HONG KONG – Universe Entertainment wheeled out the stars at Hong Kong FilMart for their big-budget fantasy actioner "The Storm Riders II", which features the return of Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng as Cloud and Wind in the comic-book adaptation.
Lensing on the $12 million sequel to 1998's smash hit "The Storm Riders" starts next month and horror helmers, twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang ("The Eye"), are spending big on post-production to get a "300" kind of feel to the pic.
The film is slated for release by the end of 2009 in Hong Kong, China and Asia and pic appears to being down a storm in Asia, making multiple sales at FilMart.
"The Storm Riders II" will the first Hong Kong movie that is filmed exclusively on blue screen and custom-made sets," said executive producer Daneil Lam. "Post production will be particularly important and worth putting the money into. Our goal is to produce a very visually stunning movie."
Pic also features Simon Yam as Lord Godless, "Dragon Tiger Gate's" Nicholas Tse as Heart, Charlene Choi, who is one half of the Twins pop duo, as Second Dream and a rising star from Chinese Chengtian Entertainment's stable, Tiffany T, who will play Chu Chu.
Golden Harvest, which produced the original "The Storm Riders," has distribution rights for Hong Kong, while Golden Harvest and Chengtian will distribute the pic on Universe's behalf in mainland China. Universe will distribute in the rest of the world.
Pic has been sold to Mono Film in Thailand, Scorpio in Singapore, P.T. Teguh Bakti Mandiri in Indonesia and there has been strong bidding from Malaysia.
"The Storm Riders II" is an adaptation of comic master Ma Wing Shing's 1990s best-selling "Fung Wan". The original pic, helmed by Andrew Lau of "Infernal Affairs" fame, did boffo B.O. in Hong Kong, relling in HK$41 million a decade ago.
The film makers stressed that getting the right overall look for the movie was of key importance.
CGI and special effects are central to the pic and will be done by Fat Face Productions, which did "Recycle" and "The Warlords." Post production is expected to take more than a year.
Art director and costume designer Yee Chung Man is planning to collaborate with mainland Chinese fashion designers to give a brand new look to the pic.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Rudy's new flick a dream come true
March 14, 2008
Jakarta: Film director Rudy Sujarwo has seen his dreams come true with the making of his new flick 'In the Name of Love.' which features Indonesian acting legends. "This is my dream. I have always wanted to work with the great actors and actresses who play in this movie." said the director who won the Citra Award for Best Film Director for 'Ada Apa Dengan Cinta' (What's up with Cinta) as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.
The actors he referred to are Roy Marten, currently on trial for drug possession, the charismatic Christine Hakim and Tuti Kirana, wife of renowned writer and filmmaker Syumanjaya.
Sujarwo's new flick, which is produced by Valian Circle Production and scheduled to be released in April, is not only backed by senior actors. Twilite Orchestra leader Addie MS will do some of the scores and illustrations for the movie.
New idol singer Acha Septriasa will collaborate with the orchestra in singing "Cinta Bertahan" (Lasting Love) from Jikustik's frontman Pongky Barata. Alternative band Getah will also contribute to the soundtrack with their song "Segitiga Bermimpi" (Dreaming Triangle.)
'In the Name of Love' centers on a classic conflict between love and dignity. "it tells about the relationship of two lovers from two families in which they have to choose between love and dignity," Sujarwo said.
Movies with similar themes were famous in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Indonesian version of Romeo and Juliet Rojali and Juleha. -JP
Jakarta: Film director Rudy Sujarwo has seen his dreams come true with the making of his new flick 'In the Name of Love.' which features Indonesian acting legends. "This is my dream. I have always wanted to work with the great actors and actresses who play in this movie." said the director who won the Citra Award for Best Film Director for 'Ada Apa Dengan Cinta' (What's up with Cinta) as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.
The actors he referred to are Roy Marten, currently on trial for drug possession, the charismatic Christine Hakim and Tuti Kirana, wife of renowned writer and filmmaker Syumanjaya.
Sujarwo's new flick, which is produced by Valian Circle Production and scheduled to be released in April, is not only backed by senior actors. Twilite Orchestra leader Addie MS will do some of the scores and illustrations for the movie.
