beautiful blood-red parrot that blurts out seemingly random words. However, soon we discover that nothing on that crime-scene is what it looks.
Immediately and before the rolling titles, we are catapulted on a murder scene; a junkie is found dead in a filthy basement by a passer-by before being knocked out by a mysterious man running away, probably the murderer. The only living soul present at the murder is a beautiful blood-red parrot that blurts out seemingly random words. However, soon we discover that nothing on that crime-scene is what it looks.
- 4/15/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Following the unexpected success of the documentary “Women’s Private Parts”, director Barbara Wong became one of the newest hopes of the female-centric comedy/dramas that had exploded in Chinese and Hong Kong theaters. Despite a string of financial successes that belie the critical response to the films, her 2014 film “Girls” was successful enough to spawn this outright trash fire of a film sequel several years later after a few years of being held in release limbo.
After becoming engaged, Xiwen is persuaded by her friend Kimmy to take a fun Bachelorette Party trip to Vietnam. When Jialan and Jingjing (Wang Shuilin) decide to come along on the trip, a night of heavy drinking leads the three friends to wake up naked on a beach, while two are handcuffed together to a locked suitcase, one has a strange new tattoo and no one can remember what happened the night before.
After becoming engaged, Xiwen is persuaded by her friend Kimmy to take a fun Bachelorette Party trip to Vietnam. When Jialan and Jingjing (Wang Shuilin) decide to come along on the trip, a night of heavy drinking leads the three friends to wake up naked on a beach, while two are handcuffed together to a locked suitcase, one has a strange new tattoo and no one can remember what happened the night before.
- 10/17/2018
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Director Wong Chun-chun teams up with Ivy Chen Yi-han, Fiona Sit and Janine Chang for another all-girls adventure in Girls 2. Xiwen has gotten engaged & her friends a.k.a. her bridesmaids take her on a bachelorette trip to Vietnam, where one of the bridesmaids, Xiaomei, is filming a movie. The rest of the gang include Xiwen's best friends, Kimmy & Jialan, as well as her fiance's little sister, Jingjing. At a private villa party in Vietnam, things turn a little wild as the girls party hard. Thanks to Magnum Films, we have Five double passes for the film to give away to our readers. For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps: 1) Like the Magnum Film...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/5/2018
- Screen Anarchy
February at the Chinese box office was the biggest month ever for a single territory with $1.67bn.
Thanks to the New Year blockbusters, February at the Chinese box office was the biggest month ever for a single territory with $1.67bn.
Much of that came from three top festive titles, which continued to command the Chinese box office during Feb 26-Mar 4. Operation Red Sea succeeded in moving to the top, knocking Detective Chinatown 2 to second place, while Monster Hunt 2 remained in third.
Hong Kong director Dante Lam’s latest military film, which opened in fourth and climbed to second in its second week,...
Thanks to the New Year blockbusters, February at the Chinese box office was the biggest month ever for a single territory with $1.67bn.
Much of that came from three top festive titles, which continued to command the Chinese box office during Feb 26-Mar 4. Operation Red Sea succeeded in moving to the top, knocking Detective Chinatown 2 to second place, while Monster Hunt 2 remained in third.
Hong Kong director Dante Lam’s latest military film, which opened in fourth and climbed to second in its second week,...
- 3/5/2018
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
In its own way, “Hello Babies” is something of a landmark, with traditional Lunar New Year box office rivals Eric Tsang and Raymond Wong joining forces for a combined assault on audiences instead of offering up more instalments in the “All’s Well Ends Well” and “I Love Hong Kong” series. Prolific director and actor Vincent Kok (“Hotel Deluxe”) writes and directs, pulling together the usual cast of familiar faces who tend to appear in this kind of extremely popular seasonal film, including the likes of Ronald Cheng, Fiona Sit, Alex Lam, Sandra Ng and others, with plenty of famous gag cameos being thrown in along the way. Though essentially an hour and a half of good-natured nonsense, for what it’s worth, the plot revolves around Raymond Wong and Eric Tsang as long standing rivals Lui Ming and Yeung Ah Wei, competing in a race to see who can...
