Another Stranglehold trailer

There is another shorter trailer for Stranglehold the John Woo action video game. The download can be found on xbox2news. With each of the trailers there has been a hope for the voice of Chow Yun-Fat to be on it, but no luck so far.

Jasmine Chow's father dies

It has been widely reported that Chen Shoulin Chow Yun-Fat's father-in-law has died. In his seventies he has suffered from heart trouble. The family has gathered to Hong Kong where he died. We send our sympathy to the family.

Chow Yun-Fat interested in new movie

This was reported on Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre Another film that may potentially re-unite Michelle with Chow Yun-Fat: Chinese media reported that a project, entitled "Qi Pao" (Cheongsam), is under development. The film tells the story of a cheongsam maker, Mr. Lin Wenxun, and three women in his life, from 1930's Shanghai to the Japanese invasion to the Cultural Revolution and onward to the 21st century. A Hollywood studio and an Oscar-winning director are very interested in the story and initialized the co-production project. The Hollywood side thinks Chow Yun-Fat is the perfect actor to portray the cheongsam master, and they think Michelle and Gong Li are ideal to play two of the lead women. (Jane's note: if this is really going to be made, they should get Maggie Cheung for the third woman!). According to a spokesperson for the Chinese production side, they have already contacted Chow Yun-fat and Chow showed strong interest in the unfinished script.

Jay Chou changed his style to sing song for COTGF

HONG KONG, Sept 27 (AP) -- Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou says he abandoned his trademark slurred vocals when recording the theme song for Zhang Yimou's latest film, "Curse of the Golden Flower," in which he also plays a part, a news report said Wednesday.
In an interview with the Chinese news Web site Sina.com, Chou said he improved his articulation in the song, which translates as "Chrysanthemum Platform," for Zhang, one of the biggest names in Chinese cinema.
"The director said he couldn't quite understand my earlier songs. 'Chrysanthemum Platform' is a movie theme song. I can't be casual about it. A lot of people will watch the movie. The song isn't only for kids," Chou was quoted as saying.
"I'm very willing to make these kinds of changes for 'Curse,' so that the director can clearly hear what I'm singing," he said.
"Curse of the Golden Flower," starring Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, revolves around Chinese imperial politics.
It's Chou's second major movie appearance after "Initial D," a movie based on a Japanese comic book in which the singer played a street car racer.
Chou said he thinks he has improved as an actor.
"I think I did a better job in 'Curse' than I did in 'Initial D,' because of the director, and because I worked with these international stars," he said.
Chou said he hopes "Curse" will improve the profile of Chinese film and music around the world.
"I have a very strong sense of nationalism. I hope this Chinese-style movie and music will let more Europeans and Americans know that Chinese can produce such great work too," he said.

Rumor about Curse of the Golden Flower we hope is true

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Got the Oscar Ticket (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)
September 27, 2006
(Beijing New Picture Film Co.)

The Chinese press reports that, according to an insider, Zhang Yimou's third period epic Curse of the Golden Flower has been officially selected by the authority to compete for the Best Foreign Language award of next year's Oscar. The anonymous insider claimed that some good words of mouth from people who saw the film actually helped the film to get the nomination. A few other titles were also up to the nomination but were not strong enough to defeat Golden Flower. The Banquet, Feng Xiaogang's Hamlet inspired historically drama, which has a story setup very similar to that of Golden Flower, received mixed/negative reviews both at home and overseas; The Road, Zhang Jiarui's drama about a bus drive and a ticket-seller's friendship / love story in the 1960/70's, also failed to draw a strong support; and the production studio of Curiosity Kills the Cat, a modern day urban psychological thriller by Zhang Yibao, basically used the bidding for the nomination as a publicity stunt for the low budget flick, which will open next month in China.

During the past two decades, more than half dozen movies by Zhang Yimou were sent to bid for the award. Three of them made to the final round, Judo, Raise the Red Lanterns and Hero, but Zhang had never won once. Curse of the Golden Flower will be released this December in Asia and in North America, by Sony Pictures Classics.

