Latest news with #AsianFilmAwards
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Josie Ho's 852 Films Unveils Five New Projects; Signs Acting Deal With Iman Taheri — Filmart
852 Films, which is co-founded by singer-actress Josie Ho and producer Conroy Chan, has launched five new projects at Hong Kong's Filmart. Additionally, the production outfit unveiled Iman Taheri, who becomes their first signed artist. He stars in horror film The Mage, directed by Danny Pang. The film also stars Ho and German Cheung. Taheri is set to appear in the sequel The Mage 2, which will start filming in April this year — as well as in several upcoming films on the company's slate. More from Deadline 'All We Imagine As Light' Takes Top Honors At Asian Film Awards; Japanese Filmmaker Daihachi Yoshida Wins Best Director For 'Teki Cometh' Veteran Korean Actor Jang Dong-gun Talks Talents He Would Like To Work With & His Search For An "Ordinary" Role Busan Film Festival Puts Programmer Jung Han-seok In Pole Position For Director Role 852 Films has worked on Open Grave, starring Shalto Copley, Thomas Kretschmann and Josie Ho, as well as How To Talk To Girls At Parties, directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Besides launching The Mage 2, 852 Films also unveiled Macao Redux, with Jordan Gertner (The Killer Inside Me) set to direct. The film follows four friends — Z, a magician; Jade, an actress; Marco, a tech wizard; and Hazel, a historian — who embark on an adventure in Macau for 'The Hidden Game' together — an innovative blend of augmented reality and treasure hunting. The four friends accidentally steal an urn containing the ashes of a legendary ruler from a triad-controlled casino. Mistaken for infiltrators by the triads and suspects in a series of unsolved crimes by the police, they find themselves in a perilous game of cat and mouse as they navigate the streets of Macau and make us of their unique skills — Z's sleight of hand, Jade's dramatic improvisations, Marco's tech tricks, and Hazel's historical insights. Another project on the 852 Films slate is mystery film The Connoisseurs, produced by Chan and Max Ip. Set in an opulent European mansion, an extravagant gala unfolds, filled with the elite of society. Iman, accompanied by his father, mingles with the guests, while a mafia boss mingles in the crowd and two cloaked figures quietly descend into the mansion. Iman's father's prized possessions, including a magnificent diamond and two renowned paintings, go missing at the gala. Iman and the guests are thrust into a web of intrigue and betrayal, and scramble to uncover the truth behind the theft. My Funny Valentine follows a prince, burdened with the responsibility of inheriting his family legacy — but just a week before his wedding, he finds out that his fiancée has been unfaithful. Devastated, the prince decides to escape to Semporna in Sabah, Malaysia, seeking solace and peace. There, he meets two affluent sisters in a luxurious resort. The younger sister has been entrusted with managing the family resort. One day, the resort hosts a grand festival and the younger daughter, slightly tipsy, boards her family's yacht and sails out, before waking up the next morning and finding the prince onboard. Planning to return to the resort, they are confronted with a problem: the boat has run out of fuel. This serendipitous mishap sets the stage for a love story. Báthory, with Matthew David Wilder (Your Name Here) set to direct, is based on the story of Hungary's Elizabeth Báthory, who found infamy after bathing in the blood of virgins. Best of Deadline TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025 Everything We Know About 'Freakier Friday' So Far
South China Morning Post
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Sean Lau named best actor at Asian Film Awards for role in Papa
Hong Kong's Sean Lau Ching-wan was named best actor at the Asian Film Awards on Sunday for his powerful portrayal of a grieving father in the family drama Papa, while local movie Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In won for best editing and best production design. Advertisement The Last Dance , a drama centred on the funeral trade and which has become the highest-grossing local production in Hong Kong, won composer Chu Wan-pin the award for best original music. Thirty films from 25 countries and regions competed across 16 categories, with many of Asia-Pacific's biggest names in cinema gathered at the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon for the awards ceremony. Papa , directed by Philip Yung Chi-kwong, was inspired by the real-life Tsuen Wan murder case in 2010, in which a son killed his mother and sister. Lau plays the emotionally haunted father who grapples with the brutal reality that his only surviving child is also responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter. Advertisement 'I'm happy. Papa is a Hong Kong production,' the actor said in his acceptance speech. 'I am also thankful to director Philip Yung for his trust in me all along … I'm confident in Hong Kong-made films – let's all work together.'
