2008/2009 - Red Cliff

[summertime]

Xinhua

"Red Cliff" breaks opening-weekend box office record in China


2008-07-16 13:14:01

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- John Woo's historical epic "Red Cliff", reportedly the most expensive film ever made in Asia, has earned 108 million yuan (15.8 million U.S. dollars) in Chinese mainland since its cinema debut last Thursday.

The opening weekend box office takings are a record for a Chinese film, compared to other domestic blockbusters such as Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower"(96 million yuan) and Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

"Red Cliff" beat the Dreamworks production, "Kung Fu Panda", which earned about 50 million yuan in ticket sales on the opening weekend.

It also opened strongly in Taiwan, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia, including the Republic of Korea and Singapore, taking in a total of 25 million U.S. dollars across Asia.

Hollywood blockbuster "Transformers" took five days to break the 100 million yuan (15 million U.S. dollars) mark in the Chinesemainland last year.

"Red Cliff" revolves around the epic Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 AD, a decisive battle, immediately prior to China's Three Kingdoms period, between allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan, and the numerically superior forces of the warlord Cao Cao.

Award-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, Taiwan supermodel LinChi-ling and Taiwanese-Japanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro are among the film's A-list cast. Enditem


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/16/content_8554663.htm

[summertime]

AFP

John Woo epic takes China record

BEIJING (AFP) — The John Woo epic "Red Cliff", dubbed the most expensive movie made in Asia, enjoyed record takings for a Chinese film in its opening weekend in China, the movie's distributor said Wednesday.

The film, which depicts events in the ancient Three Kingdoms period, made 108 million yuan (16 million dollars) in mainland China in the four days after its debut last week, said China Film Group spokesman Weng Li.

It also took 27 million yuan on its first day, another record in China, according to Weng.

The box office takings beat other previous domestic blockbusters "Curse of the Golden Flower," directed by Olympic opening ceremony mastermind Zhang Yimou, or Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Xinhua news agency said.

"Red Cliff" even beat the movie of the moment -- animated film "Kung Fu Panda" -- which only earned about 50 million yuan in ticket sales on its opening weekend, according to Xinhua.

But the two-part 80-million-dollar epic, starring Hong Kong star Tony Leung and Japan's Takeshi Kaneshiro, made headlines last month for very different reasons when a stuntman working on a battle scene died in a fire on set.

Woo, a Hong Kong film director and producer, rose to international prominence with "Face Off" starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage in 1997.

He was also the director of "Mission: Impossible II" starring Tom Cruise.


http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j0QyOqZW5RHz01R9Ge6qFVnKURHg

[summertime]

The New Strait Times


John Woo’s 18-year dream

Dennis Chua

2008/07/16

BEST known for his stylised movies with balletic action sequences, Mexican stand-offs and use of slow-motion, Hong Kong film director and producer John Woo describes his latest masterpiece, Red Cliff, as the culmination of an 18-year dream.

Woo, 62, had always wanted to do an epic movie set in Imperial China and based on popular legends and historical events. And the first epic that came to mind was The Chronicle Of The Three Kingdoms.

“What I love about the Three Kingdoms is the honour and heroism of its warriors and kings.

It is a story many East Asians are familiar with and also depicts the richness of China’s cultural heritage,” he said.

Woo was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote the film with three of its main actors — Chinese actor Zhang Fengyi (who plays Cao Cao), Taiwanese actor Chang Chen (who plays Sun Quan) and Taiwanese model-cum-actress Lin Chi-Ling (who plays Xiao Qiao).
“Audiences around the world have enjoyed various genres of Chinese cinema, including kung-fu, action and drama. However, Chinese historical epics are rarely depicted with the scale of Hollywood blockbusters. This is what Red Cliff seeks to do,” he said.

Woo said the story of Red Cliff took place 1,800 years ago in China and it was a battle bearing significant historical importance.

“Through the widely told tales of the battle, we learn of the great intelligence and bravery of the ancient people,” he said.

