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Imagine this: four strangers meet for the first time to plan a heist, breaking into a government official’s apartment to steal back bribe money. But what starts as a simple scheme quickly spirals out of control. Directed by Ding Sheng, Nothing Can’t Be Undone by a Hotpot tells the story of what happens when these unlikely thieves recover not one but two suitcases—one stuffed with cash, the other containing an unconscious body. Trapped together in a small performance space, tensions rise as secrets are revealed and loyalties are tested.

Released in 2023, the film brings these characters vividly to life through energetic dialogue and natural performances. With mahjong nicknames like “Fortune” and “Chicken,” the quirky quartet grapples with their mounting predicament. Director Ding Sheng keeps viewers entertained through creative twists and ample doses of dark humor. Even as the stakes escalate towards an unpredictable finale, the focus remains...

Eastern Grace Film, a new production company that teased its debut production “The Sand Murmurs” earlier this month, has gone one step further. It used the Shanghai International Film Festival to unveil a slate of nine new film productions.

The company is an indirect subsidiary of Baination Pictures, a Beijing-based film and TV group that is listed on the Shenzhen stock exchange. Eastern Grace is headed by president Wilson Jiang, a veteran film distributor in China.

Jiang pitched the company as a diversified operation that spans film investment, production and promotion operating at the top end of the Chinese industry. In addition to the conventional systems of production and exploitation, Eastern Grace aims to generate short films and stage plays that are derived from its portfolio movies. New media revenue will also be pursued in the VR, metaverse and virtual image categories. Some of these initiatives will be achieved in partnership with other companies.

Author-director Giddens Ko (“You Are the Apple of My Eye”) returned to Golden Horse Award-winning form in 2021 with “Till We Meet Again”, a movie adaptation of his best-selling novel “God of Love”. Ko cleverly refreshes the run-of-the-mill romance genre with an infusion of local mythology about life and death. Ko reimagines his underworld as a chaotic dystopian realm, more frightening for its bureaucratic red tape and glitchy It when dealing with an overpopulation of human souls awaiting either reincarnation or eternal damnation. Traditional deities like Yama the King of Hell, his ghostbuster sidekicks Ox-Head and Horse-Face as well as the usual host of demons (including cameos by Sadako and Toshio) are not who they seem.

Kai Ko turns in an endearing performance as the happy-go-lucky Ah Lun. He suffers an untimely death, has amnesia and faces a choice to either reincarnate as a snail or join the underworld’s matchmaking...

Chinese streaming giant iQiyi has announced a slate of 33 Chinese original productions, including Pledge Of Allegiance, a sequel to hit martial arts film Brotherhood Of Blades, and an adaptation of hot Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin’s Ball Lightning.

The streamer, which has been making a big push into Southeast Asian markets, has also struck a deal with Malaysian broadcaster Suke TV for exclusive rights to ten Malay variety shows to stream on its iQiyi International platform for audiences in Singapore and Malaysia.

The new Chinese content slate is divided across five genres – Epic Tales, Young Power, Mystery Adventures, Oriental Fantasy and Differentiated Romance.

Pledge Of Allegiance, a spin-off from 2014 hit Brotherhood Of Blades about a group of brutal secret police, falls under the Epic Tales banner, along with new seasons of hot period dramas, Nirvana In Fire 3 and Chinese Paladin 4. Brotherhood Of Blades grossed 14m (RMB93m) in Chinese...

This movie is the new blockbuster science-fiction production coming from China, and of course, comes with an elevated budget and big special effects. It’s not very common in the Chinese production to use science fiction since they usually focus on action and fantasy, but this seriousness in tone proposal is worthy of vision and analysis.

Xia Tian (Mi Yang) is part of a research team who has come up with the discovery of the century: to travel in time. The research team consists mainly of Xian Tian and the director (Shih-chieh king), the scientist (Kim Hee-won) and Da Xiong. After several experiments, they have managed to travel back in time to 2 hours in the past (with some anomalies that must be resolved), which is a breakthrough not only for humanity but for the whole company. Everything changes when an individual, Cui Hu (Wallace Huo) kidnaps Doudou...

