News

Hong Kong’s Edko Films has closed a string of key deals for Anthony Pun’s disaster feature Cesium Fallout.

Niu Vision Media will open the film in North America on November 1, day-and-date with Hong Kong and mainland China. The film is also heading to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei through mm2 Entertainment, opening on November 7, and to Taiwan through Sky Films on November 8. The Polish release through 9th Plan is not yet scheduled.

Edko Films is also in negotiations for Australia and New Zealand, Cis and France at Acfm.

Starring Andy Lau, Cesium Fallout is billed as Hong Kong’s first radiation disaster film,...

Despite her evident, indie-approach to filmmaking, Ann Hui always managed to have big names in her movies, something that continues to this day. In that regard, it is no surprise that “Goddess of Mercy”, a movie that includes the extensive flashback approach she later implemented in “The Postmodern Life of My Aunt”, features two such names, in Vicky Zhao and Nicholas Tse.

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The story is based on a novel by Hai Yan, who co-wrote the script with Ivy Ho. The movie starts with the focus on Yang Rui, a Beijing executive and a genuine playboy, who retains a relationship with his boss while sleeping with a number of other women. One day, he meets a woman named He Yanhong who works at a local tae kwon do gym and, impressed by her beauty, proceeds to court her. Just like in his sessions in the gym,...

Ann Hui’s eclectic films are united by a consideration of the relationship between public and private worlds, of how the weight of history can be brought to bear on even the most intimate personal developments. The director’s beautiful 2002 drama July Rhapsody, now receiving its first stateside theatrical run courtesy of Cheng Cheng Films, both follows this thread and pulls it in a uniquely tender and thoughtful direction. Unlike much of her previous work, the histories excavated by the film are strictly personal, but they contribute to a far more wide-ranging treatise on the resonance of artistic expression across time and generations.

Another thread through Hui’s work is its kinship with Chinese literature, from the filmmaker’s three adaptations of Eileen Chang novels to last year’s Elegies, a documentary on Hong Kong poetry. That affinity is deeply felt in July Rhapsody, which follows a meek, middle-aged Chinese...

Directed by Ann Hui and written by Ivy Ho, who actually won a number of awards for her work, “July Rhapsody” presents a portrait of middle life crisis, by additionally including a rather interesting back story that finds its parallels in the present.

July Rhapsody will be screening in Canada and the US starting May 11th, while it will be coming out on home video in September, courtesy of Cheng Cheng Films

Lam and Ching have been married for 20 years and have two sons. While their relationship is smooth, Lam feels that his friends, who have found financial success in the entertainment and business sectors, are more accomplished than him, and their belittling every time they meet does not help. Lam is a teacher of classic Chinese literature at an elite school, and is happy with his job actually, but there is an issue there too. A rather beautiful, smart,...

I was lucky to see the new restoration of July Rhapsody, an oft-forgotten 2002 drama that represents a murderer’s row of Hong Kong cinema: directed by Ann Hui (Boat People), scripted by Ivy Ho (Comrades: Almost a Love Story), and starring Jacky Cheung and, in her final performance, Anita Mui. There’s little reason for the film to toil in obscurity, making essential Cheng Cheng Films’ theatrical release this summer––July 19 at Film Forum, July 26 at LA’s Laemmle Theaters, and expanding elsewhere. Ahead of this, we’re pleased to exclusively debut the restoration’s trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: “Brimming with unspeakable serene beauty, July Rhapsody by Hong Kong director Ann Hui (A Simple Life) and scriptwriter Ivy Ho (Comrades Almost a Love Story) is a profound and soothing tale about how one paddles through life’s chaos as many seemingly eternal inspiration sources of times, like the Yangtze river,...

Upping The Ante

France’s Canal+ Group said that it has increased its stake in multi-territory Asian streaming platform Viu to 30%.

“This additional investment underlines the confidence that Canal+ has in Viu and its teams. It also highlights the determination of Canal+ to make Asia its next growth vector, through its strategic partnership with Pccw, and through an acceleration of growth at Viu, a premium streaming service present in Asia, the Middle East and South Asfrica,” the French group said in a statement. Additionally, it said that its investment in Viu now amounted to some $300 million and that it retains an option to increase its stake to 50%.

