HOT PROJECTS TAIWAN
Note perfect A hot-spring horror comedy, a supernatural thriller set in a high school and a real-life prison drama are among the buzz Taiwanese titles being sold in this year’s Cannes market. Silvia Wong reports Bad Boy Symphony
Golden Horse best supporting actor Bokeh Kosang and rising actress Yao Yi Ti. Ma Tien Tsung, renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Sylvia Chang and Hou Hsiaohsien’s regular producer/editor Liao Ching Sung are the producers.
Dir Charles Sun As Taiwan’s first film set in a youth prison, Sun’s directorial debut is an inspirational drama about how a group of criminals turn over a new leaf with the help of a teacher who prepares them for a music contest. Based on a true story, the film stars singer JR Jiyankai, JC Lin (The Last Painting) and up-andcoming actor Fandy Fan. Fox Taiwan will release the film in September. Sun previously produced The Spin Kid and local box-office hit Gatao.
Contact Activator Marketing Licensing enga.chang@gmail.com
Contact Fox Networks Group Asia Pacific lammy.li@fox.com
The Blue Choker Dir David Chang
More Than Blue
Bad Boy Symphony
More Than Blue
Double Trouble director Chang’s second feature is a supernatural thriller about a new high-school transfer student drawn to the myth of Room 420, where it is believed students will be rewarded with top grades if they hang themselves long enough to leave a blue bruise around their neck. Adapted from a bestselling novella and starring newcomer Jacko Fu, veteran actress Tien Niu and Nikki Hsieh, the film is produced by MandarinVision’s Yeh Jufeng and CMC Entertainment’s Dennis Wu. A local release is scheduled for September.
Dir Gavin Lin Starring popular idols Jasper Liu and Chen Yi Han in a remake of the Korean romance drama of the same name, Welcome To The Happy Days director Lin’s latest film is about two childhood friends. When a young man discovers that he is terminally ill, he sets out to look for a suitable husband for the girl he is secretly in love with. Produced by Singapore-based mm2 Entertainment, the film is in post-production for a thirdquarter release.
Contact MandarinVision desmond@mandarinvision.com
Contact mm2 Entertainment nelsonmok@mm2entertainment.com
Hidden Treasures In The Mountains
Dear Ex Dirs Mag Hsu, Hsu Chih Yen Selected for Taipei Film Festival’s international new talent competition, the feature directing debut of award-winning TV writer Mag Hsu and music-video director Hsu Chih Yen follows a new widow and her son who find themselves caught up in a feud when their late husband-father lists his gay lover as his insurance beneficiary. Popular TV actor Roy Chiu heads the cast, which also includes Spark Chen (lead singer of rock band Quarterback) in his acting debut, veteran actress Hsieh Ying Xuan and newcomer Joseph Huang. Warner Bros Taiwan will release the film in September. Contact Dear Studio sanling.chang@gmail.com
40 Screen International at Cannes May 8, 2018
Hidden Treasures In The Mountains Dir Wang Dao Nan This comedy follows an unexpected 48-hour journey in the mountains involving a motley crew: a righteous patrol officer, a lame wood thief, a lazy hunter and a suicidal man, who find themselves caught up in ridiculous situations. The cast includes Esther Huang, Soda Voyu and Bernard Ho. The film marks the feature directing debut of veteran actor and TV director Wang. Contact Sky Film cs98h040@gmail.com (Right) Secrets In The Hot Spring
High Flash
Secrets In The Hot Spring
Dir Chuang Ching Shen
Dir Lin Kuan Hui
Selected to world premiere as the closing film at Taipei Film Festival in June, this crime mystery focuses on the investigation of a fisherman’s self-immolation during a protest against a petrochemical plant. Based on a script by Wang Li Wen (Forever Love), Chuang’s feature debut stars 2016 Golden Bell best actor Wu Kang Ren along with 2011
This horror comedy features rising actors Zhang Ting Hu, Hung Yan Siang and Lin He Xuan as three high-school students who spend one winter vacation at a dilapidated family hotel. Despite bickering with one another at first, they begin to develop a close friendship as they unravel the secrets of the hot spring. Produced by Wang Tong and Yeh Jufeng, Lin’s first feature is set for a July release in Taiwan through Warner Bros, which will also roll it out in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Contact Third Man Entertainment s oliveting100@gmail.com ■
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