Woo’s goal is for the film to rise above cultural and historical barriers, so that Western audiences feel as if they are watching an Asian Troy.

“On the other hand, Eastern audiences can discover new perspectives on a familiar story.”

On the characters’ heroism, Woo said he admired heroes who were human.

“I see many similarities between my idea of what a hero should be and the characters of Three Kingdoms. I believe that human emotion is universal and not bound by culture.

“The same values of virtue, morality and friendship are praised in the West just as they are in the East,” he said.

Woo’s production crew came from around the world especially China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and the United States.

“During the three months of shooting, I was surprised to find in China many young people full of passion for filmmaking.

They worked hard and learnt a great deal, all the time maintaining a modest attitude,” he said.

Woo recently held a charity screening of the film in Sichuan Province for medical and rescue staff who attended to the victims of the devastating earthquake in the province.

Proceeds from the screening were channelled towards the rebuilding of schools destroyed by the quake.

“I was very saddened by the tragedy, but at the same time I saw great heroism in the rescuers and medical staff deployed to save lives.

“Their dedication and the victims’ spirit of survival have convinced me to make films about the virtue of love and compassion in the near future,” he said.

Woo directed his first film The Young Dragons in 1974. His first major box office hit was A Better Tomorrow in 1986.

This film made Chow Yun-fat a star and also inspired Hollywood filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and the Wachowski Brothers.

A Better Tomorrow heralded a series of Hong Kong gangster movies directed by Woo which focused on men steadfast in their honour and friendship, not unlike gallant knights of yesteryears.

Woo made his Hollywood debut in 1993 directing the film Hard Target, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. This was followed by Broken Arrow in 1996, Face/Off in 1997, Mission: Impossible II in 2000, Windtalkers in 2002 and Paycheck in 2003.

Woo’s next project will be 1949, an epic love story based on true events during the formation of the People’s Republic of China. Written by Wang Hui-Ling of Lust, Caution fame, it stars Chang.

With an estimated budget of US$80 million (RM240 million), Red Cliff tells the story of the Han kingdom’s ambitious prime minister Cao Cao (Zhang) who wages war on the neighbouring kingdom of Xu which is ruled by Liu Bei.

Liu Bei sends his military adviser Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) to seek help from the Wu Kingdom in the south. There he meets Wu’s viceroy Zhou Yu (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) who becomes his friend and ally.

The film is shot in Hebei Province near Beijing. Woo enlisted Oscar-winning designer Tim Yip (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) to design its splendid props and costumes.

It is five hours long and split into two parts. However, outside Asia it will be released as a single film shorter by half.

Zhang, 52, best known for the film Farewell My Concubine, said he was honoured to play Cao Cao as he was a “villain with substance”.

Meanwhile, Chang, 32, best known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was optimistic about the film’s success.

“I’m playing an emperor yet again, and it’s both an honour and a challenge,” he said.

Lin, 34, who is a popular television host, is marking her big screen debut in the film.

“It’s exciting to star in an epic movie and I had a great time working with great actors and a great director,” she said.

• Red Cliff opens in Golden Screen Cinemas nationwide today.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Features/20080716162459/Article/indexF_html

[summertime]

Bloomberg

John Woo's `Red Cliff' Has Blood, Battles, Stars, Little Else

Review by Le-Min Lim


July 18 (Bloomberg) -- Raptors shriek, fires roar, bodies arc into the air as an armored horseman slices through a wall of men, a wailing baby strapped to his back.

General Zhao Yun is fighting to save the son of benevolent leader Liu Bei, whose forces were crushed by the invading troops of villainous Cao Cao. The battle scene is the first of several in Asia's most expensive film, John Woo's $80 million epic ``Red Cliff,'' about warring states in China in 208.

The movie, named after a bank on the Yangtze River where the final naval showdown takes place, bears all the traits of a Woo production. There are ballet-like fight scenes, laconic heroes on a mission, limpid-eyed damsels in distress and gobs of blood. Add computer-generated effects to simulate thronging troops and a 2,000-ship fleet and you have the manic action of a big-budget Hollywood production.

