Day one at the Hong Kong Filmart has wrapped up as the jet lag catches up but not before I saw a bunch of interesting stuff. Stuff I neglected to take notes on, unfortunately, so I'm working largely from memory here ...
First, the prize for most ridiculously over the top market booth is being hotly contested between Kung Fu Cyborg and Future X Cops, both of which are boasting gloriously oversized setups complete with architecture, props and multiple video screens. I think Cops wins out here, however, by virtue of having Andy Lau's cop-ship parked on top of it. And, yes, both films are screening brand new promo reels that promise Hong Kong will soon have two huge budget b-films duking it out for box office supremacy. Kung Fu Cyborg looks silly beyond words, but in a rather good way.
Second, a trip to the Fortissimo booth led to me being told that Yes there is a promo reel for Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's Nymph and Yes I can see it but, whoopsie, we forgot to bring the DVD so maybe you can't see it after all. It's supposed to show up in the next day or so, so hopefully I'll have better luck soon.
And speaking of prominent Thai auteurs, I was also told that Wisit Sasanatieng is currently scripting a mystery project to be shot between the two volumes of his Red Eagle saga. No details at all are being shared yet beyond the fact that it will be "surreal". And in more Wisit news, the Sasanatieng-scripted, Kongkiat Komsiri directed horror flick Slice started filming today.
The big news I missed: Peter Chan is producing a new film in mainland China titled Bodyguards and Assassins. Being otherwise occupied during the press conference all I know is that it's a period piece, that they're building a massive full scale replica of old Hong Kong in the mainland to shoot it in, and that the cast is loaded with big name talent like Donnie Yen and Nic Tse. I'll get more on it asap.
In considerably lower budgeted news, Japanese production CREI have quietly completed what they describe as "erotic-grotesque action film" Samurai Princess, featuring a lifelike android woman with a host of built in weapons spreading carnage across the land. Yeah, these sorts of low budget grinders are a dime a dozen these days but this one is produced by effects man Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and boasts one seriously bloody, vintage Nishimura trailer.
Trailer for the Soi Cheang directed, Johnnie To produced Accident, aka the film formerly known as Assassins? Absolutely fantastic. Definitely one of the hot titles from Hong Kong in 2009.
And, finally, the promo reel for Bong Joon-Ho's Mother is apparently in high enough demand that you have to book an appointment just to see it. Mine's set for tomorrow.