In June last year, Canal+ announced that it was to pay $200 million for an initial 26.1% stake in Viu and that it would make a total staggered investment of $300 million.

In results published on Friday, Pccw said: “Viu saw 27% growth in revenue in2023 […] propelled...

Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Table For Six 2, sequel to the smash hit Hong Kong comedy, in deal with Edko Films.

The ensemble comedy is again written and directed by Sunny Chan, whose 2022 film Table For Six centred on an awkward family reunion and became the third highest-grossing Chinese-language in Hong Kong on release in 2022 with takings of $9.85m ($77.1m).

The sequel revolves around three weddings and how a family of aunts, uncles and cousins all get involved with the nuptials. Original cast returning for the follow-up includes Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min Chen...

Hong Kong-based studio Edko Films will launch “Table for Six 2,” a sequel to its 2022 smash hit, at Tiffcom, the rights market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival.

The heartfelt comedy is again written and directed by Sunny Chan, who enjoyed breakout success with “Table for Six,” a comedy-drama that starts with an awkward family reunion dinner where past and present romantic relationships are tangled and almost anything that could go wrong did.

For the sequel. Chan has reunited the original cast – Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min Chen, Peter Chan Charm Man – for three weddings and their aftermath. “Marriage isn’t just about two individuals; it involves a whole family of aunts, uncles, and cousins,” says Edko,

Now in production, the film is being produced by Bill Kong, Ivy Ho and Tang Wai But. Rights will also be pitched at the American Film Market.

The firm is...

The much-decorated Japanese drama “Drive My Car” was named the best film Sunday at the Asian Film Awards, defeating hot favorite “Decision to Leave.”

Other notable awards went to Japan’s Hirokazu Kore-eda whose “Broker” debuted at Cannes, but which was largely shunned in his home country.

“Decision to Leave,” which started the evening with ten nominations, was nevertheless rewarded with three awards, best screenplay, best production design and best actress for China’s Tang Wei.

While nominations were geographically diverse, the awards on Sunday skewed heavily towards North East Asia –Japan, Korea and Greater China – to the total exclusion of films from India, Indonesia and The Philippines. Snubs included the exclusion of Indonesia’s “Autobiography” and Happy Salma, both of which have been widely lauded on the festival circuit.

The awards ceremony returned to Hong Kong after detours to Macau and Busan and a Covid hiatus in previous years.

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society is to streamline the industry support measures that it operates under the leadership of Jacob Wong, in time for what it hopes will be in-person events in March 2022.

Wong will oversee Hkiff Industry, a new umbrella that coordinate Hkiffs’ industry initiatives, including: Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf), In-Development (Idp) and Work-in-Progress (Wip) programs, Haf Goes to Cannes, Haf Film Lab, Hkiff Collection, and the facilitation of third-party co-productions.

“In addition to Haf’s main program for in-development projects, we have extended our support to early-stage projects in recent years through Film Lab and Wip for in-progress projects seeking post-production and completion funding. Selected Wip projects could gain international exposure through Haf Goes to Cannes. With Hkiff Collection and third-party co-productions, we aim to offer distribution and festival placement strategy to emerging filmmakers, as well as bringing more high-quality contents to the audience,...

Hugo Keiser’s “The Occupant” from the Netherlands, won the Bucheon prize, worth $12,800 (Krw 15 million) at Naff, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival’s genre film project market.

Naff is part of BiFan’s B.I.G. industry support program. Prizes were awarded on Wednesday night.

Phan Linh’s sci fi comedy “Dogcow” won the Bound Entertainment award, which equally comes with a cash prize of $12,800. Boaz Armoni’s “Fingernail,” an Israeli horror project, took the Naff Award with a cash prize of $8,550. The Naff Korean Award was presented to Yu Eun-jeong’s “Lady the Ghost” and by Nakanish Mai’s “Hana” with cash prizes of $4,270 (Krw 5 million) given to each. Also worth $4,270, the Dhl award went to David Chang’s action fantasy “The Medium: The Flaming Exorcist Sinner” from Taiwan. Taiwan was the focus territory of the Naff’s Project Spotlight 2019.

