Mulan

[GeneChing]

Zhao Wei works better as Mulan for me than Zhang Ziyi (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?59298-Legend-of-Mulan). Z is just too girly. Vicky could be a better cross dresser.

Zhao Wei Is 'Mulan' (http://english.cri.cn/6666/2009/02/11/1261s452470.htm)
2009-02-11 15:07:42 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Xie Tingting
Hong Kong director Jingle Ma thinks mainland actress Zhao Wei is perfect for the role of folk heroine Hua Mulan.

Hong Kong director Jingle Ma thinks mainland actress Zhao Wei is perfect for the role of folk heroine Hua Mulan.

"Zhao Wei has the qualities necessary to cross-play," Ma told the Beijing Times on Tuesday at a press conference for the film "Mulan", where he announced the start of filming.

Previous media reports suggested that Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh and Liu Yifei had all been considered for Hua Mulan, a young girl from ancient China's Northern Dynasties, who joined an all-male army to fight the enemies in place of her ailing father.

But the role eventually went to Zhao Wei, whose notable works include "Red Cliff" and "Painted Skin".

The character Hua Mulan was popularized in the West by the 1998 animated Disney film "Mulan".

But director Ma thinks the Hollywood Mulan doesn't match his impression of the heroine. "Zhao Wei's appearance is closer to that in my imagination," Ma says.

Last year, Ma took the directing baton of "Mulan" from Stanley Tong, who was reportedly hoping Zhang Ziyi could play Mulan.

There has been no statement from the film's investors explaining the change in directors.

In the upcoming film, actor Chen Kun will play Mulan's lover. Child actress Xu Jiao will play the young Mulan, and Russian pop singer Vitas is set to make a cameo.

[doug maverick]

i talked about this film, when disney wanted to do it. they wanted donnie yen to play the captain, whatever his name was. ill find the thread and link it here.

[SimonM]

Zhao Wei works better as Mulan for me than Zhang Ziyi. Z is just too girly. Vicky could be a better cross dresser.

While it is true that Zhang Ziyi is REALLY girly...

Zhao Wei... not much less girly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Zhao_Wei.jpg).

[Shaolinlueb]

hmm simon,

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8277/smmf010yx2.jpg

[Zenshiite]

I like Zhao Wei better than Zhang Ziyi. Period.

She was hilarious in Shaolin Soccer.

[SimonM]

My wife is a big fan of Zhao Wei and Fan Bingbing.

[TenTigers]

nevermind that. What the heck kind of a name is,"Jingle?"
:confused:

[bakxierboxer]

nevermind that. What the heck kind of a name is,"Jingle?"
:confused:

?????
I figgered it was "Jing Le"........

[Shaolinlueb]

you mean "A WHOLE NEW WORLD" or "UNDER THE SEA"?

[GeneChing]

Isn't this just a pic of Zhao Wei from her role in Red Cliff (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=916911&postcount=72)? No, wait, in Red Cliff she wore that dopey hat to conceal her true sex. In ancient China, it's easy for a hottie like Vicky to conceal her womanhood with just a dopey hat. :rolleyes:

Click for pic

First Look at Zhao Wei as MULAN (http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/first-look-at-zhao-wei-as-mulan/)
Posted by Al Young at 7:40pm.

A few weeks back, it was confirmed that Zhao Wei (Vicki Zhao Wei) was awarded the title role of Mulan. Filming has already begun and three on-set shots of Zhao as the folk heroine in the warrior costumes has been revealed online. I always have a soft spot for a strong, capable leading ladies in films so naturally, I want to see how she will handle this character.

Production is currently in progress at the Hebei province.

[doug maverick]

i say that everytime i see a female cross dresser in kung fu movies. im like ****, they must have been blind as bats in ancient china.

[doug maverick]

as reported by wenn news


Filming on the set of Chinese movie remake Mulan ground to a halt in Hong Kong this week (ends13Mar09) after villagers staged a protest amid allegations of unpaid bills from an earlier shoot.

Director Jingle Ma's latest project was forced to wind down for two days when Yixian locals objected to the cast and crew's return to the area.

They claimed the movie's producers had failed to settle outstanding debts from their previous days of filming in the Hebei Province, and launched the protest in an act of revenge.

Disney's animated version of Mulan became a big hit in the West upon its release in 1998 but flopped in China, where citizens felt local stars should have been involved in the making of the film.

[BoulderDawg]

For what? Were they renting locations? Hotel bills? Restaurant bills?

Whatever it was, if a production company can't pay some villager a couple of hundred bucks to rent his field for the day then that movie is in some serious trouble.

Also I don't understand what took two days....I would have settled that in two minutes just by saying "How much do we owe you?"

[Jimbo]

Zhao Wei = an excellent Mulan.

IMO, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh or Liu Yifei would not fit the role at all, esp. Yeoh, who is waaaay too old for it. I think Yeoh's 46 or 47 now... a year or two older than me, anyway. Unless the movie's about Mulan in middle age.

In those old KF movies, I always thought it was a joke they couldn't tell a hottie from a man just because she put on men's clothes and tucked her hair in a fedora. Her voice and face would still be the same; she'd even still have makeup on! But then again, if Americans couldn't tell Clark Kent was Superman because of the suit and glasses... :)

[Kansuke]

For what? Were they renting locations? Hotel bills? Restaurant bills?

Whatever it was, if a production company can't pay some villager a couple of hundred bucks to rent his field for the day then that movie is in some serious trouble.

Also I don't understand what took two days....I would have settled that in two minutes just by saying "How much do we owe you?"



You speaking from all your movie making experience, *******?

[Li Kao]

Zhao Wei = an excellent Mulan.

IMO, Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh or Liu Yifei would not fit the role at all, esp. Yeoh, who is waaaay too old for it. I think Yeoh's 46 or 47 now... a year or two older than me, anyway. Unless the movie's about Mulan in middle age.

In those old KF movies, I always thought it was a joke they couldn't tell a hottie from a man just because she put on men's clothes and tucked her hair in a fedora. Her voice and face would still be the same; she'd even still have makeup on! But then again, if Americans couldn't tell Clark Kent was Superman because of the suit and glasses... :)

Jimbo -- you're right in that Michelle Yeoh is a bit old now, although she was great playing a disguised male in Wing Chun back in the 90's.

I agree that the movie/comic book phenomenon where a simple clothing change or modification can fool the vast majority of the unsuspecting characters is fairly ridiculous, but it's just one of those things you have to accept -- basically you have to suspend your reality when the movie starts rolling or you could question a lot of things. Have you heard Norm MacDonalds's bit "Stan & Lois" on his Ridiculous album? It kind of deals with this a bit ... check it out here (track 6), it's good for a laugh (you can't download it for free here but you can listen to it streaming). http://www.rhapsody.com/norm-macdonald/ridiculous

Almost forgot to mention -- I'm all for Zhao Wei as Mulan too -- she'd be perfect for that role!

[doug maverick]

For what? Were they renting locations? Hotel bills? Restaurant bills?

Whatever it was, if a production company can't pay some villager a couple of hundred bucks to rent his field for the day then that movie is in some serious trouble.

Also I don't understand what took two days....I would have settled that in two minutes just by saying "How much do we owe you?"

actually, they probably just didnt want to pay them. **** happens all the time. production comnpanies are always trying to Gip people, thats the natur of the biz, how hard can i **** someone today!!!!






You speaking from all your movie making experience, *******?


and while boulder might have not been speaking from experience i am, your a trouble maker dude i cant stand people like you. go back to the main forum where scum like you is tolerated.

[Kansuke]

while boulder might have not been speaking from experience i am.



Congratulations, now STFU. I wasn't talking to you.

[BoulderDawg]

actually, they probably just didnt want to pay them. **** happens all the time. production comnpanies are always trying to Gip people, thats the natur of the biz, how hard can i **** someone today!!!!


I actually do have a little experience here. I have several good friends in the business in Hollywood. One friend of mine is in craft service. He has never had any problems as far as getting paid.

I also have some friends at a small independant production company called "Open Road Films". They go out of their way to make people happy especially on location.

Maybe it's a China thing. I don't know. In any case if I'm the producer I would want the least amount of drama as possible. I certainly hope that from now on the people there require payment up front before services are rendered.

[doug maverick]

I actually do have a little experience here. I have several good friends in the business in Hollywood. One friend of mine is in craft service. He has never had any problems as far as getting paid.

I also have some friends at a small independant production company called "Open Road Films". They go out of their way to make people happy especially on location.

Maybe it's a China thing. I don't know. In any case if I'm the producer I would want the least amount of drama as possible. I certainly hope that from now on the people there require payment up front before services are rendered.

well most production companies will pay there cast and crew. you want the people you work with to be happy. but sometimes and yes this happens in asia alot, somebody forgets to write a check. its not done on purpose, its just an HR error.

[BoulderDawg]

well most production companies will pay there cast and crew. you want the people you work with to be happy. but sometimes and yes this happens in asia alot, somebody forgets to write a check. its not done on purpose, its just an HR error.

Mistakes happen of course, even in this country. However the one thing for me that stood out was that if took two days to fix it. And, as you said, it sounded as if they were trying to gip them.

Anyway it is interesting and it's got me to wondering if this is a widespread problem in China.

[doug maverick]

Mistakes happen of course, even in this country. However the one thing for me that stood out was that if took two days to fix it. And, as you said, it sounded as if they were trying to gip them.

Anyway it is interesting and it's got me to wondering if this is a widespread problem in China.

it is.... production managers are always trying to cut cost, no matter what even if it means gipping people. i heard mainland stunt guys only make about 20 bucks a day, while hk stuntmen make like 200.

[SimonM]

$20 a day is good money in China.

Assuming a 5 day work week that's about 3200 yuan a month.

A factory worker makes about 800 yuan per month for a 6.5 day work week.

[GeneChing]

Yea. Who is Vitas again?

Click link for pix. But unless you're into Russian pop music, it won't help.

Vitas guest stars in 'Mulan' (http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2009-04/20/content_17638821.htm)

Russian pop singer Vitas lends his voice for a guest role in the upcoming film 'Mulan' starring Zhao Wei and Chen Kun.

He appeared in the dessert, with long, yellowish hair and a full-length ancient robe, in western China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region where the film is shooting.

Vitas' agent told the media that the film director had planned voice dubbing for Vitas but the pop singer insisted on using his own.

What kind of role Vitas plays in the film is still a secret. Unnamed sources revealed he plays a singer who is later captured.

Singer Vitas has amazed Chinese fans with his signature high-pitched voice in recent years. His addition to the cast may turn out to be one of the film's highlights.

The heroine, Mulan, is an ancient household name in China. She was a young woman who disguised herself as a man in order to take her ailing father's place in the army and went into battle around 1,500 years ago.

Mulan came to life in Disney's animated series during the late 90s. This time director Jingle Ma Cho Shing presents a live-action Mulan portrayed by famous Chinese actress Zhao Wei.

[GeneChing]

...but not in America. Just China, Singapore and Malaysia.

