more blog double dipping: Miike video greeting for Toronto Midnight Madness audiences

another cross post from my entry over at the Toronto International Film Festival Midnight Madness blog...

SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO Trailer


Almost every year we since we screened FUDOH in 1997, TIFF has showcased one of that year's new works by Takeshi Miike. For this years choice, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, we had an extra treat in store for the audience from Miike.

The last time Miike was able to come to Toronto was for the world premiere of ICHI THE KILLER, but a little incident that became known as 9/11 left Miike stranded in a west coast US airport. Since then, every time we have selected one of his films, his shooting schedule has gotten in the way of him making a personal appearance. This year, as we were confirming guests, we were again denied his presence as the film was getting premiered in Venice and then he had to return to Tokyo for the film's theatrical release, but we were graced with the two lead actors, Yusuke Iseya and Yoshino Kimura. We were excited when we got the news as we had never had any actor appear for a Miike film, let alone two! They were a pleasure to have grace our stage and the audience took an immediate liking to them as you can see in the video. Once they left the stage, we had one more surprise for the fabulous fiends that are the Midnight Madness audience: a video message from Miike, hand delivered from Venice by the film's festival publicist, Jill Jones from DDA PR – one of the easiest going publicists I have had the pleasure to work with in my ten years at TIFF.

My favourite part of the video? The crowd's reaction when Miike tells them where the best audience in the world is located. Watch and see...

Wilson Yip Q&A at FLASH POINT screening at the Toronto International Film Festival

Been tardy in posting on this blog of late, but this should make up for it. Okay, so I am double dipping on the post process since I just put this up over at the blog I maintain for the Midnight Madness section of the Toronto International Film Festival which I programme, but you wouldn't have known about it otherwise right?

I first met director Wilson Yip in 1999 when he attended the Festival with his film BULLETS OVER SUMMER. Programmer Noah Cowan introduced us, knowing my love for Hong Kong films and almost immediately I was able to break the language barrier by complimenting Wilson on some of his previous films BIO-ZOMBIE, MONGKOK STORY and the fun horror anthology MIDNIGHT ZONE. After that we kept in touch and would meet in Hong Kong when I'd visit and hung out together at the Udine Far East Festival in Italy.

In 2000 I was able to roam beyond my usual world of celluloid shockers and select a film outside of Midnight Madness. That film was JUILET IN LOVE, directed by Wilson Yip and I was able to show off that I do have a sensitive side of my cinematic tastes. At the end of the screening, several members of the audience were sniffling and wiping tears from there eyes. A refreshing change from the usual shrieks, screams and laffs at Midnight!

In 2005 it was an honour to welcome Wilson into the Midnight Madness arena with SPL starring Wu Jing, Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. Being a fan of HK films, to be onstage with Wu Jing and the legendary Sammo Hung before a cheering audience of 1200 was one of the highlights I have had working for TIFF. The reaction for that film was overwhelming and if you haven't seen it, run out and get the fabulous 2 disc version that is out on Dragon Dynasty under the re-titled name of KILL ZONE. Zip into our blog archives to get Midnight Madness blogger Carol's memories of seeing Sammo on stage for SPL.

A year later, Wilson unleashes the whiplash attack that is FLASH POINT. At last, here is the edited introduction with a special email greeting from star Donnie Yen and the Q&A with Wilson following the movie. Sorry about the poor video and sound for the start of the Q&A, but it clears up two minutes into the video.

And good news for those who missed the screening at Midnight Madness, for according to Bey Logan at his Dragon Dynasty blog, DD will be doing a limited theatrical release of the film in the US before it gets a video release. Originally planned as a prequel to SPL, the story behind the writing of FLASH POINT is an interesting look at how the HK film industry operate. Check out Bey's inside scoop on the evolution of FLASH POINT over at his blog.

FLASH POINT Intro


FLASH POINT Q&A

Yen be serious and Yen be fierce

Posted by our good pals at Twitch Films, the trailer Tony Ching’s AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS starring Donnie Yen. And don't let the Tony Ching name fool ya, its just another way of saying Ching Siu-tung (A CHINESE GHOST STORY, SWORDSMAN 2, HEROIC TRIO, etc)

lurid chinese posters of natural threat

My film fest mafia brother Simon Rumley, director of THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, just came back from Shanghai and sent me these lurid posters from the dvd markets...

but didn't he beat the pirates already?

Oh Jackie! According to Variety, in mainland China, Jackie Chan is doing his bit in the fight against piracy by offering a message of thanks via 200,000 antipiracy refrigerator magnets to be given to consumers who buy authentic copies of "Perfect Stranger," "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "No Reservations."

I remember the good ole days when Jackie would actually use his fists to beat pirates...

2 hurt in samurai sword rampage

Torn from local headlines! "Local" referring to the home of this blog, Toronto and surrounding area.

Police arrested a woman in Milton last night after two people were slashed with a samurai sword.

Halton police said the incident began in a man’s apartment across the street from the Petro Canada Service Centre at Steeles Ave. E. and Martin St.