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Asian Film Awards Rising Star Winner Koki Talks Global Film Career Path, International Co-Productions
Japanese actor Koki is swiftly building an international profile that spans continents and genres, from dual roles in a Japanese horror film to sword fighting in 18th-century Britain. The model-turned-musician-turned-actor recently added the Asian Film Awards Rising Star Award to her growing resume, marking her first recognition outside her home country as she prepares to announce a new project based in Hong Kong. More from Variety Lee Kang-sheng Sets Two More Installments of Tsai Ming-liang's 'Walker' Series (EXCLUSIVE) Neo Sora Talks Political Divide in 'Happyend': 'Japan Hasn't Really Reflected on its Colonial Past' 'Perfect Days' Star Yakusho Koji to Receive Asian Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Honor - Global Bulletin 'It means so much to be able to receive an award outside Japan,' Koki tells Variety. 'The Rising Star Award gives me so much courage and recognition. I feel like I want to do my all my best to be able to go up to the award.' The daughter of Japanese entertainment royalty — her father is megastar Takuya Kimura ('Grand Maison Paris') and her mother is singer Kudo Shizuka — Koki has been carving her own path since showing musical talent at age seven, composing hit songs for her mother and singer Miura Daichi, before making her model debut at 15 on the cover of Elle Jappan. While successful in both music and fashion, Koki expresses her deep commitment to acting. 'I feel really privileged and lucky to be able to do something that I'm truly passionate about, and acting is one of them. It's something I'm truly in love with.' Koki made her acting debut in 2022 with Shimizu Takashi's horror film 'Ox Head Village,' where she played dual roles, earning Japan's Blue Ribbon Award for best newcomer. 'It was my first movie, and I learned everything from scratch. I felt really lucky that I got to experience two characters at one time because I felt like I was able to learn twice as much.' She has since starred in Baltasar Kormakur's 'Touch,' an international co-production between Iceland and the U.K. where a Reykjavik restaurateur closes shop just as his memory begins to falter. But when a message from a long-lost love from his student days in 1960s London, lands out of nowhere, he is thrust into a past that never let go. As COVID-19 lockdowns loom, he embarks on a journey spanning London and Japan, chasing the truth behind her abrupt disappearance decades earlier, even as time – and the virus – conspire against him. The film is based on Olaf Olafsson's novel. 'I loved how the two different cultures and even three, like English and Japanese and Icelandic, really blended into each other,' Koki says. 'I really loved how pure and strong the story was, and I feel like nowadays it's hard, in a way, to find a very powerful love story. And I loved how Miko, the main character, she has a very complex personality, but I love how she's really strong and really delicate in the same time. So that really drew me into the story.' Koki more recently took on her first action role in John Maclean's British film 'Tornado,' set in 18th-century Britain. 'It was physically really difficult,' says Koki of her sword-fighting scenes, 'but I learned that sword fighting is not only physical, but also mental. It really helped me become a strong person.' The film, which follows a young Japanese woman who finds herself in peril when her father's traveling puppet show crosses paths with a criminal gang, premiered as the opening gala at the Glasgow Film Festival in February. Koki is also starring in the upcoming Japanese film 'True Beauty,' an adaptation of the popular South Korean webtoon. In this role, she portrays a high school student who transforms from an insecure 'ugly duckling' into a confident young woman after being bullied for her appearance. The actor acknowledges the fan pressure of adapting such beloved material. 'There is a really big pressure. I mean, in high school, I was one of them, and I loved the manga, and I was reading the webtoon,' she says. 'There is a huge pressure to be able to go up to the standards of the fans. But I really personally loved the story, and I loved the characters inside. So I felt like I really wanted to challenge myself, and it was my first time doing comedy as well, like comedy, love, romance.' When asked about her next project, Koki says: 'There will be an announcement in a few days, but I'll be working on a very special project in Hong Kong.' The 18th Asian Film Awards ceremony takes place March 16, at the Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lee Kang-sheng Sets Two More Installments of Tsai Ming-liang's ‘Walker' Series (EXCLUSIVE)
