HONG KONG March 1 2004

PRE-PRODUCTION

ABNORMAL BEAUTY
(Magic Head Film Production) Backers: Universe Entertainment. Int'l sales: Universe Films Distribution. Thriller. Twin brothers taste the soul of love and the meaning of life after accidentally exchanging their identities. Exec prod: Daneil Lam. Prod: Oxide Pang. Dir: Oxide Pang. Cast: Gillian Chung, Joey Yung. Shooting in Hong Kong from April 2004.
Contact: Koris Ha, Universe Films Distribution Co, (852) 2437 2601

DIVERGENCE
(Universe Entertainment ) Budget: US$5m. Backers: Universe Entertainment. Int'l sales: Universe Films Distribution. Action. The mysteries surrounding an ill-fated policeman, a successful lawyer and a killer could help solve a series of murders that appear to be without motive. Exec prod: Daneil Lam. Prod: Benny Chan. Dir: Benny Chan. Cast: Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Nicholas Tse. Shooting in Hong Kong from July 2004. Release date: December 2004.
Contact: Koris Ha, Universe Films Distribution Co, (852) 2437 2601

FIRST LESSON
(Panorama Entertainment, People's Productions) Budget: US$3m. Backers: Panorama Entertainment. Int'l sales: Panorama Entertainment. Thriller. The first encounter of a young female reporter with a serial killer leads her to a new understanding of life. Exec prod: Allan Fung. Prod: Gordon Chan. Co-prod: Jimmy Law. Dir: Gordon Chan. Scr: Gordon Chan, Rico Chung Kai-cheong. Cast: Angelica Lee Sin-je, Anthony Wong, Tony Leung Ka-fai. Shooting in Hong Kong and China from March until June 2004. Release date: September 2004.
Contact: Gigi Ko, Panorama Entertainment, (852) 2366 9633

LEAVE ME ALONE
(Magic Head Film Production) Budget: US$2.3m. Backers: Universe Entertainment. Int'l sales: Universe Films Distribution. Drama. Exec prod: Daneil Lam. Prod: Danny Pang. Dir: Danny Pang. Cast: Charlene Choi, Ekin Cheng. Shooting in Hong Kong from April 2004.
Contact: Koris Ha, Universe Films Distribution Co, (852) 2437 2601

LOVE ME NOT (working title)
(UFO, Anytime Pictures) Budget: US$1.3m. Backers: Mei Ah Entertainment, Anytime Pictures. Int'l sales: Mei Ah Entertainment. Romantic comedy. Prod: Eric Tsang. Cast: Shu Qi, Daniel Wu. Shooting in Hong Kong and China from April 2004.
Contact: Sara Law, Mei Ah Entertainment, (852) 2751 3353

6 STRONG GUYS
(Filmko Entertainment) Budget: US$1.4m. Backers: Filmko Entertainment. Int'l sales: Filmko Films Distribution. Comedy. Exec prod: Lawrence Cheng. Dir: Barbara Wong Chun-chun. Scr: Barbara Wong Chun-chun, Lawrence Cheng, Tang Kit Ming. Shooting in Hong Kong from April until June 2004.
Contact: Katherine Lee, Filmko Films Distribution, (852) 2379 9999

PRODUCTION

BREAKING NEWS
(Media Asia Films) Budget: HK$20m. Backers: Media Asia Group. Int'l sales: Media Asia Distribution. Police action drama. A female cop enters a besieged unit with a live TV crew to boost the image of the police force, only to be outwitted by the robbers. Prod: Johnnie To. Dir: Johnnie To. Scr: Chan Hing-ka. Cast: Richie Jen, Kelly Chen, Nick Cheung. Shooting in Hong Kong from Feb 2004.
Contact: Jeffrey Chan, Media Asia Distribution, (852) 2314 4288

CROSSROAD (aka ONE NIGHT IN MONGKOK)
(Pinnacle Pictures) Budget: US$2.5m. Backers: Universe Entertainment. Int'l sales: Universe Films Distribution. Action. A mainland immigrant has come to Hong Kong to search for his missing wife. Down on his luck, he finds a job through a shady character he meets in Mongkok, but the man tricks him and frames him for a murder. Exec prod: Daneil Lam. Prod: Henry Fong, Derek Yee. Dir: Derek Yee. Cast: Daniel Wu, Cecilia Cheung, Alex Fong, Sam Lee. Shooting in Hong Kong from December 2003. Release date: May 2004.
Contact: Koris Ha, Universe Films Distribution Co, (852) 2437 2601

