Way to Shaolin

[GeneChing]

Iranian and Chinese filmmakers to co-produce kung fu flick (http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20150428000058&cid=1802)

Xinhua and Staff Reporter 2015-04-28 11:55 (GMT+8)

http://www.wantchinatimes.com/newsphoto/2015-04-28/450/CA22X0271H_2012%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E7%85%A7%E7%89%8 7_N71_copy1.JPG
Monks do a kung fu performance at Shaolin Temple in Henan province, October 2012. (File photo/Xinhua)

Chinese and Iranian filmmakers reached an agreement Monday to co-produce a martial arts film.

Representatives of Iran's leading filmmaker, Farabi Cinema Foundation (FCF), and China's Shinework Media signed the deal at the 33rd Fajr International Film Festival.

The film, tentatively named the Way to Shaolin, will be the first film to be co-produced by Chinese and Iranian filmmakers, according to Shen Jian, movie producer and chair of Shinework Media.

It will be filmed in both Iran and China with actors and crew from both countries.

"This is a legitimate, genuine and concrete cooperation, with joint efforts in directing and writing, about a very interesting story," said Hojjatollah Ayyoubi, head of Iran's Cinema Organization.

The film is to help promote cultural exchange between the two countries while tapping into Chinese and Iranian markets, perhaps even the world market, said Amir Esfandiari, director of international affairs at FCF.

The Way to Shaolin recounts the story of an Iranian kung fu fan, who underwent much hardship to become a kung fu master and then embarked upon a pilgrimage to the Shaolin Temple, the mecca of Chinese martial arts in central China's Henan province.

The Fajr International Film Festival is an annual event sponsored by the Iranian government to mark the 1979 Islamic Revolution with competitions held for Iranian and International films. The international section started Saturday.

The film 1942 by renowned Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, which portrayed the great wartime famine in Henan, won the award for best screenplay in the 31st Fajr International Film Festival in 2013.


Anyone ever seen an Iranian action film?

[GeneChing]

‘Way To Shaolin’ To Connect China and Iran (http://variety.com/2015/film/asia/way-of-shaolin-china-iran-1201483751/)

http://i2.wp.com/pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/20121030172026-shaolin-temple-yunnan-tourism-authority.jpg?crop=0px%2C88px%2C1500px%2C835px&resize=670%2C377
'Way Of Shaolin': China Iran
Courtesy of Yunnan Provincial Tourism Administration
April 29, 2015 | 04:08PM PT
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief

China’s Shinework Media and Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation have agreed to co-produce “Way to Shaolin.” The martial arts picture would be the first co-production between the two countries in Iranian history, according to Chinese media sources.

A deal to make the film was signed at a ceremony during the Fajr International Film Festival earlier this week.

The film’s story is that of an Iranian kung fu fan who struggled against adversity to become a martial arts master. He then embarked on a journey to the Shaolin Temple, the cradle of kung fu in central China’s Henan province and which has featured in countless films and TV series.

Production will take place in both Iran and China with actors and crew from both countries, according to Shen Jian, producer and chairman of Shinework. Iran and China do not have a bilateral co-production treaty, but the film could still be considered Chinese if it incorporates enough onscreen elements from China and the Chinese producers have a significant proportion of the film’s equity.

“This is a legitimate, genuine and concrete cooperation, with joint efforts in directing and writing, about a very interesting story,” said Hojjatollah Ayyoubi, head of Iran’s Cinema Organization, quoted by China’s Xinhua news agency.

“The film is to help promote cultural exchange between the two countries while tapping into Chinese and Iranian markets, perhaps even the world market,” said Amir Esfandiari, director of international affairs at Farabi.


Funny that Variety used a stock image from the Yunnan temple (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?65758-Guandu-Shaolin-Temple).

[PalmStriker]

:) Should be a good one ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA9a977HzFg

[GeneChing]

This really intrigues me because I'm unfamiliar with Iranian film.


Shaolin opens another door for kung fu and films (http://news.asiaone.com/news/showbiz/shaolin-opens-another-door-kung-fu-and-films)

http://news.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/w641/public/original_images/Feb2016/20160225_shaolin_cd.jpg?itok=P2XqVndz&timestamp=1456363653
Hojatollah Ayoubi (fifth left, second row), head of Iran's Cinematic Organization, with Shi Yongxin (sixth left, second row), the abbot of Shaolin Temple, and monks and others during a trip to the temple in Henan province.
Photo: China Daily

The past decades have seen numerous foreign movies featuring kung fu, and now the martial art will connect China and Iran on the big screen. Way to Shaolin is the first joint film production of the two countries.

When Chinese producer Shen Jian paid a visit to Iran last year, he was surprised by the locals' enthusiasm for Chinese martial arts.

Many young Iranians spoke of Jet Li, the Chinese kung fu star, and his 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, which captivated a generation of Chinese and ushered in a golden era for martial arts genre in the mainland.