Prizewinners were selected by a jury of veteran...

Updated, 10:20 Am: The Simpsons‘ invasion of China will continue. 20th Century Fox Consumer Products said today that it will open three additional retail stores featuring items from the landmark TV series in Shanghai, Xian and Beijing during the second half of 2016. The unit again is teaming with the Middle Kingdom’s HerChain Clothing Company on the outlets at Shanghai’s Grand Gateway 66, Xian’s Xi An Wu Huan Department Store and Beijing’s Joy City. "The new locations…...

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. So, for all you lovebirds out there who just want a staycation date, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch these Asian romantic comedies this weekend that will give you all the feels.

Secret (2007)

Secret stars Jay Chou as piano major student Ye Xianglu and Gwei Lun-mei as time traveling heroine Lu Xiaoyu.

My Girlfriend is a Cyborg aka Cyborg She (2008)

Kwak Jae-yong, director of My Sassy Girl, had a comeback in this mix of romance, comedy, and science fiction. My Girlfriend is a Cyborg stars Keisuke Koide as Jiro Kitamura, a lonely man from Tokyo, while Haruka Ayase plays the Cyborg he falls in love with. The Cyborg was created by an older Jiro after a girl he met in his past and sent her to the past to protect him after a devastating earthquake in Tokyo.

What Women Want (2011)

What Women Want...

The festival will screen 146 films from 51 countries, and will honour Mohsen Makhmalbaf (pictured) with a five-film tribute.

Singapore International Film Festival (Nov 26 - Dec 6) has unveiled the full line-up for its 26th edition, comprising 146 films from 51 countries across 11 sections.

The festival will open with the international premiere of Cheng Yu-chieh and Lekal Sumi’s Panay and for the first time will do without a closing film.

The winner of the newly created audience choice award as well as the best film from the Silver Screen Awards will have repeat screenings on the last day of the festival instead.

‘We’re ending the festival in a different way, celebrating with two winning films,’ said Sgiff executive director Yuni Hadi, who splits the programming duties with festival director Zhang Wenjie.

A total of 10 Asian films will vye for the Silver Screen Awards. They are:

Black Hen, Min Bahadur BhamDirty Romance, Lee Sang-wooThe Fourth Direction, Gurvinder SinghHappy...

Nick Potts/Pa Archive

There have been some stellar names who have represented Newcastle United Football Club since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. The likes of Alan Shearer, David Ginola, Peter Beardsley, Nolberto Solano and Yohan Cabaye had all adorned the famous black-and-white-striped shirt.

Yet, unfortunately, the Magpies have also have more than their fair share of hopeless cases in the Premier League as well. Famed for signing “flops”, there have been a whole host of players who have represented Newcastle in the past 25 years who simply weren’t up to the task.

Now, because there have been just as many – if not more – flops to represent Newcastle in the Premier League as there have been wonderfully-gifted players, that makes selecting the Magpies’ worst-ever Premier League XI an extremely-difficult task.

There is competition in just about every single position on the pitch and, undoubtedly, Magpies fans will disagree with...

Prince William wasted no time inviting President Xi Jinping to visit Britain, extending the offer on the first morning of his four-day visit to China. During a sit-down with the Chinese leader on Monday, the royal handed Xi an official invitation from his grandmother Queen Elizabeth. Prince William's meeting with the president at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing marks the first high-profile visit to the Chinese mainland by a senior British royal in almost three decades - and the beginning of the Year of Cultural Exchange between the U.K. and China. In the past, the...

Last week, we announced that Sammo Hung was to team back up with fellow peking opera brother Jackie Chan for the movie The Old Soldier, but that is no longer happening. The movie has now been changed to The Bodyguard and will now star the fantastic Andy Lau, as Jackie is filming for a new movie and didn’t have time.

The Bodyguard will be produced by Bill Kong, Andy Lau, Chan Pui-wah and Ivy Ho, Sammo Hung will direct the movie and will also star. Sammo has not directed since he worked with Jet Li on Once Upon A Time In China And America, so fans should be very excited that Sammo is back where he belongs.

