[China] Curse of the Golden Flower (Zhang Yimou)

[Gast]

Autumn Remembrance" wird der neue Film des chinesischen Regisseurs Zhang Yimou ("House of Flying Daggers") heißen und wie nun bekannt wurde, werden Chow Yun-Fat und Gong Li darin die Hauptrollen übernehmen. Sie verkörpern ein Liebespaar, deren Beziehung unter einem unglücklichen Stern steht. Gong übernimmt den Part des imperialen Bodyguards Phoenix, Chow spielt den Prinzen Ping. Einflussreiche Kräfte, darunter die ebenfalls in Ping verliebte Stiefmutter des Prinzen, versuchen die Liebenden auseinander zu bringen. Yun-Fat nahm kürzlich eine Rolle in der Fortsetzung zu "Fluch der Karibik" an, Gong Li steht für Regisseur Rob Marshall und "Memoirs of a Geisha" vor der Kamera und dreht außerdem "Miami Vice" unter der Regie von Michael Mann.

filmspiegel

[wolfman]

Fresh from completing "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles", which will hit Asian cinemas in the new year, acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou has already begun preparations for his next project, the martial arts epic "Autumn Remembrance" reports KFC Cinema.

Set in China's Tang Dynasty, the story folllows the fierce battles between an emperor and empress at war. Chow Yun-Fat has been confirmed as the Emperor while Gong Li is the hot favorite for the role of the Empress. Chinese actor Liu Ye has also been linked to a major role in the film.

This will be Yimou's third big budget martial arts film, following the hugely successful "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers". Shooting will formally begin sometime between next March and April at the Hengdian World Studios, in southeast China's Zhejiang province.

Quelle: darkhorizons

[wolfman]

Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li Joins Zhang Yimou for GOLDEN ARMOR



The AP reports that Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li are joining Zhang Yimou for his mega-budget epic, which translates from Chinese as, “Wearing Golden Armor Across the City”.

Directed by Zhang Yimou of “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers” fame, “Golden Armor” will cost $44 million and begin shooting in Chongqing next month, February.

The film is set during the Tang dynasty, with the plot revolving around an emperor, an empress and a general.

“Most people don’t dare to touch classics, but Zhang Yimou is a director with much imagination and creativity,” producer Zhang Weiping said.

Zhang’s new movie will outshine the scale of another of his epic films, “Hero” - battle scenes will involve an estimated 20,000 extras. “Hero” used only 1,200 extras.

Gong recently filmed “Memoirs of a Geisha” and is due to appear in “Miami Vice” and “Young Hannibal: Behind the Mask.” After an extended period in the United States, Chow will appear in Hong Kong director Ann Hui’s upcoming “An Aunt’s Postmodern Life.”

Quelle: beyondhollywood

[wolfman]

Update on Zhang Yimou's AUTUMN REMEMBRANCE

According to several Chinese newspapers, the Chinese title of Zhang Yimou's upcoming martial-art epic is Man Cheng Jin Dai Huang Jin Jia, which literally means The City Filled with Golden Armors. It is still unknown whether the current English title, Autumn Remembrance, will be kept or not. Producer Zhang Weiping said the production would begin early next month in a tourist spot called "Heavenly Pit" near the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing. Zhang said the story was loosely based on the play Lei Yu (The Thunderstorm) by Cao Yu. It is set in the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907) and is about a power struggle involving the emperor, the empress and a general. It will feature several large war scenes, which would be shot with tens thousands of real people rather than CG extras. Zhang said the budget was about US$ 44.6 millions, which would make it the most expensive Chinese movie project. The cast Includes Chow Yun-Fat, who will play the emperor, Gong Li and a young actress whose name was not given.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

Director Zhang Has New Movie

Chinese director Zhang Yimou is preparing to begin shooting his latest movie "The City of Golden Armor"(满城尽带黄金甲). It is a new work following the hit drama film "Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles" (千里走单骑).



CRI Exclusive By Li Rui - Chinese director Zhang Yimou is preparing to begin shooting his latest movie "The City of Golden Armor"(满城尽带黄金甲). It is a new work following the hit drama film "Riding Alone For Thousands of Miles" (千里走单骑).