Update: according to Sina.com.cn, Feng Xiaogang's The Banquet has been selected to bid for the Best Foreign Language award, representing Hong Kong. The Banquet is actually jointly produced by Beijing-based H. Brothers (Huayi Brothers) and Hong Kong-based Media Asia. This nomination, if was real, would upset many native Hong Kongers, who would prefer to nominate a movie directed and starred by local talents. Many other Hong Kong made Oscar hopefuls, like Johnnie To's Election 2 and Exiled, were also produced by Media Asia, which produces more box-office hits than any other local studio.

Jay Chou sings the song for Curse of the Golden Flower

It has been reported that Jay Chou will compose and sing the song for Curse of the Golden Flower. Here is the song. UPDATE: Translation of the lyrics into English have been added to the page.

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt will show at Korea's Pusan film festival

Chinese breakout hit "Crazy Stone" has been selected as the closing film of the 11th Pusan International Film Festival which will be held from October 12 - 20. 　　 Ning Hao's black comedy is a low budget film with no major stars produced as part of Andy Lau's Focus: First Cuts series, making it the kind of Asian film that Pusan is about, according to the festival's Asian programmer Kim Ji-seok. 　　
Chinese films also have a strong presence in New Currents, the festival's competition section for first or second-time Asian directors. Chinese director Yang Heng's "Betelnut", "Distance" from China's Tie Wei and Taiwanese director Leste Chen's "Eternal Summer" - the last two films being world premieres - are among the 10 films in competition. 　　
Likewise, the Window on Asia section contains 38 features with 13 from China, including the world premiere of Hong Kong veteran director Patrick Tam's "After This, Our Exile". The long-awaited Malaysia-set drama, starring Aaron Kwok and Charlie Yong, marks Tam??s return to directing in 17 years. 　　
The same section will also see three other episodes from Focus: First Cuts: Malaysian director Ho Yuhang's Venice entry "Rain Dogs", "Love Story" from Singapore's Kelvin Tong and the international premiere of "My Mother is a Belly Dancer" from Hong Kong's Lee Kung Lok. 　　
Ann Hui's "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt" starring Chow Yun Fat, "The Heavenly Kings" from Hong Kong's Daniel Wu and two Taiwanese films, Tsai Ming Liang's "I Don't Want to Sleep Alone" and Cheng Yu Chieh's "Do Over" are also included.
Other titles are "The Road" by China's Zhang Jiarui, "Bliss" by Sheng Zhimin, Dai Sijie's "The Chinese Botanist's Daughter", Wang Chao's "Luxury Car", "Summer Palace" by Lou Ye who has recently been banned from making films for five years in Chinese mainland. - CRIENGLISH 　　

Update on mis-quote of CYF

From Monkey Peaches is an English explanation of press mis-quoting Chow Yun-Fat:

Chow Yun-Fat, who plays the lead character in Curse of the Golden Flower, has officially denied through a written statement, that he had ever said individuals who gave positive reviews to the film were hired by the studio. According to the statement published on Sina.com.cn, the rumor was actually fabricated by a reporter, who failed to get a ticket to see the film. Chow had demanded the reporter and the organization the report works for to apologize to him and the production company Beijing New Picture Film Co. To be qualified for the Best Foreign Language Film award of next year's Oscar, Curse of the Golden Flower has been going through a week-long qualification run in Beijing, which will end by this weekend. It is only shown once a day and admission tickets are in very high demand. So far, responses from people who have seen this film are surprisingly highly positive.

Audiences don't hate Curse of the Golden Flower

This was posted on the Admiring Gong Li Forum:

A short item from Grady Hendrix of Variety's Asian Film Blog

""ZOMG! CHINESE AUDIENCES DON'T HATE BIG NEW MOVIE! I love Chinese audiences because they hate every major Chinese movie that comes along. They're like that parent who looks at the A on your report card and says, "Where's the A+?" When CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON came out they all made fun of Chow Yun-fat's accent. When HERO came out Chinese audiences said that it either had no story or was a justification of the One China Policy. When HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS was released I can't remember many nice comments, and everyone in China took turns kicking THE PROMISE. All these movies made money in China, but it was almost like everyone felt they had to buy a ticket so they could hate on the films. Now, THE BANQUET is out and it's getting mixed reviews as well with plenty of hate as a garnish. But there is one upcoming Chinese movie that is getting positive word of mouth. One movie that in some freakish twist no one in China seems to hate. Yet. CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER. It's screening in Beijing right now to qualify for a "Best Foreign Film" Oscar nomination and China's press doesn't know what to make of the fact that people seem to like the movie. They say it's got good actors, a good story, and it looks nice. Even Gong Li is so moved by these comments which are, relatively speaking, like a big sloppy wet kiss from Chinese audiences that she's busting out all over.""

