Computer-generated animation produced outside of high-budgeted U.S. studios has deteriorated into a minefield of technique plagued with soulless, talking-animal cash grabs. Few are the international CG features that boast both technical proficiency and idiosyncratic personality; Light Chaser Animation’s imperfectly phenomenal “White Snake,” from directing duo Amp Wong and Ji Zhao, slithers onto the screen like a welcomed rarity.
Heralded as the origin story of the shape-shifting entities popularized by one of China’s Four Great Folktales, “The Legend of the White Snake,” this quasi-prequel opens with Blanca (voiced by Stephanie Sheh) — a statuesque warrior and part of a race of snake demons who’ve been victimized by mankind for centuries — being tasked with murdering a perverse General in the human world. A hairpin made of precious jade holds her magical powers.
Richly textured backgrounds digitally painted in bold colors — chiefly the autumn trees shedding red leaves throughout the...
Heralded as the origin story of the shape-shifting entities popularized by one of China’s Four Great Folktales, “The Legend of the White Snake,” this quasi-prequel opens with Blanca (voiced by Stephanie Sheh) — a statuesque warrior and part of a race of snake demons who’ve been victimized by mankind for centuries — being tasked with murdering a perverse General in the human world. A hairpin made of precious jade holds her magical powers.
Richly textured backgrounds digitally painted in bold colors — chiefly the autumn trees shedding red leaves throughout the...
- 11/14/2019
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
“I Lost My Body,” the curious story of a disembodied hand searching to reunite with its body, won the grand prize at the Animation is Film Festival, held Oct. 18-20 in Los Angeles. The audience prize was split between two films, Makoto Shinkai’s “Weathering With You” and “The Swallows of Kabul” by Zabou Breitman and Elea Gobbe-Mevellec.
Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to “I Lost My Body,” directed by Jérémy Clapin, after the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The French film — which bested its live-action competition to win the top prize in Critics’ Week at Cannes — screened in its original language at Animation Is Film. Netflix has also prepared an English dub featuring the voices of Dev Patel, Alia Shawkat and George Wendt, which will be available to Netflix subscribers on Nov. 29, two weeks after the French version receives its Oscar-qualifying run on Nov. 15.
“The...
Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to “I Lost My Body,” directed by Jérémy Clapin, after the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The French film — which bested its live-action competition to win the top prize in Critics’ Week at Cannes — screened in its original language at Animation Is Film. Netflix has also prepared an English dub featuring the voices of Dev Patel, Alia Shawkat and George Wendt, which will be available to Netflix subscribers on Nov. 29, two weeks after the French version receives its Oscar-qualifying run on Nov. 15.
“The...
- 10/22/2019
- by LaTesha Harris
- Variety Film + TV
I’ve got a fantastic new trailer to share with you today for the beautiful-looking Chinese animated film White Snake. The magical adventure movie is inspired by ancient Chinese lore known as The Legend of the White Snake. It tells the love story of a hunter and a mythical snake disguised as a human hunter.
The movie comes from Amp Wong (animation lead on Green Lantern: The Animated Series) and Ji Zhao (assistant editor on The Grandmaster). This is their first time directing a feature film. The movie presents a "sumptuous tale of trickster demons, deadly mythical beasts, assassins, wuxia action, and the promise of eternal love."
Here’s the official synopsis:
From Light Chaser Animation, one of China’s premiere animation studios, comes a visually stunning new take on a classic legend. One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village.
The movie comes from Amp Wong (animation lead on Green Lantern: The Animated Series) and Ji Zhao (assistant editor on The Grandmaster). This is their first time directing a feature film. The movie presents a "sumptuous tale of trickster demons, deadly mythical beasts, assassins, wuxia action, and the promise of eternal love."
Here’s the official synopsis:
From Light Chaser Animation, one of China’s premiere animation studios, comes a visually stunning new take on a classic legend. One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village.
- 10/9/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Warsaw Film Festival (Warszawski Festiwal Filmowy) is gearing up to launch its 35th edition. Set to take place from October 11th–20th in Warsaw, Poland, it has just announced its full 2019 schedule. The program spanning over 10 days includes impressive numbers of 111 feature movies and 69 shorts.
Warsaw Film Festival has always been open to inviting Asian movies and filmmakers from various regions. In the past one could find films from i.a. China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Israel, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Festival selectors are more focused on discovering new talents than presenting works of renowned artists. As we can read on the Wff website:
Our aim is to show a film before it wins an Oscar, to introduce a director to Warsaw audiences before he or she wins an award at the Cannes festival. We don’t chase filmmakers who are already famous. Some of the most amazing directors,...