The new movie is inspired by the modern Chinese play "Thunderstorm," a classic from famous playwright Cao Yu (曹禺). Before planning this movie, Zhang Yimou made a name for himself with "Red Sorghum" (红高粱) and "To Live" (活着). Both these previous films were also based on classic works.

Producer Zhang Weiping (张卫平) has revealed that the story of his new movie is set in the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). The theme involves a power struggle between the emperor, the empress and a general. There will be several large war scenes which will be shot with tens of thousands of extras – real people rather than computer graphics. The script has been planned over three years, and during this time the group of creators has been changed three times. Zhang Yimou says this is the most satisfying of all the dramatic works he has created. Together with leading actors Chow Yun-Fat (周润发) and Gong Li (巩俐), Zhang Yimou will start filming in February. The location will be Chongqing Wulong Sky Hole, a place of interest in southwest China.

"The City of Golden Armors" will be wrapped up at the end of year, to hit Chinese screens before 2007. The producer says the budget is about US$ 44.6 million, making it the most expensive Chinese movie production to date. They intend to earn big for this movie, not only in box office revenue but also in praise from audiences and critics.

Quelle: CRIenglish

[wolfman]

GOLDEN ARMORS Plot Speculation

Zhang Yimou's upcoming historical drama, Man Cheng Jin Dai Huang Jin Jia (literally meaning: Fill the City with Golden Armors) is based on  four-act play Thunderstorm, written by Cao Yu in 1933. It tells the story of Zhou family during a summer day.  

Zhou Puyuan is a mid-age wealthy mine owner. Thirty years ago, he was in love with a maid named Shi Ping and shortly after she gave birth too their two sons, Zhou Puyu, decided to protect his reputation, expelled Shi Ping and their younger son from his house. Fan Yi is Zhou's second wife and she has a son named Zhou Chong. Zhou Puyuan treats Fan Yi very badly because he cannot forget his first love. Fan Yi had an affair with her stepson Zhou Ping. The affair is over now and Zhou Ping is deeply in love with a maid named Si Feng. Looking for her daughter Si Feng and husband Lu Gui, now both work at Zhou family mansion, Shi Ping makes a surprise visit and meets Zhou Puyuan for the first time in thirty years. Lu Dahai, now leading a miners' strike, comes to Zhou Puyuan's mansion for a talk and clashes with Zhou Ping...

To adapt the play into a movie, Zhang Yimou has shifted the backdrop of the story from the 1930s to Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). Zhou Puyuan the mine owner has become the emperor, wich will be played by Chow Yun-Fat and his second wife Fan Yi has become the empress, which will be played by Gong Li. The emperor had two sons with a lower class girl when he was still a prince. He later expelled her from the court before he inherited the power. The older son remains at the palace and the younger son was taken away by the girl. She then married to someone, a rebel leader, khan of a foreign nation, or just an ordinary man. Years later, two brothers finally meet on battlefield. Liu Ye is in negotiation to play the older brother, the prince, and the young actress whose name is not given is up to the role of an imperial bodyguard, the prince's lover and half-sister.

According to a Chinese newspaper, play writer Cao Yu's daughter Wan Fang has approved the script of Golden Armors. She said it was very faithful to the original play, except the ending, which was changed creatively.

Major cast members from Hero and House of Flying Daggers will also be involved in Golden Armors, including action director Ching Siu-Tung, art director Huo Tingxiao, cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding and sound designer Tao Jing. Bill (William) Kong, the powerful film financier behind Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Dagger and Jet Li's Fearless, is also involved in the project.

Quelle: monkepeaches

[wolfman]

GOLDEN ARMORS Preproduction Update

According to various sources, the war scenes of Golden Armors would be shot on locations in China's Yunnan Province and Hengdian World Studios of Zhejiang Province, because these locations are perfect for such gigantic scenes. He has reached an agreement with the military over borrowing 20,000 men to "fight" for the ancient war. Director Zhang Yimou just came back from the US with a few deals. An American company is commissioned to do the aerial shots of the war scenes and all equipments have to be shipped to China.