``Red Cliff'' shows Woo's bid to return to the type of film that made him famous in Asia before he left for Tinseltown -- male-bonding tales of sacrifice and betrayal like ``A Better Tomorrow'' starring Chow Yun-fat, whose heroes would sooner bleed than cry.

In ``Red Cliff,'' that masculine friendship is between Tony Leung's Zhou Yu, the ponderous but loyal viceroy of the East Wu Kingdom, and Takeshi Kaneshiro's Zhuge Liang, Liu's brilliant strategist. They forge an uneasy partnership to resist the much- larger Han Empire forces led by Cao.

Stiff Headpiece

With his lanky good looks and youthful gait, Taiwan-born Kaneshiro looks perfect to play Zhuge -- until he speaks. His voice is dubbed with the air-tight quality of studio recording, a distraction that damages his performance. Hong Kong actor Leung, usually ace, looks uncomfortable at best, not helped by a stiff headpiece with twin poufs and a top-knot that looked overworked with Brylcreem. Each acts in his own ambit, with the look of one struggling to recall his line. Chemistry is nil.

Women are usually marginal in Woo's films, little more than talking props. ``Red Cliff'' is no exception. Taiwanese model Chiling Lin makes her big-screen debut playing Zhou's wife and legendary beauty Xiao Qiao, a paragon of virtue and a trophy Cao seeks. Lin makes a valiant effort at making her role less twee, though fails to overcome her cliched lines on peace and Camelot ideals.

With some voice training, Lin might gain more screen presence. There's little spark between Leung and Lin either. They look more like overawed teenagers on a first date than a seasoned couple.

Chinese Stars Shine

Mainland Chinese actors carry the movie, overwhelming their Hong Kong and Taiwanese counterparts in presence, and proving they are among the best in the world.

Zhang Fengyi (``Farewell My Concubine'') plays Cao with nuance, alternating so smoothly between human and vile traits that he stirs sympathy for one of the biggest villains in Chinese history. Hu Jun plays the wearied but unswerving General Zhao with verve. Zhao Wei plays East Wu princess Sun Shangxiang, a plucky sprite and budding warrior, adding much-needed comic relief to a film that gets boggy between fight scenes.

The star of the movie is really Woo. His battle scenes are formidably choreographed, featuring keeling horses, brutal swordfights and complex troop configurations. It's a monumental undertaking and Woo delivers.

Still, a 2 1/2-hour film is a challenge to sit through -- and one steeped in history and cultural cues would test the patience of even the most ardent history buff. ``Red Cliff'' remains a very Chinese movie that probably won't travel well.

The version playing now in Asian cinemas is the first half of an almost 5-hour movie, the second part of which will be shown in January. The producers will edit the film down to a 2 1/2-hour edition for release in Europe and the U.S.

``Red Cliff,'' from Lion Rock Entertainment and other producers, is in theaters throughout Asia. Rating: **.



What the Stars Mean:
**** Excellent
*** Good
** Average
* Poor
(No stars) Worthless

Last Updated: July 17, 2008 12:00 EDT


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=axVVFP8CkAf4&refer=muse#

[Hong]

Variety: Red Cliff scales the heights

One of the most ballyhooed Asian productions in recent history, and the most expensive Chinese-lingo picture ever, John Woo's costume actioner "Red Cliff" scales the heights. First seg of the two-part, $80 million historical epic -- with "The Battle of Red Cliff" to follow in late January -- balances character, grit, spectacle and visceral action in a meaty, dramatically satisfying pie that delivers on the hype and will surprise many who felt the Hong Kong helmer progressively lost his mojo during his long years stateside. Pic may, however, disappoint those looking for simply a costume retread of his kinetic, '80s H.K. classics.
Film is pitched more at an older demographic than traditional Asian youth auds, and the July 10 release (in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea) faces heavy competition from other summer titles after its first frame. But robust initial returns point to the two-parter putting black ink on most investors' ledgers - apart, maybe, from Japanese investor Avex, who bankrolled more than half the budget. Non-Asian returns look to be much smaller, especially as in the West the whole 4 1/2-hour movie will be available only in a single, 2 1/2-hour version that could end up losing much of the character detail that motors the production.