Press mis-quotes Chow Yun-Fat from a press conference

It was amusing to see this picture of a really furious Emperor in Curse of the Golden Flower heading an article about Chow Yun-Fat being annoyed at false reporting of something he said in connection with COTGF. It is doubtful that in this case he is as mad as the Emperor seems to be in this picture.

Bi Rain in Korean remake of A Better Tomorrow

As was reported earlier Bi Rain Jeong Ji Hoon has been mentioned for a role in the Korean remake of the Chow Yun-Fat movie A Better Tomorrow. It did not mention what role he would have in the movie, but if it's made I hope he gets the CYF role. I just viewed his Korean drama A (The) Love to Kill, and he would be perfect for the part. In this drama he is a much leaner and meaner Rain than was seen in a former drama Full House which was a comedy. He is a very convincing actor and if he can have time away from his very successful music career he should have a good career as an actor.

CYF attends short film contest in Hong Kong

More Pictures

AP Sept. 22 HONG KONG Veteran Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat said he slimed down and rode horses to prepare for his role as a general in the upcoming John Woo historical epic, "Battle of Red Cliff."
"To prepare for this movie, I lost weight ... and rode horses. I did a lot by way of preparation," Chow said at a news conference Friday to promote a short film contest in Hong Kong.
The Battle of Red Cliff is a key war in 208 A.D. that determined the geography of the "Three Kingdoms" period, when China had three separate rulers. Chow will play the general Zhou Yu.
Woo's business partner Terence Chang said in April that the film may cost as much as US$50 million expensive by Chinese standards, with one scene featuring the burning of 2,000 boats with horses jumping around on them and another involving a booby-trapped battleship.
Chow said he expects to arrive in Beijing by late February for shooting.
The cast also includes Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Taiwanese model Lin Chi-ling.
"Battle of Red Cliff" is Chow's third Chinese-language film in a row. He recently acted in famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower" and Hong Kong director Ann Hui's "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt."
Asked if he plans to spend more time making Chinese movies from now on, Chow, who focused on his Hollywood career in recent years, said, "If there's a good script, it doesn't matter what language it's in."
But he noted there appears to be a growing trend of making movies in mainland China because it offers better backdrops.
"It's a big country. The sets and venues look more impressive ... if film makers feel that filming in China allows for greater creativity, I think more and more film makers will go back (there) to shoot movies," Chow said.
Dispensing advice to the next generation of film makers, Chow encouraged them to be observant, citing the recent Internet video hit that featured the so-called "bus uncle," an irate Hong Kong bus rider who lashed out at a fellow passenger for asking him to lower his voice while speaking on a mobile phone.
The episode was captured on video by another passenger, apparently using a mobile phone camera.
"As a film maker, things that happen around you every day, your friends, members of your family, things that happen around the world every day can be a good source of inspiration," Chow said. - International Herald Tribune

Children of Huang Shi aka The Bitter Sea

Another movie that Chow Yun-Fat is connected to seems to be moving along in its pre-production. This item is from Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre:

Children of Huang Shi (a.k.a. The Bitter Sea): last week (Sept. 13) "Sina" (China) published an advertisement saying Chinese "Ming Productions" is looking for a 14-15 year old boy to play a leading role in the production. The boy will play the leader of a group of starving orphaned children who are the subject of the film. The announcement says production will begin November 1 this fall and be complete February 16, 2007. Filming is planned to take place at Hengdian World Studios and Gansu Province Meanwhile according to Sydney Talent Company, their search on the 13-15 year old Chinese boy is complete.

Hengdian World Studios is of course where they filmed so much of Curse of the Golden Flower.

Curse of the Golden Flower receives good first reviews

CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Gets Positive Reviews at Home International Teaser (Monkey Peaches Exclusive) September 21, 2006 (Beijing New Picture Film Co.)