Well Go USA is bringing us a sci-fi thriller from producer Jackie Chan in theaters on June 30th. Reset takes place in the near future where scientist Xia Tian (Yang Mi) is on the verge of a major discovery: time travel. After she successfully sends living tissue back in time by 110 minutes, her years […]...

"You are not necessary for this experiment." Well Go USA has debuted an official Us trailer for a Chinese action-sci-fi-thriller titled Reset, also going by the name Fatal Countdown: Reset. Executive produced by Jackie Chan, and directed by a filmmaker called "Chang", Reset is about a desperate scientist mother who finishes her experimental time travel machine in order to go back in time and save her son. Starring Yang Mi, Wallace Huo, and King Shih-Chieh. While this doesn't seem like the most inspired time travel plot, I am curious about the cultural differences and unique twists in this film. I'm interested to see what happens once she goes back in time, and what exactly she does to save her son and get rid of the criminals. Have fun. Here's the official Us trailer (+ international poster) for Chang's Reset, direct from YouTube: In the near future, scientist Xia Tian (Yang Mi...

There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.

With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.

After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.

Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.

Previously announced...

The delectable aroma of whipping up Kimbaps wafts across the screen. On the eve of a campaign rally, Yeon-hong (played by Son Ye-jin), a submissive housewife of Jong-chan (Kim Joo-hyuk) who runs to be elected to the national assembly, is busy lionzing the campaign staffers. A somber mood pervades their home, on the first day of campaigning, their daughter, Min-jin (Shin Ji-hoon) goes missing.

A swirl of unsettling yet delightfully eccentric music is sliped in when Yeon-hong racks her brain to solve the mystery while Jong-chan is preoccupied with his campaign. Ominous allusions ebb and flow as the plot oscillates between the past and present. As a The Wailing-esque sequence abruptly segues to the crux of the film, Yeon-hong goes berserk.

The film features what may very well be Son Ye-jin’s boldest performance to date. The story is triggered and driven toward by the the hysterical standard of her.

L.O.R.D: Legend of the Ravaging Dynasties is China's first motion-capture action fantasy film. It is written and directed by Guo Jingming (Tiny Times) and stars Fan Bingbing, Kris Wu, Chen Xuedong, William Chan, Amber Kuo and Yang Mi.    Thanks to Magnum Films, we have Five double passes for the film to give away to our readers.    For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps:   1) Like the Magnum Film Facebook page, and   2) Email your name and postal address to me at: hugo[at]screenanarchy.com   L.O.R.D: Legend of the Ravaging Dynasties will open in Australian cinemas on September 29 and this competition will close at 3 p.m. on September 28. Good luck!...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

China's first CG motion capture fantasy animated film L.O.R.D (Legend of Ravaging Dynasties) is poised to make a major breakthrough this summer and what better way to grab's everybody attention than to feature the gorgeous Fan Bingbing as a mystic warrior in its first teaser. Directed by Guo Jing Ming and based on his novel of the same name, the ambitious project from Original Force is produced entirely in CG with cutting edge 3D scanning system to create photorealistic digital substitutes for each actors. Other familiar faces to appear digitally include Yang Mi, Chen Xuedong, Kris Wu, Amber Kuo, William Chan, Yan Yikuan, Aarif Lee, Lin Yun, Wang Duo, and Wang Yuan. It's scheduled for theatrical release in China on September 30th....

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Exclusive: Beijing-based Le Vision Pictures is to unveil Daniel Lee’s action suspense title The Lost Tomb and Guo Jingming’s fantasy epic L.O.R.D. at Hong Kong’s Filmart.

Based on a popular web novel, The Lost Tomb stars Jing Boran (Monster Hunt), Lu Han, Ma Sichun and Wang Jingchun in a story about an uncle and nephew exploring ancient tombs. The feature is in post-production.

Guo’s L.O.R.D. (Legend Of Ravaging Dynasties) stars Fan Bingbing, Wu Yifan, William Chan and several actors from Guo’s best-selling Tiny Times franchise, including Yang Mi, Cheney Chen and Amber Kuo. The CGI-driven fantasy is based on Guo’s novel about the wars between four nations with different magical powers.

Ronan Wong, general manager of investment at Le Vision, is attending Filmart to introduce the new titles.

The company’s slate also includes Zhang Qi’s Who Sleeps My Bro, a feature...