Detailing an incident familiar to auds throughout Asia, script by Woo and three other writers mixes elements from history (as recorded in a third century chronicle by Chen Shou), the freely fictionalized classic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" by 14th-century scribe Luo Guanzhong and their own filmic imagination into a dramatic stew that has engendered beaucoup debate among Asian specialists and auds who already have their own ideas on the characters from multiple comicbook treatments, TV drama series and school textbooks. However, given that these often contradict each other - even down to details of who were the good and bad guys -- pic always faced an uphill battle pleasing everyone.

But the picture indisputably works on its own terms. Though this first part is a long warm-up to the part two naval battle on the Yangtze River that saw the forces of the North rebuffed by those of the South, it contains more than enough action and drama to justify its length, as well as a cliff-hanger ending that leaves auds hungry for more.

Yarn opens in summer AD 208, with prime minister-cum-general Cao Cao (powerful Mainland vet Zhang Fengyi) asking permission from Han dynasty Emperor Xian (Wang Ning) to lead an expedition south to take on "rebellious" warlords Liu Bei (You Yong) and Sun Quan (Taiwan thesp Chang Chen). Jittery mood in the imperial court sets the stage for the political machinations that marble the whole movie -- and forecasts the period of turmoil, known as the Three Kingdoms, that followed the imminent collapse of the 400-year-old Han dynasty.

Socko, 20-minute action sequence, as Cao Cao's massive army sweeps south and meets Liu's forces in the battle of Changban, establishes the gritty, chaotic tone of the movie's land warfare. Cool, almost grungy color processing, and action that's exaggerated but not manga-like, is underpinned by realistic costumes and design by ace art director Tim Yip. There's no clear sense of geography in the skirmishes, but maybe that's the point.

As Liu & Co. lick their wounds after their retreat, Liu's canny strategist, Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) proposes an alliance between him and Sun Quan vs. Cao Cao's seemingly unstoppable forces. Pic's second act broadens here, establishing the nervous, indecisive character of Sun Quan, his tomboyish sister, Sun Shangxiang (lively Mainland babe Vicki Zhao) -- and last but not least, Sun Quan's commander, Zhou Yu (H.K. heartthrob Tony Leung Chiu-wai).

Appearance 40 minutes in of toplined Leung (a last-minute replacement for Chow Yun-fat) adds some real emotional heft to the drama. Though not the most physically imposing thesp in the cast, Leung is easily the subtlest, and character's musical interests add extra layers to what, until then, has been simply a sturdy historical actioner.

Main cast has few weak links and traverses all shades of character. Zhang and Leung dominate the movie, while Kaneshiro is fine as wily strategist Zhuge and Zhao adds welcome humor as the feisty princess. Chang is a tad lightweight in such company as the wimpish Sun, and Taiwanese super-model Lin Chi-ling mostly decorative as Zhou's wife. Multitude of colorful supports is led by Mongolian actor Basenzabu as a warrior who's a one-man moving mountain.

Dark-toned color processing doesn't glamorize the period and adds gravitas to many of the youthful actors. Japanese composer Taro Iwashiro's multi-faceted score -- brazzy, playful, lyrical by turns -- adds real dramatic clout throughout. Visual effects are just OK.