A week-long Oscar qualification run for Zhang Yimou's third martial-art epic Curse of the Golden Flower has began secretly yesterday at a movie theater in Beijing. This is for making it qualified for competing for the Best Foreign Language Film category of next year's Oscar, and Sony Pictures Classics is scheduled to release it in North America in December, which would make it qualified for other categories. According to several Chinese newspapers, Beijingers who have seen the film are almost overwhelmingly praising this US$45 million historical drama. According to some of them, Curse of the Golden Flower shows lavish designs and beautiful cinematography, and above all, a nicely written story presented by a first class cast at a true epic level. When Zhang Yimou's Hero came out about four years ago, reviews at home were sharpely divided. The criticizers of the film said it generally had no story. Then Zhang made House of Flying Daggers, an attempt of telling a story, which turned out disappointing most Chinese viewers. Then Chen Kaige's shot his own epic The Promise, which was basically a junkie mess. Earlier this month, The Banquet, a big budget historical drama by another influential Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, best known for directing comedies about ordinary people, was released and got a mixed review both at home and overseas. From Monkey Peaches

Golden Horse Film Awards

Article: September 20, 2006
Source: http://www.pacificnews.com.tw/shownews.php...9&titleid=22374

Summary only

The 43rd Golden Horse Film Awards deadline for applications has ended on September 20 and totally at 6 pm, 82 movies were submitted for competition.

58 drama
18 creative shorts
4 documentary
2 animated movie
There are two movies more than last year.

Francis Ng alone represents 4 movies: 【放逐】、【黑白道】、【茶舞】、【臥虎】
Zhang Jia Fei: main character 【黑白道】與【放逐】、supporting role 【黑社會以和為貴】
Jordan Chan: 【最愛女人購物狂】【大丈夫２】, supporting role、【臥虎】
Anthony Wong: 【黑白道】【放逐】
Eric Tsang: 【大丈夫２】【臥虎】
Ge Ben Chiao: 郭品超【摯愛】【鬼鄰】
Richie Ren : 【天生一對】, supporting role 【放逐】
Chen Bai Lin: 陳柏霖 supporting role【詭絲】【情癲大聖】

The most special is Daniel Wu who would compete for director and script award for Four Heavenly Kings. 【四大天王】

For international stars, there are:

Chow Yun Fat: 【姨媽的後現代生活】The Postmodern Life of My Aunt
Jet Li: Fearless 【霍元甲】
Aaron Kwon: 【父子】
Leon Lai: 【情意我心知】
Jacky Cheung: Perhaps Love
Takeshi Kaneshiro: Perhaps Love

Andy Lau sent his minions for the five movies that he invested in.

There's mention of female and Japanese, Korean stars.

Permission to repost this article is granted only if this article is accompanied with this message, the text is not altered, and credit is given to this site as follows:
Credit: http://z2.invisionfree.com/la_creme_d_asie

First viewers of COTGF say it is Zhang's best of Hero and House of Flying Daggers

"Curse of the Golden Flower," director Zhang Yimou's latest Oscar hopeful, had a surprise screening at Beijing's New Century Wednesday morning. 　　
Most audience members gave high marks for the film after watching the movie, saying the movie is much better than Zhang's previous efforts, "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers." 　　
The high-profile movie was quietly released this time. The exact time and venue of the screening was not revealed to the public before the premiere. 　　
Moviegoers can buy a ticket only by sending a short message to wangpiao.com.cn's designated SM service or book online on the website. 　　
Though the ticket costs are high at 160 yuan, most audience member felt it was worth the price after watching the movie. 　
The screening will last for one week starting Wednesday in Beijing. 　　
The production company is screening the film commercially for a week to meet the requirements for lodging a best foreign film application at next year's Oscars. The movie will be shown nationwide on December 23. - CRIENGLISH　

　　　