They said the victim was having an argument with his girlfriend when she grabbed a sword that was on display in the apartment and struck him on the shoulder, arm and head.

When the victim’s brother heard the commotion, police say he told the woman to leave. That’s when investigators say she headed across the street to the gas station and began smashing windows.

“Anytime someone’s running around with a sword, you can imagine (they’ve) taken (the dispute) to another level,” said Staff Sgt. Larry Masson.

A window and two glass doors in the gas station had been shattered, as were the windows of a car parked outside.

An off-duty firefighter who was pumping gas was cut on the arm when he tried to intervene, and was rushed to Hamilton General Hospital.

As police arrived at 8:45 p.m., gas station employees overpowered the woman. She was taken to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries. Her boyfriend was treated at Milton District Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Charges are pending.

Thanks to Steve Manale for the hot tip!

triple fisted smackdown of broads, blades and blood!

This in from cinema patron Marc Walkow's blog, Outcast Cinema about Synapse Films' three-disc release of the Legends of the Poisonous Seductress. After watching these trailers, I am itching to see the features, especially the first entry in scope black and white that looks absolutely delirious! Here are the trailers and an assortment of pics from the films, but for better context, visit Marc's blog.

There is such a wealth of undiscovered Japanese films out there. Everyone goes on about the Lady Snowblood films, but there are a number of other wild action film series such as Wicked Priest or Oichi The Blind Swordswoman (aka CRIMSON BAT). Seeing these projected with an audience today would be a blast!

random lobbycard luv: jesus loves kung fu fighters

Who was the set designer on KILLER ANGELS responsible for the bloody graffiti on this inset from the lobbycard?

more random shots of action! action! action?

terror in the midnight sun

I added this listing on the blog roll at the side of our page, but never had the chance to let our patrons truly know about Lars Erik Holmquist's recent contribution to the world of twisted cinema blogging. Lars and I met via the early days of the internet when he managed the Hong Kong Cinema Homepage around 1994, the first on-line resource for fans of Asian action. We got the chance to meet here in Toronto when he visited from Sweden and Lars was even able to attend one of my Kung Fu Fridays film screenings (The Bride With White Hair I believe). Even though an ocean separates us, I felt that I had found my Swedish counterpart when we swapped stories of organizing screenings of HK goodness and poster collecting. Right now as I post this, Lars is on his way back from Tokyo and I am looking forward to seeing on his blog what stuff he collected while there.

Meanwhile, read about his collection of posters, particularly this fascinating look at restoration and linen backing.

PS - Rumor has it that he even knows a certain Swedish actress known for her role as a one-eyed avenger...

just call that man called TIGER...

This was first posted over on Grady Hendrix's resurrected Kaiju Shakedown blog over at Variety and I think I have just the lobbycard to match up with this outrageous story:

On Monday, Jimmy Wang Yu, Hong Kong's legendary One-Armed Swordsman, revealed that Taiwan's Kuomintan (KMT) government was not only responsible for the assassination of Chinese-American writer Henry Liu in California, but that after seeing too many of his movies they asked him to assassinate pro-independence activist Hsu Hsin-liang.

random lobbycards

Boo!

When you least expected it! A trio of random lobbycards! Come up with your own punchy slogans! Have fun!

how to give North American kids nightmares

What the hell is the name of this 1973 Japanese kids superhero show? Its like HR Puffinstuff in HELL! I love it!



UPDATE!

This in lightning fast from blog reader Don, the answer!This hero is "Diamond Eye"! A one season wonder, Diamond Eye fought these beasties in 26 episodes. From japanhero.com Here is the plot line:

An ancient cadre of evil beasts have awaken in modern times and prepare to conquer humankind. With supernatural magic they masquerade as normal humans to infiltrate and destroy civilization. “Shukan Japan” (Weekly Japan) news reporter Rai Koutaro uncovers their plans and attempts to warn the world. Entrusted with the blue diamond “King of Arabia” ring he calls forth the powers of the mystical godlike entity Diamond Eye, the Warrior of Light to battle the beasts and defend humankind.

And more info on our valiant hero:

When Rai Koutaro is sent a package from Switzerland, he finds its contents to contain a magical blue diamond ring. This is the “King of Arabia” ring and is valued at almost 10 Hundred Million Dollars.

In time of great danger, Rai Koutaro is able to summon forth the magical entity of Diamond Eye from within the ring by using the call phrase “Eye Yo!”

Diamond Eye is a mystical being of Light who is a “Spirit of Justice” and a “Warrior of Light”. He is similar in many ways to a djinn or genie in some respects (or even the Tsuburaya hero Ultraman).

Diamond Eye possesses various abilities that can be seen as almost “god like”. He has incredible strength, stamina, and speed far exceeding those of normal humans. He is also incredibly athletic and can perform various complex acrobatic movements.

Diamond Eye is able to pierce through the Ancient Beasts’ mystical disguises using his “Gedou Shoshinrei Hakko Sen” (Inner Soul Illumination Beam).

