INDUSTRY GUIDE FAR EAST FESTIVAL FILM - 23 FOCUS ASIA INDUSTRY GUIDE - Far East Film Festival
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FAR EAST
FILM
FESTIVAL
23
INDUSTRY GUIDE
FOCUS ASIA INDUSTRY GUIDE
30 June - 2 July 2021
FOCUS ASIA & TTB / APRIL 29TH - MAY 3RD
30
WEDNESDAY
1
THURSDAY
2
FRIDAY
FOCUS ASIA
After a very successful 2020 online edition, FOCUS ASIA 2021 is back with a challenging and exciting
brand-new hybrid format, bringing together over 200 international film professionals both physically and
virtually. This year again, the programme will include a large number of industry events meant to foster
professional and artistic exchanges between Asia and Europe.
CASA DELLA CASA DELLA CASA DELLA The ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET will present 9 high-quality projects in advanced development phase
CONTADINANZA CONTADINANZA CONTADINANZA from 7 different countries. The final line-up will feature a large variety of genres and a great diversity of
profiles of directors and producers, proving one of the main goals of the platform: to explore both the pre-
9.30 9.30 9.30 sent and future generation of filmmakers. All selected projects will be seeking the most suitable co-pro-
FOCUS ASIA OPENING FAR EAST IN PROGRESS SECOND HAND FILM MARKET
& ALL GENRES PROJECT The only works-in-progress
duction and financing partners through a series of individual meetings with all international attendees.
A fine selection of restored hits
MARKET All market professionals will be also able to request individual meetings with the participants selected for
section dedicated to Asian films from the recent past ready to be
project presentation TIES THAT BIND, the Asia/Europe Co-production Workshop that every year brings together 10 European
in post-production released in the near future.
and Asian producers focusing on project development and 5 European professionals interested in wor-
11.00 11.00 11.00 king with Asia. The workshop has become the reference for developing European-Asian co-productions in
VI (TASTE) BY Lê Bảo THE CURRENT ASIAN IN THE MOOD the past decade, combining producer training, project development and co-production meetings.
Co-Production Case Study with DISTRIBUTION LANDSCAPE FOR RESTORATION For the second consecutive year FAR EAST IN PROGRESS will present upcoming Asian feature films in
Weijie LAI (E&W, Singapore) with Pamela Bai (Hugoeast, with Vincent Paul-Boncour post-production looking for festival premiere and international distribution; 5 selected teams will have the
and Marie DUBAS (Petit Film, China), Shaoyi Chen (Carlotta Films, France), Mireille
chance to screen some excerpts of their films to a large panel of international sales agents, festival pro-
France) in collaboration with (Screenwork Asia, Taiwan), Van Helm (Block 2 Distribution,
grammers and buyers, and they will be in the running for the 108 MEDIA Distribution Award.
Ties That Bind Kana Koido (Klockworx, Japan), Hong Kong), Maxime
Vincent Quek (Anticipated Vauthier, Louise Kerouanton
Thanks to the collaboration with European Film Promotion, Focus Asia 2021 will launch the first edition of
Pictures, Singapore) moderated (STUDIOCANAL, France). the SECOND-HAND FILM MARKET, a brand-new section designed to showcase a fine selection of restored
by Patrick Frater Moderated by Michele hits from the recent past ready to be released in the near future.
in collaboration with Crocchiola (Fondazione Another innovation of the 2021 industry programme are the ASIAN GATES, a cycle of masterclasses and
Ties That Bind Culturale Stensen, Italy) case studies addressed to European film professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of the oppor-
tunities offered by the Asian market.