Warsaw Film Festival has always been open to inviting Asian movies and filmmakers from various regions. In the past one could find films from i.a. China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Israel, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Festival selectors are more focused on discovering new talents than presenting works of renowned artists. As we can read on the Wff website:
Our aim is to show a film before it wins an Oscar, to introduce a director to Warsaw audiences before he or she wins an award at the Cannes festival. We don’t chase filmmakers who are already famous. Some of the most amazing directors,...
- 10/2/2019
- by Joanna Kończak
- AsianMoviePulse
This week, the /slash Film Festival, Austria’s biggest Fantastic Film Festival, starts its projectors in Vienna to screen a broad catalog of dark and twisted treats. From September 19 until September 29, the 10th edition of the Festival will also present a promising Asian selection.
Six Asian feature films and four animations are among the total number of 70 movies that can be seen in two charming old-town cinemas. The so-called “/asian” selection starts with “The Scoundrels” (2018), the debut of Taiwanese director Hung Tzu-Hsuan. From the Philippines comes Erik Matti’s “The Entity” (2019). An elegant horror-thriller about a secretive family history that is packed with suspense. In cooperation with the Japannual Film Festival, /slash presents the Japanese entry for the selection – “The Fable” (2019) by Kan Eguchi. The Manga adaption is a mixture of over the top action sequences and utterly disarming humor. Highly anticipated is also Won-Tae Lee’s “The Gangster, The Cop,...
Six Asian feature films and four animations are among the total number of 70 movies that can be seen in two charming old-town cinemas. The so-called “/asian” selection starts with “The Scoundrels” (2018), the debut of Taiwanese director Hung Tzu-Hsuan. From the Philippines comes Erik Matti’s “The Entity” (2019). An elegant horror-thriller about a secretive family history that is packed with suspense. In cooperation with the Japannual Film Festival, /slash presents the Japanese entry for the selection – “The Fable” (2019) by Kan Eguchi. The Manga adaption is a mixture of over the top action sequences and utterly disarming humor. Highly anticipated is also Won-Tae Lee’s “The Gangster, The Cop,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
The third Animation Is Film Festival has set “Weathering With You” as its opening film on Oct. 18 at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
“Weathering With You” is set in Japan during exceptionally rainy weather and tells the story of a high school boy who befriends an orphan girl who appears to be able to manipulate the weather. It’s been chosen as Japan’s entry for best international feature film at the 92nd Academy Awards. Director Makoto Shinkai and producer Genki Kawamura are expected to be in attendance.
Closing the festival on Oct. 20 will be France’s “I Lost My Body,” with director Jeremy Clapin and producer Marc du Pontavice in attendance. The film screened at the International Critics Week section at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Nespresso Grand Prize.
The festival will present 10 feature films in competition, vying for grand prize, special jury prize, and audiences award.
“Weathering With You” is set in Japan during exceptionally rainy weather and tells the story of a high school boy who befriends an orphan girl who appears to be able to manipulate the weather. It’s been chosen as Japan’s entry for best international feature film at the 92nd Academy Awards. Director Makoto Shinkai and producer Genki Kawamura are expected to be in attendance.
Closing the festival on Oct. 20 will be France’s “I Lost My Body,” with director Jeremy Clapin and producer Marc du Pontavice in attendance. The film screened at the International Critics Week section at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Nespresso Grand Prize.
The festival will present 10 feature films in competition, vying for grand prize, special jury prize, and audiences award.
- 9/13/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
As September 2019 approaches, so does the 33rd edition of Fantasy Filmfest which will take place in the cities of Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich on specific dates during that month. Among its program including the newest film by American filmmaker Rob Zombie and a prequel to Lucky McKee’s cult classic “The Woman” titled “Darlin'”, the festival again also shows its dedication towards Asian genre cinema with many interesting titles, some of which will be screened in Germany for the first time.
Here is the list of Asian films included in this year’s program:
“Diner” by Mina Ninagawa
“Door Lock” by Lee Kwon
“First Love” by Takashi Miike
“The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” by Lee Won-tae
“It Comes” by Tetsuya Nakashima
“Kingdom” by Shinsuke Sato
“Shadow” by Zhang Yimou
“White Snake” by Amp Wong and Ji Zhao
“The Witness” by Jo Kyu-jang
In case you are...
Here is the list of Asian films included in this year’s program:
“Diner” by Mina Ninagawa
“Door Lock” by Lee Kwon
“First Love” by Takashi Miike
“The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil” by Lee Won-tae
“It Comes” by Tetsuya Nakashima
“Kingdom” by Shinsuke Sato
“Shadow” by Zhang Yimou
“White Snake” by Amp Wong and Ji Zhao
“The Witness” by Jo Kyu-jang
In case you are...