Hong Kong director takes on Mulan with real actors (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iGVRC56ua5RIy_Nhg6hhzDj_G4XQD9C6C0CG0)
By MIN LEE (AP) – 12 hours ago

HONG KONG — More than a decade after Disney made a blockbuster animated film out of a folk tale about a young woman in ancient China who takes her father's place on the battlefield, a Hong Kong director is taking on the story of Hua Mulan with real actors.

Jingle Ma said his live-action version of "Mulan" avoids glorifying one of China's best-known female folk heroes, instead focusing on her vulnerabilities and relationships. Ma said he delved into Mulan's trepidation when killing for the first time and confronting the death of her comrades.

"The animated movie tells you she is cheerful. She's a little godlike in that she can solve all her problems. She can use her wits to solve many of her problems. But it doesn't discuss her deepest emotions," he said in a recent interview.

In Ma's 115-minute movie, which opens in China, Singapore and Malaysia on Friday, gone are the goofy antics of a sidekick dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy and the smooth Broadway-style numbers performed by "Miss Saigon" star Lea Salonga, replaced with the bloody, gritty reality of war. One of the movie's shots shows Mulan, played by Chinese actress Zhao Wei, sprayed with blood on her face after killing a general from a foreign tribe invading mainland China.

Zhao, whose credits include Stephen Chow's "Shaolin Soccer" and John Woo's historical epics "Red Cliff" and "Red Cliff II," is known for her pretty looks but also boyish demeanor that Ma says made her a good fit for the lead role. The Hong Kong director said he was looking for an actress who was athletic and well-built enough to be a credible male soldier.

"If you put a woman with a slender face among tens of thousands of soldiers, I don't think she would have an easy time," Ma said.

It's debated whether Hua Mulan is a historical figure. The basis of the folk story is largely a 300-word poem from the Southern and Northern dynasties (420 to 589) that gives the broad sketches of her life, leaving plenty to the imagination of the storyteller.

Ma, who is best known for his romantic films, fills the gaps with a sentimental portrayal of Mulan. In between her brutal military campaigns, Mulan falls in love with fellow general Wentai (Chen Kun) and is devastated when she is led to believe that he died in battle. When Wentai volunteers himself as a hostage to the invading tribe so his trapped comrades can be freed, Mulan goes undercover among the enemy to rescue him.

"Most people think Hua Mulan is a god, but I think Hua Mulan is a woman," Ma said.

American and European distribution deals for the 80 million Chinese yuan ($12 million) production are still being negotiated.

While Ma said he wants his movie to go global — the 1998 Disney film made more than $300 million worldwide — he said his first mission is to tell a Chinese story for the Chinese.

"I don't know if foreign audiences will like this movie, but I want to do a good job in our domestic market first. If foreign audiences like it as well, that's a bonus for me," he said.

[GeneChing]

After cross dressing in Red Cliff (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46417), Vicky Zhao Wei is the new Brigette Lin. :D

This Mulan is far from Disney-esque (http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20091126-182407.html)
BY TAY YEK KEAK

THE last time we saw Mulan, she was a Disney cartoon character who sang cutesy love songs and who, at the end of the film, did a very untraditional thing: she hugged the emperor.

But in her latest big-screen incarnation, Mulan, which opens today, the legendary gal-disguised- as-guy warrior is tougher and grittier than ever.

Vicki Zhao Wei plays the fearless leader who charges at enemy forces, kills every poor sucker in her way, and heads straight for the enemy commander whom she nails ferociously with her sword. (Think Sarah Palin hunting moose, but without the helicopter.)

Conquering army after army, Mulan is promoted to general, becoming an unlikely heroine.

She even gives a rousing "we shall die for our country" pep talk to her troops, like Mel Gibson did in Braveheart.

Zhao's Mulan goes teary-eyed for only two things: her boyfriend, who's a fellow general, and her dad back home, whom she thinks of wistfully from time to time.

Jackie Chan's son, Jaycee, plays her best pal-soldier who knows her big secret of how, deep down, underneath her tough armour, she's scared of being found out. But other than that, as Zhao moves from maiden to warrior, there appears to be little that she is afraid of.

The gender issue in Mulan brings to the forefront Chinese culture's share of iron maidens.

And there have been more than a few.

Perhaps that's no surprise, considering how Chinese female athletes have won more Olympic gold medals than the guys, and also Cheng Pei Pei, who made a career out of kicking butt as Golden Swallow all those years ago in old Shaw Brothers wuxia films.

Now, some, like American magazine Bright Lights Film Journal, may argue that the Mulan legend, a revolutionary role model for Chinese women, "actually regurgitates filial piety and other outmoded Confucianisms".

The tale, says the magazine, forces Mulan to "alternate between masculine power and female sexuality without being able to truly synthesise the two".

Personally, I can only gauge the emancipation of Chinese women by how they are portrayed in films. And Chinese cinema has done much for the portrayal of heroines on the silver screen.

While Audrey Hepburn was learning to speak good English in My Fair Lady (1964), Cheng Pei Pei was already readying herself for the seminal martial-arts action film, Come Drink With Me (1966).

This was in a time, mind you, when feminism was blossoming in the West. Even then, Hollywood could only offer heroines of the James Bond kind: women who could deliver a sharp kick, but who were sexualised objects nonetheless.

Arguably, it wasn't until Alien (1979), starring Sigourney Weaver, that the West allowed a woman to really pack a punch.

In contrast, Chinese heroines have long been empowered with gongfu-style Fists Of Fury and Swords Of Vengeance.

The tradition continues today.

I instantly recall Zhang Ziyi clearing out an inn full of bandits in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2003).

Michelle Yeoh clobbered people in her movies. Shu Qi, Karen Mok and Vicki Zhao (again) did a Charlie's Angels in So Close (2003).

Gong Li and Zhou Xun shot daggers with their eyes in their films (don't ever mess with them).

And Maggie Cheung as ballbreaker in a qipao in Wong Kar Wai flicks.

Okay, so they all play to a certain stereotype, but it's one that is undoubtedly formidable.

The Chinese Female Warrior is a scary sight to behold, and you don't need Zhao donning a suit of battle armour in Mulan to tell you this.

But you might want to go watch the movie just to prove to yourself that I'm right.


Wednesday November 25, 2009
Legendary heroine (http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/25/movies/5167639&sec=movies)
By SETO KIT YAN

Relive the adventures of Chinese folk heroine Mulan.

THE story of Chinese folk heroine Hua Mulan, who enlists in the army to serve her country in place of her ailing father, is an oft-told tale that has been adapted and enjoyed in various genres.

There are the 1964 Shaw Brothers’ huangmeidiao opera, The Lady General Hua Mulan, starring the famous gender-bending Ivy Ling Po (which earned her best actress honours at the 11th Asian Fim Festival), the Disney adaptation Mulan in 1998 and even a Chinese opera Mulan currently playing in Tokyo.

Hong Kong director Jingle Ma says Mulan is a tale that women will enjoy.

“It is something that they can identify with. Nowadays lots of young women go to work in the city to send money home and help to support their families. To me, these women are also like Hua Mulan,” Ma said in an exclusive phone interview from Guangzhou, China.

Starring China actress Vicki Zhao Wei as the titular character Hua Mulan, Ma’s version of Mulan deals with her love life as much as her relationships with her fellow soldiers.
Secret identity: Vicki Zhao Wei plays the titular role, opposite Chen Kun, in Jingle Ma-helmed Mulan, a tale that has been adapted and enjoyed in various genres.

Ma had signed Zhao to play the legendary heroine last September and was aghast when Red Cliff Part 2 opened in December.

Zhao, who played Princess Sun Shangxiang in John Woo’s Red Cliff (2008), also disguised herself as a male soldier in the sequel but stressed that the two are completely different.

“It’s true that I play a female who disguises herself as a male in both films, but the similarity ends there.

“In Red Cliff, I was essentally still playing a girl. But in Mulan, I’m actually playing the part of a man, in all aspects,” Zhao offered in an exclusive phone interview from Guang*zhou.

“As Mulan, I had to summon enormous strength as I was required to wear a 14kg armour and wield a 2m-long spear weighing over 9kg while fighting on horseback.

“I’ve ridden horses before but Mulan’s an accomplished general so she’s got to have suitably impressive horse-riding skills.

“And fighting on horseback is definitely not easy to do. Also, furious sandstorms meant we’d be covered in mud and soot most of the time.

“I, too, wish to be a woman as strong and brave as Hua Mulan. But, after playing her in this movie, I feel that all the things that she has accomplished are truly far beyond an ordinary woman’s capabilities.

“She has to sacrifice so much for her family and never gets to lead the kind of life a normal girl would want. This, I feel, is very difficult for most ordinary women.

“I feel very honoured to be able to play Hua Mulan, a legendary heroine known to Chinese all over the world,” declared the 33-year-old actress.

Making Mulan was also tough for the 52-year-old Ma who admitted he was more at home filming romantic comedies and fun flicks like Summer Holiday (2000), Fly Me To Polaris (1999) and Tokyo Raiders (2000).

Filming began in February when the weather was chilly and sandstorms were aplenty.
Jaycee Chan and Zhao are fellow soldiers in the movie.

“Daytime temperatures were initially -16°C to -18°C. Because it was so very cold, we initially wanted to film in Yunnan. But the scenery there was too beautiful, and hence not true to history, as the northwestern hills were supposed to be devoid of greenery.

“So, for the sake of realism, we shifted our filming to cold locations like Hebei, Nanzhou, Yinzhou and the Mongolian border.”

Ma cast a very interesting line-up of Chinese stars in his latest action flick. The young Mulan is played by Xu Jiao, the talented young girl who played the precocious little boy in Stephen Chow’s CJ7, for which she won best new performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards last year.

The heroine’s dashing lover Wentai is played by Chen Kun, while her buddy Fei Xiaohu is played by Jaycee Chan. Yu Rongguang plays her father Hua Hu, while Hu Jun plays the villain Mudun. The movie also stars dreamy Russian singer Vitas and Taiwan-based South Korean R&B crooner Nicky Lee.

“After watching Vicki in the movie, lots of my friends have commended her for her convincing portrayal. Watch it and you will say she is Hua Mulan,” Ma quipped happily.

“I needed a Chinese woman with excellent acting skills who could internalise well. But I didn’t want one with a sharp, angular face as that would appear incongruous in a military environment.”

What of her large doe eyes? Won’t her pretty peepers give her away, then? “That’s why I told her not to open her eyes so wide in the movie,” jested the personable cinematographer-turned-helmer.

Born in Wuhu, Anhui, China, the actress has chalked up nine wins and six nominations at various film festivals and awards for her superb acting skills.

Zhao, who has starred in 22 films and 13 TV series, will next be paired with Donnie Yen in Daniel Lee’s 14 Blades, which is slated for release early next year.

Ma, who has 14 films under his belt, also disclosed he would be working on a Chinese fantasy flick ala Harry Potter titled Sun Buck Ma Leung as well as a sequel to Summer Holiday (2000), which starred Sammi Cheng and Richie Ren.

Since the original was filmed in Pulau Redang off the coast of Terengganu, Ma says there will be a 90% chance that he will also be filming the sequel somewhere in Malaysia.

[GeneChing]

At least I know who Vitas is now.

Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nPdnNTWtIE)


China vs. Disney: The Battle for Mulan (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1944598,00.html)
By Ling Woo Liu / Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 03, 2009

China is moving to take back one of its own — even if it is legend. Mulan is the Middle Kingdom's gender-bending heroine, its Joan of Arc. The character from folktale is a daughter who disguises herself as a male soldier to take her father's place in the conscription army. The problem for the Chinese is that, since 1998, the definitive version of the story has been Disney's.

Indeed, because of the animated Disney film, the character Mulan has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Chinese culture worldwide. Baby girls adopted from China have been named Mulan by their American parents. Disney has staged musical versions of the movie Mulan from Mexico to the Philippines. And posing for a photo with Mulan is a must for hordes of tourists at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Although it was too American for audiences in China (where it performed abysmally), Disney's Mulan was a smash hit in the rest of the world, where it reeled in $300 million. That didn't sit well with some Chinese, including Guo Shu, executive president of Starlight International Media Group, an entertainment company based in Beijing. "We commit ourselves to be a media with a sense of national responsibility," she told the state-run People's Daily. "Now that foreigners can produce a popular movie out of the story Hua Mulan, why can't we Chinese present its own to the world?"

In 2006, she announced the production of a Chinese Mulan, and now that version has opened to reclaim the global Mulan-mania. On Nov. 27, the $12 million, mainland-funded live-action war epic premiered in mainland China, Singapore and Malaysia. It will hit screens in Hong Kong this week, and negotiations are on the table for release dates in the U.S. and Europe.

The film's Hong Kong director, Jingle Ma, says the new 115-minute Mulan is a sweeping melodrama that depicts the central character as an action hero, dutiful daughter and wistful romantic. The film stars Vicki Zhao Wei, who shot to fame in the late 1990s playing the wide-eyed lead role in the television series Princess Pearl. Zhao may have gotten the role because of her tomboy image in action films such as Red Cliff and So Close, but in Mulan, she appears with full makeup and long, glossy fingernails — even as a soldier.

While the Disney film wove comedy into a Disney-esque plot about a young girl breaking out of the confines of tradition to pursue her own destiny, the new Mulan focuses on patriotism, filial piety, romance and the difficulties of war. The formula is part of an evolving mainland genre that has seen filmmakers incorporating more nuanced, entertaining storytelling into patriotic plots. "China is anxious to be part of the global community. There's a lot of concern over soft power right now," says Poshek Fu, professor of cinema studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Movies are a strong projection of that desire."

The new Mulan is at least the 10th film version of the Hua Mulan tale ("Hua" is the heroine's surname). Many of the previous films — like Mulan Joins the Army, released in 1939 in Japanese-occupied Shanghai — carried political messages during turbulent periods in the country's history. In 1956, after the Communist Party had banned American films and nationalized the country's film studios, a state-sponsored Hua Mulan was released, touting the party's egalitarian gender policy. After many Chinese filmmakers fled communist-controlled China, the Shaw Brothers studio in Hong Kong gave overseas Chinese audiences a vision of a unified China in its 1963 film The Lady General Hua Mulan.

The latest Mulan is not the only post-Disney attempt to remake the folktale. In 2003, there was talk of a version starring Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat. In 2006, the Weinstein Co. announced a big-budget Mulan film that would star Zhang Ziyi. Director Ma says his version comes at just the right time. "Eleven years ago, just because someone else made this film didn't mean that we had to come back and make our version right away," he says. "It was better to wait for things to cool down before we made our own Mulan. Back then, the Chinese market wasn't mature yet, but now it's ready."

But there's a foreign presence even in this Chinese attempt to take back its own. The Russian entertainer Vitas plays the role of a singer from a distant land held hostage by the nomadic and militant Rouran tribe, which is set on invading Chinese territory. The casting choice, Ma explained, was a simple marketing decision. Starlight International represents Vitas in China. And, who knows, the Russian actor could be key to the new Mulan's conquest of foreign audiences. Take that, Disney.


Vicki Zhao sparks pregnancy rumours (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1022233/1/.html)
Posted: 03 December 2009 1326 hrs

HONG KONG : First the marriage rumours, now comes pregnancy rumours.

Chinese actress Vicki Zhao is five months' pregnant and in Singapore preparing for her delivery, reported Hong Kong entertainment rag Next Magazine.

Zhao turned up for the Guangzhou premiere of her new film "Mulan" last month in a loose-fitting black dress, sparking rumours that she was pregnant.

According to Hong Kong media reports, the actress was already pregnant then had put on 10 kilogrammes, and was using her hands to conceal her tummy the entire night.

Her manager has refused to confirm or deny these reports, and sent an SMS to Hong Kong reporters stating that "Vicki will not talk about anything other than her work" and that she will "ignore media reports that seek to twist the truth".

Zhao was reportedly engaged to Chinese real estate magnate Huang You Long, 30, in August this year after Huang dumped his fiancee, Miss Hong Kong 2005 winner Tracy Ip, 28, to be with her.

A close friend of Zhao's has confirmed that the "Mulan" actress is indeed seeing Huang, but is unsure if they are married. When asked if Zhao is pregnant, said friend replied, "Impossible!"

"Long told Vicki that he wanted her to have his child shortly after they started dating. He said they would get married once they have a kid so Vicki gave up smoking and drinking after they got together... Even then, it's a surprise that she got pregnant so soon."

Zhao who is best known for her role in the Chinese drama serial "Princess Pearl" and the two "Red Cliff" films, was previously been linked to Chinese actor Chen Kun, Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Chow and Chinese table tennis player Wang Liqin.

[Lucas]

At least I know who Vitas is now.

Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nPdnNTWtIE)

Sweet, thanks for the news and link Gene, looks like it could be epic.

[GeneChing]

Man, that's a horrid pun for an opening line, but I can see why Wren stuck with it. Once it's in your mind, you can't get it out.


'Mulan': This girl warrior is no China doll (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120404094.html)
By Celia Wren
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, December 5, 2009

Sometimes (apologies to Cyndi Lauper) girls just want to hack Huns. Such is the ambition of the heroine in Imagination Stage's latest children's production: "Disney's Mulan," recommended for ages 5 and up. A pleasant, colorful stage version of the popular 1998 animated flick, the musical tells how Mulan, a girl in ancient China, disguises herself as a male youth to join the Imperial Army in its war against the invading Huns.

Okay, Mulan (the appealing and dulcet-voiced Manna Nichols) doesn't yearn to fight, per se: She aims to protect her wounded father (Keith E. Irby) -- who'd have to enlist if she didn't -- and to become the person she's meant to be, despite hidebound social traditions. With the aid of some ancestor spirits (Florrie Bagel, Mikey Cafarelli and Matt Dewberry) and an amiable if inept dragon (Toni Rae Brotons, carrying a snazzy gold mask), Mulan accomplishes both of these goals, saves China and impresses the heck out of a handsome army captain (a poised Nathaniel P. Claridad).

Perhaps it's the long shadow cast by the eponymous media conglomerate, but "Disney's Mulan," directed by Janet Stanford, doesn't quite have the confidence and effortless wit of some past Imagination Stage shows ("Lyle the Crocodile" and many others come to mind). At the reviewed matinee performance, the swelling recorded musical accompaniment -- with its mix of quasi-Asian sounds and pop-Broadway brio -- occasionally made the lyrics hard to understand, and a bit of slapstick involving a betrothal ceremony looked labored. Still, the audience of schoolchildren was wildly enthusiastic, periodically erupting in guffaws and cheers.
ad_icon

And even a jaded critic can admire the show's charms, starting with Ethan Sinnott's evocative set, whose looming mountains recall Yangtze River gorges. Costumier Emily Vandervort supplies carnival-bright robes and kung fu suits, as well as military helmets that look particularly menacing on Hun leader Shan Yu (an enjoyably growly Ricardo Frederick Evans) and his troops.

Complementing fight director Linden Tailor's creditable clashing-weapon battle scenes, choreographer Scott Rink supplies dance sequences that quote tai chi and stick fighting techniques. Ultimately, of course, the martial atmospherics only underscore the show's message: that brute force can't hold a candle to courage, ingenuity, integrity and love.

Wren is a freelance writer.

Disney's Mulan

Music and lyrics by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge; music adapted and arranged (also additional music and lyrics) by Bryan Louiselle; book adaptation and additional lyrics by Patricia Cotter, based on the 1998 Disney film "Mulan" and the story "Fa Mulan" by Robert D. San Souci. Directed by Janet Stanford; musical direction, Keith Tittermary; sound design, Chris Baine; lighting, Cory Ryan Frank. With Ayanna Hardy, Vaughn Irving and Christopher Mueller. About 95 minutes. Recommended for age 5 and up. Through Jan. 10 at Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Call 301-280-1660 or visit http://www.imaginationstage.org.

[SPJ]

I bought the DVD

Love it. there are more war scenes and tactics and strategy.

Her boyfriend the prince faked death so that she has no emotional strings.

Depsite of being a girl, Mulan as depicted in the movie has the potential to lead

many good teachers since youth in the village.

she was so dehydrated with arrow wounds and she drank blood from the prince

--

sadness in washing the blood stained tablets

war was not fun but great loss and a big void that would suck all of your souls and emotions

--

the other prince killed father to become chan yu (king of the migrant tribes)

political marriage to have peace

sacrifice of personal love and life to save more civilian lives

etc etc

A+ for the plot and messages implied and sent to the audience

---

:cool:

[GeneChing]

This is really about Tiana of Princess and the Frog, but Yang nails it in his discussion of Mulan and Pocahontas. He could have gone deeper with Jasmine. He only misses the other Disney princess of color, Esmeralda, and she's just ruddier but her ethnicity is 'gypsy'.

Disney crowns a new princess (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2009/12/09/apop120909.DTL)
By Jeff Yang, Special to SF Gate
Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I'm the proud dad to two sons, so I only know about this whole princess thing secondhand. But my younger sister Christine has a three-year-old daughter, Sienna. And whenever we're over for dinner, Sienna goes through more outfits than a Chinese bride on her wedding day, showing off her entire Disney-branded princess wardrobe -- Snow White! Sleeping Beauty! Cinderella! Belle! -- in a never-ending royal rotation.

Chris says that Sienna's princess passion began with movies like "Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast," amped up after a visit to the Magic Kingdom where she saw Cinderella's Castle in real life, and became a full-blown addiction once she got her first costume, letting her step into the glass slippers of princesshood herself. "Now she wants them all," Chris tells me tiredly.

She's far from alone. Whatever qualms we may have about indoctrinating four-year-olds into a vision of femininity that's largely about wearing pretty dresses and shiny accessories, the Disney Princess brand appears unstoppable. This year, sales are expected to top $4 billion, making it far and away the most successful product-line in the company's corporate history.

This success, however, has to a certain extent become its biggest challenge. To keep up the brand's staggering growth, Disney constantly needs to engage new markets and expand its consumer audience. That, as much as social equity, was the motive behind the company's decision to develop the animated feature that opens everywhere this weekend: "The Princess and the Frog," which features Disney's first black animated heroine -- and its first-ever African American princess.

