The Taking of Tiger Mountain

[GeneChing]

Next from Tsui Hark.

Tsui begins production on Snowy Forest
By Kevin Ma
Thu, 19 December 2013, 23:55 PM (HKT)


Production has commenced on Tracks in the Snowy Forest 3-D 智取威虎山３Ｄ, the latest film by Hong Kong's TSUI Hark 徐克.

Based on QU Bo 曲波's novel, it is structured around a battle of wits between soldiers and bandits in the snow-covered forests of northeast China. The novel was subsequently adapted into a popular Beijing Opera during the Cultural Revolution.

Tsui says it was one of the first projects he wanted to direct when he began making films in Mainland China. Bona Film Group Co Ltd 博納影業集團有限公司's YU Dong 于冬 bought the rights to the novel in 2009, and it has been in planning ever since.t

It is Tsui's fourth film to be shot in 3-D, including the unreleased Catching Monkey 抓猴 (2011). He says that he has spent several years with his 3-D team developing methods to effectively shoot snow-filled battle scenes with the technology.

In addition to Bona, China Film Group Corporation 中國電影集團公司 and August First Film Studio 八一電影制片廠 are also on board as co-producers. Financing for the film was also assisted by Bona's RMB1 billion (US$165 million) film fund.

Production for Snowy Forest is expected to go on for five months. The cast has yet to be announced, though local media recently reported rumours that HUANG Bo 黃渤, ZHANG Hanyu 張涵予 and ZHOU Dongyu 周冬雨 have been offered roles in the film.

[GeneChing]

I'm hoping Hark sticks with fantAsia stuff. We'll see how he fares with a war flick.

Tsui Hark Makes ‘Tracks’

December 19, 2013 | 02:30AM PT
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief
Related Stories

HONG KONG – Tsui Hark, one of the most innovative Greater Chinese directors, has begun production on “Tracks In The Snowy Forest,” a major 3-D war-action movie.

After a fallow period, Tsui (pictured), a veteran Hong Kong director, has shot back up to the top rankings of Chinese cinema with his recent “Detective Dee” hits.

The film is an adaptation of an action-adventure novel by Qu Bo about a reconnaissance hero who outwitted a group of bandits in 1946.

The production will require significant amounts of war and skiing scenes and the production has set up base camp in the Greater Higgan Mountains in Northern China, where snow is already plentiful. But as the shoot is expected to last up to 5 months, artificial snow machines have also been readied.

Production is by Bona Film Group, China Film Corporation and the August First Studio, which produced a 1960 movie of the same title. International sales are by Bona’s Hong Kong offshoot Distribution Workshop.

Tsui, who has been prepping “Snowy Forest” for five years, has become one of the leading proponents of 3-D film-making in Asia. He recently made “Flying Swords of Dragon Gate,” and “Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon” as big-budget stereoscopic movies.

Cast was not disclosed.

[GeneChing]

Changing the title of this thread from "Tracks in the Snowy Forest 3-D 智取威虎山３Ｄ" to "The Taking of Tiger Mountain".

Well Go USA To Open China’s ‘Taking Of Tiger Mountain’ Stateside On Jan. 2
by Anthony D'Alessandro
December 17, 2014 10:59am



Well Go USA has taken domestic rights on Tsui Hark’s The Taking of Tiger Mountain, an adaptation of QU Bo’s Chinese novel Tracks in the Snowy Forest. The film which debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival’s European Film Market,is getting a prompt release on Jan. 2 with an eye on 20 theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Toronto and Vancouver. Pic will be marketed toward Chinese American audiences with theatrical web landing pages in English and Chinese. Film is receiving a prompt release to capitalize on those Chinese Americans who are off during the holidays and frequent the cinema.