JUDO DRAGON TIGER CHART (working title)
(Milkyway Image) Backers: China Star Entertainment. Int'l sales: China Star Entertainment. Ensemble drama. A group of underachievers are looking for something that will get them ahead. They take up judo and find it gives them a fresh start in life. Prod: Johnnie To. Dir: Johnnie To. Scr: Yau Nai Hoi. DoP: Cheng Siu Keung. Cast: Tony Leung Ka-fai, Jordan Chan, Louis Koo, Aaron Kwok, Cherrie In. Shooting in Hong Kong from February 2004.
Contact: Ann Hung, China Star Entertainment, (852) 2313 1888

KOMA
(Filmko Entertainment) Camera Media Investment Responsibility Co (China). Budget: US$1.4m. Backers: Filmko, Camera Media. Int'l sales: Filmko Films Distribution. Thriller. Exec prod: Lawrence Cheng. Dir: Lo Chi-leung. Scr: Susan Lam. DoP: Chan Chi-ying. Ed: Kong Chi-leung. Prod des: Man Lim-chung. Music: Chan Kwong-wing. Cast: Karena Lam, Angelica Lee Sin-je, Andy Hui. Shooting in Hong Kong until March 2004.
Contact: Katherine Lee, Filmko Films Distribution, (852) 2379 9999

LOVE FOR FEARS (working title)
(Brilliant Idea Group) Budget: US$1.3m. Backers: Mei Ah Entertainment. Int'l sales: Mei Ah Entertainment. Thriller/drama. Prods: Joe Ma, Ivy Kong. Dir: Cheang Pou-soi. Cast: Eason Chan, Niki Chow. Shooting in Hong Kong and China from mid-Feb 2004.
Contact: Sara Law, Mei Ah Entertainment, (852) 2751 3353

THE TWINS EFFECT II (working title)
(Union Praise) Co-prod: Shenzhen Film Studio. Budget: US$10m. Backers: Emperor Motion Picture Group. Int'l sales: TBC. Action comedy set in a fictional all-female warrior nation in ancient China. Exec prod: Albert Yeung. Prod: Albert Lee. Dirs: Cory Yuen, Patrick Leung. Scr: Peter Tsi. DoP: Chan Chi Ying. Prod des: Bill Lui. Cost des: Lee Pik Kwan. Cast: Charlene Choi, Gillian Chung, Jaycee Chan Cho-ming, Chen Bo-lin, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Daniel Wu, Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Edison Chen. Shooting in Guangzhou and Yunnan (China) from Feb 7 to April 2004. Release date: Summer 2004.
Contact: Raymond Liu, Emperor Motion Picture Group, (852) 2969 7810

POST-PRODUCTION

2046
(Block 2 Pictures) Co-prod: Paradis-Orly Films (France). Budget: US$15m. Int'l sales: Fortissimo Film Sales. Dist: A-Films (Benelux), Araba (Spain), BVI (Japan), Istituto Luce (Italy), Ocean (France), Triangel Films (Scandinavia). Exec prod: Chan Ye-Cheng. Prod: Wong Kar Wai. Dir/scr: Wong Kar Wai. DoP: Christopher Doyle. Ed: William Chang Suk-ping. Cast: Tony Leung, Faye Wong, Zhang Ziyi, Carina Lau, Maggie Cheung, Kimura Takuya, Chang Chen, Bird Thongchai McIntyre. Release date: Summer 2004.
Contact: Fortissimo Film Sales, (852) 2311 8081

DATING DEATH
(Mandarin Films) Budget: HK$5.8m. Backers: Mandarin Films. Int'l sales: Mandarin Films Distribution. Thriller. A bunch of old friends are invited to a mansion on an outlying island only to find the most horrifying experience of their lives. Exec prods: Raymond Wong, Peter Chan. Prod: Raymond Wong. Dir: Herman Yau. Scr: Ng Man-fai, Mak Ho-pong, Edmond Wong. DoP: Joe Chan. Ed: Yau Chi-wai. Art dir: Nelson Cheung. Music: Mak Tsang-hung. Cast: Stephy Tang, Theresa Fu, Edwin Siu.
Contact: Virginia Leung, Mandarin Films Distribution, (852) 2579 1718

