China Lion breaking with AMC for NC-17 SEX AND ZEN release?

James Marsh, Editor, Asia; Hong Kong, China (@Marshy00)

July 25 2011, 9:05 PM

Until now, distribution company China Lion has had a pretty sweet relationship going with cinema chain AMC in the USA, releasing Chinese language movies in selected cities across the country, often day-and-date with their domestic openings. However, their latest acquisition, Christopher Sun's soft-core martial arts comedy 3D SEX AND ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY, looks to be forcing a change. If the film is to screen in anything approximating its original form it will no doubt earn itself an NC-17 rating. Not only will this mean that nobody under the age of 18 will be permitted to see the film but that AMC Cinemas won't carry it. And according to the newly issued press release, this is exactly what is happening.

SEX AND ZEN will begin its US run at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas and Lee Neighborhood Theatres - Four Star Theatre in San Francisco on August 12, before spreading to Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Vancouver on August 26 and more cities in the weeks following. This marks a significant development for China Lion, with no doubt a lot riding on the success of this daring - yet highly entertaining - release. Should they succeed we will most likely see the company break away from AMC in the future and tackle other less mainstream releases in the future. Considering what I just wrote about in this week's China Beat, I for one am hugely encouraged by this move and urge you all to seek out the film. If not solely for an evening of amusing titillation, then in support of alternative Chinese Cinema.

Here's the press release:

Los Angeles, CA, July 25^th, 2011 - China Lion Film Distribution, Inc., announced North American locations and release dates for the highly anticipated 3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy, the world's first erotic 3D film. Starting on August 12^th, audiences will be able to see the film banned in Mainland China exclusively at the Alamo Drafthouse's South Lamar theatre in Austin and at the Lee Neighborhood Four Star Theatre in San Francisco. The film, which shattered box office records across the Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, is then set to expand a week later on August 19^th into Los Angeles, New York, Toronto and Vancouver. The weeks following will see expansion into additional cities.

Directed by Christopher Sun, 3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy is a surefire cult classic in the making. Adapted from the ancient Chinese text The Carnal Prayer Mat, the story follows scholar Wei Yangsheng as he sets out to become a better lover for his beautiful new wife. Peppered with humor, high-drama and endless eroticism, this new film delivers a bevy of unparalleled effects and glossy cinematography that you won't want to miss.

No one under 18 will be admitted into the film.

Below are the currently scheduled release locations and their presentation format (2D or 3D, as indicated), subject to change, sorted by release date and then metro area. Updates to this list can be found at the official U.S. film website or at China Lion's official website.

I didn't include the list in this post as it is quite long, but as stated, simply click the link below and you'll find all the relevant information at the film's official US website.