- 4/13/2014
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Universe Films Distribution is to unveil four new projects at Filmart, including an as-yet-untitled action film from Benny Chan and Adrian Kwan’s drama Little Big Master, which Chan will produce.
Based on a true story, Little Big Master explores the problem of schools closing down in Hong Kong, due to the ageing population, and follows an enthusiastic headmaster who runs a kindergarten regardless of low pay. The $4.5m film is scheduled to start shooting in May.
Chan’s new project as director is described as a “Midnight Run-style action comedy” set in Hong Kong and mainland China. He expects to start shooting the $12m project after production has wrapped on Kwan’s film. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2015. Chan previously produced Kwan’s 2002 romantic comedy If You Care.
Universe is also selling Herman Yau’s $9m action title Time To Explode (working title) and James Yuen’s $5m romantic comedy Paris Holiday, starring...
Based on a true story, Little Big Master explores the problem of schools closing down in Hong Kong, due to the ageing population, and follows an enthusiastic headmaster who runs a kindergarten regardless of low pay. The $4.5m film is scheduled to start shooting in May.
Chan’s new project as director is described as a “Midnight Run-style action comedy” set in Hong Kong and mainland China. He expects to start shooting the $12m project after production has wrapped on Kwan’s film. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2015. Chan previously produced Kwan’s 2002 romantic comedy If You Care.
Universe is also selling Herman Yau’s $9m action title Time To Explode (working title) and James Yuen’s $5m romantic comedy Paris Holiday, starring...
- 3/24/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Burgeoning filmmaker Fung Chih Chiang’s (the writer of Stephen Chow's “Shaolin Soccer”) lively fusion of classic, surreal, farce and traditional kicking action - The Bounty - has just gone on sale on UK DVD. Starring Fiona Sit and Alex Man (As Tears Go By), “The Bounty” focuses on the eccentric Cho, who finds himself in a small island resort on the hunt for a fugitive robber and a highly alluring reward. However due to the nosey inhabitants who are alarmed by his unorthodox ways, Cho is lead into a comedy of errors and misunderstandings. Kung Fu Hustle it isn’t. but there seems plenty of action and laughs to go around. Synopsis: following bounty hunter and martial artist Cho Sai Fung (Chapman To) on a job to track down a fugitive. Cho arrives at the Lazy Inn, situated on an island in Hong Kong, to search for thief...
- 1/6/2014
- 24framespersecond.net
The last few years have been an interesting time for the horror genre in Chinese cinema, with film makers venturing more and more into the realms of the sinister, while being held back by the limitations imposed by the censors on depictions of the ghostly and supernatural. Hong Kong helmer Herman Yau is certainly a man up for the task, with a fine pedigree in the genre, having been responsible for classics like “The Untold Story” and “Ebola Syndrome”, as well as several instalments of the lengthy “Troublesome Night” series. Unsurprisingly labelled as ‘psychological horror’, the film has a pair of popular stars in the lead in Fiona Sit (“The Bounty”) and Huang Xuan (“Driverless”), with support from actress Zhou Chuchu (“Dream Home”). The film opens strongly, with Huang Xuan as Dong Zi, a man suffering from insomnia who one night sees a woman (Zhou Chuchu) in the opposite apartment...
- 10/24/2012
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Do you like your Hong Kong comedies edgy, risque and hilarious? If your answer is yes and you live in the U.S. then today is a good day for you as we've been told that Vulgaria, the new comedy by Pang Ho-cheung will be hitting select theaters in North America on September 28th. The film's been getting rave reviews on the festival circuit this year and a Category III rating by the Hk censors pretty much guarantees a certain amount of... well, just look at that poster. The film stars Chapman To, Dada Chan, Ronald Cheng, Yam Yam Siu and Fiona Sit. Synopsis: Movie producer To Wai-Cheung (Chapman To) embarks on producing his next opus b-film. In order to make it happen, Ta Wai-Cheung must get funding from mainland triad boss Tyrannosaurus and enlist the involvement of 1970's movie star Susan Shaw in a softcore porn remake.