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt to show at Vancouver

A clip from the movie Shows CYF in an old-fashion bathing suit

Renowned Hong Kong film director Ann Hui's latest film, The Post-Modern Life of My Aunt, is to be featured at the "Hong Kong Film Night" at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) early next month. Miss Hui, who is also the president of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, is currently visiting Toronto to promote her film for its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada will be presenting the film at the "Hong Kong Film Night" in Vancouver on October 3. After its exposure in Toronto, the "The Post-Modern Life of My Aunt", starring Chow Yun-Fat, Siqin Gaowa, Lisa Lu, Shi Ke and Vicky Zhao Wei, will be shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) on September 29, October 3, 4 and October 5. The HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, today (September 12, Toronto time) met with Hui in Toronto and briefed her on the film-related activities organised by the HKETO in Canada, including featuring Hong Kong films at different film festivals in major Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal, and organising film seminars for people in the film industry, and for university students who are interested in film-making. They exchanged views on the challenges being faced by the film industry internationally. Miss Hui said the major concern of Hong Kong's film industry is to expand its international distribution network, so that investors could get back the money they invested. Both Miss Hui and Mr So agreed that co-productions between Hong Kong and Canada should be encouraged, making use of Hong Kong's talented film directors, its post-production facilities, and its proximity to China for location shooting. "Taking part in international film festivals is a good way to promote Hong Kong films," said Mr So. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the largest in North America. For the VIFF, it is expected to attract more than 150,000 people to 550 screenings of over 300 films from 50 countries. Other Hong Kong films to be featured at the VIFF include Karmic Mahjong directed by Wang Guangli with Francis Ng playing a leading role. Film critics, media members, people from Vancouver's film industry and business community, etc, will be invited to the VIFF "Hong Kong Film Night" at Vancouver International Film Centre (1181 Seymour Street) on October 3. The pre-show reception will start at 5.30pm with the screening of "The Post-Modern Life of My Aunt" at 6.30pm. A photo exhibition entitled "The Sparkling Stars of Hong Kong in the Last 30 Years", jointly organised by the VIFF and Ming Pao Daily, will be displayed at the Hong Kong Film Night. For more information about VIFF and ticket sales visit: http://www.viff.org/boindex.html

(As shown on Netease Forum)

Update on the first showing of COTGF

This new announcement of the first showing of Curse of the Golden Flower in China was reported on CRIENGLISH:

New Picture Film announced yesterday the "Curse of the Golden Flower", director Zhang Yimou's latest martial arts flick, will screen in Beijing for one week starting Wednesday.
Many media organizations previously reported the film will screen in Shenyang on September 23. 　
But New Picture Film media executive Guo Na told Sina.com they had to temporarily changed the screening venue due to concerns with safety and piracy. 　　
The production company are screening the film for a week to meet the requirements for lodging a Best Foreign Film application at this year's Oscars. Domestic and foreign media will not have any special screenings arranged for them. 　
New Picture Film CEO Zhang Weiping said the screenings are completely commercial and only open to normal viewers. 　　
A press conference will be arranged at the global premiere ceremony on December 21. 　　

Curse of the Golden Flower preparing to have its first showing in China

Chow Yun-Fat with Zhang Yimou on the set of COTGF

It has been widely reported in the Chinese press that the first showing of COTGF will be held September 23rd in Shenyang, China. Liu Yi, Li Man and some of the other performers will be present with Zhang Yimou. Mid November Zhang with Chow Yun-Fat, and Gong Li will go to the US to do a promotion for the film. In one article it said that Jay Chou would go with them, although he has been very busy promoting his new album during this time. The film will be released across China on December 23rd with the premiere in Beijing where I imagine all of the stars of the movie will attend. The release in the US has been publicized as December 22nd which will coincide with the 23rd in China as they are timewise ahead of the US by 14 hours. The Zhang film is being widely publicized in the US already as one of the films to watch for on that date right along with all of the American films that will be released into theaters during the month of December. Sony Films has allocated a tremendous amount of money to promote COTGF in Europe and the US.

New scenes from COTGF

Newest video clip of Curse of the Golden Flower
(Thanks to Admiring Gong Li Forum)
Video and download

