Oh, my. I would say Hong Kong is back but this was made in Taiwan. But wherever it was made Alexi Tan - along with Susie Au and her very impressive debut Ming Ming - has just given me hope that some new blood may finally be rising in the Chinese speaking film world.
Tan's feature debut, Blood Brothers has been the subject of much speculation for quite a while now, with early reports suggesting that it was a loose remake of John Woo's Bullet in the Head, speculation no doubt fueled by the fact that Woo served as a producer on this. But no, I've been assured this is not the case. Blood Brothers is a film inspired by that era, a film that set out to capture the energy, power and epic scope of those old Hong Kong heroic bloodshed pictures and if he's even close to sustaining what's in the trailer over the course of the full picture then Tan has done exactly that. There are more iconinc images in this trailer than some directors produce over a career, it's simply gorgeous stuff.
Yes, the trailer. An early rough version of a trailer for the picture was leaked to Sina some time back, a version that didn't include full audio and also featured some shots with unfinished post production on the visuals. This is the first full, complete trailer. It was passed to us somewhat under the table so while I think we're going to be okay hosting this here it is certainly a possibility that we'll be asked to take it down. So move quickly. Along with the trailer we've also got four new stills from the picture. And you can read on for what details of the film were spilled when it was picked up for international sale by Fortissimo.
Blood Brothers Trailer (downloadable Quicktime, 50 meg)
FORTISSIMO SIGNS BLOOD BROTHERS
Hong Kong/Amsterdam, February 1st, 2007 – Fortissimo Films announced the acquisition of world wide sales ex-Asia to BLOOD BROTHERS, a new $10 million Chinese language motion picture with a top Asian cast, directed by up and coming first time director Alexi Tan. Acquired from CMC Entertainment and John Woo (HARD BOILED, FACE/OFF, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II) and Terrence Chang’s Lions Rock Productions, Fortissimo will begin sales at this year’s European Film Market during the upcoming Berlin Film Festival. BLOOD BROTHERS, now in post-production was shot entirely in Shanghai and it represents John Woo’s comeback project in Asia as a producer, after spending years in Hollywood. The strong cast includes Liu Ye (DARK MATTER, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER, LAN YU), Daniel Wu (THE BANQUET, NEW POLICE STORY, BISHONEN) Chang Chen (THE GO MASTER, SILK, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, HAPPY TOGETHER), Shu Qi (MY WIFE IS A GANGSTER 3, THREE TIMES, THE EYE 2, TRANSPORTER), and Tony Yang (CATCH, FORMULA 17).
Synopsis: BLOOD BROTHERS takes place in 1930s Shanghai, a city in its prime; a flourishing modern-day Babylon, replete with warlords, politicians, wealthy industrialists, courtesans and gangsters. Kang (Liu Ye), Fung (Daniel Wu) and Xiao Hu (Tony Yang), three innocent young men, have arrived to this seeming paradise in search of a better life. As time passes, each is forced on a different path, but all face a life of crime. Kang, craving power is the most ambitious. Fung, content with his simple village life but forced to seek refuge in Shanghai, is thrust into a world of violence where, surprisingly, he discovers a heroic side to his character. With tragic inevitability Fung falls in love with the beauty Lulu (Qi Shu), a gorgeous free spirit who dreams of stardom. Along the way, Fung befriends Mark (Chen Chang), a charismatic enforcer, who seeks the righteous path, but is tormented by his past. Xiao Hu is the most innocent and naïve, blindly admiring his brother Kang, whom he would follow to the ends of the world. With the backdrop of decadence, life takes a difficult turn for all when a forbidden love affair is exposed. Friends turn against friends, brother against brother. The days of innocence have passed; they must stand up as men and make their choices.
Director Alexi Tan was educated in London and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and began his film career as a still photographer. In 2000 he directed his first short film, 17.17. which premiered at the Brooklyn International Film Festival. In 2002 Tan moved to Asia to pursue a career in film. He began directing TV commercials and music videos which have since won international awards and acclaim. In 2003, Tan directed DOUBLE BLADE, a 15-minute short film shot entirely in LA. Starring Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou and a Hollywood cast featuring Leila Arcieri and Danny Trejo, it boasts a crew including Andrzej Sekula, the cinematographer of PULP FICTION. This short caught the attention of John Woo and Terence Chang, who signed on to produce his first feature film, BLOOD BROTHERS.
