zhang yimou

LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: A New Chinese Drama Adaptation Is Reportedly In The Works From Director Zhang Yimou

Lee B. Golden III

A quick run through the last few days of online blurbage may find you stumbling upon word of a new live-action drama in the works from production outfit YouHug Media, and acclaimed auteur, Zhang Yimou. The project in question is reportedly a take on the popular multiplayer online game “League Of Legends”, which hails from Riot Games and has been around since 2009. A partial description of the game lays out “League Of Legends” as “a team-based strategy game where two teams of five powerful champions face off to destroy the other’s base.” Dexerto‘s Jeremy Gan cites a viral tweet featuring Zhang at a press conference confirming his involvement, along with details about the 40×45 series which reportedly centers on a character named Bai Yang, who gets “soul swapped” with Ma Da, an e-sports star he idolizes. The show is also set to be targeting Chinese audiences so there’s no […]

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FULL RIVER RED Runs Into North American Theaters Next Week. Catch The Official Teaser Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

Oscar-winning director Zhang Yimou’s Chinese New Year box office darling, Full River Red, is out and about these days hitting the markets for world sales agent Edko Films. Its next stop will eventually be this year’s HK FilMart, but not before getting word out to film fans to promote its upcoming North American rollout with exclusive word on Thursday at THR noting its March 17 release in 150 theaters across the U.S. and Canada from genre specialist Niu Vision Media. 12th century China, during the Song Dynasty, set against a brewing rebellion by the Jin people against the Imperial Court. Two hours before a crucial diplomatic meeting between the Song Prime Minister Qin Hui and a high level Jin delegation, the Jin Ambassador is murdered. An important letter destined for the Emperor is stolen from him. As the search for the letter unfolds, alliances are formed, secrets are revealed, and […]

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FULL RIVER RED Blends Sweeping Wuxia Veneer With Moody Mystery Noir In The First Teaser Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Hat tip to @fuforthought on the ole’ Insta for reminding all of us that a new Zhang Yimou period thriller is upon us in the new year with Full River Red. The film is the latest from Zhang who previously helmed hit espionage thriller, Cliff Walkers, which is also on deck for a sequel. Full River Red was directed from a script Zhang wrote with co-scribe Chen Yu, which takes place surrounding a mysterious incident at the home of a corrupt and powerful official, which serves to shroud behind-the-scenes efforts to assassinate him. The film’s title reportedly takes its cues from an ancient poem written by Yue Fei, a general betrayed and executed by the said official. The cast lists Jackson Yee, Shen Teng, Zhang Yi, Lei Jiayin and Yue Yunpeng for the film’s TBA release in 2023. Special thanks to @yliu99 for the poster assist.

COLLABORATIONS: THE CINEMA OF ZHANG YIMOU AND GONG LI: Eight Newly Restored 2K Titles To Own On Blu-Ray This September

Lee B. Golden III

Australia’s Imprint Films is proudly rolling out the eight-film box set, Collaborations: The Cinema Of Zhang Yimou And Gong Li on September 15. The official trailer for the box set has been out for a while but you’re welcome to check it out above, as it’s worthy sampling of what’s in store for fans of the two stalwarts. Both Yimou and Li have proven to be transformative and impactful in their respective careers, especially the former whose works have not been without some air of ceremony or even a tad bit of controversy. So when you look at Yimou, you’re looking at an auteur who continues to stand the test of time, and with Li’s stunning cinematic presence, needless to say, there’s magic happening. The box-set is currently up for pre-order at the official website for Imprint Films, so read on for the feats and tech specs and get yours […]

CLIFF WALKERS: Chinese Spy Thriller Comes to US Theaters in April

CLIFF WALKERS: Chinese Spy Thriller Comes to US Theaters in April

Set in 1930s China, acclaimed director Zhang Yimou’s spy thriller CLIFF WALKERS will come to US and international theaters on April 30. CLIFF WALKERS is director Zhang Yimou’s first foray into the spy genre. Set the puppet state of Manchukuo in the 1930s, the film follows four Communist party special agents who return to China after receiving training in the Soviet Union. Together, they embark on a secret mission code-named “Utrennya.” After being sold out by a traitor, the team find themselves surrounded by threats on all sides from the moment they parachute into the mission. Will the agents break the impasse and complete their mission? On the snowy grounds of Manchukuo, the team will be tested to their limit. Zhang Yimou’s work has been seen in the United States since 1990, when his film Ju Dou was the first-ever Chinese film to be nominated for an Academy Award […]