The Taking of Tiger Mountain stars Tony Leung as a bandit warrior, Lin Gengxin as captain of the liberation army and Zhang Hanyu as an investigator sent to destroy the gang from the inside. Hark has made his mark as a producer of John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow and Andrew Chan’s animated A Chinese Ghost Story among many other notable Chinese and Hong Kong titles. The Taking of Tiger Mountain bows in China on Christmas Eve. The U.S./Canada deal was negotiated by Doris Pfardrescher at Well Go USA Entertainment, with Virginia Leung of Distribution Workshop on behalf of the filmmakers.

[GeneChing]

The Taking Of Tiger Mountain
Synopsis
Tsui Hark’s thrilling adaptation of Qu Bo’s beloved adventure novel stars Tony LEUNG Ka-fai as a ruthless bandit, ruling the lands of Northeast China from his fortress on Tiger Mountain. A captain of the Liberation Army (LIN Gengxin) launches a counter-insurgency against the dictator with a skilled investigator (ZHANG Hanyu) sent to destroy the gang from the inside.



Director: TSUI Hark
Cast: ZHANG Hanyu, LIN Gengxin, TONG Liya, Tony LEUNG Ka Fai, YU Nan
Genre: Action & Adventure, Foreign
Sub Genre: Martial Arts
Run Time: 136 mins
Theatrical Date: Jan 2, 2015
Original Language: Mandarin
Dubbed Language: N/A
Subtitle: English
USA

Jan 2, 2015
NEW YORK CITY
AMC Empire 25
234 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

LOS ANGELES / SAN DIEGO
AMC Atlantic Time Square
450 North Atlantic Boulevard
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Century 20 Daly City
1901 Junipero Serra Boulevard
Daly City, CA 94015

CHICAGO
AMC River East
322 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Cinemark Egyptian 24
7000 Arundel Mills Circle
Hanover, MD 21076

SAN FRANCISCO / BAY AREA
Cinemark 20 Great Mall
1010 Great Mall Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035

DALLAS
Cinemark Legacy
7201 North Central Expressway
Plano, TX 75025

Woo hoo! Milpitas is super close to the office. I wonder if they'll get a 3D version.

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

'The Taking of Tiger Mountain': A Movie 40 Years in the Making
By John Lucero On December 23, 2014


Reuters

Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Tsui Hark said that "The Taking of Tiger Mountain" has haunted him for four decades.

It has haunted him for 40 years, says Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Tsui Hark of his latest movie entitled "The Taking of Tiger Mountain."

The new 3D film, which is set to be released on Christmas eve, garnered applause from fans and critics for its amazing visual effects and action-packed plotlines during the advanced screening. Theater managers hail the movie as a kind of savior after the box-office failure of "Gone with the Bullets" by filmmaker Jiang Wen, which was both a commercial and critical failure.

"I don't worry about whether the young generation will accept and like the movie," Tsui Hark said, "making this movie is a wish that has haunted me for 40 years. I just ask myself to make a good film and share it with all of you."

Produced by Bona Film Group, the movie is an adaptation of the bestselling novel "Tracks in the Snowy Forest" by Qu Bo. It is about communist spy Yang Zirong and how he uses his skills and wit to defeat his enemies. The movie was set in the war years of 1940s.

However, Tsui's film is not the first adaptation of Qu's book. It was previously adapted into a Peking opera by Shanghai Jingju Company, making it into a classic revolutionary film titled "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" and inspiring one other film in 1970, and three musical dramas in the late '60s.

According to Tsui, the Peking opera was what inspired him to make his own adaptation when he saw it 40 years ago while doing community service in New York's Chinatown.

Tsui said: "If I ever have a chance in the future to do anything related to films, I will turn this story into a new movie." This memory of the experience inspired him to put a New York scene in his own adaptation. Tsui added that after reading "Tracks in the Snowy Forest" in the '70s, he knew that the story was still relevant.

In 1992, during a gathering of Hong Kong and Chinese filmmakers, Tsui was asked by director Xie Jin what kind of movie he wanted to shoot and without hesitation, he answered "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy." Said conversation was overheard by then Kung Fu star Jackie Chan, who immediately volunteered for the lead part.

Eventually, the leading role went to Chinese actor Zhang Hanyu, while the role of the villain went to veteran Hong Kong actor Tony Leung. Bona Film Group purchased adaptation rights in 2009, and three years later, cameras started rolling.