Threading the needle

Unlike every other Disney Princess tale, "Princess and the Frog" isn't rooted in a classic fairy or folktale (or, as with Pocahontas, extremely fictionalized history). It's tangentially inspired by the E.D. Baker children's book "The Frog Princess," but the protagonist of that tale is not black, and its setting is a typical fantasy setting, not Jazz Era New Orleans.

To accommodate their goals of creating something African Americans would embrace, Disney ended up rewriting and tweaking the story time and again. Early drafts of the script -- then still called "The Frog Princess" -- referred to the young heroine as a "chambermaid" named Maddy. Critics attacked the protagonist's serving-girl status and even her name as insufficiently aspirational for a princess (with some comparing it to a "slave name").

Meanwhile, a counter-backlash began to build, with critics on the right decrying Disney's decision to bow to "political correctness" and Internet commenters accusing the company of trying to "brainwash people" with "multicultural relationships" and "racial propaganda."

Without providing any spoilers, the end result is quite different from the version subject to those initial, mid-2000s reports -- and, in some senses, splits the difference between those two poles of criticism. Maddy is now Tiana, and rather than being a servant, she's the daughter of a poor but proud cook who inspires in her both a burgeoning culinary talent and the dream to own her own restaurant. The prince, rumored to be Caucasian in early drafts, has been named Naveen and is brilliantly played by Brazilian actor Bruno Campos; his hair is black and his skin is brown, reflecting either his Indian name or Latin-accented speech or both. And Tiana, voiced winningly by Tony winner Anika Noni Rose, is portrayed as strong and independent, and more than capable of making her own way in life.

"If 'Princess and the Frog' is successful, and there's every reason to believe it will be, you have the opportunity to upend the dominant cultural hierarchy you usually see in mainstream media," says Latoya Peterson, editor of Racialicious.com and a writer for leading feminist blog Jezebel. "In most films aimed at kids, African Americans are still depicted as nonessential parts of the narrative or as sidekicks, if they're even present at all."

In that sense, "Princess and the Frog" is a multicultural milestone, not quite as significant, perhaps, as last year's election of our first African American president -- but certainly an event with historic cultural implications. And commercial ones.

The Princess and the P&L

While it's true that three "multicultural" princesses -- Jasmine from "Aladdin," Pocahontas and Mulan -- preceded Tiana in integrating Disney's royal sorority (Delta Pi!), it's also apparent that the earlier trio were included simply to bring a diversity of aesthetics and traditions into the overall Princess canon. The intent wasn't to target Arab, Native and Asian American markets; multicultural outreach attempts by Disney on behalf of those films were primarily defensive in nature -- focused on stemming potential negative press from those communities, rather than actively cultivating them as consumers.

"With these other groups, I'll be blunt and say Disney was not as concerned with f***ing up," says Peterson. "Disney took the stance that, 'We're making this movie, and everyone's going to get on board because hell, we're Disney.' But with 'Princess and the Frog,' they've been extremely careful. They've taken calculated step after calculated step, and been responsive to feedback."

Peterson points out that in addition to the political consequences of offending the black community, there was a strong awareness of the commercial opportunity represented by the African American market, whose buying power is likely to pass $1 trillion by 2011.

"We're a hyperconsuming market," she says. "Every study out there shows that dime for dime, in media, clothing and accessories, personal care, electronics, toys and games, we outspend the so-called 'mainstream.'"

The less robust consumer prospects of the smaller Asian American and Native American markets have had a direct consequence on the profile of Mulan and Pocahontas; they're generally pushed to the rear of group portraits, and they're the two princesses most likely to be left out when the herd is trimmed down, appearing only in the most inclusive sets of merchandise.

Of course, that's because both Mulan and Pocahontas stretch the definition of "princess" dangerously thin, given how different their source material is from the classic European storybook template. Mulan's tale, about a girl who dresses as a boy to join the army, features more swashbuckling action than swooning romance, there isn't a castle to be seen anywhere, and the charming prince isn't a prince -- or particularly charming. Pocahontas's storyline is even more complicated, in that she, alone out of the Disney princesses, is based on a real historical character who almost certainly didn't actually hang out with talking trees and a mischievous slapstick raccoon.

Their decidedly un-fairy-tale narratives also don't offer the kind of merchandising options commonly associated with Disney princesshood: Poofy eveningwear, elaborate jewelry, fun accessories. Mulan spends most of her movie in armor; Pocahontas has one buckskin outfit to her name, and doesn't even wear shoes.

"If you get a panel of five-year-olds together and talk about it, they'll agree that Cinderella and Aurora and Snow White and Belle and even Jasmine are princesses," notes Peterson. "At the end of their movies, they get married. They have castles. They're rich. They're chillin'. But they'll say, Mulan and Pocahontas are not princesses -- they have jobs. Mulan is a soldier. Pocahontas is a diplomat. You can't be a princess if you have a job."

[GeneChing]

Continued from previous post.

And Tiana doesn't just have a job -- she has two of them, waitressing double-shifts at different restaurants to fulfill her dream of opening a hoppin' hotspot of her own. She does appear in the movie in a lovely ball gown (borrowed from a rich white friend!), but she spends even more screen time as, well, a frog.

So what happens after the novelty around Tiana wears off? Will she join Mulan and Pocahontas at the back of the Disney pumpkin coach?

Getting it on their chests

That's unlikely. The African American market alone is likely to ensure that Tiana merchandise flies off the shelves, bolstered by her storyline's embedded themes of independence, strong womanhood and loyalty to loved ones.

"The importance of faith and family, the notion of making your own dreams come true rather than depending on others -- those are messages black women tell their daughters all the time," says Peterson. "I mean, look at Beyonce. Her entire career has been based on black girl-power anthems."

But, Peterson adds, Disney also faces issues if it's too successful in targeting the African American market, since that might lead general market (e.g., white) consumers to perceive Tiana merchandise as being primarily or exclusively the province of black consumers.

It remains an uncomfortable truism that our society sees no problem with young black (or Asian or Native or Latino) girls wearing t-shirts of blonde Hannah Montana's face, but tends to assume that clothing or merchandise with black images on them are solely "intended for" African Americans.

"That's in large part a manifestation of the fact that our culture identifies black things as being inferior, because black people are perceived as inferior," she says. "The mainstream is not interested in something if it's too black. And to a certain extent, we've indulged that -- there's been such an aggressive marketing of the phrase, 'It's a black thing, you wouldn't understand,' that even many well-intentioned white consumers end up being scared to embrace anything from 'our world.'"

Happily ever after?

For those of us who've watched in irritation as interesting and subversive "ethnic" princesses like Mulan receive short shrift in favor of the blander "classic" princesses, "Princess and the Frog" is a breakthrough. It's a Disney tale with a fiercely self-reliant woman of color at its center, a girl in tune with her culture, in touch with her values and in no need of saving by anyone but herself. And unlike its predecessors, it's got the full weight of the Mouse's marketing magic behind it.

For Disney, it's a high-rolling test of whether it can develop a multibillion-dollar tent-pole brand around a multicultural character -- something that will be critical as the company ramps up initiatives in fast-growing emerging markets like Brazil, India and China (which just approved Disney's plans to build Shanghai Disneyland, opening in 2014 as the largest Disney theme park in the world).

Does "Princess" pass this test? To find out, last week I bit the $50-per-head bullet and took the kids out to the Ultimate Disney Experience, the New York and L.A.-only VIP event that offered an advance preview of the movie with the chance to join the entire line of princess characters in a kind of interactive Princesspalooza.

Having completed the Ultimate Disney gauntlet, I can report that the animation is wondrous, the acting terrific, the story engaging -- this is a Disney gem, worthy of being watched as a classic by generations to come. The hundreds of girls (and one boy) at the after-show meet-and-greet were entranced at meeting Tiana in real life.

And nearly all of them, black, white, Asian and Latino, went home beaming, clutching bags filled with Tiana tiaras, green lily-bedecked gowns and stuffed frogs.
White princesses don't work. That's so funny. :p

[GeneChing]

...I got the second. :cool:

Firstly, Vicky Zhao Wei is one of my fav actresses now. We last saw Zhao Wei in Painted Skin (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47527) and Red Cliff (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46417), both of which she was a scene stealer extraordinaire. Here she was the lead.

Mulan is a sweeping period epic, the sort that China is specializing in right now: vast panoramic landscapes, ornate armor, battles with hundreds, if not thousands, of extras (extras are cheaper than CGI in China), artsy cinematography, mythic tales. If you haven't seen one of these yet, you really should. Now, I'm kind of numb to them.

In a nutshell, Mulan needed less crying and more ass kicking.

It's freakishly close to Disney's Mulan. The horse, her dad, some of her friends in the army, the almost busted bathing scene - there are lots of places where it's uncomfortably similar. The beginning and end were so much alike that I kept looking for Mushu and Cri-Kee. The middle is totally different. Mulan is outed much earlier, which is more loyal to the legend and works better (Why can't those stupid soldiers tell Mulan is a hot chick? She's even got eyeshadow on!) The Huns are wonderfully goth, decorated in bones and treachery. There's some great battle stuff, but not enough for my tastes. There's even the Huns on the ridge scene and an avalanche of sorts, although its actually a sirocco, but the effect is the same.

The film was a tad too Ashes of Time (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52184) for me, too brooding, too many fade outs to white, which were glaringly harsh since most of the film is cast in earth tones with rich blue and purple costumes. I was hoping that it would go into some Mulan legends but no. There's this great legend of how Mulan defeats an army by tying lamps to goats and sending them on a mountain - the enemy is tricked into thinking Mulan's troops were scaling the mountain and expose themselves to her surprise attack. There are several great legends like this that remained unexplored. Instead, it dwells on how much is sucks to fight ruthless Mongol hordes that greatly outnumber your troops in the desert.

On a side note, Vitas' character is really creepy, not evil creepy, just weird creepy. Jaycee Chan (Jackie's son) was really good - in fact, he became my favorite character of the film.

And Vicky, with her freakishly huge eyes, cries way too much. Mulan was not a crybaby. That so didn't work for me, even though I love Vicky and her big tearful eyes. She's way too weak for Mulan. As Mushu would say, she spoils it all with her 'girly ways'. If you want to see Vicky as a powerful cross-dressing warrior, check out Red Cliff.

[MasterKiller]

My daughter watched Mulan everyday for about 6 months when she was 3. It was her favorite movie for a long time, but eventually she fell to the darkside and went batsh1t crazy over Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

When I would wear my kung fu t-shirts, she would always say "That's Mulan writing!"

[GeneChing]

The English dubbing sounds hilarious. Typical Shaolin male indeed. ;)

January 7, 2010
Chinese State Circus: Mulan (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article6978108.ece)
Donald Hutera

The version of the Chinese State Circus that can be seen in 18 British venues until March 27 is actually an ad hoc mix of acrobats and Shaolin monks. I caught the two groups in action on a cold December afternoon, grateful to be within the relatively comfortable confines of a heated tent pitched on Blackheath Common in South London. Although all subsequent dates on their tour will be indoors, more tent-based performances are likely to be scheduled from April onwards.