DRAGON BLADE
(DCDC Productions) Budget: US$10m. Martial arts computer generated animation. Lang, a young martial arts champion, tries to find the ultimate weapon, Dragon Blade, in order to protect his home town from a hideous monster called the Boar King. Exec prod: Wendy Choi. Dir: Antony Szeto. Scr: Trevor Morris, Sze Yeung-Ping. Martial arts consultant: Wu Bin. Narration: Daniel Wu, Karen Mok. Release date: Early 2004.
Contact: Wendy Choi, DCDC Productions, (852) 2265 8313

ENTER THE PHOENIX
(JCE Movies) Budget: US$2m. Backers: JCE Movies. Int'l sales: Arclight Films. Action comedy. When a gang boss dies, his right-hand man attempts to bring his son back from the US, unaware that his father sent him away because he's gay. But the gangsters bring the wrong guy back to Hong Kong. Exec prods: Jackie Chan, Albert Yeung, Willie Chan. Prods: Willie Chan, Solon So. Dir: Stephen Fung. Scr: Stephen Fung, Andy Lo. DoP: Poon Han-seng. Prod des: Ken Mak. Cast: Eason Chan, Daniel Wu, Karen Mok, Stephen Fung. Release date: Easter 2004.
Contact: Arclight Films (61) 2 9955 8825

ESCAPE FROM HONG KONG ISLAND
(Mandarin Films) Budget: HK$5.8m. Backers: Mandarin Films. Int'l sales: Mandarin Films Distribution. Black comedy. Raymond, a senior executive, gets fired in the morning and decides to cross the harbour to take up a new job - a simple task which traps him in the most unexpected chaos and hazards. Exec prods: Raymond Wong, Peter Chan. Prod: Anita Wong. Dir: Simon Loui. Scr: Simon Loui, Kevin Lee, Chan Tai-li. DoP: Daniel Chan. Ed: Poon Hung. Art dir: Nelson Cheung, Or Wai-kong. Music: Law Kin. Cast: Jordan Chan, Chapman To.
Contact: Virginia Leung, Mandarin Films Distribution, (852) 2579 1718

THE EYE II
(Applause Pictures) Budget: US$4m. Int'l sales: Fortissimo Film Sales. Horror. Prods: Peter Ho-Sun Chan, Lawrence Cheng. Dirs: Danny and Oxide Pang. Scr: Jojo Hui. DoP: Decha Srimanta. Costume des: Steven Tsang. Cast: Shu Qi, Eugenia Yan. Release date: Spring 2004.
Contact: Fortissimo Film Sales, (852) 2311 8081

FEI
(China Film Group) Co-prods: Emerging Pictures (US). Backers: Chinachem (Hong Kong). Set in 1948, the story of two sisters - Fei and Ying - bound together by the will of their late father, a legendary fireworks maker, and their shared love for a charismatic ex-wrestler, Huang. Exec prod: Lisa Lu. Prods: Ira Deutchman, Ann Hu. Co-prod: Cheng Zheng. Dir: Ann Hu. Scr: Beth Schacter, Michael Eldridge. DoP: Scott Kevan. Cast: Zhou Xun, Wang Zhi Wen, Vivian Wu, Lisa Lu.
Contact: Emerging Pictures, (1) 212 245 6767

HAINAN CHICKEN RICE
(Kenbiroli Films) Co-prod: Ground Glass Images (Singapore). Budget: US$1m. Backers: JCE Movies, Singapore Film Commission. Int'l sales: Arclight Films. Dramatic comedy. A single mother, who runs a Hainan chicken rice restaurant, arranges to take in a female French exchange student when she notices that her youngest son is not showing any interest in girls. Prod: Rosa Li. Co-prods: Juan Foo, Duncan Jepson. Dir: Kenneth Bi. Scr: Kenneth Bi. Cast: Sylvia Chang, Martin Yan, Maggie Q.
Contact: Arclight Films, (61) 2 9955 8825

HEAT TEAM
(People's Productions) Budget: US$2.8m. Backers: Universe Entertainment. Int'l sales: Universe Films Distribution. Action. Two police inspectors come into contact with a charming but dangerous woman when they're assigned to chase after money lost in an undercover operation. Exec prod: Daneil Lam. Prods: Chan Hing-ka, Jimmy Law. Dir: Dante Lam. Scr: Chan Kin Chung. DoP: Wong Wing Heng. Prod des: Water Wong. Cast: Aaron Kwok, Eason Chan, Dave Wang, Yumiko Cheng. Release date: March 2004.
Contact: Koris Ha, Universe Films Distribution Co, (852) 2437 2601

HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (working title)
(Elite Group Enterprises) Co-prod: Beijing New Picture Film Co (China). Int'l sales: Focus Features (mainland Europe excluding the UK). Martial arts. A bodyguard and his beautiful charge encounter betrayal, danger and love as they journey through a beguiling landscape. Prods: Zhang Yimou, Bill Kong. Dir: Zhang Yimou. Scr: Zhang Yimou, Li Feng, Wang Bin. Costume des: Emi Wada. Music: Shigeru Umebayashi. Action director: Tony Ching Siu-Tung. Cast: Zhang Ziyi, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro. Release date: Summer 2004.
Contact: Elite Group Enterprises, (852) 2529 3898, Focus Features (1) 212 539 4000.