- 7/26/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
Chinese veteran helmer Herman Yau ('Gong tau', 'The Ghost Inside' (Aka 'Yi shen yi gui')) has just unveiled his new horror project 'Nightmare' to lucky audiences across China and Hong Kong. To coincide with the release a trio of new creepy one-sheets have been revealed for the supernatural spook tale which stars Fiona Sit, Huang Xuan and Zhou Chuchu. Check out the new posters along with another look at the trailer below....
- 7/11/2012
- Horror Asylum
Undoubtedly one of the year's funniest films, Pang Ho Cheung's bawdy comedy Vulgaria is soon to get a theatrical release here in Hong Kong, after a healthy run on the festival circuit at such esteemed showcases as the Udine Far East Film Festival, the New York Asian Film Festival and here at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, where it premiered back in March. The film stars Chapman To, Ronald Cheng, Dada Chen and Fiona Sit and details the daily struggles of a second rate film producer as he battles to secure financing for his latest opus.If you've heard of the film at all, you will most likely already know that the film is a non-stop tirade of dirty anecdotes, sexual innuendo and the now-legendary...
- 7/4/2012
- Screen Anarchy
After a successful decade writing for the likes of Stephen Chow (Shaolin Soccer, CJ7), Johnnie To (Sparrow) and Law Wing Cheong (Hooked On You, Punished), screenwriter Fung Chih Chiang finally takes a swing at directing with this light-hearted crime caper based on his own script. The increasingly ever-present Chapman To stars as low level Guangzhou bounty hunter, Cho, who will track down anything from criminals to missing pets in order to eke out a living. When his agent, Boss Tony (Wen Chao), sends him to a remote Hong Kong island in search of a ruthless thief wanted for assaulting a young bride, Cho soon finds himself caught up in the antics of eccentric hotelier Suen (Alex Man) and his oddball daughter, Linda (Fiona Sit).Nothing could...
- 6/24/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Though Fung Chi Chiang may be a fresh face as a director, he's certainly not new to the film industry. As a writer Fung has some enormous titles on his resume, including Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer and CJ7 and Johnnie To's Sparrow. And now, after writing for some of the giants of the industry, Fung is stepping behind the camera to direct himself.The film is titled The Bounty - an action comedy starring Chapman To and Fiona Sit, with To playing an unemployed and not particularly competent bounty hunter.The trailer promises great fun, check it out below....
- 6/14/2012
- Screen Anarchy
“The Fortune Buddies” is the latest big screen outing from Tvb and Shaw Brothers, following up on their successful “72 Tenants of Prosperity” and “I Love Hong Kong”. Produced as usual by Eric Tsang and directed by studio regular Chung Sue Kie, who was also recently responsible for the comedy “Adventure of the King”, the wacky film revolves around Louis Yuen, Wong Cho Lam and Johnson Lee, famed for their Tvb comedy sketch program “Fun with Liza And Gods” as three down on their luck men who end up becoming wrestlers. As well as a supporting cast that includes Fiona Sit (“The Way we Were”), Maggie Cheung (“Punished”), Hong Kong veteran Pauline Wong and Tsang himself, the film unsurprisingly packs in a huge number of cameos, including, but not limited to Michael Tse, King Kong, Richard Ng, Lam Suet, Tin Kai Man and Bosco Wong. Louis Yuen, Wong Cho Lam and Johnson Lee play Fook Yuen,...
- 11/11/2011
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Instantly recognisable Hong Kong supporting actor Liu Kai Chi (recently in “The Stool Pigeon”, “The Detective” plus sequel, and more) gets a rare chance to headline with fanciful drama “The Way We Were”. Marking the debut of theatre director Hui Shu Ning and Lau Kin Ping, the film revolves around the amusing (though very believable) idea of remaking the seminal television drama “The Bund”, with Liu as a one time actor still desperately hoping to hit the big time. Support comes from popular actress singer Fiona Sit (“Break up Club”) as his daughter, along with Sin Lap Man (“Lan Kwai Fong”), Tats Lau (“Team of Miracle”), singer Pakho Chau (“Once a Gangster”) and radio DJ Danny So. Liu Kai Chi plays Cheong Kwai, a middle-aged man unable to forget the 15 minutes of fame he enjoyed 20 years back as a minor character in “The Bund”. Now working in a convenience store,...