Zhang Yimou has also signed a contract with an effect company and the price, counts the largest portion of the overall budget, is "ten times" of what he could get from a mainland Chinese or Hong Kong company. This effect company, which name was not given, is described as "the best in America" and its works include Gladiator and Pearl Harbor. As what I know, the computer effects of Gladiator were done by London based Mill Films and the digital shots in Pearl Harbor were the the works of ILM. Could it be one of them, or a less known company which was involved in the production of both movies? Neither Gladiator nor Pearl Harbor get my favorite CG scenes.

A construction team is redecorating Qing Ming Shang He Tu sector of Hengdian World Studios. This sector contains streets and houses in the architectural style from Song Dynasty (960 -1279). Story of Golden Armors is set in Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). A large number of lavish costumes were also made. An emperor's robe prepared for by Chow Yun-Fat is more expensive than all costumes of Jet Li, Leung Chiu-Wai and Maggie Cheung worn in Hero.

Director Zhang Yimou is known for casting actresses with little or no acting experience, like Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, as the lead roles and subsequently making them famous. As usual, newcomer is going to be selected from 63 candidates to be the second female lead. Producer Zhang Weiping said she had to have the right look, a distinctive personality and be able to dance.
As original planed for House of Flying Daggers, an action sequence was supposed to take place on a field filled with flowers. The flowers planted on Ukrainian location never grew and the scene had to be shot with some wild flowers. Director Zhang Yimou wants to redo the scene in Golden Armors, with planted golden chrysanthemum flowers, which are metaphoric for golden armors.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

Zhang Yimou Invites Jay Chou in "Golden Armor"
   
Taiwan pop singer and actor Jay Chou is to join Chinese big shots Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li in director Zhang Yimou's new martial arts project "The City of Golden Armor."



Director Zhang Yimou has arrived in Hong Kong secretly Saturday night with the film's producer, Zhang Weiping, to discuss the film's shooting with Jay Chou. The director has given high praise to Jay's talent.

Producer Zhang Weiping says his discussion with Jay was satisfying and Jay's pop music, shy character and his appearance in ancient costume fit the film role well. He says Jay will play a silent, cool character.

Zhang Yimou said that a new actress will be recruited directly from acting from school, but has refused to reveal more about the newcomer as some contractual problems have yet to be worked out.

It has also been confirmed Chinese film star Liu Ye will play a prince in the epic feature.
The 44.6 million US dollar film will begin shooting in February and is scheduled to wrap up at the end of this year.

The new movie, set in the Tang dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907 AD, is inspired by the modern Chinese play "Thunderstorm," a classic from famous playwright Cao Yu (曹禺). The theme involves a power struggle between the emperor, the empress, and a general.

There are several large war scenes which will be shot using real people rather than computer graphics, employing tens of thousands of extras.

Quelle: CRIenglish

[wolfman]

Jay Chou Join New Zhang Yimou Movie
   
Asian pop sensation Jay Chou has signed on for the new Zhang Yimou movie, joining established stars Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li, news reports said Tuesday.

The movie, whose Chinese title translates as "Wearing Golden Armor Across the City," is based on famed Chinese playwright Cao Yu's classic play "Thunderstorm," but changes the setting to the ancient Tang dynasty, Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper reported Tuesday.

Chow plays the emperor while Chou portrays one of his sons, the Shanghai Youth Daily said in a report carried by the Chinese news Web site Sina.com.

Gong reportedly plays an empress and mainland actor Liu Ye another prince.

"Director Zhang Yimou thinks he (Chou) has charisma, character," the Shanghai Youth Daily quoted Zhang's producing partner Zhang Weiping as saying.

"When we discussed the characters, he seemed very smart," Zhang Weiping said. "He's performed quite well in a lot of movies, commercials. Most importantly, our movie needs someone with character like him."

Taiwanese Chou is beginning to cultivate his movie career after becoming one of the Chinese-speaking world's biggest pop music acts. Chou is best known for his smooth, rhythmic sound that broke the monotony of sappy love songs.