Version caught in South Korea (cut by local distrib-investor Showbox) was nine minutes shorter than that shown in Chinese-speaking territories, with a couple of scenes shortened, including a calligraphy sequence prior to Zhou making love to his wife. Japanese version, to be released later this year, will also be shorter than Woo's 140-minute cut.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117937769.html?categoryid=31&cs=1
_________________
Pour l'essentiel, l'homme est ce qu'il cache - André Malraux

[summertime]

Thanh Nien News

An epic return


With John Woo’s highly-anticipated Red Cliff finally in theaters, the questions on many film lovers’ minds are: is Woo’s contribution to the “Chinese Epic” genre worthy of contention with the likes of Hero, The Banquet and The Promise? And is Hong Kong’s most popular action director in true form with his first Asian film since he left the continent for Hollywood 15 years ago?

Classic epic material

Red Cliff has “epic” written all over it. With so much material to cover, the two and a half hour movie in the theaters now is only half the film. The second part is slated to be released in East Asia at the beginning of the Lunar New Year.

At US$80 million, the film’s budget is the highest of any film ever produced in East Asia and the movie boasts numerous massive and grandiose sets, thousands of extras, and hundreds of CGI shots. A member of the crew died while shooting a stunt scene and two of Asia’s biggest actors, Tony Leung and Chow Yun Fat, both signed on and quit the project before Leung returned to take Fat’s role.

Red Cliff is based on one of the longest, most well-loved novels of all time, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", written in 14th century China.

The novel was itself the very definition of epic - it was first published in 24 volumes. It has since then but trimmed down to a bite-sized 800,000 words and 120 chapters.

The characters and story are not entirely fiction. They are dramatized versions of real people and events from around 200 AD, during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.

The events and characters of Red Cliff are taken from the portion of the novel depicting the famous Battle of the Red Cliff. The story centers on Cao Cao, the de facto ruler of the weakened Han dynasty, and his efforts to control all of China with his million man army. Liu Bei, the leader of the Shu kingdom, convinces Sun Quan, ruler of Eastern Wu, to join forces in a seemingly hopeless cause of self-defense.

These events have been portrayed countless times throughout the centuries in East Asia in many forms, including books, plays, films, manga and even video games. Another film currently in theaters, Three Kingdoms staring Andy Lau, is based on the same novel. The characters have become icons of Asian popular culture and have even inspired proverbs – in Chinese, to "speak of Cao Cao" is the same as to "speak of the Devil" in English.

A return to Asia

John Woo’s first big directorial success came in 1986 with A Better Tomorrow. This gritty, bloody action film introduced not only Chow Yun Fat to the world but also Woo's unique style of surreal, lyrical violence. The movie was a smash hit and Woo went on to direct many more, what are now recognized as legendary, Hong Kong action films, including The Killer, Bullet in the Head and Hard-Boiled.

It is difficult to understate the influence these films have had on movie making and pop culture, as they spawned the "ultra-cool-coat-and-sunglasses" chic made popular by Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill), Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City) and the Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix series).

In 1993 he made a monumental career change by coming to Hollywood. His success in the land of golden dreams has arguably been mixed. His movies there include Face/Off - the most popular of his English language films - Mission Impossible 2 and Windtalkers.

Popular wisdom says his Hollywood move was a bad decision, as many of these films have been less than well-received by his hard-core fans. Among the people that follow his work, there seems to be a profound remorse expressed for "The good ol' days" of the Hong Kong John Woo. The

jury is still out as to whether or not his more rabid fans will be satisfied with Woo’s new work. While Red Cliff is as fresh and exciting as his Hong Kong movies, it isn't exactly a return to his old stomping grounds. This is the first time he's directed a costume epic, and it's his first movie filmed in mainland China in Mandarin Chinese.

Most importantly, though, Woo’s filmmaking is moving and worthy of epic status. John Woo shows that he can not only get your blood pumping with fist-in-your-gut action, but he is a master story-teller to boot. After the first bloody fight scene, I disappointedly settled in for a gore-fest but was delighted when the movie transformed into a fascinating and poetic study of the main characters. In one scene, battle-hardened military men from different kingdoms have a ferocious jam session on the Chinese zither. In another, a king faces his own fears hunting a fierce tiger, forced by his general to face the beast alone.