KUNG-FU HUSTLE (working title)
(The Star Overseas, Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia) Co-prods: China Film Group's Fourth Production Company (China), Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co (China). Dist: Huayi Brothers (China), Columbia TriStar (rest of the world). Action comedy. A hapless wannabe gangster, Sing, aspires to be a member of the notorious Axe Gang, a ruthless mob focused on gaining control over the one area in their territory that's remained out of reach. Exec prods: David Hung, Bill Borden. Prods: Stephen Chow, Chui Po Chu, Jeff Lau. Ass prod: Rita Fung. Dir: Stephen Chow. Scr: Stephen Chow, Tsang Kan Cheong, Chan Man Keung. DoP: Poon Hang Sang. Ed: Angie Lam. Prod des: Oliver Wong. Cost des: Shirley Chan. Special effects: Centro Digital Pictures. Cast: Stephen Chow, Yuen Wah. Release date: Summer 2004.
Contact: Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, (852) 2105 8888

NEW POLICE STORY (working title)
(JCE Movies) Budget: US$15m. Backers: JCE Movies. Int'l sales: Arclight Films. Action comedy. The Hong Kong police force's resident super cop unwittingly teams up with a police imposter to hunt down the ruthless Gang of Five. Exec prods: Jackie Chan, Albert Yeung, Willie Chan. Prods: Willie Chan, Solon So, Benny Chan, Barbie Tung. Dir: Benny Chan. Stunt director: Jackie Chan. Stunt choreographers: Lee Chung-chi & JC Stunt Team. DoP: Pun Yiu Ming. Prod des: Wong Ching Ching. Cast: Jackie Chan, Nicholas Tse, Daniel Wu, Wang Chieh, Charlie Young. Release date: Summer 2004.
Contact: Arclight Films (61) 2 9955 8825

SHAOLIN VS EVIL DEAD (working title)
(My Way Film Company) Budget: HK$7m. Backers: My Way Film Company, HKCB Finance. Int'l sales: My Way Film Company. Sci-fi action. Exec prod: Sharon Yang. Prod: Jeremy Cheung. Dir: Douglas Kung. Scr: Ho Yiu-Wang. DoP: Kwan Chi-Kun. Ed: Grand Yip. Prod des: Dragon Kwan. Cost des: Christ Leung. Hair/make-up: Wong Yuk-Ting. Music: Nanjing Publishing Ltd. Cast: Fan Sui-Wong. Gordon Liu, Shannon Yoh, Jacky Woo. Release date: April 2004.
Contact: Godfrey Ho/Patrick Chan, My Way Film Company, (852) 2397 7632

UNTITLED JAMES YUEN COMEDY
(Film Unlimited Production Company) Backers: China Star Entertainment. Int'l sales: China Star Entertainment. Action comedy. Prods: Henry Fong, Derek Yee. Dir: James Yuen. Cast: Lau Ching Wan, Gigi Leung.
Contact: Ann Hung, China Star Entertainment, (852) 2313 1888

YEARS WITHOUT EPIDEMIC
(Mei Ah Entertainment) Budget: US$1.5m. Backers: Mei Ah Entertainment. Int'l sales: Mei Ah Entertainment. Romantic drama. During the days of the Cultural Revolution, Xing Yu, who is stationed at the remote Red Post Town, doesn't share the country's Marxist idealism like her childhood friend Ding Guo. Befriending rebellious intellectual Si Mong not only frees her from a life of rigid political ideology, but also gives her a taste of passion and true love. Prods: Liu Jing, Joe Ma. Dir: Lu Yue. Scr: Shi Xiao Ke, Wu Wing, Huang Ke Jing. DoP: Pan Da Wei. Cast: Shu Qi, Liu Ye, Fang Bing.
Contact: Sara Law, Mei Ah Entertainment, (852) 2751 3353