His acting career is off to a promising start. Last year he won best newcomer at the Golden Horse Awards -- the Chinese-language equivalent of the Oscars -- for his performance in "Initial D" in which he plays a street car racer. He's nominated in the same category for the Hong Kong Film Awards.

The Shanghai Youth Daily report said filming of Zhang's new film will begin in late February. Zhang, one of China's most respected directors, is known for films like "Hero," "House of Flying Daggers" and "To Live."

Chou's record label could not be reached for comment and contact details for Zhang Weiping were not immediately available.

Quelle: CRIenglish

[wolfman]

GOLDEN ARMORS in Lavish Preproduction
   

The courtyard in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hengdian World Studios. (HengdianWorld.com)
   

A Tang Dynasty post built for the movie. (Chongqing Morning Post)

According to several Chinese newspapers, there are about 3000 workers are now working on the preparation of the movie at Hengdian World Studios. Some big scenes will be shot at the sector which contains full-scale replicas of all major buildings of Beijing's Forbidden City. Certain level of modifications on these building are needed because the Forbidden City, which was the imperial palace compound during the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, was built in the 14th Century and the story of the movie occurred during the Tang Dynasty (7th - 9th Century). The architectural styles of these two periods are different. Three walls decorated with large numbers of frescoes are in construction and at the center of the courtyard in front of the replicated Hall of Supreme Harmony, a large size and round shape stage is being built. About 3 million gold color chrysanthemum flowers and about 1.1fake chrysanthemum flowers have been ordered to fill the replicated Forbidden City. The production team has promised to properly dispose these flowers after the shooting is done. They will be put for other uses, which will cause no harm to the environment. About 20,000 suits of armors have been manufactured for the imperial soldiers and horses. The art department built four combat vehicles, each of which is 6 meters long and 2 meters wide. Number of such vehicles will be increased to 40 through CG effect. In this historical epic, Chow Yun-Fat will play the Emperor, Gong Li will play the Empress, Liu Ye will play the older prince Yuanxiang, Jay Chow will play the younger prince Yuanchao and an unidentified young actress will play Jiang E. Shooting will begin next Monday or Tuesday inside a soundstage at Beijing Film Studios.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

Gong Li Says Director Zhang Yimou More Polite

When Gong Li first worked with director Zhang Yimou, she was a little-known mainland Chinese actress. Now she's an international star who eases between Hollywood blockbusters and Chinese productions.

With Gong and Zhang working together for the first time in a decade, Gong says the director is more courteous toward her. He's more deferential now. He's deferential to every actor. He's very polite. I tell him you don't have to be this deferential, this polite. We don't have time, Gong said over the weekend at a news conference in Beijing for Zhang's new movie, which translates as Wearing Golden Armor Across the City.

Gong plays an empress in the film, set in ancient China, opposite an emperor portrayed by Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat.

Gong and Zhang first partnered on Red Sorghum, released in 1987. The collaboration extended to films like Raise the Red Lantern, To Live, and The Story of Qiu Ju, but the two haven't worked together since Shanghai Triad, released in 1995.

The couple were once also believed to be romantically involved, but Gong has since married a businessman.

After splitting with Zhang professionally, Gong went on to work with other famed directors, such as China's Chen Kaige and Hong Kong's Wong Kar-wai. She recently made a trio of Hollywood films: Memoirs of a Geisha, Miami Vice and Young Hannibal: Behind the Mask.

Reunited with Zhang on The City of Golden Armor, Gong said Zhang chooses his words more carefully around her. He's more careful when explaining what he isn't happy with, our flaws. I'm not sure if he's afraid of hurting our feelings or something else, she said.

In contrast, Gong said she's impatient with Zhang. Maybe sometimes when he hasn't even finished speaking, I say, 'I know, I know.' I'm the one who's impolite, she said.

Zhang was full of praise for Gong at Saturday's news conference. Now is her prime, he told reporters.

Zhang has a reputation for having a Midas touch for leading ladies. After Gong, Zhang worked with Zhang Ziyi on The Road Home. Zhang has gone on to starring roles in the Oscar-winning Ang Lee kung fu movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and more recently, Memoirs of a Geisha, in which she plays Gong's rival.