Korea to make their version of A Better Tomorrow

(left to right) Louis Koo, Jang Dong-kun and Rain are set to star in a Korean remake of John Woo's A BETTER TOMORROW.
Part of an article from Kung Fu Cinema: Earlier this year it was announced that rights to remake John Woo’s classic gangster pic A BETTER TOMORROW had been sold to South Korean production company Fingerprint Pictures.
It will be interesting to see how this new version of one of Hong Kong’s most popular action movies is interpreted. Woo’s original film not only set a whole new standard for future action films to follow with its stylized ballistic ballet, but it effectively updated the heroic bloodshed tales found within numerous wuxia movies by the director’s mentor Chang Cheh.
Former Shaw Brothers headliner Ti Lung nabbed a Best Actor award for playing an ex-con trying to go straight who winds up caught between pressures from his own gang, loyalties to his former partner in crime (Chow Yun-fat) and his policeman brother (Leslie Cheung).
Fingerprint Studios has teamed up with Hong Kong media company Mei Ah Entertainment to produce the roughly US$12.8 million remake with Jeon Yoon-chul (MARATHON) at the helm.
Jang Dong-kun (THE PROMISE), Louis Koo (ELECTION) and Korean pop singer Rain are filling the three leading roles.
NOTE: It has always been my understanding that Chow Yun-Fat won the award for best actor in the film A Better Tomorrow and yet it has also been reported that Ti Lung won the award. It was also reported later in this article that filming would be over the summer which has passed and with Rain's concert schedule it is questionable whether this movie will be made this year.

COTGF to be shown at Variety's Screening Series

Variety Hosts Its Fourth Annual Screening Series
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2006--On Sept. 7, 2006, Variety began its fourth annual screening series with All The King's Men, featuring a post-screening Q&A with writer-director Steven Zaillian and producer James Carville.
In the next three months, the screening series will showcase new films by such notables as Clint Eastwood, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Hugh Jackman, Beyonce Knowles, Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Annette Bening, Kate Winslet and Anthony Hopkins. The series showcases the studios' most high-profile year-end films, followed by discussions with filmmakers and actors. It has become an awards-season tradition for industry members, voters and kudos hopefuls.
This year's edition, scheduled to run through the end of December, has confirmed such guests as writer-directors Pedro Almodovar, Sofia Coppola and Emilio Estevez; actors Adrien Brody, Kirsten Dunst, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Jason Schwartzman and Forest Whitaker; filmmakers Al Gore, Davis Guggenheim and Mike Medavoy, and many others to be announced in the coming weeks.
The films to be screened include Hollywoodland, Volver, The Last King of Scotland, Driving Lessons, Marie Antoinette, Little Children, The Queen, The Prestige, Flags of Our Fathers, Running With Scissors, Catch A Fire, Stranger Than Fiction, Babel, Bobby, Happy Feet, Curse Of The Golden Flower, The Good German, The History Boys, Notes On a Scandal, An Inconvenient Truth, Children of Men, Home Of The Brave, Dreamgirls, and The Good Shepherd, in addition to more to be announced. The events this year are presented by IndieVest, and sponsored by American Airlines, Dell, Lexus, Starz Entertainment and Stella Artois.
The films will be screened at one of three state-of-the-art theaters: Pacific's Arclight in Hollywood, The Aero in Santa Monica or the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. Moderating each evening will be one of the members of Variety: Peter Bart, editor-in-chief; Tim Gray, editor; Steven Gaydos, executive editor-features; Elizabeth Guider, executive editor-news; Michael Speier, managing editor; Todd McCarthy, chief film critic; Brian Lowry, chief TV critic; and Ian Mohr and Gabriel Snyder, reporters.
The Variety Screening Series' once again allows Academy and guild members and other awards voters to reserve a seat and find the latest information about upcoming screenings and Q&A participants. The Variety Screening Series is by invitation only for guild members.

Ann Hui attends showing of "Postmodern Life"

Ann Hui director of the Chow Yun-Fat film The Postmodern Life of My Aunt, which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8th, with co-star Siqin Gaowa and the young actor who plays her grandson attended the event. It is reported in the Chinese press that the movie received a warm reception from the audience.

Chow Yun-Fat says that Kwan Hoi-shan took good care of young actors

Associated Press Hong Kong: Veteran Hong Kong actor and Cantonese Opera performer Kwan Hoi-shan, whose credits include Jackie Chan's film "Project A" and its sequel, has died, an official said Tuesday.
Kwan's wife found her husband's body Monday morning and took him to a hospital, where he was found to have died of natural causes, the Apple Daily newspaper said.
Kwan was taken to Kwong Wah Hospital but had died before he arrived, a Hospital Authority spokeswoman said on customary condition of anonymity.
Apple Daily said Kwan was 80, while the Ming Pao Daily News put his age at 82.
Kwan joined a Cantonese Opera troupe at age 11 and later moved into acting, joining Hong Kong TV station TVB in 1976, according to Apple Daily.
Among his film credits are Chan's "Project A," about a naval officer assigned to police duty after pirates destroy his fleet, and the sequel, "Project A II."
Kwan won best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1992 for his role in "Lee Rock," which starred Andy Lau.
Kwan, nicknamed "Uncle Shrimp," suffered a stroke in 2001 which left him partially paralyzed, Ming Pao said.
Mourning Kwan's death, actor Chow Yun-fat, who worked on a TV series with Kwan, was quoted as saying in Apple Daily: "Uncle Shrimp took good care of young actors. He was a good actor. When I first started out I got to work with this experienced actor. He was willing to share his insights into acting with younger actors. NOTE: Not mentioned in the article, but he also appeared in the movie Hard Boiled with CYF.