New idol singer Acha Septriasa will collaborate with the orchestra in singing "Cinta Bertahan" (Lasting Love) from Jikustik's frontman Pongky Barata. Alternative band Getah will also contribute to the soundtrack with their song "Segitiga Bermimpi" (Dreaming Triangle.)
'In the Name of Love' centers on a classic conflict between love and dignity. "it tells about the relationship of two lovers from two families in which they have to choose between love and dignity," Sujarwo said.
Movies with similar themes were famous in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Indonesian version of Romeo and Juliet Rojali and Juleha. -JP
Thursday, March 13, 2008
StarHub adds MNC to the mix
HONG KONG – Singapore cable TV leader StarHub is to add MNC – The Indonesian Channel to its pay-TV roster.
Produced by Indonesia's largest media and entertainment conglom Media Nusantara Citra, net is a general entertainment channel aimed at the int'l markets using content from three channels; Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) and Global TV. Programming consists of Indonesian sitcoms, 'mega sinetron' (electronic cinema and TV soap), variety shows, documentaries, music and reality shows.
Deal is only the second foreign carriage deal for the Bahasa Indonesia-language channel after one in Japan.
StarHub already carries Sensasi, a dedicated Malay entertainment channel launched in August last year, and TVRI an Indonesian channel that is currently available free to all subscribers using the HubStation, digital or High-Definition set-top boxes.
Produced by Indonesia's largest media and entertainment conglom Media Nusantara Citra, net is a general entertainment channel aimed at the int'l markets using content from three channels; Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI) and Global TV. Programming consists of Indonesian sitcoms, 'mega sinetron' (electronic cinema and TV soap), variety shows, documentaries, music and reality shows.
Deal is only the second foreign carriage deal for the Bahasa Indonesia-language channel after one in Japan.
StarHub already carries Sensasi, a dedicated Malay entertainment channel launched in August last year, and TVRI an Indonesian channel that is currently available free to all subscribers using the HubStation, digital or High-Definition set-top boxes.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Pay TV operators see potential in local market
---------------
The Jakarta Post
----------------
Local Pay TV operators are confiden they can lure 6 percent of the 34 million households with TV sets to subscribe to their services. Arya Sinulingga, corporate secretary of satellite operator Indovision, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday they could meet their target because pay TV use was still low.
He said there were only 700,000 subscribers to pay TV out of 32 million households with TVs, about 2 percent of the market.
"People are fed up with Indonesian soap operas and mystical shows. THey want other programs that are more entertaining, and want more options to meet their needs."
"We want to reach 2.2 million potential subscribers, as their awareness of pay TV improves with their incomes and lifestyles," he said.
An increase in subscribers will automatically reduce fees for pay TV services as customers share the cost of the distribution network.
There are two types of pay TV systems in Indonesia - satellite and cable. Providers like Indovision, Indosat IM2 and Malaysian based Astro TV use satellite technology, while First Media uses a cable network, and Telkom Vision uses both.
Around 500,000 households subscribe to satellite providers, while the remaining 200,000 use cable.
Subscribers to the five local operators grew from 476,000 in 2006 to 700,000 last year
. There are another 15 pay TV broadcasters in Indonesia's provinces, who have not yet obtained licenses to expand their services nationally.
"Indonesia still has the lowest awareness of pay TV in the Asia Pacific region, but subscriber rates will gradually increase every year," Arya said. Pay TV was first launched just before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he said.
Ade Armando, a media observer and lecturer from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia, said the govenment should support the growth of pay TV by not allowing providers to monopolize any programs.
"Let us compete fairly by increasing our services and quality, not by monopolizing the most popular programs," he said. (rff)
The Jakarta Post
----------------
Local Pay TV operators are confiden they can lure 6 percent of the 34 million households with TV sets to subscribe to their services. Arya Sinulingga, corporate secretary of satellite operator Indovision, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday they could meet their target because pay TV use was still low.
He said there were only 700,000 subscribers to pay TV out of 32 million households with TVs, about 2 percent of the market.
"People are fed up with Indonesian soap operas and mystical shows. THey want other programs that are more entertaining, and want more options to meet their needs."
"We want to reach 2.2 million potential subscribers, as their awareness of pay TV improves with their incomes and lifestyles," he said.
An increase in subscribers will automatically reduce fees for pay TV services as customers share the cost of the distribution network.