And of course, Red Cliff’s action is epic. Drawing from actual battle tactics from 1,800 years ago, Woo proves that after all these years he still has the ability to make the action fresh and one-of-a-kind by blending grace with violence in a whole new genre. Lovers of Asian cinema can rejoice, John Woo is back.

“Red Cliff” (part 1) is now playing in theaters across East Asia. The movie is playing in Vietnam in Mandarin Chinese with Vietnamese subtitles. For English subtitles, you can watch it outside Asia when it is released in December, or you can wait for the DVD.

Reported by Aaron Toronto


Published: 20 July, 2008, 11:30:11 (GMT+7)

http://www.thanhniennews.com/entertaiments/?catid=6&newsid=40393

[Tony Obsessed]

Just out of interest, does anyone know when Red Cliff will be released in the UK? Because the IMDB doesn't have a UK release date listed as of yet... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425637/releaseinfo

[Tony Obsessed]

Can no one answer my above question about the UK release date of this film?

[Info]

I think there is no firm date yet. Part II of Red Cliff will be released in Feb 2009 in Asia, the release date in UK should be after that, cos John Woo needs to re-edit Part I and II into one movie for release outside Asia.

[Tony Obsessed]

There's going to be another part to the film! Will Tony be in it still?

[Info]

The story is very long, so when John Woo started to make the movie, he already planned to release the film in two part in Asia. The one being released now is Part I. The shooting of both Part I and II are completed, and John Woo is working on the CG effects of Part II.

For the western market, John Woo will re-edit the movie to make it one. Of course, Tony is the lead character in both parts.

[summertime]

Tokyo Film Festival to Open with "Red Cliff"

2008-08-07 22:10:04 CRIENGLISH.com


John Woo's lucrative historical epic "Red Cliff" will open this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, Chinese media reported.

The news was announced at a press conference on Wednesday in Tokyo, where Woo and leading cast members were promoting the film, China News Service reported.

The 21st Tokyo International Film Festival will run from October 18 to 26.

"Red Cliff," based on a Chinese water battle in 208 AD, features a star-heavy cast, including Japanese actor Shido Nakamura and Takeshi Kaneshiro, who is half Japanese, half Chinese.

The film will officially open in Japan on November 1.



http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/08/07/1261s390842.htm

[summertime]

"Red Cliff" Makes Box Office History

2008-08-11 22:09:19 CRIENGLISH.com


The most expensive Chinese film has finally become the most lucrative.

John Woo's battle epic "Red Cliff" has raked in 302 million yuan (US$44.04 million) as of Monday, setting a new record for Chinese films, Sohu.com reported.

It also became the only Chinese film so far to have crossed the 300 million yuan milestone, the report says.

Zhang Yimou's Oscar-nominated 2006 film, "Curse of the Golden Flower," was previously the most bankable Chinese film, earning 286 million yuan.

"Red Cliff" opened on July 10, and took only four days to earn 100 million yuan. It easily grossed 200 million yuan over ten days.

An unnamed representative from the China Film Group, which produced and distributed "Red Cliff," told Sohu that he expected the film to continue its popularity and eventually exceed the domestic record created by "Titanic." The 1997 American blockbuster, which grossed a total of 360 million yuan in China, is still unbeaten today.

The strong takings of "Red Cliff" also pave the way for its sequel, due out in December, the representative said.

"Red Cliff," with a star-studded cast which includes Cannes best actor Tony Leung and heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro, boasts a budget of US$80 million, making it the costliest Chinese film ever.

It is based on a well-known historical battle in 208 AD in which thousands of ships were burnt. Magnificent battle scenes are one of its biggest features.

The film has been selected to open this year's Tokyo International Film Festival, running from October 18 to 26.


http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/08/11/1261s392577.htm

[hamberger362]

[Tony Obsessed]

Tony is looking very handsome in the above picture. It's a shame this film won't appear to be coming out any time soon in the UK.