Focus Asia 2021 will also include a rich programme of panels, case studies and strategic meetings,
12.30 12.30 12.30 thus becoming the most natural bridge between the Asian and European landscape. On top of all these
HOW TO GET PUBLIC THE CURRENT ITALIAN CLOSING CEREMONY activities Focus Asia will also offer a series of informal and spontaneous on-site/online networking events
FUNDING FOR FINANCING LANDSCAPE & FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
CO-PRODUCTIONS IN AWARD where professionals from all over the world will be able to meet, get to know each other and start shaping
with Iole Maria Giannattasio
GREATER CHINA
(Ministero della Cultura,
together the films of the future.
with Vincent WANG (House On Focus Asia is organized by Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche with the collaboration of the Friuli Vene-
Direzione Generale Cinema e
Fire Productions, France) and zia Giulia Audiovisual Fund and with the support of MiC. It is developed in collaboration with the workshop
Audiovisivo, Italy) and Federico
Patrick Mao HUANG (Flash
Pedroni (Rai Cinema, Italy) Ties That Bind and is promoted in association with Eave, European Film Promotion, HAF - Hong Kong, and
Forward Entertainment, Taiwan)
Taipei Golden Horse Film Project Promotion.
in collaboration with
Ties That Bind
15.00 15.00
THE ASIAN GATE FOR THE ASIAN GATE FOR SALES
PRODUCERS with Matteo Lovadina
a discovery session with (Reel Suspects, France) in
Raymond Van Der Kaaij collaboration with EFP
(Revolver Amsterdam,
Netherlands)
All events are on CEST time zone
3
Submission period : Aug-Oct 2021
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
ADABANA P. 6
ASH VALLEY P. 8
BACK HOME P. 10
LITTLE BASTARD P. 12
LOW-END P. 14
MAYANG P. 16
MISHIMA,
THE ROSES OF VENDETTA P. 18
PIERCE P. 20
THREE FUNERALS
AND A WEDDING P. 22
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
If we thin out people, any life on the planet, or objects that were ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS INC.
unnecessary to our society, I worry how colorless the sensitivity 3-9-7 Ebisu minami, Shibuya-ku,
of humans in the future would be. If we continue this lifestyle, 1500022, Tokyo, Japan
ADABANA consuming excessively as we do now, if our greed wins over our
value, treating life without any respect, our souls and ethnicity,
M - ueno@robot.co.jp
T - + 81 9074291595
and even our diversity might be left behind, with the possibility
of “body exchange” in the future. Cherry blossom is a flower that
represents Japan and symbolizes death. It is said that most of
the trees we see now are clones, all sharing the same DNA.
By overlapping the short life of this cloned cherry blossoms, from
when it sprouts to the time its flowers fall off, with the seven days
A man diagnosed with terminal cancer a man interacts with his clone, I’ll depict our common
spends his last 7 days with his clone understanding through mythical realization, using beautiful
created only to save him and decides depiction like capturing a myth with reality.
his fate while their affection toward
one another deepens.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Short film Ondine’s Curse (2014), which pursued the Japanese
Noh and human psychology, won Semi-Grand Prix at Yamagata Sayaka Kai | Director
International Film Festival 2014 and Honorable Mention Award
at SKIP City International D-Cinema Festival 2015. It was highly
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS praised oversea, at Maison de Culture du Japon in Paris. Her
first feature film Red Snow (2019) was nominated in various
About 50 years ago, an unknown virus spread through the world,
COUNTRY international film festivals including Marrakesh International Film
changing physical constitutions of humans, and as a result
Japan Festival 2018 Competition Section, Up- and-Coming Director
bringingdown birthrates. To maintain labor force of each country,
Grand Prix at Takasaki Film Festival 2019, Best Picture Award at
PRODUCER development of clone technology was encouraged.
Los Angeles Japan Film Festival 2019.
