Action thriller bringing together the best of Asia begins production in Bangkok
Bill Kong is cautious, has extensive experience, and maintains an impeccable reputation as an important gateway between Hollywood and China. He's a guy who's far more likely to deadpan than say it out loud.
So to hear him talk about his enthusiasm for his bucket list martial arts film project, Fast & Furious, he's inspired by Oscar-winners Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Jet Li's Fearless. It's easy to want to compare it to past action movies made by Kong, such as . ” and “HERO” directed by Zhang Yimou.
“I'm going to make an action movie that will shake the world. And to prove that Hong Kong still has something to give to the film industry. That Asians can make better action movies than the rest of the world. I want to prove that,” says Director Kong. variety.
Importantly, “Fast and Furious” is a project made by Hong Kong, not made in Hong Kong. Kong's Edco Films is financing and producing. Produced and distributed worldwide by XYZ Films (excluding China, Hong Kong and Macau). The film will be written by Mak Tin Hsu and produced by Kong, Frank Hui and Shan Tam. Executive producers are Todd Brown and Aram Terczakian of XYZ Films.
(Producing the film without using mainland Chinese funds or production partners allows it to be produced without considering Chinese censorship at the screenplay stage. Director Kong also made sure that the completed film would be treated as an imported product. Are expected.)
The English-language action thriller, which began production earlier this week in Bangkok, Thailand, is directed by Japanese stunt director and action choreographer Kenji Tanigaki.
and China's Xie Miao, Indonesia's Joe Taslim (The Raid: Redemption, Star Trek Beyond), Thailand's Jija Yanin (Chocolate), Yan Enyu, and Indonesia's Yayan Ruhian ( A pan-Asian cast is gathered, led by “Star”). Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”, “The Raid”).
Fittingly, the story is straightforward. When his daughter is snatched from the street, Kong-gu (Xie), a simple merchant, fights his way through a complicated web of criminals to get her back by any means possible. His only ally is Nabin (Taslim), a tireless journalist. Two men from completely different backgrounds must learn to trust, work together, and draw combat skills from their respective hidden pasts.
But if this pitch has echoes of other revenge films, Kong says he's setting the bar much higher. “If it fails, 'Fast and Furious' will be no more than 'The Raid' or 'Taken,'” he says. “I also want my characters to move people's hearts.”
There is also a mission for the industry. “Through this film, I want people to discover a new Yuen Woo-ping, a new Sammo Hung, and a new Donnie Yen,'' said Kong, who will direct “Crouching Tiger,'' with director Tanigaki expected to play that role. Name and talk about the martial arts choreographer who did this. , and even past and present icons of the Asian martial arts genre.
Directed by Kenji Tanigaki.
edco film
Tanigaki already has impressive credits in Asia, including director Soi Chan's action movie “Monkey King” and the Japanese anime-turned-live-action series “Rurouni Kenshin.” Kong now likens Tanigaki to a top Hollywood star who transitioned from action and stunt work to directing movies. “Think about what Chad Stahelski was before he directed John Wick with David Leitch in Deadpool and Sam Hargraves in Extraction,” he says. . “That's why Tanigaki is in Asia now.”
XYZ's Brown, who says that participating in “The Raid” changed his life, is similarly in awe of Tanigaki. “People may not know who director Kenji Tanigaki is right now, but they'll probably come to know. He's a great human being, and his work is incredibly dynamic, yet believable. It's also very down-to-earth and real,” says Brown. variety. “People know that Bill Kong's previous martial arts work has been incredibly beautiful and emotional, but what about this time? Tanigaki is going to punch the world in the face.”
Todd Brown of XYZ Films.
XYZ film
Tanigaki has been based between Hong Kong and Japan for decades, working closely with Donnie Yen. He described his own approach to directing “Fast and Furious'' as combining multiple different forms of martial arts, a cast of athletes and actors, minimal stuntmen and CGI, and extensive rehearsal time. ing.
“I'm not interested in making actors who can't move look like they can move,'' Tanigaki says. “Our cast has real skill in a variety of martial arts disciplines. Everything we do will be practical.”
Mr. Tanagaki spent a month training and rehearsing with them at an abandoned car showroom in Bangkok, and then traveled to a filming location in the outskirts of Bangkok for two and a half months.
“Look at the movies by Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire. We're still watching those movies 50 years after they were made,” he added. “They're classics, practical and authentic. I hope our films can continue to live like that.”
Kong said, “Now is the time to make a great Asian action movie. We have the talent and the motivation.'' Chad Stahelski is following all the Asian action movies, and he once said to me, “It's time to make a great Asian action movie.'' I remember. [Asian filmmakers] I don't know my strengths.”