The show the Chinese are doing is Mulan, the name of a female warrior (and here an emperor’s daughter) whose legend also inspired Disney’s hit animated film. This production also ropes in Monkey and Pig, mythical Chinese characters made popular in the cult 1970s Japanese TV series Monkey. Together they serve as ringmasters and narrators while supplying low-grade comic relief. Why else would the annoying Pig anachronistically believe that he’s a New York taxi driver?

Spots of spoken text are heard in an English voiceover while the performers move their lips, as in a badly dubbed foreign film. Tacky? Yes, but also curiously endearing.

Audiences won’t be drawn to Mulan for the minimal dramatic arc of a script that makes token nods to feminism. Instead we come to witness a display of skills steeped in tradition, as well as a bit of old-fashioned spectacle. On that score this production, with its slightly home-made air, works. The string of stunts it spreads across two acts eventually turn the show into sincere and undemanding family entertainment that more than once induces a sense of wonder.

The cast of about 25 exudes an unaffected strength that also has a capacity to thrill. The typical Shaolin male merges meditative serenity and fierce concentration whether bashing his shaven pate with a thin iron bar, resting his guts and then revolving on the tips of a trident or hooking ankles behind head and twisting into pretzel shapes. All, apparently, for the sake of showbusiness.

I also admired the individuals who threw themselves into paroxysms of combative mime, leaping and rolling before flipping into a tigerishly crouching conclusion.

The acrobats are no slouches either. Although the lion dancers were having an off day when I saw them, there were later compensations. These included five miniskirted female unicyclists who use the tips of their boots to toss silver dog bowls up on to their heads, or the young muscle man who balances a precarious, wing-like assemblage of a dozen benches on his forehead. Acts such as these remind you what a weird but wonderful world circus performers inhabit, regardless of their origins.

Tonight and Sat, Sage Gateshead;further tour details at www.thechinesestatecircus.eu

[SPJ]

mulan the movie

I like this one more than the other

1. discussion of war and peace.

2. mulan or any general needed to drop personal feelings and affections down and focus on the tasks at hand. all of your best friends died before you---

3. tactics and strategy and not just bravery in fighting

4. all generals will be tired of wars

5. going home and retired. the emperor of wei awarded mulan the general in command, she said no and to go home is what she most wanted. She went to war b/c her country was in danger. then over 10 years passing by---

[GeneChing]

I keep thinking I should clip this and move it to the Shaolin forum (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6).

The Chinese State Circus presents Mulan at ****ing Halls (http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/entertainment/Chinese-State-Circus-presents-Mulan-****ing-Halls/article-1912660-detail/article.html)
Monday, March 15, 2010, 17:38

From the land of legends and warrior monks the Chinese State Circus brings its new show to ****ing this week.

Featuring the Shaolin Warriors, the show is based on the legend of one of China's greatest heroines, Mulan.

Passed down from generation to generation, the ballad of Mulan, written during the Tang dynasty, is one of China's best-loved stories.

It tells the heroic tale of a strong-minded country girl who joined the Emperor's all-male army in place of her father who was too old to fight. Through her warrior skills she was promoted to the rank of general, yet during her epic exploits defeating all her enemies, no one was aware that she was a woman.

Cast in the title role of Mulan is martial arts expert Cao Jing, making her first appearance in the UK. Her 15 years of Kung Fu training will be put to the test in a dramatic fight sequence in which she encounters a giant warrior.

Marvel also at the aerial act performed high above the ring on silken strands, flying acrobats revolving on bungee lines, the gravity-defying gymnastics of the double poles, the seemingly impossible body manipulations of the hand-balancer and the somersaulting repertoire of the hoop divers.

Chinese State Circus presents Mulan, ****ing Halls, Monday, March 15, 8pm; Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 17, 5pm, 8pm; from £10 to £27 (family tickets available), 01306 881717 www.****inghalls.co.uk

[CFT]

Why would "D0rk" be a proscribed word?

Anway, the show is on in D0rking, Surrey, UK.

[GeneChing]

...just kidding.

The censors are preset. I can override them, but I find them really amusing for their arbitrary nature, so I don't. ;)

[sanjuro_ronin]

I saw a p0rn version of Mulan not too long ago.
:D

[GeneChing]

As in hentai or live action? What year was that?

[sanjuro_ronin]

As in hentai or live action? What year was that?

Live,,,geez...I don't know the year, LOL !
It was one of those parody p0rn clips.

[GeneChing]

There's a lot of Mulan hentai-like stuff, as with all the Disney princesses. Search that for yourself. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

Although this does faintly remind me of that Playboy artist Patrick Nagel.


Mulan, Disney's Often-Forgotten Princess, Gets an Absolutely Perfect Tribute (http://io9.gizmodo.com/mulan-disneys-often-forgotten-princess-gets-an-absolu-1791660210)
Germain Lussier
Thursday 4:00pm Filed to: THIS IS AWESOME

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--brYrmMcC--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/spsh51ryxtmma7mewteq.jpg

So often Mulan gets forgotten. The 1998 Disney film came out a little between the company’s golden eras. Because of that, we don’t see as many t-shirts, dolls, or posters of Mulan like you do for Ariel or Belle. But Disney is about to release a tribute that almost makes up for that. Almost.

Yes, the company is prepping a live-action remake, a fitting tribute indeed, but that’s years away. This tribute is out Friday, and it’s in the form of a striking new poster from Cyclops Print Works. The poster by artist Craig Drake is a 24 x 36 inch, 23-color screenprint, in two editions. Drake’s style combined with the colors and details create a simply gorgeous image, one that captures the power and beauty of the character in an absolutely perfect way.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--jqL8GQ6A--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/yquxq5x8vg6z9sxhuiru.jpg
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--JKXJYfoZ--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/petatizhwtxa3q2nwczf.jpg

The top version is an edition of 95. And the bottom is an edition of 50. They cost $100 and $110 respectively. So it’s a relatively expensive, very small run to be sure, but anyone who gets one will have just about the best Mulan poster ever.

The posters go on sale at noon PST on Friday January 27 to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Cyclops Print Works.

As for that live-action movie, no real news has cropped up since last October when it was announced the film would be released November 2, 2018. But you’d expect at least a director to be announced soon. It’s going to be written by Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin as “a more nuanced and elaborate adaptation” of material “combining the legendary ballad and the 1998 animated film.”

[GeneChing]

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/mulan.jpg
What Disney can learn from the 2009 Chinese live-action ‘Mulan’ (http://www.hypable.com/chinese-mulan-2009-jingle-ma-disney-tips/)
HERE'S WHAT 'HUA MULAN' GOT RIGHT
4:30 PM EST, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
DISNEYFEATURES
NASIM MANSURI

Disney seems to have a long-term plan to churn out live-action versions of its most popular animations, and Mulan is the latest of its projects. The live-action version of the Chinese legend is already getting us excited, but many people don’t know that an excellent live-action Mulan movie already exists, made by a Chinese studio.

Hua Mulan (sometimes translated as Mulan: Rise of a Warrior) is a 2009 film by director Jingle Ma. It tells the story of Hua Mulan, a young woman who goes to war instead of her aging father, and rises in the army’s ranks. It won many awards in China, and stars Wei Zhao as Mulan.

Disney’s Mulan wasn’t favorably received in China when it was released, with audiences saying it was too different from the original legend, and too Westernized. Now would be a good time for the studio to make the film as globally appealing as it can be — and Hua Mulan is a perfect example of how to do our favorite female warrior justice.

Here are some things Hua Mulan got right that Disney would do well to learn from.

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hua-mulan-decision.jpg

Bringing more realism to the legend

Hua Mulan follows a plot that is more loyal to the original legend of Mulan, which states that she was a warrior for the Chinese army for over a decade. In the film, she even becomes a General, and retires with the nation’s respect, even after her identity as a woman is revealed.

Seeing Mulan lead thousands of men in Hua Mulan is a rare and empowering experience. Her struggles as a woman in a position of power, and the various dilemmas that come with commanding such a large number of people, are what bring intensity and meaning to the story. Mulan itself explored the concept of honor and femininity as well, but we only got a very small glimpse at the power that the legendary Mulan is said to have actually wielded.

While Disney may not want to make a movie that ventures too far from a family friendly atmosphere by portraying a Mulan who goes to war too realistically (as in, showing her killing enemies), it would be great to see her rise in the ranks and revolutionize such a male-dominated space the way she is said to have done.

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hua-mulan-warrior.jpg

Not shying away from the grit — but not making it too grim, either

Hua Mulan does an excellent job of skirting the line between grim tragedy and friendly comedy. With thousands of extras, the battle scenes are as breathtaking and inspiring as they are horrifying. There’s a scene where Mulan counts the dog tags of all the fallen soldiers, and a considerable amount of time is spent exploring her despair and responsibility as the army’s struggle becomes more desperate. The emotional rawness of the story creates a very real, very flawed, yet very lovable Mulan — and takes audiences on an exploration of heroism, perseverance, and honor.

Of course, we can’t expect Disney to go all out with blood and grit — they’re bound to bring out Mushu, after all — but Disney prides itself on epic battles and fantastic special effects, and they’ll want to serve us war scenes as breathtaking and realistic as possible.

However, we’re all tired of grittiness for grittiness’ sake. Despite the heaviness of the more emotional scenes of Hua Mulan, there is sweetness and humor. The friendships in the army, much like those of Disney’s version, can be laugh-out-loud funny, and the scenes of Mulan’s struggle to preserve her male appearance are equally fun to watch.

After all, audiences won’t be going to see Mulan to see war and sadness — the animated version was fun and adventurous, and although it had somber moments, it still managed to keep things just lighthearted enough for us to not get too sad. With animation, that lightheartedness is an easier task; portraying war with real actors could prove a more difficult challenge.

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hua-mulan-love.jpg

Establishing more depth in the main relationship

In Hua Mulan, Mulan and Wentai’s relationship is beautiful, but it builds over a long period of time, and strengthens through their mutual respect as they both struggle to lead an army. Their love is based on that combination of trust built over time, and shared responsibility.

Shang and Mulan have what is possibly one of the best relationships Disney has ever come up with. Among the Disney ‘princesses,’ Mulan and Shang probably have the greatest chemistry and story of all, and scenes from the animated film continue to be shipping fuel. Presumably, they’ll want to replicate this relationship in the new live-action version.

However, the animated film was sadly limited to only a few glimpses of the developing relationship. It would be amazing if we could see more of the friendship between Shang and Mulan (as Ping) and how it becomes something more. It’s rare in a ‘princess’ movie to see romance begin with sincere friendship, and it’ll be interesting to see how they deal with the confusion regarding Mulan’s gender in both a funny and profound way.

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hua-mulan-war.jpg

Giving it a more realistic conclusion

There are some scenes that could do with a makeover, especially at the very end. Mulan’s final trick to kill Shan Yu — by dressing three soldiers in drag and having them attempt to distract him — is hilarious in the animation, but would come off as strange and unrealistic in a live-action movie, and perhaps even a little offensive.

Hua Mulan’s approach to defeating the enemy is a much more powerful one. Although it equals Mulan in stealth and cleverness, it involves realistic strategy and power dynamics, and finally involves her making a deal that saves China through negotiation, rather than war — and making a terribly painful personal sacrifice.