- 8/10/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The fourth feature by China’s Light Chaser Animation Studios — and its first co-production with Warner Bros. — is a lively prequel to the Chinese legend that’s inspired countless screen adaptations since the silent era. Though not as technically polished as world’s best animations and lacking a memorable villain, this tale of a snake demon girl who falls for a kindhearted human is packed with exciting adventure. After grossing an impressive $67 million in China earlier this year, “Snake” will require careful marketing in foreign territories where animation is almost exclusively associated with family entertainment; containing some mildly risqué visuals and light sexual references, the film is not suitable for all ages. Specialty distributor Gkids has acquired North American rights, with release details yet to be announced.
One of the Four Great Chinese Folk Tales, “Legend of the White Snake” originated as a cautionary horror yarn. During its centuries-long life in print,...
One of the Four Great Chinese Folk Tales, “Legend of the White Snake” originated as a cautionary horror yarn. During its centuries-long life in print,...
- 7/9/2019
- by Richard Kuipers
- Variety Film + TV
Based on the old Chinese folklore, “White Snake” is an animated film which serves as a prequel to the original narrative of Legend of the White Snake. The film is the fourth feature released by Light Chaser Animation and it has been selected for this year’s New York Indian Film Festival. It is the directorial debut of Amp Wong and Zhao Ji and the gorgeous, lush imagery makes the ride worthwhile.
“White Snake” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The tale is primarily about a romance between Xiao Bai and Ah Xuan, who belong to two different worlds. Xiao Bai is a white snake, who, as a result of an accident, ends up with no recollection of the past, in the village of snake-catchers, who’re naturally their rivals. Taking up human form, she tries to become a part of this community while trying to recover her lost memory.
“White Snake” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The tale is primarily about a romance between Xiao Bai and Ah Xuan, who belong to two different worlds. Xiao Bai is a white snake, who, as a result of an accident, ends up with no recollection of the past, in the village of snake-catchers, who’re naturally their rivals. Taking up human form, she tries to become a part of this community while trying to recover her lost memory.
- 7/8/2019
- by Akash Deshpande
- AsianMoviePulse
With a final wave of programming, the 2019 edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival has now released its full lineup, featuring over 130 incredible features from across the globe.
Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal, Quebec – July 11 to August 1
In addition, the festival is also very proud to announce a record number of repertory titles, its esteemed 2019 jury, a horror film location bus tour through Montreal, and exciting, one-of-a-kind live events with producer Edward R. Pressman, “First Blood” director Ted Kotcheff, and iconic horror host Joe Bob Briggs.
Japanese horror icon ”Sadako” will open fantasia 2019!
Sadako
Twenty years ago, Fantasia celebrated the North American Premiere of Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” and its sequel, which led to Dreamworks acquiring the franchise and is largely seen as having been the birth of J-Horror in the West. This Summer, the festival is proud to open its 23rd edition with the series’ latest sequel, “Sadako” (North...
Fantasia International Film Festival
Montreal, Quebec – July 11 to August 1
In addition, the festival is also very proud to announce a record number of repertory titles, its esteemed 2019 jury, a horror film location bus tour through Montreal, and exciting, one-of-a-kind live events with producer Edward R. Pressman, “First Blood” director Ted Kotcheff, and iconic horror host Joe Bob Briggs.
Japanese horror icon ”Sadako” will open fantasia 2019!
Sadako
Twenty years ago, Fantasia celebrated the North American Premiere of Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” and its sequel, which led to Dreamworks acquiring the franchise and is largely seen as having been the birth of J-Horror in the West. This Summer, the festival is proud to open its 23rd edition with the series’ latest sequel, “Sadako” (North...
- 6/28/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Gkids has acquired North American rights to Chinese animated feature “White Snake.” The film was released in China earlier this year and this week has its international premier at the Annecy Int’l Animated Film Festival.
The company, which has handled multiple Oscar-nominated animated films, plans to release “White Snake” theatrically this autumn. It will present original Chinese and new English-language versions.
The film was produced through Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation in a co-venture with Warner Bros. Released in mainland China on Jan. 11, the film achieved a box office score of $66 million (RMB449 million), making it the 15th ranking film this year and the second highest scoring Chinese animation of 2019.
It was co-directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji and is conceived as a prequel to one of the most ancient and enduring stories in Chinese history. It features a young woman who has lost her memory, and who encounters...
The company, which has handled multiple Oscar-nominated animated films, plans to release “White Snake” theatrically this autumn. It will present original Chinese and new English-language versions.
The film was produced through Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation in a co-venture with Warner Bros. Released in mainland China on Jan. 11, the film achieved a box office score of $66 million (RMB449 million), making it the 15th ranking film this year and the second highest scoring Chinese animation of 2019.
It was co-directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji and is conceived as a prequel to one of the most ancient and enduring stories in Chinese history. It features a young woman who has lost her memory, and who encounters...
- 6/10/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
North American distributor GKids has picked up its first Chinese animated film in the shape of Annecy Int’l Animated Film Festival title White Snake.