Taiwanese actor Lee Kang-sheng is set to reprise his role in the next two films of auteur Tsai Ming-liang's celebrated 'Walker' series. 'Director Tsai is making two films in the Walker series soon. So I'll be doing those,' Lee confirms to Variety, adding to his decades-long collaboration with the Malaysian-born Taiwanese director that began in 1989. Currently earning acclaim for his supporting role in Yeo Siew Hua's surveillance thriller 'Stranger Eyes,' which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and for which he is nominated in the supporting actor category at the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, Lee discussed how his longstanding partnership with Tsai has influenced his approach to other projects. More from Variety Neo Sora Talks Political Divide in 'Happyend': 'Japan Hasn't Really Reflected on its Colonial Past' 'Perfect Days' Star Yakusho Koji to Receive Asian Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Honor - Global Bulletin 'Decision to Leave,' 'Dangerous Liaisons' Stars Tang Wei and Jang Dong-gun to Receive Excellence Honor at Asian Film Awards 'There's a lot of influence, because director Tsai isn't a director who works with a full script. He often gives me a synopsis, so there's a lot of room for improvisation,' Lee explains. 'Director Tsai doesn't like to yell 'cut' right away… I'm still acting. And once I finish what I have to do, I kind of have to figure out what to do next. It really gave me training for improvisation.' This improvisational style carried over to 'Stranger Eyes,' where Lee convinced director Yeo, 'a fan of Tsai Ming-liang,' to give him similar creative freedom. 'I told him, 'Don't yell cut so quickly. Let me improvise a little.' And being a fan of Tsai Ming-liang, Yeo agreed.' Known for his minimalist acting style, Lee describes himself as 'a naturalistic actor' whose performances 'come from the inside, and so it might come out not very exaggerated or very big, but at least the audience will feel that it's very natural.' Beyond the upcoming 'Walker' films, Lee's schedule remains busy. He has completed 'A New Old Play' director Qiu Jiongjiong's 'Fuxi: Joy in Four Chapters,' which is a work-in-progress selection at the Hong Kong — Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) that runs concurrently with the Hong Kong FilMart. He is also reuniting with his 'Absence' director Wu Lang. He notes some potential projects later in the year remain unconfirmed as he has 'too many scripts on hand at the moment.' The actor, who has predominantly taken on serious roles throughout his career, expressed interest in expanding his repertoire. 'I'd like to try out Wu Xia or action films, because you don't see much of those in Taiwan, but they should have called me when I was younger,' he says. 'I also want to try out comedy, because actually I'm quite humorous. I think I want to bring some joy to audiences.' Lee also reflected on the growing global recognition of Asian cinema. 'I think it's getting better. Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan – they're all making excellent films,' he noted, underscoring the importance of international film festivals in providing exposure for Asian filmmakers. The 'Walker' series, which began in 2012, features Lee as a monk moving at an extremely slow pace through various urban environments, creating a meditative contrast between ancient spiritual practice and modern settings. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More What's Coming to Disney+ in March 2025
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tang Wei and Jang Dong-gun to receive Excellence in Asian Cinema Award
7 Mar - Tang Wei has been announced as one of this year's recipients of the prestigious Asian Film Awards' Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, alongside South Korean actor Jang Dong-gun. The Chinese actress is known for her remarkable performances in award-winning films including "Decision to Leave," "Lust, Caution" and "The Golden Era." She expressed, "I am truly grateful to the Asian Film Awards for recognising my work. Hong Kong has always been special to me, and I'm thrilled to return for this honour. I want to take this opportunity to thank every director and collaborator I've worked with, and most importantly, the audiences whose support made this possible." Jang, who will also receive the honour, has been in the industry for 30 years, and is known for movies like "Taegukgi" and "No Tears for the Dead." "It is a tremendous honour to receive this award, and I sincerely thank the Asian Film Awards for this recognition. Having my three-decade acting career acknowledged is deeply meaningful and inspires me to keep going. I look forward to sharing this joy with everyone in Hong Kong," Jang said following the announcement. Both Tang Wei and Jang Dong-gun will receive their honours during the awards ceremony in Hong Kong on 16 March. (Photo Source: MK, K-en)