To remain true to the novel, Tsui visited Qu's widow Liu Bo to swap stories about her late husband's military exploits and the real people behind Qu's characters.

Producer Huang Jianxin said that the whole production crew experienced hardship during the shoot. They went to north China to film snowy scenes, staying for two months in freezing temperatures. At some point, the hotel where they stayed during the production was hit by a snow storm, cutting off electrical lines, and thus, cutting off heating, water and even cell phone signals. Huang also admitted that he was worried at first about the movie's box office outcome, but upon seeing the final cut, all his worries were put to rest.

He also offered statistics showing that Chinese people are very familiar with the story: "It was reported that when the novel was adapted into the model Peking opera in the '60s, the opera was viewed by 370 million people. If you multiply the 30 yuan ticket price by that number of viewers, can you get a hint of the box office results now!"

I've never read Tracks in the Snowy Forest (林海雪原) by Qu Bo. FLP did put out an English edition apparently. I've not read anything by him.

[GeneChing]

Tiger Mountain storms China box office



By Kevin Ma

Tue, 30 December 2014, 15:50 PM (HKT)
Box Office News

TSUI Hark 徐克's The Taking of Tiger Mountain 智取威虎山３Ｄ easily captured the top spot of the China box office.

Accounting for approximately 33% of all screenings nationwide, the 3-D action epic earned RMB199 million (US$32.0 million) from approximately 4.79 million admissions between Friday and Sunday. After six days, the Bona Film Group Co Ltd 博納影業集團有限公司 and August First Film Studio 八一電影制片廠 production has made RMB317 million (US$50.9 million).

Last year, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon 狄仁杰之神都龍王 – also released in 3-D — earned RMB325 million (US$52.2 million) during the week-long National Day holiday with approximately 30% of all screenings.

Christmas is not an official public holiday in China.

Opening on 24 Dec, GU Changwei 顧長衛's Love on the Cloud 微愛之漸入佳境 proved successful counter-programming to the testosterone-driven Tigers, opening second-placed. With approximately 26.5% of all screenings, the romantic comedy earned RMB75.6 million (US$12.1 million) from approximately 2.22 million admissions between Friday and Sunday. After five days, the Huayi Brothers Media Corporation 華誼兄弟傳媒股份有限公司 production – already by far the highest grossing film in Gu's career – has made RMB142 million (US$22.8 million).

In its second weekend, JIANG Wen 姜文's Gone with the Bullets 一步之遙 earned RMB41.5 million (US$6.67 million) between Friday and Sunday, representing a week-on-week drop of approximately 83.5%. The period comedy, which has grossed RMB463 million (US$74.4 million) after 11 days, accounted for approximately 14.7% of all weekend screenings.

Four other newcomers entered the top ten. On their first three days on release, American animated film The Nut Job made RMB15.5 million (US$2.49 million), Spanish sci-fi thriller The Last Days Los últimos días opened with RMB7.92 million (US$1.27 million) and local horror film Death Trip 還魂之迷失曼谷 made RMB4.09 million (US$657,000). In its first five days, Hong Kong drama Golden Brother 男人唔可以窮 earned RMB7.78 million (US$1.25 million).

In Hong Kong, Hollywood dominated the four-day Christmas holiday weekend, led by Night at the Museum 3.

From 42 locations, the fantasy comedy sequel – released only in 2-D – earned HK$12.4 million (US$1.60 million) between Thursday and Sunday. After two weekends, it has earned HK$34.3 million (US$4.42 million). In 2009, Night at the Museum 2 earned HK$28.19 million (US$3.63 million) during its theatrical run.

Disney's Big Hero 6 moved up to second place, making HK$8.53 million (US$1.10 million) from 42 locations between Thursday and Sunday. Released in 2-D and 3-D, the animated sci-fi has earned HK$20.0 million (US$2.58 million) after two weekends.

