THE ASIAN FILM ARCHIVE COLLECTION FOR REFERENCE OPENS AT LIBRARY@ESPLANADE

In conjunction with the Audio-Visual World Heritage Day, the Asian Film Archive (AFA) opens its collection for reference to the public at the library@esplanade. This collection consists of Singapore and Asian films from around the region. Amongst the titles are the works of local award-winning filmmakers such as Royston Tan, Anthony Chen, Tan Pin Pin and Kirsten Tan. Films by famed Southeast-Asian filmmakers such as Tan Chui Mui, Riri Riza, and Thunska Pansittivorakul also form part of the collection.

Made available for research and viewing within the premise of the library@esplanade, this is the first time where a collective body of Asian films can be readily accessed at a centralised location in Singapore. This is made possible under a partnership between AFA and the National Library Board (NLB). With over 100 Singapore film titles and 50 Asian titles currently available, the collection is expected to increase substantially by the end of 2008. The synopses of all the films can be found on the AFA’s online catalogue at www.asianfilmarchive.org. The list of locally produced films funded by the Singapore Film Commission can also be found under the Series "Asian Film Archive: Singapore Collection" in NLB's Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at www.nlb.gov.sg.

The AFA hopes that through the partnership with NLB, more people will be able to appreciate and enjoy the works of Asian filmmakers. With the support of NLB, Singapore Film Commission, the National Archives of Singapore and Canon, the mission of the AFA to save, share, and explore the art of Asian cinema can be further realised.

Takeshi Kaneshiro joins the Asian promotional tour for The Warlords

The production company of The Warlords has confirmed that Takeshi Kaneshiro will make a rare appearance in the film’s promotional tour throughout Asia to meet his fans.
Kaneshiro disagrees with earlier reports about the “atypical performances that will stop at nothing” by himself and his co-stars including Jet Li, Andy Lau and Xu Jinglei. In his opinion, the toughness and masculinity men display in the battle field can be very moving. Except for growing a beard for the earlier part of the film, there has been no significant change in his overall appearance. He considers the change more intrinsic.

Hong Kong director Peter Chan Ho-sun is particularly pleased with Kaneshiro’s brilliant work in the re-dubs for the film done recently in Beijing. According to Chan, “When I offered Takeshi the role of Jiang Wu-yang, I called on him repeatedly. He was convinced he was nothing like the character. He was used to playing more subdued characters and not hero types. We had repeated discussions before he finally accepted the role. True to the name of the character “Wu-yang”, meaning midday sun, he gave a brilliant, unrestrained portrayal while keeping his usual sense of purity and integrity.”

Judging from the official photos released by the film company, Kaneshiro’s unusual appearance is definitely an eye-opener. Undoubtedly, this is Kaneshiro’s most outstanding performance to date. What’s even harder to come by is that he’s willing to sacrifice his beautiful long hair to become a “baldie”. In principle, Kaneshiro has agreed to shave his head for the film, thereby creating an enormous challenge for his agent in maintaining his image. Hence, special effects have been counter proposed to create the bald look. Regardless of how this was achieved, one thing for sure is that Kaneshiro’s fans will not be disappointed with his new look set against the Qing Dynasty.
Kaneshiro himself certainly takes The Warlords seriously. Rather than keeping his low profile, he has taken the unprecedented step to participate in the Asia tour to promote the film. Word on the street is that his fans from around the world will not miss this close encounter with their idol.

Ekin Cheng aka Huo Yuan Jia Star Tour

“The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia” is a remake of the 1980 classic TV drama “Huo Yuan Jia” by Hong Kong Producer, Stanley Kwan. The storyline of “The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia” remains the same as the original version, but the setting of the drama and persona of the characters were enhanced. For instance, “The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia” was filmed in The Great Wall of China and also lead actor Ekin Cheng shaved his head in order to give a realistic portrayal of the character Huo Yuan Jia. Besides Ekin Cheng, “The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia” also stars Jordan Chan, Zhou Mu Yin and Liang Jia Ren.

In conjunction with the launch of the serial, Scorpio East Entertainment is pleased to announce that Ekin Cheng will be in Singapore for "The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia Star Tour" on 3rd November 2007, Saturday! Ekin will also be making two public mall appearances at Capitaland Malls to greet his fans and supporters. There will be interactive games with attractive prizes to be won and autograph sessions during the mall appearances. 3.45pm - Tampines Mall (Open Plaza, Level 4) 6.30pm - Junction 8 (Top of the 8, Level 3) Meet Ekin at K BOX At 5.15pm there will also be an exclusive Meet-the-fans session at K BOX, K UNION (Orchard Cineleisure, Level 8). To win tickets to this exclusive session, fans should look out for various contests on radio and newspapers held in conjunction with "The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia Star Tour"!

"The Legend of Huo Yuan Jia" is available now in DVD：42 Episodes / Chinese Dialogue with Chinese, English & Malay Subtitles and VCD：42 Episodes with Chinese Dialogue / Chinese Subtitles

An "Atonement" Book Review

Our Reviewer, Ninart delves into British author & Booker Prize Winner Ian McEwan"Atonement", a book which she describes that could only have been written by one of the English greats - and deserves to be ranked up there with perennial classics we all have to pore over during boring English Literature lessons... The full extensive review can be found here

Atonement, the movie starring Keira Knightley is tentatively schedule to open here early 2008

Relieve Your Childhood's Dreams with Jungle Book & Disney Princess

The Jungle Book based on the adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic novel comes alive in this exciting 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition, brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound. Full Review Here..

Cross the drawbridge, step inside a dazzling castle and accompany Princess Aurora on her first new adventure since the cherished classic Sleeping Beauty. Then take a magic carpet ride to Agrabah where Jasmine and your favourite characters from the award-winning masterpiece Aladdin return for a whole new world of never-before-seen enchantment. Full Review Here..