Theatrical release in Asia is set for mid August 2007. Chinese rights are held by Hua Yi while CMC holds the rights for Taiwan and will distribute through Fox. The deal was brokered between CMC Executive Producer Chin Wen Huang, Lion Rock's Terence Chang and Fortissimo co-chairman Michael J. Werner.
On completion of the deal with Fortissimo Chin Wen Huang of CMC said “CMC Entertainment is committed to producing a slate of Chinese-language films with a distinctive new vision. Blood Brothers is a stunning feature, a joined effort of the acclaimed director/producer, John Woo and the rising young talent, Alexi Tan. We’re thrilled to announce our first collaboration with Fortissimo. We have absolute confidence in Fortissimo’s expertise which we believe would pave a smooth path into the global markets for CMC’s productions.”
Lion Rock’s Terence Chang went on to say “I have known Michael and Wouter for years and have always looked for an opportunity to work together. Fortissimo is best in handling commercial films with artistic merit, or artistic films with commercial appeal. I am glad BLOOD BROTHERS is in safe hands.”
Fortissimo’s Werner added “"The opportunity to work with John Woo and Terence Chang and the CMC team was irresistible; we share their vision of what they want to bring to China and to filmmaking in Asia. With Blood Brothers, we see in Alexi the mood and style and focus of a young director intent on making a bold, commercial and entertaining film and we are thrilled to share that experience with him."”
Since its formation in 1997, Lion Rock Production has produced THE BIG HIT for Columbia, WINDTALKERS and BULLETPROOF MONK for MGM, and PAYCHECK for Paramount. BLOOD BROTHERS is its first Chinese language production. The team of John Woo and Terence Chang has produced many hit movies in the past, including the Woo-directed HARD-BOILED, BROKEN ARROW, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II, FACE-OFF, and the non-Woo directed REPLACEMENT KILLERS (Antoine Fuqua) and THE CORRUPTOR (James Foley). Their future collaborations include the remake of THE KILLER, and the Chinese language historical epic RED CLIFF.
CMC Entertainment is a leading film and home entertainment company in Far East Asia. In Taiwan, CMC is the market leader in independent film distribution and has a substantial shareholding in the dominant cinema circuit (Vie Show Cinemas) and in the territory's leading home entertainment company (Deltamac Group). In Hong Kong, CMC, through Deltamac, is one of the largest home entertainment companies, and has recently established offices in China. CMC Entertainment is part of CMC Magnetics Corporation.
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 http://www.fortissimofilms.com
I agree that it looks gorgeous, Todd. But where's everybody getting this heroic bloodshed stuff from? It doesn't look like one to me.
agree with Tory. It does look breathtaking though.
now that looks good -- BUT -- hate to be nitpicky -- but does look similar to Zhang Yimou's underrated Shanghai Triad.
I'm sure this will be more of a straight crime genre pic than that film was though.
I'm not certain how much gunplay will be in this but there doesn't actually need to be that much for it to qualify as a heroic bloodshed film. Woo took the guns and put them WAY over the top but all that's really necessary for it to fall into that genre is basically for the hero to sacrifice himself in a hail of bullets. I met Tan in Hong Kong and he was very clear that he intends this to be a throwback to the old heroic bloodshed films. It's what he grew up on and he wants to see some new ones made so he's blazing that trail himself.
Actually, I think this looks more like Shanghai Grand with Tony Leung and Andy Lau. It also takes place in Shanghai 1930's and about a rise of a couple of punks turned gangsters. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117619/
Looks good and can't wait to see it. Breathe of fresh air to see film maker use better lighting than current hollywood films that use too little lighting to create dark scene. Love the art deco of the day.
This just looks flat out amazing. It's given me high hopes for the movie.