The real premiere of COTGF will take place in Beijing

Edited translation as appeared in Asian Fanatics forum: "Yesterday, our reporter phone-interviewed Xin Hua Mian publicity inspector Guo Na. She revealed to our reporter, currently, Zhang Yimou is in Australia doing Curse of the Golden Flower's post-production works, estimated to be completed in a 10-day period in September. As for Jay Chou playing the supporting role in the preview, Guo Na expressed "Jay Chou's music in Asia has much marketing value, but Gong Li and Chow Yun-Fat's Europe and American influence is definitely bigger than his." Our reporter asked, in the Asian preview, will they recommend Jay Chou? She expressed, "It still isn't certain, but there is a possibility that (we will) consider using Jay Chou as the main lead."Shen Yang preview not inviting the media. The day before, The Banquet carried out its media preview, Guo Na expressed, they did not preview The Banquet. But, from The Banquet's film style and COTGF's preview (we) can see, the two movies still have quite a few similarities. Regarding between the two movies fighting for the only inland Oscar participation qualifications, Guo Na expressed, all these can only wait until next month when it is made known. But she expressed, Curse of the Golden Flower's preview on September 23rd in Shen Yang won't be the same as The Banquet. We do not intend to invite the media to view it, because the preview is only for the Oscars to make a flowing path." Regarding which cities will the first preview ceremonies visit? Guo Na revealed, currently basically it has been set to be made in Beijing, it isn't certain for other cities. Regarding the outdoor filming grounds Chong Qing, Guo Na said "I am very greatful to the citizens of Chong Qing for their support, our Wu Long filming scenes at Chong Qing are very beautiful."

Poster for "Postmodern Life"

UPDATED from CRIENGLISH - Poster from Sina.com: Film veteran Chow Yun-Fat's latest movie "The Postmodern Life of My Aunt" has been invited to attend the ongoing Toronto Film Festival in Canada.
Director Ann Hui and lead actress Si Qin Gao Wa will head for the festival at the film's global premiere. Lead actor Chow Yun-Fat and actress Zhao Wei would not attend the event because of a schedule conflict.
Based in modern Shanghai, the story is about a highly-educated woman's dramatic life after she retires.
Following the Toronto Film Festival, the movie has also been invited to participate in the Pusan Film Festival and the Tokyo Film Festival. It will open in Chinese cinemas at the end of this year.
Pictures from the film posted on June 15, 2006.

The Postmodern Life Of My Aunt to premiere

This Toronto International Film Festival reminder shows a scene from The Postmodern Life Of My Aunt as its header:

"The Festival Starts Tomorrow!
The 31st Toronto International Film Festival begins tomorrow, Thursday September 7, 2006! Tickets are on sale now. From red-carpet action to Canadian classics, from cutting-edge documentaries to family-friendly films and much much more, this year’s Festival is not to be missed.
Call 416-968-FILM, visit bell.ca/filmfest or stop by Festival HQ at the Manulife Centre (55 Bloor St West, north entrance, main level) or our Festival Box Office at College Park (444 Yonge St, south entrance, market level) to purchase your tickets today!"

Chow Yun-Fat's film is scheduled to premiere on September 8th.

Children of Huang Shi aka The Bitter Sea

News as appeared on Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre - Children of Huang Shi (a.k.a. The Bitter Sea): Hong Kong media quoted a spokesperson from Haiyue, a Taiwanese company, who said they are optimistic about their investment in the project. "The names of Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat alone could easily get $1.5 million in distribution sales in Taiwan," they said. The Taiwanese company has invested US$2 million. Filming is aimed to start around the end of the year. The film will be in English.