Plot:

A retired bodyguard (Hung) who has settled in the dark and unknown corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet. Suffering from the beginnings of dementia, the bodyguard...

Production has commenced on Chinese director Sammo Hung's upcoming action thriller The Bodyguard which Lava Bear Films has come on board to co-produce with Edko Films, Irresistible Films and Focus Films. The film, starring Hung and Chinese superstar Andy Lau is being produced by Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero), Andy Lau (Firestorm, A Simple Life), Chan Pui-wah (Firestorm, A Simple Life) and Ivy Ho (Cold War, Rise of the Legend). Currently in production in Northern China, the movie will be released in Summer 2015.

The Beijing Film Market (Bfm) announced deals totalling $1.7bn (RMB10.5bn) for 32 projects at the close of the three-day event (April 17-19), including $615m (RMB3.8bn) for film production.

Bfm organisers said the figures also included $550m (RMB3.4bn) for construction of cinemas and production bases, and $372m (Rmb 2.3bn) for ‘film foundation projects’.

Held for the first time at the circular China Millennium Monument, the market attracted 724 companies and organisations from 24 countries, including 248 exhibitors, around half of which came from outside China.

The bulk of the exhibitors were companies from the locations and technology sectors and included French VFX company Buf, Ile de France Film Commission, Chinese VFX house Phenom Films, Korean Film Council, Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures and Media Asia and a large delegation from Taiwan.

The event also featured a projects market, including pitching sessions with judges and trainers such as Hong Kong filmmaker Teddy Chen, Irresistible Films’ Ivy Ho...

The Beijing Film Market (Bfm) announced deals totalling $1.7bn (RMB10.5bn) for 32 projects at the close of the three-day event (April 17-19), including $615m (RMB3.8bn) for film production.

Bfm organisers said the figures also included $550m (RMB3.4bn) for construction of cinemas and production bases, and $372m (Rmb 2.3bn) for ‘film foundation projects’.

Held for the first time at the circular China Millennium Monument, the market attracted 724 companies and organisations from 24 countries, including 248 exhibitors, around half of which came from outside China.

The bulk of the exhibitors were companies from the locations and technology sectors and included French VFX company Buf, Ile de France Film Commission, Chinese VFX house Phenom Films, Korean Film Council, Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures and Media Asia and a large delegation from Taiwan.

The event also featured a projects market, including pitching sessions with judges and trainers such as Hong Kong filmmaker Teddy Chen, Irresistible Films’ Ivy Ho...

Edko Films will be launching sales on Cheuk Wan Chi’s Temporary Family, a romantic comedy starring Nick Cheung, Sammi Cheng and Angelababy, at the upcoming Filmart content market in Hong Kong.

Produced by Hong Kong’s Irresistible Films, the film takes a sly dig at Hong Kong’s over-heated property market, through the story of a real estate agent and three investors in a luxury penthouse apartment who end up living together in the property when their plans to make a fast profit go awry.

Cheung plays the agent while Cheng plays a recent divorcee in need of a new place to live and Angelababy plays the agent’s stepdaughter. The cast also includes Oho Ou as a mainland rich kid. The young singer became an idol in China after appearing on a Hunan satellite TV talent show.

The film will also feature cameos from actors and directors such as Jacky Cheung, Ivana Wong and [link...

You can’t keep a kung fu master down. Wong Fei Hung, probably most famous to Western audiences as the hero of Jet Li and Tsui Hark’s “Once Upon a Time in China” series of movies, will be returning to the big screen about 16 years after Jet and Tsui hung it up. The duo’s last Wong Fei Hung movie was 1997′s “Once Upon a Time in China and America”, which found Wong in the American West battling cowboys. Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are teaming up for the new version of the martial arts legend, with Chow Hin Yeung and Christine To directing and writing, respectively. The two previously teamed together on the crime dramas “Nightfall” and “Murderer”. This version of Wong Fei Hung is said to chronicle “the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during...

Crouching Tiger producer Bill Kong to make first film about legendary kung fu master Wong Fei-hung in almost 20 years.

Producers Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are reteaming to give kung fu master Wong Fei-hung a new spin in Rise of the Legend.