Also in its second weekend, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies dropped to third place. Released in IMAX 3-D, 3-D, High Frame Rate 3-D and 2-D, the fantasy sequel made HK$8.15 million (US$1.05 million) between Thursday and Sunday. It has earned HK$24.3 million (US$3.13 million).

Paddington was the top new film over the weekend. From 36 locations, the British fantasy comedy earned HK$5.37 million (US$692,000) on its first four days.

The top Chinese-language film was John WOO 吳宇森's The Crossing 太平輪. Released locally by Edko Films Ltd 安樂影片有限公司, the historical epic earned only HK$1.17 million (US$151,000) from 21 locations over four days, including income from early previews on Christmas Eve.

Six years ago, Red Cliff 赤壁 (2008) opened with HK$10.6 million (US$1.37 million) and earned a total of HK$24.3 million (US$3.13 million) during its theatrical run.

According to Hong Kong's Motion Picture Industry Association Ltd (MPIA) 香港電影協會, total box office between 24 Dec and 26 Dec was HK$34.7 million (US$4.47 million), representing a year-on-year increase of 6.59%. One year ago, Firestorm 風暴, Frozen and The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug led the holiday box office.

Night at the Museum 3 also topped the box office in Taiwan over the weekend. From 21 locations in Taipei, the fantasy comedy earned NT$20.7 million (US$650,000) in its first five days. Five years ago, Night at the Museum 2 opened with NT$19.3 million (US$608,000), earning NT$53.8 million (US$1.69 million) in the capital.

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies dropped to second place, earning NT$9.74 million (US$306,000) between Friday and Sunday. The Peter JACKSON fantasy epic has earned NT$50.7 million (US$1.59 million) in the capital.

With a week-on-week drop of approximately 23%, Stand By Me Doraemon ＳＴＡＮＤ ＢＹ ＭＥ ドラえもん made NT$1.69 million (US$53,200) between Friday and Sunday. The animated film has earned NT$4.93 million (US$155,000) in Taipei after two weekends.

Opening in ten Taipei locations, Begin Again earned NT$2.6 million (US$81,800) in its first five days.

Local romance drama Endless Nights In Aurora 極光之愛 dropped to eighth place, earning NT$1.33 million (US$41,900) between Friday and Sunday in Taipei. The Sven LEE 李思源 film has made NT$5.02 million (US$158,000) in the capital.

Disney's Big Hero 6 earned NT$1.93 million (US$60,700) in Taipei from early weekend previews. The animated adventure officially opens in Taiwan on 31 Dec.

I have seen the screener pf this and will have an official KungFuMagazine.com review for the U.S. opening.

[GeneChing]

THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN: Tsui Hark Takes on Tracks in the Snowy Forest

[GeneChing]

I had a feeling this one would be significant. That's why I took on the review.

China Box Office: ‘Tiger Mountain’ Takes Second Weekend


The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D
January 5, 2015 | 08:13PM PT
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief

HONG KONG – War-adventure film “The Taking of Tiger Mountain” held on to top spot at the Chinese box office for the second week, comfortably beating a raft of local competition and opener “Night At The Museum 3.”

The 3D actioner, directed by Tsui Hark and distributed by Bona Film Group, added $58.3 million in its second week, compared with $51.9 million in its six day opening frame. That gave it a 13 day cumulative score of $110 million, according to Chinese box office monitor Ent Group.

Second placed “Love on the Cloud” added $19 million for Huayi Bros. Media in its second week, for a 12 day cumulative of $42.2 million. Third placed “One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes” took $13.3 million for Wanda Media in its five day Wednesday to Sunday debut.

Jiang Wen’s “Gone With The Bullets” added $6.54 million in fourth place on its third week of release. That put it on a cumulative total of $$81.3 million, a major score, but far below initial expectations.

“Night At The Museum: Secret of the Tomb” became the first Hollywood studio movie to be released in 2015, and the first after the December blackout designed to boost Chinese titles at the peak cinema-going period. Released on Sunday, and only in the chart for a single day, it earned $4.6 million.