Hiroyuki Ueno The protagonist is an heir of a huge pharmaceutical company in
PRODUCTION COMPANY his 40’s. He has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and the
Robot Communications Inc. one treatment suggested by his doctor is organ transplant from COMPANY PROFILE
his clone, an option only the privileged can enjoy . The cancer is
DIRECTOR ROBOT started in film production with Love Letter directed
spreading fast and he has only 7 days to decide if he is willing to Hiroyuki Ueno | Producer
Sayaka Kai by Shunji Iwai. It went on to become one of the biggest film
go on with the surgery. The man asks if he could meet his clone.
production companies in Japan with box office hits like Bayside
WRITER Though he is a successful businessman, through his
Shakedown, Umizaru, and Sunset on Third Street. Short animation
Sayaka Kai conversation with the clone, he comes to know the emptiness
La Maison en Petits Cubes directed by Kunio Kato won the Best
GENRE within him which he never realized and tries to regain his life
Animated Short Film at 81st Academy Awards, the first Japanese
Drama back in a surprising way.
film to receive the award. Recently along with Japanese mega
TOTAL BUDGET hits, Robot has produced works of up and coming directors such
€ 413,000 as We are Little Zombies directed by Makoto Nagahisa (Winner of
FINANCING IN PLACE World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Originality at 35th
€ 165,000 Sundance Film Festival & Special Mention Award / Generation
14 plus at 69th Berlin International Film Festival) and Red Snow
LOOKING FOR
(2019) directed by Sayaka Kai.
Co-production, Financing,
Netflix new series Alice in Borderland is now being distributed
Sales Agent, Festival
worldwide.
6 7
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
I grew up in Northeastern China in an oil town called Daqing. EAST FILMS
My grandparents' generation moved here and built it from the 1023 N Wilton Place, Los Angeles,
ASH ground up to become the largest oil field in China. The city
flourished with the oil boom, but oil production has been in
90038, CA, United States
M - ale808@gmail.com
VALLEY slow decline since the last decade. Young people, including
myself, have all moved out of the city to avoid the harsh climate
T - + 1 3109456585
and pursue brighter opportunities in bigger cities, leaving the
old generations of oil workers in their “empty nest”. This is a
macabre love letter to my hometown, my family, and my people,
as well as a timely reflection on industrial decay, patriarchy,
environmentalism, and rebirth. The film aims to be raw, jarring,
After a meteor crashes in a decaying confrontational, but contemplative just the same. As the world
Northeastern China oil town, three and its people within the film each undergoes a cycle of decay
townsfolks must struggle to survive and rebirth, I hope the audience will go through the same
as otherworldly mutations infect experience.
the once-fertile land.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Shu is a graduate from American Film Institute’s MFA Directing Anderson Le | Producer
Program and holds a BFA from New York University in Film and
TV Production. Shu has created works that have been
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS showcased at prestigious festivals and institutions around the
world, such as Telluride Film Festival, LA Shorts International
Ash Valley is an industrial town in Northeastern China. Its people
COUNTRY Film Festival, Asian American International Film Festival, Las
are kind, simple, but live in a profound despair as the city’s
United States, China Vegas International Film Festival, Anthology Film Archive in New
lifeline - OIL - slowly dries out. One day, a meteor crashes into
York, Chinese Young Generation Film Forum, National Museum
PRODUCER the oil fields. Black liquid starts to erupt from the once-dry oil
of Art in Mexico, National Film Archive of India, Jia Zhangke Art
Anderson Le wells. People are ecstatic under the assumption it is oil, but the
Center, among others.
substance is discovered to be a secretion of unknown microbes.
PRODUCTION COMPANY
It contaminates the water source and causes the vegetation to
East Films
mutate. The progression of events is told through three chapters: COMPANY PROFILE
DIRECTOR “RUST”: After collecting a sample of the meteor to sell on the Shu Zhu | Director & Writer
Shu Zu EAST FILMS is a transpacific media company whose mission is to
antique market, a middle-aged, impotent oil worker is driven
empower visionary storytellers to excel in the global entertainment
WRITER to the edge of madness by haunting hallucinations of the
market. Bringing a culmination of 50 years experience in the film
G Wilson, Shu Zu apocalypse. “OASIS”: Through hypnosis, a pregnant farm owner
industry, as global entertainment consumption becomes more
GENRE recalls an encounter of alien abduction shortly after the meteor
integrated, EAST serves as a bridge between the Asia-Pacific Rim
Thriller, Sci-Fi, Art crash. As her pregnancy progresses, a bizarre mutation takes
and the world. With offices in Vietnam and the U.S., we bring
place inside her womb “ENTROPY”: As most of the townsfolk
TOTAL BUDGET an expertise to a growing entertainment landscape and
abandon the town, a commune of old people are left behind to
$ 500,000 infrastructure in Southeast Asia, to develop compelling stories
care for themselves. An elderly woman suffering from dementia
with innovative creatives across a spectrum of genres. Their first
FINANCING IN PLACE is visited by her deceased son who prepares her for ascension.