Disney has a penchant for epic final battle scenes, but that isn’t what happens in either Mulan or Hua Mulan. In both cases, it’s Mulan’s cleverness that saves the day. It would be great to see that cleverness translated into a realistic solution, in the same way it does in Hua Mulan.

It’s not like Disney hasn’t subverted its own canon, after all. In Maleficient, it isn’t the prince’s kiss that lifts the spell. Disney could certainly benefit from giving Mulan a more epic finale, and perhaps one that does her legendary character justice.

Immersing us in historically-accurate China

Besides perhaps The Jungle Book, we’ve yet to see a live-action adaptation that takes place in a non-European culture. In fact, this would be the first film to employ solely actors of color. What Disney decides to do here will be particularly interesting; since Aladdin will be getting its own adaptation soon, and Pocahontas could also follow in the live-action trend, the decisions taken here will likely set a precedent for what will be done with those films.

There were rumors earlier of Mulan having a white love interest, which now seem to be crushed, thankfully. We want to see a film with an entirely Asian cast — hopefully at least mostly Chinese — and get a chance to explore the scenery, sets and props of ancient China.

Although, it’s only fair to say that Hua Mulan also has its own white character — a Russian singer called Vitas, who inexplicably pops up now and again. That’s another tip for Disney: don’t just insert white guys into the story for no reason.

Hua Mulan’s shots of rural China are beautiful and unique, and it would be amazing to see what Disney can do if they choose to show much of what they did in animation, with real sets and locations. Hopefully, Disney gets a chance to actually film in China itself.

http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/hua-mulan-alone.jpg

All this doesn’t go to say that we want a copy of Hua Mulan. Not at all. Hua Mulan is an excellent film in its own right, but it’s considerably more adult than Disney would ever dare make an adaptation. The realism of its wars and of the toll duty takes on Mulan and her companions is nothing like the fun, if occasionally emotional, adventure Disney took us on with Mulan.

Disney’s version is a movie to be excited about, and the additions the animated film made to the legend are what makes it a classic. It would be amazing to see Mushu, Shang, the ancestors, and maybe even the cricket, on screen, as well as the songs, of course! “Make a Man Out of You” with real actors will definitely be one of the biggest highlights.

So far, we know that Mulan’s director will be Niki Caro. Although she isn’t Chinese, a matter that raises a lot of questions about representation, it’s still encouraging to see a female director chosen — and if Caro’s powerful film Whale Rider is any indication, she’s rather good at telling empowering stories with female leads. Hopefully, the rest of the team can be filled with talented Chinese filmmakers that deserve to have a hand in rendering such a culturally significant story properly.

After all, Mulan is primarily a Chinese legend, and her story spans a history much longer than the 18 years since Disney’s animation came out.

In the meantime, go check out Hua Mulan, which is a fascinating film (although a considerably more adult one; you’ve been warned)!

I don't really agree with this author. I wasn't overly impressed by Zhao Wei's Mulan. And I'm a fan of Zhao Wei.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh4em_TP19A

[GeneChing]

Bancroft directed the 1998 Disney Mulan. He's not directing the upcoming Live-Action Disney project (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-Live-Action-Disney-project).



Shanghai: 'Mulan' Director Tony Bancroft to Make Chinese Animated Musical 'Songhua' (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shanghai-mulan-director-tony-bancroft-make-chinese-animated-musical-songhua-1014584)
8:33 PM PDT 6/18/2017 by Patrick Brzeski

http://cdn2.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/landscape_928x523/2016/06/shanghai.jpg
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images for Laureus
Shanghai

Written by Joe Bockol, the film will be co-produced by Astro-Nomical Entertainment in association with Pelagius Entertainment.
Veteran Hollywood animator Tony Bancroft, director of Disney's Mulan and the recently released Animal Crackers, has signed to direct the Chinese animated musical Songhua.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremony on day two of the Shanghai International Film Festival.

The film, written by Joe Bockol (Akuma), will be co-produced by Astro-Nomical Entertainment in association with Pelagius Entertainment.

Inspired by the famed Harbin ice festival in northern China, Songhua is based on themes from Chinese folklore, the producers say. The film is set in ancient China, in a mythical world of ice, and the story follows a quick-witted spirit who helps a young princess and an underdog hero fulfill their destinies and save their homeland.

The project has been budgeted at $35 million. The producers say they aspire for the film to appeal to families in both China and around the world.

The film is produced by Jay Ahn, Chris Henderson and Joe Fries, with Pelagius Entertainment’s Natalie Khoury serving as executive producer.

I skimmed this thread and I didn't see a previous post on our cover story on Master Mimi Chan, the body double for Disney's Mulan. Maybe it's there and I missed it this Monday morning, but I'm going to add it again here anyway as I spent a fair amount of time with her and her father at KFTC25 AF (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69762-KUNG-FU-TAI-CHI-25TH-ANNIVERSARY-FESTIVAL-May-19-21-2017-San-Jose-CA).

[GeneChing]

I Tried To Cut My Hair With A Sword Like Mulan And Failed Miserably (https://www.buzzfeed.com/chrissymahlmeister/i-tried-to-cut-my-hair-with-a-sword-like-mulan-and-failed?utm_term=.fw0rmnN43#.jwbzDAwXk)
If Mulan can do it, ****it, so can I.
Posted on January 19, 2018, at 11:01 a.m.
By Chrissy Mahlmeister (BuzzFeed Staff) Lindsay Webster (BuzzFeed Motion Pictures Staff) Alicia Barrón (BuzzFeed Staff)

This is Chrissy and Cissy, and they were in their "lab-beaut-ory" thinking of what to work on next, when they remembered an interesting suggestion someone had made.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-03/sub-buzz-21008-1516320124-13.png
BuzzFeed
Watch as Cissy tries to cut her hair off with a sword like Mulan!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLVcmQ62luE
BuzzFeed Boldly / Via youtube.com

It was so out there and potentially dangerous that they just knew they had to try it.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-03/sub-buzz-21470-1516320133-1.png
BuzzFeed
Yep, Cissy volunteered to chop her hair off in one fell swoop with a sword, just like Mulan.

If you recall in the movie, Mulan runs dramatically into a dark room, takes out the sword, cuts her hair off, ties the rest into a bun, and she's off to fight in the war.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-02/sub-buzz-22732-1516320309-1.png
Disney
Just like this.

Before she could pull this off, Cissy went to train with Master Bruce Wen, a Shaolin Temple warrior master at the Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Academy.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-01/sub-buzz-22354-1516320512-19.png
BuzzFeed
He believed Cissy could totally pull this off, as long as she didn't hold back. He did warn her about possibly cutting her neck or her hand off, though. Yikes!

After cramming years' worth of training into a couple of hours, Cissy was able to chop a piece of wood in half!

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-03/anigif_sub-buzz-21515-1516321382-13.gif
BuzzFeed
Master Bruce was impressed.

And then she practiced holding out her hair and swinging the sword at a 45-degree angle away from her to chop it off.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-03/sub-buzz-21495-1516321519-9.png
BuzzFeed
Cissy was as ready as she would ever be. They had a paramedic on scene, body armor, and a neck protector.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-01/sub-buzz-23025-1516321799-2.png
BuzzFeed
DO NOT try this at home, guys. Seriously.

Okay, so the first attempts weren't totally successful, so lets fast forward to her fifth (and final) attempt.

https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2018-01/18/19/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane-01/anigif_sub-buzz-23193-1516322006-1.gif
BuzzFeed
Don't worry. A professional hairstylist was on hand to clean up Cissy's barbarian haircut.

So the Mulan "haircut" may not have worked exactly as they expected, but check out Cissy's fabulous new bob!

BuzzFeed

I've actually tried this too - on myself and on a shidi who was dropping his dreadlocks. It's not that easy. Hair is hard to cut.

[GeneChing]

Sony's Mulan Live Action film (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70761-Sony-s-Mulan-Live-Action-film) is completely different than Disney's Live Action film (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70761-Sony-s-Mulan-Live-Action-film), so it warrants its own thread. And while I'm at it, I'll copy it to our global Mulan thread (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan).

[GeneChing]

Chinamite. How awesome is that? :rolleyes:


The Tasteless History of 'Mulan' and McDonald's Szechuan Sauce Tie-In (https://www.moviefone.com/2018/06/19/mulan-disney-mcdonalds-szechuan-sauce/)
Posted June 19th, 2018 by Drew Taylor

https://dz7u9q3vpd4eo.cloudfront.net/wp-content/legacy/posts/7cab0702-0c81-4ed6-935d-e1f392516e17.jpg

This past weekend, "Incredibles 2" arrived in theaters 14 years after the original film, and with it came a tidal wave of merchandise and licensed tie-ins (do you have your branded paper towels yet?). Maybe the most important of these promotional activations was with McDonald's, the fast food chain that Disney hadn't been aligned with for more than a decade. For the first time since 2006, there would be Disney toys in everyone's Happy Meal boxes.

But it wasn't always like this.

Back in 1998, before the shocking rise in childhood obesity rates left Disney wondering if a class action lawsuit was just around the corner, there was a strategic alliance between Disney and McDonald's that was truly staggering. This was the year that McDonald's sponsored an entire land at the newly opened Disney's Animal Kingdom, a union that would ultimately lead to the creation of the McRib (but that is an entirely different story). There was another Disney/McDonald's team-up that would give rise to another coveted item: Szechuan Sauce.

Let's back up for a moment: "Mulan" was the latest in a series of Disney animated features that pretty much everyone hoped would be a huge blockbuster in the Summer of 1998. This was released toward the end of the Disney Renaissance, a period for the studio that began in the late 1980s with movies like "The Great Mouse Detective" and "The Little Mermaid." It would continue with hit after hit ("Aladdin!" "The Lion King!") until the end of the 1990s ("Tarzan," most would agree, was the conclusion of this period of time).

Accompanying each release were truly grandiose promotional stunts; "Pocahontas" got a world premiere in Central Park and "Hercules" brought the Main Street Electrical Parade through midtown Manhattan. And then, there were, of course, the tie-ins, and "Mulan" had a particularly aggressive campaign courtesy of McDonald's.

Again, 1998 was the height of the Disney/McDonald's partnership. Earlier in the year, they had sponsored that land at Disney's Animal Kingdom and, indeed, in addition to the Happy Meal toys, there were McDonald's kiosks in many of the domestic theme parks where you could grab fries or a Big Mac on your walk to Space Mountain. (Seriously, these were glorious times.)

Looking back on the "Mulan" campaign though, well, things could have certainly played out differently.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=Rldf5iJYFvI

Watching television commercials from the period, all touting the magical szechuan sauce -- seen as a promotional dipping sauce for the fast food chain's chicken McNuggets -- you can feel that something is off. There's the commercial, for instance, where a small Caucasian girl greets her family with a polite bow, before making her family sit on the floor and, finally, using her martial arts skills to chop down the normally-sized table so that her family, now on the floor, can eat properly. (Yes, there is a traditional/stereotypical "oriental" gong.) Another ad had McDonald's spokes-clown Ronald McDonald karate chopping the restaurant chain's logo. And when you got your nuggets, the box said things like "Run, don't wok ..." and "McDonalds is Chinamite!" I was 15 at the time and even I remember thinking they were a little off.

