On Monday at an event in Beijing, China Movie Channel and HBO Asia have since re-officiated their Asia-exclusive partnership re: their slate of martial arts films two years after the success of Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master of the Shadow-less Kick: Wong Kei-Ying.
The Chinese film industry has some pretty big goals in mind, some of which are the subejct of discussion held at the annual China Night Party in France where buyers are looking up titles to suit their brands. The business end of things here also extends to HBO Asia and China Movie Channel who are, according to an exclusive report over at The Hollywood Reporter, are pairing once again for two more martial arts titles following Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying.
“We were very pleased with how our first collaboration turned out, so we are very happy to be partnering with HBO on two more high-quality TV movies that celebrate Chinese culture and history,” Zhang Ling, vice president of China Movie Channel, told THR at the Cannes film festival.
Zhang declined to share further details about the new projects. But, like their predecessors, each film is expected to be a standalone story exploring the life of a legendary martial arts master from Chinese history — together, the movies will form a loose series, or portfolio, of martial-arts sagas.
“We are looking to partner with more experienced entertainment companies from around the world,” Zhang said. “These collaborations give our talents and creative teams an opportunity to learn from Hollywood production experience, and they also help us share Chinese culture with the world in very professional way.”
Both ‘Qing-era’ titles, Beggar So and Wong Kei-Ying, were directed by action veteran Guo Jian-yong (Red Cliff, The Transporter) and aired exclusively in mainland China and across 23 Asian markets, as well as through HBO Asia and pan-Asian channel, RED by HBO. Both films are also available on VoD in the U.S., and if you’re looking, Google Play would be a swell place to start.
HBO Asia and China Movie Channel are officially in production for Master Of The Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master Of The Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying, the first two of an anthology of original Qing Dynasty-set martial arts films to broadcast exclusively throughout Asia for television. Hong Kong action stalwart Corey Yuen Kwai, and choreographer Guo Jian-Yong, both who worked together on Yuen’s stylish Shu Qi headliner in 2002, So Close, will executive produce and direct, respectively, for the airing of both films beginning later this year through HBO and their pan-Asian film network, RED.
I’m a little disheartened since I live in North America and HBO Asia is exclusive solely to 23 Asian territories. HBO Asia series Halfworlds is one that certainly has my attention and in the wake of this week’s news, I kind of hope that somewhere down the line we’ll see some news whereby HBO Asia or its content expands its reach some. Because I’m a Hong Kong cinema fan and so what Yuen is onto now is something that surely appeals to folks like me who don’t live 12 hours ahead of our current time zone.
At any rate, let’s see how this process goes. Yuen, best known for contributing to many a film at home and abroad for Hollywood (No Retreat No Surrender, Righting Wrongs, Yes Madam!, The Transporter, Rise Of The Legend) just recently choreographed the action on George Nolfi’s forthcoming Bruce Lee biopic, Birth Of The Dragon which chronicles the historic private match between the one and future martial arts film legend Bruce Lee, and a local rival. So, it seems Yuen is on a bit of a streak here with both films bearing familiar territory for anyone who’s seen a Kwan Tak Hing, Jackie Chan or Donnie Yen film. I’m pleased to see that and I hope it leads to further greatness and more projects for all audiences.
H/T: THR
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