GKids will release the film theatrically this fall in both original Chinese and a new English-language version. The film comes from Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation, one of China’s premiere animation studios, in a co-production with Warner Bros., and was co-directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji.
Pic made Rmb 449M (Us $67M) during its theatrical release in China earlier this year. The film follows Blanca, a young woman who has lost her memory, as she searches for her identity, in a story based on one of China’s oldest tales.
Gkids’ CEO and Founder Eric Beckman and Light Chaser Animation’s Yu Zhou negotiated the all-rights deal. International sales outside of North America, China, and Japan are handled by All Rights Entertainment, who also...
GKids will release the film theatrically this fall in both original Chinese and a new English-language version. The film comes from Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation, one of China’s premiere animation studios, in a co-production with Warner Bros., and was co-directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji.
Pic made Rmb 449M (Us $67M) during its theatrical release in China earlier this year. The film follows Blanca, a young woman who has lost her memory, as she searches for her identity, in a story based on one of China’s oldest tales.
Gkids’ CEO and Founder Eric Beckman and Light Chaser Animation’s Yu Zhou negotiated the all-rights deal. International sales outside of North America, China, and Japan are handled by All Rights Entertainment, who also...
- 6/10/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
GKids bolstered its animated slate with its first Chinese acquisition, “White Snake,” from Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation and Warner Bros., which premieres in competition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival this week. The CG fantasy, co-directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji, is inspired by one of China’s oldest romantic fables, “Legend of the White Snake,” a love story between a snake spirit and snake hunter.
In the animated “White Snake,” a young woman suffering from memory loss discovers a link to a whole other identity within the spirit world. “Light Chaser Animation are true innovators, raising the bar for top notch Chinese animation and storytelling,” stated David Jesteadt, president of GKids. “We are overjoyed to be releasing this stunning epic to North American audiences.”
“White Snake” grossed the equivalent of $67 million in China earlier this year through Warner Bros., and serves as a prequel that takes place 500 years before the original story.
In the animated “White Snake,” a young woman suffering from memory loss discovers a link to a whole other identity within the spirit world. “Light Chaser Animation are true innovators, raising the bar for top notch Chinese animation and storytelling,” stated David Jesteadt, president of GKids. “We are overjoyed to be releasing this stunning epic to North American audiences.”
“White Snake” grossed the equivalent of $67 million in China earlier this year through Warner Bros., and serves as a prequel that takes place 500 years before the original story.
- 6/10/2019
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Adventure has grossed $67m (Rmb 449m) in China this year.
Gkids has acquired North American rights to its first Chinese animation White Snake ahead of its international premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival this week.
White Snake hails from Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation and is a co-production with Warner Bros. Amp Wong and Zhao Ji directed the film, which grossed $67m (Rmb 449m) in China earlier this year.
The story is based on a well-known local tale and follows Blanca, a young woman who has lost her memory and searches for her identity with the help of Xuan,...
Gkids has acquired North American rights to its first Chinese animation White Snake ahead of its international premiere in competition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival this week.
White Snake hails from Beijing-based Light Chaser Animation and is a co-production with Warner Bros. Amp Wong and Zhao Ji directed the film, which grossed $67m (Rmb 449m) in China earlier this year.
The story is based on a well-known local tale and follows Blanca, a young woman who has lost her memory and searches for her identity with the help of Xuan,...
- 6/10/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. has boarded “White Snake,” a fantasy adventure story from China’s Light Chaser Animation Studios. The film is being represented in international markets by Hong Kong- and Paris-based All Rights Entertainment.
Warner is credited as a co-producer and has rights in China. The Hollywood studio is currently negotiating to take rights in other major territories. Directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji, the film is an adventure quest involving a snake and a snake hunter who is disguised as a human.
Light Chaser is the venture headed by Gary Wong, founder and former-ceo of Chinese video streaming site Tudou. The studio’s first feature “The Door Guardians” (aka “Little Door Gods”) was picked up by The Weinstein Company.
Its third feature, “Cats” (aka “Cats and Peachtopia”), is now doing strong sales business. The film about a kitten who dreams of adventure, had its international premiere earlier this year at the Annecy animation festival.
Warner is credited as a co-producer and has rights in China. The Hollywood studio is currently negotiating to take rights in other major territories. Directed by Amp Wong and Zhao Ji, the film is an adventure quest involving a snake and a snake hunter who is disguised as a human.
Light Chaser is the venture headed by Gary Wong, founder and former-ceo of Chinese video streaming site Tudou. The studio’s first feature “The Door Guardians” (aka “Little Door Gods”) was picked up by The Weinstein Company.
Its third feature, “Cats” (aka “Cats and Peachtopia”), is now doing strong sales business. The film about a kitten who dreams of adventure, had its international premiere earlier this year at the Annecy animation festival.
- 11/4/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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