IMPASSE: Zhang Yimou’s Chilling New Spy Thriller Gets A Trailer For Its April Release

Lee B. Golden III

Director Zhang Yimou has several more films in the pipeline going forward, firstly with period espionage thriller, Impasse now set for an April 30 mainland release. The newest trailer is out as well since the film’s delay last year so we can now expect some movement as the year progresses, theaters slowly reopen with safety conditions and sales pick up at the markets. In 1932, the Japanese military has built a fortress for inhumane medical experiments. However, one man – Wang Ziyang – manages to escape the fortress alive. Chinese intelligence forms a task force to intercept Wang for information about the fortress. But when the puppet government learns of the mission, they use any means necessary to stop the team from finding their man. Emperor Motion Pictures is handling international sales. Impasse stars Zhang Yi, Zhang Hanyu, Qin Hailu, and Zhu Yawen.

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IMPASSE: Don’t Miss The Teaser For Zhang Yimou’s Wintery Period Spy Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Apart from his successes with the exquisitely-crafted Shadow, director Zhang Yimou has still seen his fair share of hurdles, especially in the wake of China’s political upheaval over certain film releases, and of course, the global fallout from Covid-19. As the industry slowly weens itself back into some form of normal, Yimou has been staying warm up to this point, moving as much as possible with his own film slate, including the production of period spy movie, Impasse, which centers on a group of spies working to uncover inhumane experiments by the Japanese. There’s no solid release date just yet, save for mentions of 2020 until further notice. For now, we have a teaser that entices a bit, with a cast that includes Zhang Hanyu, Qin Hailu, Zhang Yi and Zhu Yawen. Check it out above!

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UNDER THE LIGHT: Zhang Yimou’s Urban Gangster Debut Scores A Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

We now have a first look at Zhang Yimou’s new gangster crime thriller, Under The Light, now making the rounds with an official trailer ahead of a hopeful 2020 release. This won’t be the last we hear from Zhang who blew away last year’s audiences with the sweeping, tenaciously-directed, multiaward-winning visual period action stunner, Shadow. Plot details are nil apart from what you may gather in the footage above, but the film, formerly titled “Rock Solid”, has a solid cast to its billing. The film stars Lei Jiayin, Zhang Guoli and Yu Hewei, and to its credit, the film has actress Zhou Dongyu who took home the Best Actress prize from last month’s 39th Hong Kong Film Awards win for her role in Derek Tsang’s coming-of-age drama, Better Days, which is inarguably a fantastic piece of work. Under The Light doesn’t have a release date yet, and marks as a […]

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SHADOW: Win A Copy Of Zhang Yimou’s Latest Masterful Wuxia Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is just a few weeks out from the upcoming home release of Zhang Yimou’s latest, Shadow. The film is set to arrive on DVD, Blu-ray Combo, 4K Ultra Blu-ray Combo and digital August 13 while we can now defer to our latest giveaway of three pristine new copies of the celebrated wuxia epic. In a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, the military commander has a secret weapon: a “shadow”, a look-alike who can fool both his enemies and the King himself. Now he must use this weapon in an intricate plan that will lead his people to victory in a war that the King does not want. There’s been a great deal of press for the film and the challenges it endured, especially for the film’s star who takes on the dual role of both the actual military commander and his more youthful, soldiering […]

SHADOW: Zhang Yimou’s Wuxia Epic Arrives On DVD, Blu, 4K Ultra HD And Digital Next Month

Lee B. Golden III

Zhang Yimou’s masterful watercolor wuxia paean, Shadow, was one of the best received titles in the past year both locally and abroad. The film is currently scheduled to hit Fantasia in Montreal this summer while the good and kind-hearted folks at Well Go USA are lining-up something mighty special with a DVD, Blu-Ray combo, 4K Ultra HD combo and digital HD release on August 13. Billed as one of the influential directors in filmmaking of the last two decades, Zhang makes his stellar return to the fray with a sweeping visual delight that stars Deng Chao in a hypnotic dual role that saw the actor tackle one of the most challenging performances of his career. Rounding out the cast are Ryan Zheng and Sun Li, with Hu Jun, Guan Xiaotong, Leo Wu and Wang Qianyuan. In a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, the military commander has a […]

