By APA Staff

Ashes of Time to the future, John Woo to the past, and Hello Kitty to the universe! All this and more in the latest edition of News from Abroad.

A Wong Kar Wai classic rises from the Ashes

Back in 2006, film auteur Wong Kar-wai announced a reworking of his martial arts epic Ashes of Time. Featuring the biggest stars in Chinese cinema, including Tony Leung, Bridgette Lin, Maggie Cheung, and the late great Leslie Cheung, Ashes of Time won much critical acclaim since its release in 1994. Set in ancient China, the film follows an embittered swordsman and his poignant encounters with the bounty hunters he employs. Lacking a quality DVD release worldwide, Wong decided to remaster the film's footage and re-edit certain scenes for better clarity. Titled Ashes of Time Redux, this new cut made its premiere at this year's Cannes film festival. Sony Pictures Classic has picked it up for US distribution, hopefully resulting in a theatrical release followed by a quality DVD. Sorry Tarantino, you won't be able to put "Quentin Tarantino presents" in front of this film...  --William Hong


John Woo directs a patriotic Chinese epic

December 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 1949, a $40 million Chinese romantic epic, is appropriately schedule to be released at this time. According to Variety, the film is based on true events during the final years of the Chinese Civil War and attempts to depict a "realistic history" of the Chinese people. The project looks ambitious with its renowned production team and well-known stars. John Woo, who is Hong Kong's biggest action film director, has been selected to work on 1949 while Lust, Caution's Wang Huiling writes the film's screenplay. In addition, the film features rising Taiwanese star Chang Chen and Korea's Song Hye-Kyo.  --Christie Liu


Naomi Kawase aspires for international film festival in Nara capital

In the Kansai region of Japan, Nara is the capital, and soon to be home of Japanese director Naomi Kawase's vision for the "Nara International Film Festival." Inspired by what Kawase says is a chance to fashion an annual event on par with Berlin, Venice, and Cannes, the film festival is set to launch in 2010, also in time to celebrate the 13000th anniversary of the city becoming Japan's first capital.  Kawase is chairing a non-profit organization entitled The Nara International Film Festival Planning Committee, which will be applying for funds from the federal government's $24.2m (Y2.5b) "Regional Business Stimulation Initiative."  A native of Nara, Kawase doesn't shy away from her hometown spirit. Kawase is the director of The Mourning Forest (Mogari no Mori), which won the Cannes Grand Prix in 2007.  --LiAnn Ishizuka


Jackie Chan speaks Tamil

In the heart of Chennai, India, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is at double its maximum occupancy of 20,000, while Jackie Chan appears with the glamorous Himesh Reshammiya, who helps him pronounce names in Tamil. Chan, who attended the first of these events in April 25, has been selected as Hollywood's ambassador to the music premieres of the big Tamil feature film Dasavatharam, the largest audio launch for a film in the world. The film is directed by K.S. Ravikumar, stars renowned actor and director Kamal Haasan, and features Himesh Reshammiya as music composer. It is scheduled to be released in June 6, 2008.  --Christie Liu


Japan's next purrfect tourism ambassador

Back in March, Japan called upon classic children's icon Doraemon to be the country's first anime ambassador. Japan's tourism ministry has since selected another iconic cat to be its next "government envoy": the ubiquitous Hello Kitty. Her assignment is to represent her country in China and Hong Kong, where the famous feline is already adored by millions of young women and girls. Her multi-million dollar musical, "Hello Kitty's Dream Light Fantasy," is already in the middle of a national tour in China. Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba awarded Hello Kitty with an official certificate commemorating her appointment. Unable to speak due to her lack of a mouth, Sanrio President Shintaro Tsuji spoke on her behalf and said it was a great honor and hopes she'll draw in more tourists throughout Asia. Japanese officials hope that tapping into her massive fan base will lead them closer toward their goal of attracting 10 million overseas visitors every year under the "Visit Japan" campaign.  --William Hong


Jhammu Sugandh passes away

Prolific Bollywood producer Jhammu Sugandah passed away from a brain hemmorage on May 26. Sugandah was behind such well-known films as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aks, and Kaalpurush. He is also known for the socially conscious Black Friday, which depicted the 1993 Bombay bombings. Due to financial losses two years ago, Sugandah's latest projects were delayed. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is now under the production company of actor/director/producer Aamir Khan. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, to be released this July, is the film debut for Khan's nephew Imraan Khan.  --Lisa Leong


Movies about the Sichuan earthquake

After the disastrous earthquake that hit Sichuan, China earlier this month, discussions of movie projects about the tragedy have already begun. Calling first dibs is director Yin Li (The Knot), who has teamed up with 40 other crew members and has started filming around the area the earthquake hit since May 14th. Feng Xiaogang's representatives are also stepping out and revealing that the director has wanted to make a disaster film for a while now. Meanwhile Jackie Chan won't be left in the smoke either. The actor believes that his next project about the earthquake victims can serve as a means to collect money to aid the victims. --My Thanh Mac

 

Published: Friday, May 30, 2008