His sole weapon of choice is his [Diamond] Stick, a sword-like weapon, which he carries constantly in hand. In addition to using it as a stabbing and slashing weapon, from the base of its handle Diamond Eye can fire his “Noble Punch” special attack. His “Noble Punch” attack is a beam ray attack of incredible power that can stun and immobilize his enemies.

Sir Run Run Shaw turns 100!

Happy Birthday Sir Run Run!

Check out this article on the founder of the powerful Shaw Brother Studios. You can also listen to the MP3 of it here. And are you a Hong Kong based scientist working in Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, or Mathematical Sciences who has " “who have achieved significant breakthrough in academic and scientific research or application and whose work has resulted in a positive and profound impact on mankind?” Then you could be eligible for the $1 million Shaw Prize!

Mifune looks really pissed on hearning the news for this remake..

Toho to remake Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress

Not looking forward to this, especially the director's "permission from Kurosawa Productions to create a single, younger character (Jun Matsumoto, the youngest member of popular boy band Arashi) to reflect the aimless youth of today."

"The announcement is the latest in a string of completed and announced Kurosawa remakes, including recently broadcast made-for-TV versions of Ikiru and High And Low and producer Haruki Kadokawa's big-budget remake of Sanjuro, starring Bayside Shakedown's Yuji Oda.

Sanjuro , which stays faithful to the original screenplay, makes its market debut at this week's AFM on Toho's slate. An animated series of Kurosawa's Yojimbo was produced in 2001."

Belated Kung Fu Halloween BOO!

Been going through my posters and lobbies for a special "performance" project and thought I would throw these up. Blurb!!! Directed by Lo Lieh!

The Streetfighter calls it quits!

Old news as Sonny Chiba announced his retirement in July, but my blogging was on hiatus for the summer, hence the belated notice. At 68, Chiba is still possibly the most recognized Japanese actor world-wide. Any other takers?

Chiba-san has always been proactive in helping new talent with his Japan Action Club (JAC), which was responsible for training Hiroyuki Sanada (THE LAST SAMURAI, SUNSHINE, RUSH HOUR 3, NINJA IN THE DRAGON'S DEN, ROYAL WARRIORS, MESSAGE FROM SPACE) and taking applications for a Japanese branch of his LA-based acting school, as well as join with Hong Kong action legend Jackie Chan to launch schools for future action stars in Beijing and Shanghai.

In 2001 I was lucky to serve on the jury of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival which was chaired by Sonny Chiba, with fellow jury members, OLDBOY star Choi Min-sik, GAMERA and DEATH NOTE director Shusuke Kaneko, and Tchéky Karyo, star of LA FEMME NIKITA and KISS OF THE DRAGON) and he was a gracious man who exuded a powerful charisma. Quentin Tarantino visited the Fest a number of years before, hence the name of Chiaki Kuriyama's character Gogo Yubari in KILL BILL. Below are some pics from the Fest as some Chiba Youtube selections.

Yubari 2001 Jury: Choi Min-sik, Tchéky Karyo, Sonny Chiba, Colin Geddes and Shusuke Kaneko

An audience with the master: Sonny Chiba and VERSUS star Tak Sakaguchi,
director Ryuhei Kitamura and Colin Geddes

VERSUS director Ryuhei Kitamura, Colin Geddes and Sonny Chiba

Jonathan Ross interviews Chiba-san



VIVA CHIBA! The Bodyguard!

CURSE!!!

Italian Gore fans waiting to see DEMONS 2 at a screening in London, Ontario, got the surprise of their lives as CURSE hit the screen during the trailer portion of the evening. A hidden security camera caught all the insanity on MiniDV. Does ANYONE have a video of this film? I know where there is a full 35mm feature of it, but sadly the reels won't fit in my dvd/vhs player...

fists of fire!!!

Big thanks to Magicpoe for posting this BBC doc from 1975 on the Shaw Brothers from around the time of the Shaw/Hammer coproduction Legend of the 7 Golden Vampire. Only watched part one of three, but it has AMAZING footage of the soundstages and sets at the studio. Also, an interview with David Chiang! Not able to paste in the embedded html, but the links are here:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

got nostalgic

Yes, been away from the temple of Kung Fu Friday for almost two months. As usual, things got busy with my job doing the Midnight Madness selection at the Toronto International Film Festival. Of course, this did involve pimping the Fu as I screened FLASH POINT. For Midnight Madness I ran a blog with some intrepid contributers and will shortly post the video for the Intro and Q&A with Wilson Yip for FLASH POINT. I'll be sure to add a link here.


On the weekend I attended a course on letterpress printing out east on Gerrard Street, where the 2nd of our three or four Toronto Chinatowns exist. This brought back memories as there used to be an AMAZING video store that I would make the trek to so to rent VHS tapes back when I was learning about the wild world of HK cinema. Saldy, the dvd/vcd selection pales when compared to what they had on VHS. And they are selling off bags of randomly grouped tapes in lots of ten for only $5. Ahhhh, the memories. To cheer everyone up, here is a behind the scenes video from 8 DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER that my buddy King sent me some time ago.