The epic will be a co-prodution between Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc. It reunites the producers with director Chow Hin Yeung and screenwriter Christine To.

The actor playing the title role is being kept under wraps but the film starts principal shooting tomorrow [Aug 20] in China.

Rise of the Legend chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.

Joining the cast are martial arts star Sammo Hung as Wong’s mentor, teen idol Jing Boran and martial arts champion-turned-actor Zhang Jin (The Grandmaster).

The production team includes action director [link=nm...

Producers Bill Kong, Liu Erdong and Ivy Ho are teaming for the biopic "Rise of the Legend" about kung fu master Wong Fei-hung.

The story chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.

The stories of Wong Fei-hung have been featured in over a hundred films and shows, most famously played in the 1990s by Jet Li in Tsui Hark's "Once Upon a Time in China" series.

The actor playing the title role in this take is being kept under wraps. Joining him are Sammo Hung as Wong's mentor, teen idol Jing Boran, and martial arts champion Zhang Jin.

Chow Hin Yeung helms from a script by Christine To, while Corey Yuen serves as action director.

Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and Bdi Films Inc will produce the project...

Nina Lath Gupta

Nfdc head Nina Lath Gupta and producer Guneet Monga have been featured in the list of 12 outstanding International women achievers in the field of entertainment by American entertainment magazine “The Hollywood Reporter” (THR). The special issue was launched at THR’s 21st annual ‘Women in Entertainment’ breakfast event at Los Angeles, held on 5th December 2012.

Nina Lath Gupta joined Nfdc as the Managing Director of the company in 2006, after having served as the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax for 16 years and resigning from The Indian Revenue Service. Within five years of taking charge, Nina has contributed to the drastic makeover in the company, significantly in terms of the turnover from Rs 12 crores in 2006, to Rs 255 crores in 2011- 2012. Recent noteworthy developments at Nfdc include the launch of the production and distribution brand- Cinemas of India, launch of Nfdc Labs – the training and development division aimed at mentoring mid-level film professionals.

It has been announced that Byron Mann has joined the cast of Hong Kong cop thriller Cold War, alongside the likes of such Asian heavyweights as Andy Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Aaron Kwok, Gordon Lam, Andy On and Charlie Young. The film is produced by Ivy Ho, Matthew Tang and veteran Bill Kong, whose long list of credits includes Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The House Of Flying Daggers, Lust Caution and Zhang Yimou's forthcoming The Flowers Of War, starring Christian Bale. Cold War is a violent, high-octane cop thriller that begins with a nerve-jangling hostage situation and rapidly spirals out of control. The film is being directed by Longman Leung and Sunny Luk, with filming expected to wrap at the end of the year.Mann is...

Busan, South Korea -- Hong Kong-based Edko Films and Irresistible Films unveiled two action projects at the Asian Film Market, Nightfall and Cold War, produced by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon producer Bill Kong. 

Starring award-winning actors Nick Cheung and Simon Yam as an ex-con and a detective, respectively, on the trail of a brutal murder, the $7 million Nightfall is the second collaboration of the helmer-writer team Roy Chow and Christine To (Murderer). Now in post-production, the film is scheduled for March 2012.

Cold War, a $9 million police action drama with an undisclosed cast is produced by Kong, Matthew Tang, and Ivy Ho. Set amidst a hostage crisis,...

Busan, South Korea -- Hong Kong-based Edko Films and Irresistible Films unveiled two action projects at the Asian Film Market, Nightfall and Cold War, produced by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon producer Bill Kong. 

Starring award-winning actors Nick Cheung and Simon Yam as an ex-con and a detective, respectively, on the trail of a brutal murder, the $7 million Nightfall is the second collaboration of the helmer-writer team Roy Chow and Christine To (Murderer). Now in post-production, the film is scheduled for March 2012.

Cold War, a $9 million police action drama with an undisclosed cast is produced by Kong, Matthew Tang, and Ivy Ho. Set amidst a hostage crisis,...

Netflix has revolutionized the home viewing market for movies with their instant streaming service. Netflix Nuggets is my way of spreading the word about films of all genres worth holding a spot on your instant viewing queue. (Release dates are subject to change.)

