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China falls for Italian battle of the sexes Top Star
Lotte sells Top Star remake rights to China BY JEAN NOH
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment has sold China remake rights to Jong Hoon Park’s Top Star to Beijing-based Aim Media. Top Star features a talent manager who becomes a superstar himself but is thrown into crisis as his passion turns to greed. Lotte said Aim Media producer Helen Lee, whose credits include the recent mainland China hit Beijing Love Story, plans to proceed with the Chinese version’s production this year with the makers of Beijing Love Story. “I think Top Star has the quality and storyline to potentially succeed as a remake in China,” said Justin Choi, Lotte Entertainment general manager and head of international. “A lot of Asian countries have recently expressed interest in Korean film remake rights, and as a seller, this seems to have more significance than simple film exports.
Busan films set for Berlin showcase A selection of titles from Busan International Film Festival is to be showcased in Berlin next month. The 3rd Korean Cinema Today festival (April 24-May 4) will open with Rotterdam Tiger Award winner Han Gong-ju and includes Yeon Sang-ho’s gritty animation The Fake, Kim Jae-han’s Thuy, Jung Yoonsuk’s Non-fiction Diary and a remastered version of Lee Man-hee’s classic Black Hair. Jean Noh
BY MELANIE GOODFELLOW
Italian comedies Men Vs Women and Women Vs Men are to be remade for the Chinese market in a joint project involving Cai Gongming’s Road Pictures and Italian producer Cristiano Bortone. Italian film-maker Fausto Brizzi’s original films, each consisting of four intertwining stories exploring the battle of the sexes, were released in Italy in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Bortone of Orisa Produzioni, which operates in Italy and Germany, negotiated the acquisition of
the Mandarin-language remake rights for both films from Federica Lucisano and Fulvio Lucisano of Italian International Film, who produced the film with the support of Rai Cinema. Bortone is collaborating with Road Pictures on the development of the remake. “The Chinese version takes two episodes from each of the original films to make one film. Some of the episodes in the original films wouldn’t work culturally in China,” said Bortone. “We could eventually use some of the remaining episodes for a
sequel,” he added. Cai Gongming, former vice-president of MercedesBenz China, is packaging the remake through his recently created Road Pictures. “We’re in discussions with some big companies in China to partner on production and distribution,” said Cai, adding that principal photography was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2014. “We don’t have any confirmed cast members as yet but we’re confident the film will attract top stars, which is important for its success in China.”
NEWS Local dishes Chinese film-makers told to focus on local tastes » Page 4
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REVIEW Aberdeen Pang Ho Cheung delivers a delightful slice of family life » Page 6
Final print daily This is Screen’s final print edition for Filmart 2014. For continued news and reviews, see ScreenDaily.com
Third Window delivers Baby BY JEAN NOH
The UK’s Third Window Films has launched sales at Filmart on Japanese film Be My Baby, set to make its international premiere at HKIFF on April 5. The film, about a group of young people in the weeks after a house party, is directed by Hitoshi One, who previously made the popular romantic comedy Love Strikes!. The film stars Kenta Niikura, Naoko Wakai and Chihiro Shibata. “It’s the first film on which I’ve handled sales while not involved as a producer or distributor,” said Adam Torel, Third Window CEO.
Screen, NYAFF team on award (From left) Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Zhou Xun attended a press conference to launch Distribution Workshop’s Overheard 3 at Filmart yesterday. Co-directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, the crime thriller is scheduled for release in May.
BAFTA outlines Asian aims BY LIZ SHACKLETON
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) plans to expand its networking and cultural exchange activities in Hong Kong as part of its outreach programme into the region, according to BAFTA vice-president and producer Duncan Kenworthy. “We’re here because we recognise the industry is global,” said Kenworthy. “This is an extension of the idea that cross-cultural col-
laboration is an integral part of a healthy industry.” BAFTA held the first of its Afternoon Tea networking events in Hong Kong on Monday, bringing together new talent including Celina Jade, Anthony Chen and Jamie Campbell Bower. The academy may also expand its BAFTA Crew online networking programme in Asia. “We hope to build our network and feed that back into our indus-
try,” Kenworthy said. “It will help our members and film-makers in the UK if networks can be created jointly here.” BAFTA also plans to hold regular masterclasses in Hong Kong — actor Eddie Redmayne visited in December and Kenworthy, best known as the producer of Notting Hill and Love Actually, is hosting a masterclass today. These initiatives will run alongside the Academy’s previously announced scholarships, backed for three years by the Yip Foundation, founded by financier Katherine Yip.
New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) is to partner with this publication to launch the Screen International Rising Star Award. “By recognising up-and-coming talent with the Screen International Rising Star Award, we hope to remind audiences in America and beyond of the immense creativity to be experienced in Asian cinema,” said Goran Topalovic, NYAFF co-founder and executive director. “NYAFF is a strong platform for Asian film in America, and we look forward to honouring a hot new talent from their line-up,” said Wendy Mitchell, editor of Screen International. The 13th NYAFF is set to run June 27-July 14. Jean Noh