Exclusive: Hong Kong-based Golden Network Asia has picked up international rights to China-Korean co-production Reset, produced by Jackie Chan and directed by South Korea’s Chang.

Starring Yang Mi, Wallace Huo, King Shih-chieh and Liu Chang, the sci-fi action adventure follows a scientist who travels back in time to rescue her kidnapped son.

Produced by China’s New Clues Films and Jaywalk Studio with Korean production house The Lamp, the film has just finished shooting and will be released at the end of 2016 following extensive VFX post-production.

Golden Network is also launching sales on car chase action comedy Golden Job, directed by veteran action director Chin Ka-lok (Cold War). Hong Kong actor-producer Eric Tsang is producing the film about five soon-to-retire con artists who are caught up in a heist after they throw a bachelor party.

Produced by The Artists Company and The Entertainer Production Company, the film will start shooting in May at locations including Hong Kong...

The Great Wall of China has long been the object of many a man’s admiration. However, if you think you know the reason behind this ancient wonder’s creation, then you ought to prepare for your mind to be blown.

Behind “The Great Wall”

This year, a movie of epic proportions has started production, and it boasts not only of an ambitious concept but also a star-studded cast comprising of some of the most prominent figures from both Hollywood and the Chinese cinema.

Revolving around the majestic Great Wall, the film mashes elements from science fiction and history as it sets up its characters in 15th century China. Where’s the sci-fi in that, you ask? Well, apparently, the “real” reason the Wall was erected is a large-scale, unrecorded invasion of giant mythical creatures—aliens, perhaps? In this grievous battle against the supernatural, humankind opted to fortify its defenses...

Hollywood is jumping through hoops to infiltrate China; now, a Chinese company is returning the favor. China Lion Film Distribution acquired U.S. and Canada rights to the Enlight Pictures’ romantic comedy The Breakup Guru, which it will also release in Australia and New Zealand day-and-date with its June 27 release in China. Pic stars Deng Chao (who co-directed the film with Yu Baimei) and Yang Mi. Deng Chao is a member of the Chinese National Theatre from Mainland China, with credits that include The Four Franchise, and Detective Dee And The Mystery Of The Phantom Flame. Yang Mi is a well-known Chinese actress known for her roles in Tiny Times and Painted Skin: The Resurrection, the latter of which China Lion Australian/New Zealand previously released. Breakup Guru follows the misadventures of a man (Deng Chao) hired to do one of the most uncomfortable jobs ever: break-up with someone.

China Lion, a distribution company that focuses on bringing Chinese films to the states, has acquired the North American rights to "The Breakup Guru," a romantic comedy directed by Deng Chao  China Lion acquired "The Breakup Guru," which stars Chao and Yang Mi, from Enlight Pictures. The film is slated for a June 27 theatrical release, hitting screens in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto. ...

Title: Wu Dang Directed by: Patrick Leung Starring: Wenzhuo Zhao, Mini Yang, Siu-Wong Fan, Yu-Hang To, Jiao Xu Running time: 101 minutes, Not Rated, Available on Blu-ray Special Features: Behind the Scenes, Trailer During the early days of Republican China, a widower treasure seeker and his martial arts prodigy daughter travel to  Wu Dang mountain to compete in a Kung Fu championship, and also look for the fabled seven treasures hidden within. Despite this film is completely in Mandarin (because having to read subtitles can get irritating), it is an entertaining action-adventure/comedy/fantasy. The fight choreography albeit fantastical, was visually stunning; and note the martial arts is the star of the  [ Read More ]

The post Wu Dang DVD Review appeared first on Shockya.com.

Director: Wuershan. Review: Stan Glick. The Chinese supernatural, fantasy box-office hit Painted Skin: The Resurrection is available tomorrow in the U.S. on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital (the later meaning, I assume, digital download). This review is of the single disc DVD version. Long ago, a demon fox spirit named Xiaowei (Zhou Xun, who reprises her role from the original Paintd Skin of 2008), fell in love with a human. When she saved him, she violated the laws of demons. This back-story is a very brief synopsis of the original film, which I must acknowledge I haven’t seen. This is no handicap, however, as The Resurrection is a most-satisfying stand-alone tale. As the film begins, Xiaowei has been imprisoned in ice for five hundred years for her transgression. But Quer (Mini Yang), a bird demon, has been attracted by her face and sets Xiaowei free by pecking at the ice.

