HBO Asia Pacts with China Movie Channel for Martial-Arts Films

SINGAPORE: HBO Asia has announced a partnership with China Movie Channel (CMC) to develop an anthology of Chinese-language action movies centered on martial arts.

Due out at the end of this year, the first two movies of the anthology will air on CMC’s channels, and concurrently across 23 Asian territories on HBO and RED by HBO. The productions will be subtitled where relevant.

The movies will be titled Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying. Principal photography for both movies has commenced in Heng Dian, China, helmed by Chinese action choreographer and director Guo Jian Yong (So Close, Chinese Hero Zhao Zi Long). Hong Kong action director Corey Yuen (The Transporter, X-Men) executive produces the films, which are set in ancient China at the end of the Qing dynasty.

HBO Asia previously collaborated with filmmakers in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia on various English-language productions, including the fantasy series, Halfworlds. The production was recently renewed for a second season, which is concurrently being shot in Thailand.

Jonathan Spink, the CEO of HBO Asia, said: “In expanding our production capabilities in North Asia to match audience appetite, HBO Asia is privileged to draw on CMC’s strong domestic production expertise while entertaining and inspiring viewers across the region with China’s vivid culture and stories. Apart from being HBO Asia’s very first Chinese-language production and approach to the genre, this also marks the network’s first collaboration with talents from China, Hong Kong and Singapore.”

Cao Yin, the president and managing director of CMC, said: “As the most influential movie channel in China, CMC has always been developing quality Chinese films over the years, and we are very happy and excited to work with prestigious international media companies such as HBO Asia. This is the first time CMC is doing a co-production of original TV movies. Through this partnership, we hope to exchange knowledge and know-how in the production of original content, and together with HBO Asia, introduce the essence of our culture through martial arts, one of the most iconic representations of the Chinese heritage.”