According to Entertainment Weekly, an "email campaign" (ah, 1998) was started by a Chinese-American student at Cornell University. At the time, Disney claimed that they had screened the campaign for Asian-American employees and didn't find anything offensive. McDonald's said the same. But the damage had been done.

The campaign had been rolled out on June 17, 1998 (two days before the movie was released) and by July 2, everything -- including the offensive McNuggets and the covered Szechuan sauce -- was gone. In its place was a promotion for "Armageddon," another Disney blockbuster for the summer of 1998. If you ordered a "super-sized" fries, you could win one of a million tickets to the movie.

End of story, right?

Wrong.

A 2017 episode of "Rick and Morty," the ultra-hip [adult swim] animated series, heavily referenced the delicious sauce, with Rick traveling to a simulated version of 1998 just so he could get his hands on that sauce again. (The episode aired on April Fool's Day.) In response, McDonald's, hoping for some of that sweet, sweet social engagement (perhaps just as delicious as the sauce itself), released a limited batch of the sauce in the fall of 2017. Things ... did not go as planned.

Overzealous fans of the show, unhappy with just how limited the limited batch really was, caused a scene at several locations and even staged a full-scale riot. Afterwards, they would sell the coveted sauce online for untold sums of money. In response, McDonald's rolled out a more democratic stunt earlier this year. You can get a packet online -- right now! -- for less than $10.

While it wasn't quite as bad, PR-wise, as those commercials that were -- at the very least offensive and, at the very worst, all-out racist -- the "Rick and Morty"-adjacent rollout last year was just as much a fiasco. While undeniably delectable, the Szechuan sauce is irrevocably linked to bad taste.

THREADS:
McDonalds (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?65572-McDonalds)
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)

[GeneChing]

Jan 1, 2019 Ξ
Ming Na Wen Calls Out Netflix for Oversight (https://asamnews.com/2019/01/01/ming-na-wen-calls-out-netflix-for-oversight/)
posted by Randall

https://asamnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mulan.png

Apparently Netflix doesn’t think Asian Americans played any significant role in the Disney animated classic, Mulan.

An official description from the streaming site leaves out any mention of any Asian American involved in the production-including lead voices Ming Na Wen, who played the voice of Mulan, and B.D. Wong, who voiced Li Shang, Mulan’s love interest and son of General Li.

Mulan fan Dave Sanchez blasted Neflix for the omission and Wen didn’t hesitate to jump on board.


Yeah, that’s EFF-ed up, @netflix!

I also believe another AsianAm lead voice should also be on the credit. #bdwong How about all the #Mulan fans out there tweet @netflix about this major oversight? Thanks! 💋👍 https://t.co/xRzcGL9qqq— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) January 1, 2019

According to Comicbook.com, Netflix has not yet responded to her New Year’s Eve tweet, but plenty of fans already have.


Wtf?????? But but but the main charact…the hero of the stor…the…what??? I don’t. That doesn’t compute in the fabric of the universe.— Daniel Drew (@JediTimeSaiyan) January 1, 2019

DUDE, Netflix. She IS Mulan. Since when is the lead characters’ voice actor not listed? (I mean i don’t know anything about cast listings and why they are like they are but COME ON).— Sunshine and Lemons 🍋🌞 (@MaybeMander) January 1, 2019

pic.twitter.com/RsDZzBOTyo— Sam (@WSamNipat) January 1, 2019

Note that this has been fixed already:

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/537173897553014785/4MVfwmWA_400x400.jpeg
Ming-Na Wen
‏
Verified account (https://twitter.com/MingNa/status/1080648066560974848)

@MingNa
Follow Follow @MingNa
More Ming-Na Wen Retweeted Netflix US
Great of you, @netflix, for the quick response and fix. 👏👍
Appreciate your attention.
-😘Mulan

Thank you to all the fans of #Mulan and my Mingalings for your tweets & RTs. You all rock!
❤️💕❤️💕💋💋

Happy New Year!🎉🎉Ming-Na Wen added,

Netflix US
Verified account

@netflix
Replying to @MingNa
Thank you and @kroqkom so much for pointing this out to us!! It’s now been fixed ❤️ you and @BD_WONG are legends!

THREADS:
Mulan - Live-Action Disney project (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-Live-Action-Disney-project)
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)

[GeneChing]

JULY 11, 2019 12:19AM PT
China Loves New ‘Mulan’ Trailer, Except Its Historical Inaccuracies (https://variety.com/2019/film/news/mulan-disney-crystal-liu-yifei-mushu-china-1203264522/)
By REBECCA DAVIS

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/mulan-3.jpg?w=1000&h=563&crop=1
CREDIT: COURTESY OF YOUTUBE

The internet in China has exploded with excitement over Disney’s viral new “Mulan” trailer, but some have bemoaned the glaring historical and geographical inaccuracies in the short clip, calling the mashup of unrelated Chinese-looking elements disrespectful.

Most on social media were thrilled to catch their first glimpse of mainland-born Crystal Liu Yifei in the titular role. “This is the Hua Mulan of my dreams!” read one of the top comments on Disney’s official page on the Twitter-like Weibo platform, where the hashtag “Hua Mulan” has already been viewed 1.5 billion times and the hashtag “Mulan Trailer” 1.2 billion times just two days after its release. “I watched this repeatedly for an hour,” one user wrote. “When the film comes out, I’m going to make the box office explode!”

The trailer even spawned a new meme of Mulan’s exaggerated betrothal makeup, with people posting photos of themselves done up in her fever-red cheeks and yellow forehead paint.

But the general excitement has been tempered by some serious criticism. The original Mulan tale comes from a ballad about a girl born in northern China during the Northern and Southern dynasties period, around the 5th century A.D. The time period and location are key to the story, as her journey kicks off because of the forced conscription to fight invaders threatening the northern border.

Yet the Disney trailer shows Mulan living in a round “tulou” house, a traditional communal living structure of the Hakka people unique to coastal, southern Fujian province that became widespread in the much later Ming dynasty — more than a thousand years later.

“Disney shouldn’t be so careless and just think that because tulou are beautiful, they can make Mulan live in one. She’s not Fujianese!” wrote one detractor who wondered how Mulan would manage to make it north to fight the Huns, adding: “I guess this Mulan has to take the subway out to join the army?”

Another PhD student expressed a similar sentiment in a video that has itself gone viral, racking up some 8 million views in two days. “This film is just trying to ingratiate itself to Western audiences. It’s like they thought, oh, this element is really Chinese, it’s very Oriental, so I’m going to shove it into the film to make everyone feel this is a very ‘Chinese’ film,” he said.

“This mess of mixing unrelated Oriental elements is really disrespectful of non-Western cultures and audiences,” he added. “This is not about [the producers] truly appreciating elements of a culture that is different from Hollywood’s, but using them to create something that [Americans] find comfortable and appealing.”

Such comments don’t appear to have dampened China’s overall anticipation of what many online are calling “China’s Disney princess.” The new poster, shot by the very popular Chinese fashion photographer and visual artist Chen Man, was also embraced with enormous enthusiasm, with numerous commenters saying that seeing it actually made them cry. “I don’t know why I cried, but seeing it makes me so emotionally touched and inspired!” one wrote in a common refrain.

There was quite a bit of bafflement and head-smacking in China when Liu was first cast as the title character, with many taking to social media to lambaste her acting chops — even going so far as to call her “box office poison.” But most agree that, talent or English-speaking abilities aside, her look “is definitely the one most suitable to the Chinese conception of classical Chinese beauty,” as one user put it.

Disappointment that there appears to be no sign of the beloved Mushu character also abounded. “He would have been very cute in live-action, and it’s not like Disney doesn’t have the ability to create him — why didn’t they do it?” one user wrote in a common complaint. The hashtag “There’s no Mushu dragon in Mulan” has been viewed more than 310 million times.

The reactions to “Mulan” have been much more positive than those to Disney’s decision to cast black actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in its upcoming live-action “The Little Mermaid.” Major Chinese newspaper The Global Times referred to her as “colored,” while others on social media expressed outrage and other racist sentiments — which bodes poorly for the movie’s prospects in the world’s second-largest film market.

Disney’s “The Lion King” premieres in China on Friday. The studio’s live-action versions of classic films have seen middling box office results in China so far this year, with “Aladdin” earning $53.5 million in May and “Dumbo” a mere $21.9 million in March.

I'm copying this from the Mulan - Live-Action Disney project (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-Live-Action-Disney-project) thread to our general Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan) thread because I'm adding this list of past Mulan films in response to the lack of Mushu issue.

Hua Mulan Joins the Army (1927)
Mulan Joins the Army (1928)
Mulan Joins the Army (1939)
Lady General Hua Mu-lan (1964)
Saga of Mulan (1994)
Mulan (2009)

[GeneChing]

What’s Chinese About Chinese Ballet? (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/arts/dance/guangzhou-ballet-liaoning-ballet-lincoln-center.html)
Two companies making their debuts at Lincoln Center showed promise, but also a dispiriting sense of the familiar.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/08/27/arts/27chinaballet-notebook1/merlin_159455148_10187fc1-2eac-4a01-8389-13afbe88cc5a-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
Guangzhou Ballet in Jiang Qi’s “Carmina Burana,” set to Carl Orff. Credit Caitlin Ochs for The New York Times

Brian Seibert
By Brian Seibert
Aug. 27, 2019

The middle of August in New York usually means slim pickings for dance. So the debuts of two ballet companies at Lincoln Center on two consecutive August weekends would have stood out, even if the companies had not both been Chinese.

But they were: Guangzhou Ballet and Liaoning Ballet. This intrigued me and also made me wary. The Chinese ballet productions that have appeared at David H. Koch Theater in recent years have struck me as awfully high in melodrama and kitsch, conflating ballet with acrobatics, the choreography and music mired in formulas and clichés both Western and Chinese.

But then, in early August, the Chinese dance-theater production “Under Siege” came to the Koch, as part of the Mostly Mozart Festival. This wasn’t ballet, and it certainly had elements of kitsch and cliché, but its use of several Chinese traditions — high-level martial arts, borrowings from Beijing Opera, virtuosic pipa players — was freshly entertaining. Its modern, semi-Westernized adaptation of an ancient Chinese story basically worked.

Buoyed by this example, I gave the Guangzhou and Liaoning companies a try, only to get another surprise: the high level of competence of both companies. And yet there was also a dispiriting sense of the familiar.

Anyone expecting ballet-as-usual might have been happy with the performances. Anyone hoping for something fresh and different in a visiting troupe — something revelatory or challenging, even a cultural clash — was bound to be disappointed.

With “Mulan,” the Liaoning company, founded in 1980, came closest to earlier Chinese ballet productions seen here. Even if you didn’t know the story of the young woman who pretends to be a man so that she can take her aging father’s place in the army — a legend familiar to global audiences through the 1998 Disney animated film — you could easily follow it in this clear, smooth telling. (The ballet travels to Washington in September.)

