The Rumors Are True! Wong Kar Wai's Next Project Is ...

Hong Kong, November 2, 2006 – Fortissimo Films has announced it will be handling International Sales on Wong Kar Wai’s definitive version of his legendary martial arts epic, ASHES OF TIME. Tentatively titled ASHES OF TIME – REDUX, the film is now in post-production. In the twelve years since it was first released, the original film has achieved an almost legendary and mythic quality. At the time, taking nearly two years to shoot in the far west of China, with photography by Christopher Doyle and featuring a stellar roster of Asian super-stars, the film was barely seen outside of Asia.

ASHES OF TIME – REDUX will feature the biggest stars from Chinese cinema including the late Leslie Cheung (FAREWELL TO MY CONCUBINE, HAPPY TOGETHER), Brigitte Lin (CHUNGKING EXPRESS, THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR), Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (HERO, 2046), Jacky Cheung (PERHAPS LOVE, AS TEARS GO BY), Tony Leung Ka-Fai (THE LOVER, ELECTION), Charlie Yeung (SEVEN SWORDS, FALLEN ANGELS), with a special appearance by Maggie Cheung (CLEAN, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE). The critically acclaimed original film was the recipient of the Golden Osella at the Venice Film Festival 1994 for Best Cinematography, and winner of the Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay awards at the Hong Kong Film Critics' Society Awards.

SYNOPSIS: Set in ancient China, Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) is a fallen swordsman driven by greed towards both friend and foe. He is afraid of love after having his heart broken by an affair gone wrong. He is a perpetual loner, but the bounty hunters that work for him, like “Blind Swordsman” (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) and another of his best fighters, Hung Chi (Jacky Cheung), discover the intangible secret of true love while Ouyang retains his attitude towards his fighters and the precious lessons that they have taught.

On making the announcement Fortissimo’s Co-Chairman Michael J. Werner said, "We are thrilled and proud that director Wong Kar Wai has entrusted us with bringing the definitive version of this mythic and legendary gem of a film to the international marketplace. It's something that his fans have been waiting for for years, and when it is launched late next year, it will re-demonstrate Wong Kar Wai's deft hand as a masterful marital arts director.”

While director Wong Kar Wai himself added, "The original release of ASHES OF TIME marked the beginning of my long-standing partnership with Fortissimo Films. I'm very pleased to see our relationship come full circle with the release of my re-envisioning of the film. ASHES OF TIME is a film I am very proud of and I am excited to finally be able to present it in the manner it was originally conceived."

Fortissimo Films is an international film, television and video sales organization specializing in the production, presentation, promotion and distribution of unique, award winning and innovative feature films from independent film makers from all over the world. For more information, please see www.fortissimofilms.com.