January 25th, 2008
The Golden Rock - January 25th, 2008 Edition
- A few news straight from Peter Chan’s mouth: The Warlords was actually cut by several minutes in Mainland China for violence, and that is also the version that is mostly being passed around on the internet. Also, his co-producer Andre Morgan apparently took the film and made his own international cut for oversea buyers, which Chan is not very happy about because it’s being done without any input from him. Unhappy enough that now his next film Waiting is on hold while Chan takes a break for a year to watch the “shifting marketplace.” I’m not sure if he’s lamenting, but he’s suggesting that next time he makes a mid-budget film, he will be aiming towards China, because he’s now a businessman, not a filmmaker.
Another Hong Kong filmmaker bites the dust…
- I wonder if Taiwanese producers regretting their decision to start filming a Taiwanese version of the live-action Honey and Clover series at the same time as the Japanese one. I’m asking because ratings for the Japanese one has now slid to single-digit numbers. Who knows? Chinese teenagers love (to download) their idol dramas, so this might be a hit.
- Japanese horror director Hideo Nakata seems to be taking a turn away from the genre that made him famous with not only the upcoming Death Note spin-off L, but also his upcoming project Gensenkan, a film about a group of people who hide at a hot spring inn for different reasons.
Meanwhile, Korean director Park Chan-Wook’s vampire film will star Song Kang-Ho.
Both films will be featured at the upcoming Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum.
- Hollywood Reporter has an interview with Josie Ho from Hong Kong, in light of The Drummer’s competition slot at Sundance. Just reading that introduction (especially about her calling Chinese film executives “dick face”) makes me like her so much more.
- The Midnight Eye has posted a set of top 10 2007 Japanese films lists from several contributors well-versed in Japanese films, including Golden Rock favorite Jason Gray. Those lists just show how much more Japanese films I need to watch.
- Big news for foreigners in South Korea: CJ entertainment and Korea’s largest theater complex will offer some of the bigger films English-subtitled screenings during their release. About 4-6 films will be getting the subtitle treatment, with A Man Once Superman being the first one. How long will it take before Japan does that same? I suspect never.
- The Chinese learn the idea of irony, with a new brand being named after the most famous street in Beijing for knock-off goods. The ultimate irony? The general manager of the market that started the brand is warning people to not sell fake versions of the goods.
January 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I didn’t know Robin Lee was directing “Honey & Clover”. Yet another sign that directing movies in Taiwan is a thankless cause. I suppose her style does suit manga adaptations though.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
To be fair to Peter Chan, the complete quote from Variety is: “Chan says he will take a year off from directing, although he will continue to be active as a producer.” Also, this is the guy whose producing credits include for the very Hong Kong GOLDEN CHICKEN as well as more Pan-Asian efforts like THE EYE and the THREEs. So am trusting that there’s still a lot of good to come from him yet.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:19 am
Hi, YTSL,
Yes, I supposed did misquote him slightly, and I think Protege was a solid producing effort on his part. However, those other films you named were from his Applause Picture days (which I don’t even think it’s making any more films these days). Golden Chicken was a good effort and felt like was really made for the Hong Kong market, but it seems like he has chosen to give it up to make as much money as he can. In other words, I hope he can be a truly Hong Kong filmmaker again, but then again, how many of those are still out there?