Claustrophobia (2008)

Streaming Available: 10/15/2011

Synopsis: Love and corporate policy collide in director Ivy Ho’s engaging drama that follows the arc of a quiet affair between marketing employee Pearl and her soft-spoken, married-with-kids boss, Tom.

Average Netflix Rating: 3

Dream (2008)

Streaming Available: 10/15/2011

Synopsis: In this dark, surreal fantasy from Korean director Ki-duk Kim, a man named Jin (Jô Odagiri) discovers that he’s inextricably linked to a young woman (Na-yeong Lee) through his dreams, which she acts out to the letter while in a trance-like state. Their entwined lives become even more complicated when Jin’s dreams of an old lover lead the girl to reconnect with her own estranged ex.

It seems Disney has taken notice of comic books. From buying out Marvel Entertainment and developing numerous properties in Europe, we have word now that the Crossgen series "Way of the Rat" is destined for the silver screen.

China's "Daily Times" tabloid is reporting that "Way of the Rat" was one of three films announced Monday at the Beijing International Film Festival along with "Flying Tiger" and "Looper."

The project is described as a joint production between China, the United States and Canada with a projected budget of $94 million. Reports indicate that shooting of the "Way of the Rat" motion picture is set for later this year in hopes of a Christmas release.

"Way of the Rat" was an ongoing series by writer Chuck Dixon and artists Jeff Johnson and Tom Ryder that followed a thief named Boon Sai Hong who runs across more than he bargained for by stealing two objects with magical properties.

[Once again thanks goes to the incomparable Diva Velez, for the following interview - one which was edited down from an hour long conversation... oh, to have been there, fan boys...]

The Lady Miz Diva:  Mr. Yam, you started your acting career under contract with the Hong Kong television network Tvb...   Simon Yam:  Ah, it was a long time ago!     Lmd:  Yes, but so many well-known actors like yourself have come from Tvb.   Sy:  Yes, right, including many famous directors and actors and actresses all come from Tvb.     Lmd:  What did you take away from your time there?  What did you learn then that you use today?   Sy:  Being on time!  Actually, I didn't, I learned being on time from my father, who was a policeman.  They're always on time.  I learned manners from Tvb.  And how to be energetic; cos in the old days we'd shoot today and then we're dubbing and then we're editing and then the third day, we do this again.  This was the routine of before.  This was horrible.  So when you are sick, you need to do the work.

Peng Ho-Cheung’s cigarette-oriented romantic comedy Love In A Puff remained faithful to what Ho-Cheung does best: his writing. Much of this might have to do with his chosen collaborator. His co-writer, Heiward Mak offers much insight, modern-day relationships in the Hong Kong. - As this year’s edition came to a close, I've decided to look back and filter through some of the highs and lows of the fest. Among the disappointments, at the top of the list we have Ivy Ho's Crossing Hennessy which stars Tang Wei (from Lust, Caution fame) and Jacky Cheung. Peng Ho-Cheung’s cigarette-oriented romantic comedy Love In A Puff remained faithful to what Ho-Cheung does best: his writing. Much of this might have to do with his chosen collaborator. His co-writer, Heiward Mak (see clip below) offers much insight, modern-day relationships in the Hong Kong.

For her latest film, Crossing Hennessy, director Ivy Ho invites us into the warm heart of Wan Chai, creating a wholly authentic and instantly recognisable portrait of what it's really like to live and love in Hong Kong. Not only are we shown the blinding neon and bustling streets of the island's traditional centre, but Ho guides us between the trams and the residential blocks, through the coffee shops and electrical stores, to meet a beautifully drawn collection of characters going about their normal lives.

 ...

Based on Law's childhood experience, the story intends to bring out the nostalgia of the Hong Kongers through the portrayal of those good old days. It has yet to premiere in Hong Kong, but is set for a March 11th release and it'll also will be able to be seen during the Hong Kong International Festival. - Hong Kong Film Scene: LocalThe 34th edition of the Hong Kong International Festival will be bookended by homegrown films this year -- Crossing Hennessy, the sophomore feature from Ivy Ho (Claustrophobia) will open the fest alongside Like A Dream starring Daniel Wu. The festival which includes several international titles from last year's Cannes, Toronto and Venice film fests, contains some newer, attention-getting titles such as Love in a Puff -- Pang Ho-Cheung’s first time collaboration with Haiward Mak, who first caught Hong Kong film critics’ attention with her debut feature High Noon.