Fact: I wouldn’t give a damn about this movie if Donnie Yen weren’t all over it. The guy has charisma to spare, and while it’s good to see him doing something that doesn’t require him to pummel human beings for two straight hours, I’m still not too sure about this one. I understand that the “All’s Well, End’s Well” franchise is a staple of Chinese New Year cinema, but even I have my limits when it comes to schmaltzy goofiness. You’ll see what I mean in just a second. Assuming, of course, that you’re brave enough to stuff this trailer into the oh-so tender folds of your brain. Chan Hing-ka and Janet Chun’s “All’s Well, End’s Well” stars Louis Koo, Sandra Ng, Donnie Yen, Bak-Ming Wong, Kelly Chen, Chapman To, Lynn Hung, Mi Yang, and Ni Yang. The film opens on January 19th,...

I’m assuming that this Chinese New Year flick is the equivalent of, say, “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve” here in the States. Why else would Donnie Yen and his equally impressive cast mates find themselves in something as ridiculously cheesy as “All’s Well, End’s Well 2012″? There’s a lot of color, music, and goofy tomfoolery taking place in the embedded trailer, which, from what I’ve been told, is what people should expect from the seventh installment of the “All’s Well, End’s Well” series. The damned thing looks beyond silly, and given my love of all things Donnie Yen, there’s a very severe possibility that I’ll give it a shot when and if this things ever arrives on an English-subtitled DVD. Until then, this teaser and these images will have to keep me company. “All’s Well, End’s Well 2012″, which stars Louis Koo,...

I have no idea what in the hell is going on in this clip, but truth be told, that’s exactly why I want to see Kai Cheung Chung’s “Mysterious Island”. If nothing else, at least the marketing campaign stays true to the picture’s title. I’m sure we’ll see a full trailer before long, as the film, which stars Jordan Chan, Mi Yang, Tien You Tsui, Hayama Go, Janel Tsai, and Anya, opens on July 8th, 2011. You can feast your eyes on the strangeness below. To prevent further confusion, here’s a synopsis: A group of young people from different countries head to a deserted island for a survivor competition. The winner who lives through the hardships will be awarded with a big cash prize. However this journey turns out to be much harder than they could stand. First, their maps are gone. Then the competitors are being murdered,...

In addition to the previously announced titles, Tiff just keeps adding more great stuff to their line-up.

The most recent announcement (I’m sure there are more to come), includes a couple of interesting titles along with a couple of heavy weights. Up front is Danny Boyle’s story of survival 127 Hours starring James Franco, Casey Affleck’s bizarre biopic/drama I’m Still Here (trailer), Guillem Morales’ great looking Spanish thriller Julia’s Eyes (trailer) and Matt Reeves’ remake Let Me In (trailer).

Other titles which sound promising include Mitch Glazer’s Passion Play, a fable starring Mickey Rourke and sex bomb Megan Fox, Álex de la Iglesia’s insane parody about the Spanish Civil War with clowns The Last Circus and Benoît Jacquot’s Deep in the Woods.

All of the new additions after the break.

Last Night Massy Tadjedin, USA/France World Premiere

A married couple are...

Yep. Matt Reeves' Let Me In is getting the Special Presentation treatment at the Toronto International Film Festival, along with the latest from Danny Boyle, John Sayles, Clint Eastwood and others. Here's today's announcement:

Toronto International Film Festival Adds New Galas And Special Presentations To Its High-calibre Line-up

Toronto - The Toronto International Film Festival announces the exciting addition of two Galas and 18 Special Presentations to this year's line-up, including 14 World Premieres. This year's Festival includes the world premieres of new films by Clint Eastwood, Danny Boyle, John Sayles, Guillem Morales and Stefano Incerti. The Galas and Special Presentations announced today feature on-screen appearances by Matt Damon, James Franco, Jennifer Connelly, Will Ferrell, Keira Knightley, Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Toni Servillo, Mickey Rourke, Megan Fox, Bill Murray, Charlotte Rampling, Emma Roberts and Eva Mendes.

Galas

Closing Night Film

Last Night Massy Tadjedin, USA/France World Premiere

A married couple...