"But it was kind of sad that most Iranians have very few opportunities to see Chinese martial arts movies on the big screen," says Shen. "We believe they (martial arts films) have a big market in Iran."

Iran has film censorship rules that guide domestic titles and foreign movies.

So, most Iranian movie enthusiasts see Jet Li and his martial arts movies using video discs.

Despite its lack of access to global films, Iranian cinema has made its mark in the world at least since the 1990s.

Films such as A Separation that won the best foreign language Oscar in 2012 and Children of Heaven, the first Iranian movie nominated for an Oscar in 1998, have ensured that Iranian filmmakers have received critical acclaim at top film festivals around the world. Iran's local market and its influence in the region has lured Shen to try and tap this somewhat virgin field for Chinese filmmakers.

Shen, who got an idea for a movie during his Middle East tour, is now seeking to take advantage of this opportunity.

In recent years, Iran has been seeking more international cooperations in the movie industry to boost its cultural presence in the global market.

Last July, Hojatollah Ayoubi, head of Iran's Cinematic Organisation, the country's main movie regulator, made his first trip to China.

Ayoubi says the two countries, both with long histories and resourceful filmmakers, can co-operate to give Chinese and Iranian audiences more knowledge about each other, and take advantage of the two movie markets, the Chinese newspaper Guangming Daily reported.

"There are reportedly tens of thousands of Iranian youth now practicing Chinese martial arts, which means a movie about the subject is quite likely to win their hearts," says Shen.

Jointly financed by the Chinese studio ShineWork Media and Iran's Farabi Cinema Foundation, work on Way to Shaolin was initiated during the 2015 Fajr International Film Festival.

Set in present-day Iran and China, the tale is about a young Iranian's journey to learn Shaolin kung fu, one of China's oldest martial arts. The first version of the script was completed recently and a hunt for the cast is now on. Shen, also the founder of ShineWork, says shooting for the film will begin later this year and the budget for the film is around $10 million.

While China's booming film market is seeing a rising number of coming-of-age comedies, Way to Shaolin is an action comedy.

The Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan province, hailed as the cradle of Chinese martial arts, will provide guidance on the action choreography and also locations for the movie, says Shen.

"Most foreigners who want to learn Chinese wushu (kung fu) usually seek out the Shaolin Temple," he says.

"If you visit the temple, you'll see people from different ethnicities and countries practicing there," says Shen.

Some Chinese movie fans tell China Daily that they would be keen to see a Sino-Iran movie, as Iran is a "mysterious" country for them.

Zhang Shaohe, an avid moviegoer from Beijing, says: "Chinese theatres are now dominated by Hollywood films. So, it will be cool to see a title featuring a kung fu hero from a different culture."

[GeneChing]

Shaolin opens another door (http://www.ecns.cn/2016/02-25/200368.shtml)
2016-02-25 08:41 China DailyEditor: Feng Shuang

http://www.ecns.cn/2016/02-25/U669P886T1D200368F12DT20160225084209.jpg
Hojatollah Ayoubi (fifth left, second row), head of Iran's Cinematic Organization, with Shi Yongxin (sixth left, second row), the abbot of Shaolin Temple, and monks and others during a trip to the temple in Henan province. (Photo provided to China Daily)

The past decades have seen numerous foreign movies featuring kung fu, and now the martial art will connect China and Iran on the big screen.

Way to Shaolin is the first joint film production of the two countries.

When Chinese producer Shen Jian paid a visit to Iran last year, he was surprised by the locals' enthusiasm for Chinese martial arts.

Many young Iranians spoke of Jet Li, the Chinese kung fu star, and his 1982 film The Shaolin Temple, which captivated a generation of Chinese and ushered in a golden era for martial arts genre in the mainland.

"But it was kind of sad that most Iranians have very few opportunities to see Chinese martial arts movies on the big screen," says Shen. "We believe they (martial arts films) have a big market in Iran."

Iran has film censorship rules that guide domestic titles and foreign movies.

So, most Iranian movie enthusiasts see Jet Li and his martial arts movies using video discs.

Despite its lack of access to global films, Iranian cinema has made its mark in the world at least since the 1990s.

http://www.ecns.cn/2016/0225/201622584023.jpg
A scene from A Separation, an Iranian film that won the best foreign language Oscar in 2012. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Films such as A Separation that won the best foreign language Oscar in 2012 and Children of Heaven, the first Iranian movie nominated for an Oscar in 1998, have ensured that Iranian filmmakers have received critical acclaim at top film festivals around the world.

Iran's local market and its influence in the region has lured Shen to try and tap this somewhat virgin field for Chinese filmmakers.

Shen, who got an idea for a movie during his Middle East tour, is now seeking to take advantage of this opportunity.

In recent years, Iran has been seeking more international cooperations in the movie industry to boost its cultural presence in the global market.

Last July, Hojatollah Ayoubi, head of Iran's Cinematic Organization, the country's main movie regulator, made his first trip to China.