Its been two years since Tang Wei was blacklisted from the censorship board in China for the Lust, Caution controversy.  I always felt sorry for the way she was unfairly treated but fortunately for us, she is back again in the Hong Kong romantic comedy Crossing Hennessy from screenwriter-turned-director Ivy Ho (Comrades: Almost a Love Story) with co-star singer-actor Jacky Cheung.  It has the Chinese media buzzing on her portrayal of a some-what goofy character which is a complete departure from her last role.  Good on her for persevering against the set-back.

Crossing Hennessy is a light-hearted tale of a happy-go-lucky electric appliance store owner (Cheung) and a quiet, stubborn girl-next-door (Tang), who takes care of a sanitaryware shop for her uncle. The relatives of Cheung and Tang set the two up for a date, seeing that they have both entered their thirties and still have no stable partner. The truth is,...

A stray Chabrol, the next Juno and more Toni Servillo brilliance are among this year's hidden gems on the festival circuit. Hunt them down now before they're buried for ever

Home festivaling is one of the few perks of losing mobility through a back injury. What better way to cover 300+ screen events across the UK for Empire Online's Festivals & Seasons page than letting them come to you? Much festival fare falls squarely into the three-star category. But, every now and then, a disc arrives in the post containing a gem that leaves you wondering how the distributors missed it. So here's a personal selection of the festival favourites that have either failed to secure a UK release in 2009 or are not currently on the schedule for next year.

10) Let's Dance (dir. Noémie Lvovsky, France)

Festivals are invariably stuffed with quirky ensemble pieces, with Laís Bodanzky's superbly choreographed The Ballroom...

Tina Mabry's "Mississippi Damned," an independent American production, won the Gold Hugo as the best film in the 2009 Chicago International Film Festival, and added Gold Plaques for best supporting actress (Jossie Thacker) and best screenplay (Mabry). It tells the harrowing story of three black children growing up in rural Mississippi in circumstances of violence and addiction. The film's trailer and an interview with Mabry are linked at the bottom.

Kylee Russell in "Mississippi Damned"

The win came over a crowed field of competitors from all over the world, many of them with much larger budgets. The other big winner at the Pump Room of the Ambassador East awards ceremony Saturday evening was by veteran master Marco Bellocchio of Italy, who won the Silver Hugo as best director for "Vincere," the story of Mussolini's younger brother. Giovanna Mezzogiorno and Filippo Timi won Silver Hugos as best actress and actor,...

[Our thanks to Diva Velez for sharing the following interview with Hong Kong screenwriter-turned-director Ivy Ho. Though dominantly revolving around Ho’s directorial debut, Claustrophobia, is also touches on the upcoming Crossing Henessey.]

The Lady Miz Diva: I understand your choice to become a director originated with your passion for the story you wrote that became Claustrophobia.

Ivy Ho: Yes, you see it’s very complicated. Director means power. So, a lot of people become a director because that’s the logical thing to do. If you started as a continuity person, you’d naturally want to move on to become a director because just like if you started as a clerk, you’d want to move on to all sorts of promotions from officers, to managers, to a CEOs. But a director has no bearing on creativity, there’s nothing like that. I mean only those who know how to create stories can do it, but to me, we have too many directors who are technically proficient, who start off as production assistants and then they move on to become directors,...

2009 Hong Kong Film Awards 2009 Hong Kong Film Award nominations: Feb. 12 2009 Hong Kong Film Award winners: Apr. 19 ("*" denotes the winner in each category) Donnie Yen in Wilson Yip’s Ip Man, a biopic of Bruce Lee’s kung fu master. Best Film The Way We Are (prods: Ann Hui & Wong Yat Ping) Red Cliff (prods: Terence Chang & John Woo) Cj 7 (prods: Stephen Chow, Chui Po Chu, Han San Ping, Vincent Kok, Shi Dong Ming, Connie Wong) Painted Skin (prod: Gordon Chan Ka Seung) * Ip Man (prod: Raymond Wong Pak Ming) Best Asian Film If You Are The One (China) Cape No. 7 (Taiwan) Suspect X (Japan) Forever Enthralled (China) * Assembly (China) Best Director * Ann Hui On Wah (The Way We Are) Johnnie To Kei Fung (Sparrow) John Woo (Red Cliff) Benny Chan (Connected) Yip Wai Shun (Ip Man) Best New Director * Derek Kwok (The Moss) Heiward Mak (High Noon) Ivy Ho (Claustrophobia...