There are two types of pay TV systems in Indonesia - satellite and cable. Providers like Indovision, Indosat IM2 and Malaysian based Astro TV use satellite technology, while First Media uses a cable network, and Telkom Vision uses both.
Around 500,000 households subscribe to satellite providers, while the remaining 200,000 use cable.
Subscribers to the five local operators grew from 476,000 in 2006 to 700,000 last year
. There are another 15 pay TV broadcasters in Indonesia's provinces, who have not yet obtained licenses to expand their services nationally.
"Indonesia still has the lowest awareness of pay TV in the Asia Pacific region, but subscriber rates will gradually increase every year," Arya said. Pay TV was first launched just before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he said.
Ade Armando, a media observer and lecturer from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia, said the govenment should support the growth of pay TV by not allowing providers to monopolize any programs.
"Let us compete fairly by increasing our services and quality, not by monopolizing the most popular programs," he said. (rff)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Odendaal steps down as Astro CEO
HONG KONG – Robert Odendaal is to step down as CEO of Malaysian pay-TV giant Astro All Asia Networks with effect from April 15.
Odendaal, who has been in the job only since Jan 2007, says his resignation was brought about by "personal and lifestyle" reasons.
Astro, which has a footprint spanning much of South East Asia, will seek a replacement. In the short term his responsibilities will be taken on by executive deputy chairman Ralph Marshall.
"AAAN is a world-class pay-TV ad media company with performance metrics that benchmark strongly by any standard of excellence. My decision to leave is based on lifestyle decisions," he said in a statement.
A British citizen, Oddendaal was previously CEO of wireless service provider Bell Mobility in Canada, CEO of pay-TV operator Bell ExpressVu and a director of content and new media distribution and products at satcaster BSkyB in the U.K.
Odendaal, who has been in the job only since Jan 2007, says his resignation was brought about by "personal and lifestyle" reasons.
Astro, which has a footprint spanning much of South East Asia, will seek a replacement. In the short term his responsibilities will be taken on by executive deputy chairman Ralph Marshall.
"AAAN is a world-class pay-TV ad media company with performance metrics that benchmark strongly by any standard of excellence. My decision to leave is based on lifestyle decisions," he said in a statement.
A British citizen, Oddendaal was previously CEO of wireless service provider Bell Mobility in Canada, CEO of pay-TV operator Bell ExpressVu and a director of content and new media distribution and products at satcaster BSkyB in the U.K.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Jakarta film fest chooses "Forever"
HONG KONG -- The ninth running of the Jakarta Int'l Film Festival (Jiffest) (7-16 Dec) wrapped Sunday with "3 Days to Forever" named as the best Indonesian pic.
Pic, helmed by Riri Riza collected a $5,000 prize, as did Deddy Mizwar, named as best Indonesian helmer, for his pic "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2."
A separate jury awarded the human rights award to "Playing Between Elephants," helmed by Aryo Danusiri.
Richest prizes on offer were the Euros 5,000 for feature movie projects in the third running of the Jiffest Script Development Competition. Each receiving the coin from the Hubert Bals Foundation were "Opa's Letter" (Surat Opa) by Dina Jasanti and "A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf.
Fest, which has struggled for survival against the indifference of local authorities, said that it had received a promise of support from Fauzi Bowo, the newly appointed Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, throughout the length of his term in office.
In total event included screening of 180 films from 33 countries at a range of locations around the city. Organizers said that although budget was cut by 30% to IDR3.8 billion ($410,000), spectator numbers dropped by only 15% to 54,000.
Top ticket sellers included Indonesian closing film "Chants of Lotus" and controversial opener "Persepolis," "Into the Wild," docu "The US vs John Lennon," Coen brothers’ "No Country For Old Men," and local pic "The Photograph."
9th Jakarta Int'l Film Fest Prize Winners
Best Indonesian film
"3 Days to Forever" (3 Hari Untuk Selamanya) Riri Riza.
Best Indonesian director
Deddy Mizwar "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2" (Nagabonar (Jadi) 2).