Ayoubi says the two countries, both with long histories and resourceful filmmakers, can cooperate to give Chinese and Iranian audiences more knowledge about each other, and take advantage of the two movie markets, the Chinese newspaper Guangming Daily reported.

"There are reportedly tens of thousands of Iranian youth now practicing Chinese martial arts, which means a movie about the subject is quite likely to win their hearts," says Shen.

Jointly financed by the Chinese studio ShineWork Media and Iran's Farabi Cinema Foundation, work on Way to Shaolin was initiated during the 2015 Fajr International Film Festival.

http://www.ecns.cn/2016/0225/201622583920.jpg
Chinese classic The Shaolin Temple (1982), starring Jet Li, is still popular among young people in Iran. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Set in present-day Iran and China, the tale is about a young Iranian's journey to learn Shaolin kung fu, one of China's oldest martial arts.

The first version of the script was completed recently and a hunt for the cast is now on. Shen, also the founder of ShineWork, says shooting for the film will begin later this year and the budget for the film is around $10 million.

While China's booming film market is seeing a rising number of coming-of-age comedies, Way to Shaolin is an action comedy.

The Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan province, hailed as the cradle of Chinese martial arts, will provide guidance on the action choreography and also locations for the movie, says Shen.

"Most foreigners who want to learn Chinese wushu (kung fu) usually seek out the Shaolin Temple," he says.

"If you visit the temple, you'll see people from different ethnicities and countries practicing there," says Shen.

Some Chinese movie fans tell China Daily that they would be keen to see a Sino-Iran movie, as Iran is a "mysterious" country for them.

Zhang Shaohe, an avid moviegoer from Beijing, says: "Chinese theaters are now dominated by Hollywood films. So, it will be cool to see a title featuring a kung fu hero from a different culture."

I've heard of A Separation and Children of Heaven. I should check those out.

[GeneChing]

Love the Shinework logo.


China’s Shinework Pictures Unveils Fund, Slate of Co-Production Movies (EXCLUSIVE) (http://variety.com/2016/film/asia/chinas-shinework-pictures-film-fund-movie-slate-1201865509/)
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief

http://i1.wp.com/pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/shinework-pictures-logo-2.jpg?crop=0px%2C113px%2C1525px%2C849px&resize=670%2C377&ssl=1
COURTESY OF SHINEWORK PICTURES

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 | 02:30AM PT
Well-established Chinese TV producer, Shinework Media has launched a feature film division with a high-powered slate of co-production movies.

Shinework Pictures, which is already producing the $65 million Jackie Chan film “Kung Fu Yoga,” says it expects to deliver 3-5 movies per year.

The slate was unveiled Tuesday in Xi’an, the historic city where the Silk Road International Film Festival is currently being held.

The lineup announcement was complemented by the launch of a film finance fund. The scale of the fund was not immediately confirmed though as this stage it is understood to have received investments from private equity sources, predominantly high net worth individuals.

“The film fund and production company’s slate will be focused on commercial China co-production films that will appeal to the China box office and international markets with budgets ranging from $10 million to $60 million,” the company said in a statement. The model sees Shinework Pictures fully- or co-financing development and then bringing in partners and using the fund for the co-production.

The emphasis on co-productions reflects the core business of Shinework Media and its founder Jonathan Shen. The company is producer of “World Film Report,” the weekly highbrow show on China Movie Channel (CCTV6.) Through the show’s international activities Shen has led outreach activities and been recognized by the United Nations’ World Peace Award and by the French Ministry of Culture.

“Shinework has a long history of introducing Chinese audiences to international culture so we have focused on co-productions to give Chinese films an opportunity to successfully reach international audiences,” said Shen, chairman and CEO of Shinework Pictures.

“China is the focus now for filmmakers worldwide, yet cultural and language barriers have made it challenging to access the Chinese market. Shinework is bridging the East and West to remove these barriers and become the next leading international Chinese film company for co-productions,” Daljit DJ Parmar (“The Lifeguard”,) Shinework Pictures’ VP of international told Variety.

Co-productions will be structured either according to Chinese regulations on co-producing or according to bilateral treaties. In some cases the movies may be the first to use treaties or help the treaties come to fruition. The slate includes the first China-Iran co-production and the first China Kazakhstan co-production.”

Titles include: sci-fi action film based on a Stan Lee character “Monkey Master,” structured as a co-production with India and being co-produced with Cinema Capital Advisory; Canadian animation “Zodiacation” with a script developed by Gerry Swallow (“Ice Age Meltdown”) and Arne Olsen; comedy action film “Way To Shaolin,”being made with Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation; drama “Composer” a biopic about Chinese composer, Xian Xing Hai to be made with Kazakhfilm; sports drama “Blades of Steel;” war actioner “Escape Shanghai,” about the WWII race for the first atomic bomb; and sports drama “The Wolf,” about a Chinese soccer player who follows his dream of playing professionally in Brazil.