Berlin -- Richard Loncraine's "My One and Only," a '50s-era comedy starring Renee Zellweger and Kevin Bacon, was squeezed into the competition lineup for this year's Berlin International Film Festival, barely a week before the event kicks off.

Zellweger plays a glamorous single mom on the hunt for a rich man to foot the bill for her and her sons' lifestyle. Produced by Merv Griffith Entertainment and Ray Gun Prods., "My One and Only" will have its world premiere in Berlin. Essential Entertainment is handling international sales.

Berlin also added Lone Scherfig's Sundance favorite "An Education" with Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina and Emma Thompson and Davis Guggenheim's music documentary "It Might Get Loud" for its Berlinale Special Galas, ensuring the films will get the red carpet treatment without any of the pressure of competition.

All three films should give an added boost of star power to...

And here's the rest fo them which includes loads of world premiers, plenty of Asian flare, and lot's of film makers I've never heard of before..

Check the list after the break.

Panorama Main Programme

Dongbei, Dongbei (A North Chinese Girl) by Zou Peng, People’s Republic of China (Wp)

With Tian Yi-Wen, Wu Rui-Peng, Liu Xing-Ping

Rabioso sol, rabioso cielo (Raging Sun, Raging Sky) by Julián Hernández, Mexico (Wp)

With Jorge Becerra, Javier Oliván, Guillermo Villegas, Giovanna Zacarias

Rossiya 88 (Russia 88) by Pavel Bardin, Russian Federation (Wp)

With Petr Fyodorov, Vera Strokova, Kazbek Kibizov

Schläft ein Lied in allen Dingen (Sleeping Songs) by Andreas Struck, Germany (Wp)

With Stefan Rudolf, Chulpan Khamatova, Traute Hoess, Paula Kalenberg, Barnaby Metschurat

Strella by Panos H. Koutras, Greece (Wp)

With Mina Orfanou, Yiannis Kokkiasmenos, Minos Theoharis, Betty Vakalidou

Vingança (Retribution) by Paulo Pons, Brazil

With Bárbara Borges, Erom Cordeiro, Branca Messina, Guta Stresser, Marcio...

[Our thanks to Twitch reader James Hadfield for the following review.]

Screenwriter Ivy Ho has penned some memorable films in her time, including July Rhapsody and Comrades, Almost a Love Story, but this is the first time she’s gotten behind the camera to direct one of her own scripts. Claustrophobia is an almost infuriatingly subtle piece of work, which implies much more than it actually shows.

Told in reverse, the story revolves around Pearl (Karena Lam), an attractive young woman who works in the marketing department of a struggling import-export firm. Each day, she leaves the cramped confines of her office to share a car home with her coworkers: boorish know-it-all Karl (Felix Lok), talkative tart Jewel (Chucky Woo), shy nerd John (Derek Wsang) and handsome family man Tom (Ekin Cheng).

Fifteen films will compete for the Tokyo Sakura Grand Prize at the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival, which announced its 2008 lineup on Thursday. 

The festival kicks off Oct. 10 and features several world and international premieres. Among the competing films are Ivy Ho's "Claustrophobia," Jennifer Phang's "Half-Life," Johan Kramer's "Sing for Darfur" and Tetsu Maeda's "School Days with a Pig."

The Special Screenings section of the festival features several American films, including Justin Chadwick's "The Other Boleyn Girl," Eric Brevig's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and Andrew Stanton's "WALL-E."

John Woo's "Red Cliff" is scheduled to open the festival, which runs through Oct. 26.

Click here to see all the films competing for the Sakura.

Click here for more information about TIFF 2008.