Clear, smooth and dull. The choreographers, Chen Huifen and Wang Yong, adapt ballet conventions in a nearly rote fashion. When Mulan is homesick, she watches a flock of wild geese — a female corps de ballet doing stock ballet-bird moves. In the midst of battle, she tosses off a string of whip-around fouetté turns as if she were the Black Swan in “Swan Lake.” Not every Chinese company needs the martial-arts flair of “Under Siege,” but this medium-paced melee was a letdown, hampered by the wrong conventions.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/08/28/arts/27chinaballet-notebook2/merlin_159455088_1c45c872-0b21-48ea-8dec-aba26a726eff-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
Guangzhou Ballet performing “Goddess of the Luo River,” based on a Chinese legend about nature and transformation.Credit Caitlin Ochs for The New York Times

Adhering to ballet convention almost seemed to be the goal. It was the overt intention of Liaoning’s other program. The first half was standard gala fare — duets from “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker,” the “Le Corsaire” pas de trois — and the performances were committed, careful, entirely respectable.

The second half was a different set of conventions, all up-to-date. Some pieces were by European choreographers: Marc Ribaud (French); Rui Lopes Graca (Portuguese). Some were by Chinese dance-makers: Fei Bo, the resident choreographer of the National Ballet of China; Wang Yuanyuan, the founding director of Beijing Dance Theater. Except for some terrible music, nothing was especially good or bad or particularly Chinese, though it all gave the dancers a chance to display their proficiency in the undulant noodling, hyperextension and cool attitudes of worldwide contemporary International style.

The situation was similar with the Guangzhou troupe, founded in 1993. In “Goddess of the Luo River,” the Canadian choreographer Peter Quanz referred to another Chinese legend, a story of nature and transformation. But what it looked like was a decent pastiche of a George Balanchine mode: daisy chains and pretty formations suggesting water and the separation of two lovers, all carefully matched to the music (a saccharine violin concerto by Du Mingxin).

In “Carmina Burana,” by Jiang Qi, who was born and trained in China but has spent much of his career in Utah and Cincinnati, the music was Carl Orff’s medieval-inspired cantata, interpreted as an odd sort of Rite of Spring, the sacrifice to placate Nature somehow mixed up with drunk soldiers and temptresses, teenage romance and boyfriend-stealing. There were lots of steps and little sense.

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2019/08/28/arts/27chinaballet-notebook4/merlin_159764472_8cd091a2-9b71-4eb1-8316-95a79a4408a4-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp
Zhang Haidong, left, and Yu Chuanya in the Liaoning company’s “Mulan.”Credit Li Mingming

Was this a “bridge between Western and Eastern cultures,” as the program claimed? Was any of this what the Liaoning program called “ballet art pieces of Chinese characteristics?” Was there much Chinese about these ballets besides the dancers performing them?

Only on the surface. There need not be, of course. Ballet is an international language. Danes have made great ballets out of Hans Christian Andersen stories, just as Americans have made ballets about cowboys or sailors on shore leave in New York, but choreographers all over the world have furthered classicism and modernism in directions not so obviously connected to national style. A Chinese troupe might make a great work about, say, 17th-century France or transform the classical language in some pathbreaking way.

Mainly, the performances by the Guangzhou and Liaoning troupes were mediocre, at the level of good regional groups from countries with much longer histories of ballet. That is its own accomplishment. If you lived in the city of Guangzhou or the province of Liaoning, and these were your local ballet companies, you could be proud. And if you live in the United States, and it means something to you to see Chinese dancers doing ballet well, these companies can serve that purpose just fine.

THREADS
Ballet fu (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?20965-Ballet-fu)
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)

[GeneChing]

It’s okay. Lots of sanguineous battles. Flying blood spraying bodies. I’ve done some weighted spear training where lifting 30 pounds by the tip is tough - no way you could flip a full grown man in full armor like they do in this...a lot. Movie fu physics. There’s an early long take village scene that snuck up on me. The lead is good - better than Crystal was but not as good as Vicky. Mulan’s comrades are amusing. Tuvan throat singing worked. Ended with an Alamo siege. Might’ve tripped some horses to get those calls.
Lots of sword fights, spear fights, long axe fights and archery.

I forgot to add Matchless Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71878-Matchless-Mulan) to our general Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan) thread. Copying now.

[GeneChing]

#Showbiz: China to release its own animated 'Kung Fu Mulan'
Dennis Chua 10 hrs ago

https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB197WLw.img?h=812&w=1248&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=fProvided by New Straits Times Kung Fu Mulan poster
KUALA LUMPUR: Recently, Disney's live-action remake of Mulan came under fire for working with the authorities in the Xinjiang province, where ethnic Uighurs have faced human rights abuses from the Chinese government.

Soon after, China banned its media outlets from reporting on the new movie, which has been a box office flop in the country.

Entertainment portal JayneStars reported on Monday that China had come up with its own "answer" to the Disney movie, Kung Fu Mulan which will premiere on Oct 3 to mark the People's Republic's National Day.

Kung Fu Mulan, an animated film, has been touted as "the most realistic portrayal of China and Mulan" and this powerful statement has been printed on its promotional poster which shows a back view of the legendary woman warrior Fa Mulan as she faces off an army of Mongolian invaders.

The poster, which also carries the slogan "Real China, Real Mulan" displays the Chinese production team's confidence in conveying the true spirit of Mulan and alluded to Disney's poor job on the Mulan remake.

The animated film which has been in the works for the past five years is specially catered to Chinese audiences.

It seeks to deliver a profound message on the importance of three Confucian virtues, loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness.

Knowing that viewers want more than just a tale of a woman who disguises as a man, Kung Fu Mulan's sentimental storytelling of love and sacrifice evokes patriotism during China's main national holiday.

Mulan's personality is different from the Disney adaptations. She is a more multi-dimensional character, but no less brave, smart and heroic than her Disney versions.

Disney's first Mulan, an animated film was screened in 1998, and the heroine was voiced by Ming-Na Wen of Agents of SHIELD fame. It earned a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film.

Disney's second Mulan, a live action film loosely based on the 1998 film, premiered on Sept 4.

Directed by Niki Caro, it stars Crystal Liu Yifei as Mulan, with Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Gong Li and Jet Li as major characters.

Mulan is based on the legend of a female warrior who lived during the Northern and Southern Dynasties era from the 4th to 6th centuries AD.

She took her father's place in the army by disguising herself as a man and proved to be a brave and brilliant military strategist.

Threads
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)
Kung Fu Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71880-Kung-Fu-Mulan)
Mulan-(2020) (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-(2020))

[GeneChing]

China Announces It’s Making New ‘Fight Mulan’ Film After Disney’s Flop (https://nextshark.com/mulan-film-from-china-releases-promising-set-images/)

BY RYAN GENERAL
DECEMBER 17, 2020
1 MINUTE READ
https://cdn.statically.io/img/nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/mulan.jpg?quality=80&f=auto
A new Mulan film is currently in the works in China and it’s already getting fans excited online.

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/130707642_2904642419754512_3247233922586769272_o.j pg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=2&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=0Eda5aatC_IAX9JhCGN&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=003db6141dac23779d9ebebb999ff21b&oe=60016DE9
Battle ready: The movie, titled “Fight Mulan” (战斗吧木兰), features Chinese actress Yang Ning playing the iconic female warrior, reports Mothership.

https://cdn.statically.io/img/nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1-6.jpg?quality=80&f=auto

“Fight Mulan” started filming on Aug. 31 and is scheduled for release on Oct. 5, 2021.
Not much else is known about the movie but it already has fans talking after a poster and stills from the film emerged on social media.

https://cdn.statically.io/img/nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2-4.jpg?quality=80&f=autohttps://cdn.statically.io/img/nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/4-1.jpg?quality=80&f=autohttps://cdn.statically.io/img/nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/3-3.jpg?quality=80&f=auto

Many users expressed hope that the upcoming film would do the character and her story better justice than the most recent release from Disney.
Others pointed to another Chinese-made Mulan film released in 2009, which starred popular actress Zhao Wei.
Disney’s flop: Made with a $200 million budget, the live-action version Disney released in September failed to connect with the global audience, barely making $67 million worldwide.

In China, where the film made over $40 million, it was heavily criticized for its acting, plot and inaccuracies.
The film was at least a success for Disney+, which attracted new subscribers, with some 100,000 people paying an additional $30 to access the film.
A Chinese-made animated film about Mulan titled “Kung Fu Mulan” also failed to impress viewers in China and was pulled from theaters just three days after release, as NextShark previously reported.
Feature Image via Channel Fight and Lady Metro

Threads
Fight Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71955-Fight-Mulan)
Mulan (2020) (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-(2020))
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)
Kung Fu Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71880-Kung-Fu-Mulan)

[GeneChing]

China: Teenager apologises for impersonating boy to join band (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-58893932)
Published16 minutes ago

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/4E8A/production/_121060102_fujiayuan.jpg
IMAGE SOURCE,WEIBO
Fu Jiayuan said she would quit the entertainment industry

A young girl in China has apologised for "deceiving fans" for trying to join a boy band.

Fu Jiayuan, 13, said she lied about her gender to a popular management company because she was "young and ignorant".

Even though she was only part of YGN Youth Club's boot camp, and not an official band member, fans could watch her training videos on social media.

Ms Fu was forced to speak up after a netizen pointed out that she was in fact a girl.

YGN Youth Club only recruit young boys, most of whom are aged between 11 and 13. A challenging training programme trains them in song and dance and moulds them into future idols.

The company said the mistake had been made because auditions for recruitment had been made online due to the pandemic.

"Our staff were negligent in the work process... In the future, we will adhere strictly to the company's rules and regulations," it said in a statement.

However, many on social media were amused by the revelation, and jokingly compared Ms Fu to the Chinese folk heroine Mulan.

According to legend, Mulan was a young woman who disguised herself as a man so she could fight to save her family and country. The story is known globally after it was turned into a Disney film.

Some social media users said that the incident was "not a big deal".

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/C3BA/production/_121060105_gettyimages-453283448.jpg
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Boy bands are a massive industry in China

"The look of idol groups is so androgynous these days, so it's hard to tell. Just let her join," a comment with one of the most likes said on microblogging platform Weibo.

But in her apology note on Weibo, which was posted earlier this week, Ms Fu vowed to quit entertainment forever.

"I'm sorry to everyone who put their trust in me. I promise I will not show up in the entertainment industry or on any video platforms in the future," she said.

Companies like YGN Youth Club are widely sought after because families view it as a chance to see their children become rich and famous.

A study titled the "White paper on idol industry and fan economy in 2019" estimated that China's idol market would reach 100 billion Yuan ($15b; £11b) by 2020.

TFBoys, for example, which made their showbiz debut in 2013 when its members were 12 and 13, have since become big household names.

But these management companies have been met with controversy, and criticised for taking advantage of young children for commercial use.

This comes as China has ramped up its crackdown on the entertainment industry in recent months, including on "effeminate" styles and "vulgar influencers".

threads
Mulan (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53202-Mulan)
Sissy-Men (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70989-Sissy-Men)