Quelle: kfccinema

[wolfman]

Zhang Yimou Showcases His THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR to the Americans

Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone and representatives of eight US film distributors have been invited to the set of The City of Golden Armor at Beijing Film Studios. Photos and videos of Zhang Yimou meeting with Spielberg and Stone have been distributed to the media. According to Shanghai newspaper Jiefang Daily, Zhang Yimou's partner producer Zhang Weiping said they were trying to make a sale to the Americans. Since Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, action movies set in the ancient China have become quite popular. Zhang Yimou quickly made Hero and House of Flying Daggers, to bank on such trend. Then came Chen Kaige's The Promise. The movie was exhibited at a lavish party last May in Cannes and the Weinstein brothers picked up the distribution rights after they watched an 11 minute promo reel. In December, while concluded the movie was not strong enough to desire a full nationwide release in North America, which was insisted by Chen Kaige, the brothers returned their purchase to Chen. The movie was later picked up by Warnor Independent Picture, which has arranged a limited release of it in North America. The incident has suddenly made the sales of other Chinese period actioners somewhat difficult and Zhang Yimou has to try a lot harder to sell his new movie to an American distributor for a good price.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

THE CITY OF GOLDEN ARMOR Adopts New English Title?

Curse of the Golden Flower may have been adopted as the new English title for Zhang Yimou's new film, previously known as The City of Golden Armor. The new title was probably recommended by Focus Features, which just helped reselling the film to 13 European territories. Focus Features will being selling the film at the Cannes market, which will open next week. The producers are hoping the deals for the rights of other countries, especially the US, can be sealed soon.

Focus zooms in on Zhang - pic pre-sold at Berlin mart to 13 Euro territories
by Adam Dawtrey, Variety

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

Latest on CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER: The Set of Imperial Post



According to Chongqing Morning Post, filming of Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower, previously known as The City of Golden Armor, will begin at the set of an imperial post later this month. The set is built at the bottom of a naturally formed funnel called "Heavenly Pit" in Wulong County, near the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing. The post is designed in the architectural style of China's Tang Dynasty. In the center of the courtyard, there is a steel pole attached with dozens steel cables connected to the cliffs sounding the post. Purpose of the steel pole and steel cable is known. The newspaper reports that the production company has signed an agreement with the local authority about how to protect the natural environment.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

A Closer Look at the Assassins in Zhang Yimou's THE CURSE OF GOLDEN FLOWER



During the shooting at "The Heavenly Pit" near Chongqing City, six cave explorers and volunteer rescuers from the local "Outdoor Club" were hired to double for the imperial assassins. The cape explores took a few pictures of them at work and distributed them to Chongqing Morning Post and Sina.com. Their costumes are consists of four layers of clothing and body armors made of ox hide, which makes them looked overweighed. Their weapons are oversized sickles, quick and effective for making kills, supposedly. They spent two full days to repeatedly lowing themselves from the cliff for shots only would only last for a few seconds.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

More CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Production Photos



Beijing New Picture Film Co. has released more pictures taken on the set of Curse of the Golden Flower. The first three pictures show director Zhang Yimou working with Chow Yun-Fat / Gong Li; and the last one shows Gong Li, as the queen, with two young princes (Liu Ye on the right and Qin Junjie). Still in post-production, this film will be put under a week-long screening in Shenyang city of the northeast China, to make it qualified for the Best Foreign Language Film category of next year's Oscar. Previously, Zhang Yimou has three films being nominated for the award but he has yet win once. According to producer Zhang Weiping, Sony Pictures Classics will release it in North America this December to make it qualified for other categories of the Oscar. Another period epic, The Banquet, is also eyeing at the coming Oscar, especially the award for the Best Foreign Language Film. Despite many promoting efforts, producers of The Banquet, Beijing-based H. Brothers and Hong Kong-based Media Asia, have yet secure a distributor in North America.

Quelle: monkeypeaches

[wolfman]

[wolfman]

[woodz]

Wow, ich kanns kaum noch erwarten!

[wolfman]

US-Trailer (flash)