‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ Director Finishes Filming His First Chinese Film
After over 5 years of development, preparation and shooting, British filmmaker Simon West wrapped the filming of his first Chinese-language film Sky Fire (《天火危情》)on October 20. Produced and financed by Meridian Entertainment and Base Media, the film involves over 500 cast and crew members from 17 countries. Director Simon West is best known for directing blockbuster action films, such as Con Air, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and The Expendables 2. The film also involves Paul Kirby (Jason Bourne, Captain America: The First Avengers) as art director and Noon Orsatti (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Spider-man: Homecoming) as action director. Chris Bremble is one of the film’s producers and his company Base FX will work on the film’s visual effects. Read more on Mtime
Disney’s ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ Set for November 23 China Release
It’s announced today that Walt Disney Animation Studio’s upcoming 3D animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet had locked down a November 23 China release. In this sequel to the 2012 film Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure. Similar to the first film, Ralph Breaks the Internet has a number of cameos and references to video games, internet culture and various Disney IPs. The Chinese trailer reveals that Chinese internet platforms, such as Tencent’s QQ, Sina’s Weibo and Alibaba’s Tmall, will also appear in the film. Distributed by China Film Group and Huaxia Film, Ralph Breaks the Internet will be released in China in 3D/IMAX 3D/CGS 3D/Dolby. Read more on Mtime
Jia Zhangke and Zhao Tao Awarded at 54th Chicago International Film Festival
On October 21, the 54th Chicago International Film Festival hosted its Awards Ceremony, celebrating the films chosen as the award winners by the Festival juries. The festival’s top prize, the Gold Hugo for Best Film, went to Alice Rohrwacher’s Happy as Lazzaro. The Silver Hugo for Best Director was awarded to Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke for Ash Is Purest White. Actress Zhao Tao, who is also Jia Zhangke’s wife, won the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress for her leading role of Quio in Ash Is Purest White. “Tao burns with brilliance, wit, ferociousness as a woman whose steps are haunted by her history and what may come next.” said in a statement on the Festival’s official website. Read more on ifeng