efm 2016
Acclaimed Filmmaker Jia Zhangke To Make His Martial Arts Debut This Spring
Director Jia Zhangke’s resumé is one that’s not without its fair share of intrigue and controversy. Regarded highly as a “Sixth Generation” undergroud filmmaker, he’s been well awarded in festivals throughout the world for up to 15 years as one with an artful approach to cinema that touches grimly close to the turmoil and inflammatory issues embedded in China’s own history and evolution over the years.
Such an approach hasn’t hugely sat well with China’s own governing bodies, especially with Zhangke’s 2013 drama, A Touch Of Sin, which was partly state-backed and subsequently denied a release that year apart from its screenings elsewhere. Still, as far as accomplishments go, Zhangke now finds himself embarking as a prospective director of his first martial arts action movie, announced this weekend by Hong Kong’s own Media Asia Films at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Screendaily reports the late Qing Dynasty-set film will focus on the clashes between scholars, bandits and local officials after the abolition of the Confucian-centric imperial examination system. That said, Media Asia general manager and international sales head, Fred Tsui, partook in the announcement, affirming that Zhangke’s penchant for grounding his films in the similar themes and tones he’s become known for will still be present while exploring his own vision for stylish martial arts action cinema. “The script touches on social and geopolitical issues, as Jia Zhangke’s films usually do,” said Tsui, “…but he’s also a huge fan of Hong Kong-style action so this will be a martial arts genre title,”.
Fellow film auteur Johnnie To is producing Zhangke’s film which is expected to begin rolling cameras this Spring. To’s latest producing credit, Trivisa, and directing gig on the Louis Koo and Vicky Zhao crime pic, Three, are set up for screening audiences at the European Film Market this week.
The news of Zhangke’s new martial arts venture comes as North America currently awaits a pending release of his 2015 Cannes headliner, Mountains May Depart, courtesy of Kino Lorber and starring wife and actress Zhao Tao. His yet-to-be titled Qing martial arts drama joins one of several of Media Asia’s titles this week including Gordon Chan’s recently wrapped God Of War and John Woo’s crime novel readaptation of Sato Junya’s 1976 film, Manhunt which is currently casting.
Stunt Veteran Bruce Fontaine's BEYOND REDEMPTION Hits Berlin Next Week!
After successfully passing an initiation test to join the upper ranks of the Ching Tau Gang, undercover cop Billy Tong is brought in on a plan for a home invasion against a wealthy Chinese businessman that will give Billy the evidence he needs to bring down the gang and its ruthless leader, Big Brother Yuan. As plans are proceeding, Billy learns that his ex-wife is pregnant and begins questioning his career choices. Although Billy realizes the need to put things right and prepare for his new family, his checkered past as a police officer complicates his decision to simply be reassigned.
Michael Peña Will Use His Particular Set Of Skills in Dan Bradley's THE WORKER
Well isn’t this just fantastic! No, Ant-Man co-star, actor Michael Peña is no stranger to the action genre with films like Battle Los Angeles, Antoine Fuqua’s Shooter, David Ayer’s End Of Watch and Fury and the like. Still, an opportunity to finally see Peña in a lead action role hasn’t exactly come to pass and as of this week, that all may change.
Here and now in the good company of heralded stunt coordinator Dan Bradley on par to direct, THR brings word of the new thriller, The Worker, which Content Media will present at the EFM which kicks off next month. The report describes the plot as in the vein of Taken and Bourne with Peña in the role of a Mexican special ops agent whose recent endeavors in taking down the cartels, forces him and his family to go seperate ways as per the conditions of a witness protection program. During that period, he takes a job as a daylaborer in Los Angeles who is content with knowing his family his safe, until he learns that his wife and son have been kidnapped, forcing him to resurface once more with his particular skillset and bring them back alive.
The film is being produced by Don Handfield along with Jeremy Renner under their production banner, The Combine, and Content Media’s Tom Butterfield producing. The Worker marks Bradley’s latest sophomore effort following the 2012 action remake, Red Dawn. Bradley’s credits extend to more than three decades of stunt performance, coordinating and assistant directing, including his respective nominations and wins in The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, which lend him quite the clout.
Peña’s next appearances will include an upcoming big screen adaptation of the 1970’s television show, CHiPS, while Bradley’s own upcoming work will be seen in Sunny Deol’s Ghayal: Once Again in India this Friday, and in John Hillcoat’s new crime pic, Triple 9 on February 26.
Stay tuned for more info!