Movies that Matter Human Rights Award for Best Human Rights
"Playing Between Elephants" Aryo Danusiri
Script Development Competition
Documentary Category
"Life and Death of Dogel Cinema" (Layar Tancep Dogel) Endah WS
"Justice for all" (Nur Idham Bin) Masrur Jamaludin
Short Fiction Script Category
"Traffic Jam" Tam Notosusanto
"The Visit" (Yang Kembali) Erwin Indrawan
Feature Script Category
"Opa’s Letter" (Surat Opa) Dinna Jasanti
"A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf
Pic, helmed by Riri Riza collected a $5,000 prize, as did Deddy Mizwar, named as best Indonesian helmer, for his pic "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2."
A separate jury awarded the human rights award to "Playing Between Elephants," helmed by Aryo Danusiri.
Richest prizes on offer were the Euros 5,000 for feature movie projects in the third running of the Jiffest Script Development Competition. Each receiving the coin from the Hubert Bals Foundation were "Opa's Letter" (Surat Opa) by Dina Jasanti and "A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf.
Fest, which has struggled for survival against the indifference of local authorities, said that it had received a promise of support from Fauzi Bowo, the newly appointed Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, throughout the length of his term in office.
In total event included screening of 180 films from 33 countries at a range of locations around the city. Organizers said that although budget was cut by 30% to IDR3.8 billion ($410,000), spectator numbers dropped by only 15% to 54,000.
Top ticket sellers included Indonesian closing film "Chants of Lotus" and controversial opener "Persepolis," "Into the Wild," docu "The US vs John Lennon," Coen brothers’ "No Country For Old Men," and local pic "The Photograph."
9th Jakarta Int'l Film Fest Prize Winners
Best Indonesian film
"3 Days to Forever" (3 Hari Untuk Selamanya) Riri Riza.
Best Indonesian director
Deddy Mizwar "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2" (Nagabonar (Jadi) 2).
Movies that Matter Human Rights Award for Best Human Rights
"Playing Between Elephants" Aryo Danusiri
Script Development Competition
Documentary Category
"Life and Death of Dogel Cinema" (Layar Tancep Dogel) Endah WS
"Justice for all" (Nur Idham Bin) Masrur Jamaludin
Short Fiction Script Category
"Traffic Jam" Tam Notosusanto
"The Visit" (Yang Kembali) Erwin Indrawan
Feature Script Category
"Opa’s Letter" (Surat Opa) Dinna Jasanti
"A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Indonesian filmmakers stage demonstration
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Written by Patrick Frater
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Story Categories: censorship, Film, Indonesia, People, regulation,
HONG KONG – Film-makers in Indonesia this week launched two separate protest movements.
Highest profile of these is an action in the country's Constitutional Court against the film censorship system. They claim the system is in breach of two of Indonesia's own human rights laws.
Action is brought by the Indonesian Film Society (Masyarakat Film Indonesia), spearheaded by helmer and producer Nia Dinata, helmer Riri Reza, Lalu Roisamria, actress Shanty and academic Tino Saroenggalo. In total over 200 prominent industryites put their name to a petition in 2006, which led to the current court case.
The IFS is also behind a series of boycotts of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), a national awards ceremony. Last year the Citra award for best film was given to "Ekskul," a camp comedy drama that allegedly stole music from the Korean film "Taegukgi" (Variety, Jan 5, 2007.)
According to local reports more than ten film-makers have turned down nominations for this year's FFI arguing that the awards ceremony and fest are not properly run.
Written by Patrick Frater
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Story Categories: censorship, Film, Indonesia, People, regulation,
HONG KONG – Film-makers in Indonesia this week launched two separate protest movements.
Highest profile of these is an action in the country's Constitutional Court against the film censorship system. They claim the system is in breach of two of Indonesia's own human rights laws.
Action is brought by the Indonesian Film Society (Masyarakat Film Indonesia), spearheaded by helmer and producer Nia Dinata, helmer Riri Reza, Lalu Roisamria, actress Shanty and academic Tino Saroenggalo. In total over 200 prominent industryites put their name to a petition in 2006, which led to the current court case.
The IFS is also behind a series of boycotts of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), a national awards ceremony. Last year the Citra award for best film was given to "Ekskul," a camp comedy drama that allegedly stole music from the Korean film "Taegukgi" (Variety, Jan 5, 2007.)
According to local reports more than ten film-makers have turned down nominations for this year's FFI arguing that the awards ceremony and fest are not properly run.
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