- 10/19/2011
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Barbara Wong, noted director of hip modern Hong Kong youth films returns with “Break Up Club”, teaming again with writer producer Lawrence Cheng, who she worked with back in 2003 on her first hit “Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat”. For her latest feature, she returns to the same low key, documentary like style, using handheld cameras and a variety of techniques to chart the ups and downs of the turbulent relationship between a young, possibly mismatched couple. The film has an extra bit of spice due to the presence of rumoured real life pairing Fiona Sit and Jaycee Chan in the lead roles, who previously also played screen lovers in “2 Young”. It certainly managed to strike a chord with audiences, emerging as one of the biggest domestic box office hits of summer 2010. Jaycee Chan plays Joe, a twenty-something layabout whose lack of commitment in finding a job or...
- 10/12/2010
- by James Mudge
- Beyond Hollywood
Well, we're back with another episode of Burn Notice. Jesse is still part of the team and the team is still holding Kendra prisoner. Alan Dale also makes an appearance in this episode. Some might know him better as Charles Widmore.
Spy Observation (Jesse and Michael drive in the Charger): Interrogating a a hostile prisoner is a little bit like proposing marriage; you want to get it right on the first try. So you don't settle until you find the perfect spot, (they spend time retasking an abandoned house into a make shift prison cell where they eventually lock up Kendra) you take special care to create the right ambiance and set the mood, and then you wait for the best moment to pop the question.
Jesse and Michael sit watching Kendra on a monitor. Jesse jumps to his feet, ready to interrogate her. Michael said 48 hours, and Jesse...
Spy Observation (Jesse and Michael drive in the Charger): Interrogating a a hostile prisoner is a little bit like proposing marriage; you want to get it right on the first try. So you don't settle until you find the perfect spot, (they spend time retasking an abandoned house into a make shift prison cell where they eventually lock up Kendra) you take special care to create the right ambiance and set the mood, and then you wait for the best moment to pop the question.
Jesse and Michael sit watching Kendra on a monitor. Jesse jumps to his feet, ready to interrogate her. Michael said 48 hours, and Jesse...
- 7/16/2010
- by Marbles
So far, this season has been great. I was apprehensive at first over the addition of another team member, but Jesse has quickly proven himself worthy of working with Michael, Sam and Fiona. When we last saw our team, they were figuring out a way to sneak Jesse to the Bahamas... let's see how that worked out for them.
Spy Observation (flying over the white beaches of The Bahamas): Spies spend a lot of time traveling, but they don't usually wind up in the most desirable of destinations.
The Bahamas - A Desirable Destination
You're much more likely to find yourself visiting a rebel camp in the Philippine jungle or a hidden bunker in the mountains of Pakistan than lounging beach side in The Bahamas. But even when you do find yourself in a vacation paradise, it is still all about business.
Fiona and Jesse are at a bar...
Spy Observation (flying over the white beaches of The Bahamas): Spies spend a lot of time traveling, but they don't usually wind up in the most desirable of destinations.
The Bahamas - A Desirable Destination
You're much more likely to find yourself visiting a rebel camp in the Philippine jungle or a hidden bunker in the mountains of Pakistan than lounging beach side in The Bahamas. But even when you do find yourself in a vacation paradise, it is still all about business.
Fiona and Jesse are at a bar...
- 6/25/2010
- by Marbles
HONG KONG -- Veteran director Derek Yee has signed on to produce three new HD projects for STAR's Chinese Movies channel. The first of these, Pandora's Booth, started production May 5. A love story starring pop idols Fiona Sit and Kenny Kwan, the film is directed by Mak Kai-kwong and is expected to make their exclusive television premiers on STAR Chinese Movies across Asia. "I'm delighted that STAR has become a strong investor in Hong Kong's movie production, helping to grow the industry and showcase Hong Kong talent across Asia," said Yee.
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