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Review: Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW Brims With A Climatic Equilibrium Of Bi-Colorful Wuxia Mastery

Lee B. Golden III

May 3 is gonna be a pretty stacked start of the weekend for regular moviegoers, and director Zhang Yimou’s latest success story, Shadow, will surely add to the pile. It’s certainly a redeeming effort following the director’s clumsy, albeit sizeable creature epic, The Great Wall, although you can certainly defer to its greater promise given all the current reviews that have run viral since its film festival run last year. If you’re like me and have been gripped by Zhang’s artillery of storytelling and visionary caliber in grand feats like Hero, House Of Flying Daggers and Curse Of The Golden Flower, you believe that Shadow far from disappoints. Penned by Zhang and co-writer Wei Li, Shadow is based on the ancient folkloric “Three Kingdoms” saga, prefaced with the story defeat of Pei kingdom at the hands of Yan. After losing Jing territory to the kingdom of Yan, Peiliang (Ryan Zheng), […]

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SHADOW: Watch The Exquisite New Trailer For Zhang Yimou’s Extravagant New Wuxia Epic

Lee B. Golden III

Zhang Yimou’s latest epic tale of sultry watercolor swordplay drama now lands stateside with an official U.S. trailer for Shadow. It matters that this latest feat from the man who brought us some of the best turn of the century work ever in projects like Hero and House Of Flying Daggers has earned this new feature gem nearly a dozen awards to its credit which should make Shadow more than worthy of your support upon its May 3 release. With SHADOW, director Zhang Yimou (HERO, HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS) once again pushes the boundaries of wuxia action to create a film like no other, masterfully painting a canvas of inky blacks and greys punctuated with bursts of color from the blood of the defeated. In a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, the military commander has a secret weapon: a “shadow”, a look-alike who can fool both his […]

Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW Opens In U.S. Theaters May 3

Lee B. Golden III

Director Zhang Yimou drew largely positive reviews with his latest swordplay feat, Shadow. The film was also a winner at the 55th Golden Horse Awards with several Bests on its belt, including granting Zhang a Best Director victory. Following its release in China with festive outings at Venice and TIFF in Toronto, North America will then see a theatrical release of the film on May 3 according to Well Go USA’s official website. Deng Chao leads the cast along with Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Wang Jingchun, Hu Jun, Guan Xiaotong and Leo Wu. In Pei, a kingdom ruled by a young and unpredictable king, the military commander faces peril both inside and outside the palace walls. But he has a secret weapon: a “shadow”, a look-alike who can fool both Pei’s enemies and the King himself. In his obsessive quest for a long-sought victory over a rival kingdom, […]

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Well Go USA Casts Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW Into 2019

Lee B. Golden III

On the eve of it’s forthcoming premieres at TIFF and in Venice, Zhang Yimou’s wuxia action epic, Shadow has officially landed at Well Go USA. Andreas Wiseman exclusively confirmed the news at Deadline on Wednesday with territories to include North America, UK, and Australia/New Zealand for its 2019 release. Here’s the lowdown from the Toronto programme: Master filmmaker Zhang Yimou brings a completely original cinematic style to an epic battle story, contrasting visuals that draw on China’s centuries-old tradition of ink-wash painting against next-level fighting sequences to dazzling effect. Zhang Yimou has long been acclaimed as one of cinema’s great masters. His Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou brought the world’s attention to the majesty of Chinese filmmaking. He launched the careers of two of China’s major stars, Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi. From the big screen to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, Zhang’s artistry is well known. But […]

Zhang Yimou Casts SHADOW With A Stunning New Trailer And Character Posters

Lee B. Golden III

Majestic drama, action and watercolor aesthetics are the eye-pleasing theme for director Zhang Yimou’s new wuxia epic, Shadow. The film is currently readying a September 30 release and a new official trailer is now in our midst and presented in stunning and gorgeous fashion. Director Zhang Yimou’s reimagining of a classic Three Kingdoms epic, the action/drama SHADOW tells the story of a great King and his people who have been displaced from their homeland and long to win it back. The King is wild and ambitious, but his motives and methods are mysterious. His great general is a visionary who fervently desires to win the ultimate battle, but needs to lay his plans in secret. The women of the palace struggle to find redemption in a world in which they have no place. And then there is a commoner, the “everyman” around whom the inexorable forces of history swirl, always […]

Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW: Politics, Intrigue And Danger Shrouded In Darkness In Mystifying First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Far from anymore watching and waiting to see what auteur Zhang Yimou has accomplished since earlier feats on The Great Wall, the first official trailer for Shadow is here and fully immersed in its own dark hues and contemplative drama. You can’t see much in terms of action but the imminent violence and gore only fitting for a film of this kind is hinted at plentily with Zhang typically crafting beautiful shots and high-speed lensing to amp up the brooding and allure overall. Director Zhang Yimou’s reimagining of a classic Three Kingdoms epic, the action/drama SHADOW tells the story of a great King and his people who have been displaced from their homeland and long to win it back. The King is wild and ambitious, but his motives and methods are mysterious. His great general is a visionary who fervently desires to win the ultimate battle, but needs to lay […]

AFM 2017: Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW Goes To Bloom For Buyers

Lee B. Golden III

Bloom is taking The Great Wall helmer Zhang Yimou’s new movie, Shadow to the American Film Market this month. The film is currently in post-production according to Wednesday’s exclusive at Screendaily, with a story set in the Three Kingdoms era about a king who attempts to lead his displaced people out of exile, and those who play a role in his mysterious plans. Starring are Deng Chao, Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Guan Xiaotong, Wu Lei and Wang Jingchun from a script by Zhang and co-scribe Wei Li, and hails from Village Roadshow Pictures Asia (VRPA) and Le Vision Pictures who are co-producing the pic with Ellen Eliasoph and Catherine Pang serving as producers. Endeavor Content, forged early last month from WME Global and IMG has North American rights.

Martial Grace And Grit In Four New Photos From Zhang Yimou’s SHADOW

Lee B. Golden III

Life has been good to acclaimed director Zhang Yimou whose latest mild stumble with fantasy thriller, The Great Wall still earned enough to maintain his relevance. He’s since kept afloat with the production of Mandarin-language Three Kingdoms era-set pic, Shadow, for which attendees at the Shanghai International Film Festival had the opportunity to get a glimpse of with Deng Chao, Sun Li, Zheng Kai, Wang Qianyuan, Guan Xiaotong, Wu Lei and Wang Jingchun starring. Written by Zhang and co-scribe Wei Li, Shadow hails from Village Roadshow Pictures Asia (VRPA) and Le Vision Pictures who are co-producing. Plot specifics and other details are pending while in the wake of the film’s first look offering at the Shanghai International Film Festival on Saturday, Screendaily has since provided a quartet of pics that further hint at the balletic style and grace so often utilized in Zhang’s model approach to action in films like […]

SHADOW: Zhang Yimou Commences Filming On The New Three Kingdoms-set Pic

SHADOW: Zhang Yimou Commences Filming On The New Three Kingdoms-set Pic

Lee B. Golden III

Head over here to check out Marc Walkow’s piece at the Outtake column on Zhang Yimou’s 2002 Jet Li epic, Hero. Frankly I think it’s one of the better films from the director and it’s unfortunate that his most recent film undercuts some of his more glorious work according to some critics. No, I haven’t seen The Great Wall yet and I’m not holding my breath and penciling it in anytime soon – if it happens, it happens. The film did ultimately earn $171 million dollars in China while scraping some extra change in the U.S. and other territories to top well over $320 million, and so it’s earned Yimou another directing prospect now already underway. For this, reports of the new film, Shadow, are now abound with an unreleased plot line that otherwise denotes its setting within the Three Kingdoms era. Village Roadshow Pictures Asia and Le Vision Pictures […]

NYCC 2016: Matt Damon Will Need More Than Good Archery Skills In The New Comic Con Trailer For THE GREAT WALL

Lee B. Golden III

If there was ever a director able to erect riotous action and visuals with extras to erect some crazy, epic battle action, it would be director Zhang Yimou, the same man who brought audiences films like Hero and the U.S. release of Curse Of The Golden Flower. He obliges well thusfar in the most recent footage unveiled for his upcoming period fantasy, The Great Wall, which is getting a 3D bow next year, and its visuals being a good reason. That said, some of the spectacle is a bit of an eye sore here in the latest official trailer unveiled during this weekend’s events at New York Comic Con. Just a few of the CG shots look like crap and I honestly can’t get past Matt Damon who comes across as the most miscast actor for a film since Tyler Perry flopped those efforts in Alex Cross. I suppose from […]