production, Rom (2019), won the New Currents Prize at Busan.
$ 75,000
Their current project, Be Water (2020), was an official selection of
LOOKING FOR both Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, and was broadcast on
Co-production, Financing, Festival ESPN as part of the '30 for 30' series.
8 9
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
In these years, Hong Kong has become strange. Places have MM2
changed beyond our recognition. People around us could Unit 02, 1/F, International Plaza,
BACK actually turn into someone that we aren’t familiar with.
Speaking incomprehensibly, they also act against one’s
20 Sheung Yuet Road, Hong Kong,
Hong Kong SAR China
HOME conscience. We have been taught by the elderlies that you have
to turn a blind eye on somethings, just like river water doesn’t
M - maniman@mm2entertainment.com
T - + 852 97683962
interfere with well water. We can live everywhere as long as we
don’t question. Happiness can be shaped like paper. It may be
true. However, as a homegrown, One day you will realize...
"Backhome", Do you still remember how much you love this
home?
Heung Wing has just settled into
Europe but he returns to Hong
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Kong after his mother committed
suicide. However, his old home Using “liveincentral” and “donotsayhello” as his pen names,
is no longer safe and familiar. Nate has been published novels related to love, regret,
suspense and horror stories. His film scripts include Hell Hole
(2018) and Hell Bank Presents: Running Ghost (2020). He
also directed short films such as Carry On (2014), Hong Kong Mani Man | Producer
Horror Story Series (2017) and Once Upon A Time In…Sai
Wan. Once Upon A Time In…Sai Wan was selected into several
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS international short films festivals. He will make his directorial
debut on Backhome with mm2.
Heung Wing has been sensitive to the paranormal activity and
COUNTRY seeing ghosts since he was a kid. It is called having “yin yang”
Hong Kong SAR China eyes in Chinese culture. Eventually, he learned to ignore them COMPANY PROFILE
PRODUCER even though they exist. After that, he isn’t bothered by ghosts
mm2 Hong Kong is a film production and distribution
Mani Man anymore. When he gets old enough, he escapes Hong Kong to
company. We provide services that cover the entire filmmaking
Europe because of his miserable childhood. Suddenly he finds
PRODUCTION COMPANY process, including securing financing, producing and
out that his mother has committed suicide and he has to return
mm2 distributing as well as securing advertising and sponsorship.
to Hong Kong.
DIRECTOR At the same time, our team also committed and actively
As he goes into his home, everything feels strange. One by Nate Ki | Director & Writer
Nate Ki acquiring films from overseas for Hong Kong audiences.
one, his neighbours kill themselves and he sees the ghosts in
WRITER his housing estate. The situation is deteriorating beyond his
Nate Ki recognition during his stay.
GENRE
Horror, Thriller
TOTAL BUDGET
$ 1,55 M
FINANCING IN PLACE
$ 750,000
LOOKING FOR
Financing, Sales Agent, Festival
10 11
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
Many say that a director's first feature should tell a story that is SEVEN DREAMS PRODUCTION
deeply rooted in his or her experience. While I have worked on Piazza A. Capponi, 13, Roma, 00193,
LITTLE many projects, both cross-border and solely China-based, since
I finished college in Scotland, I can't help but think that the Little
Lazio, Italy
M - info@sevendreams.net
BASTARD Bastard story is rooted in my own experience of leaving China at
the age of 15 and moving to the UK, and, while grappling with
T - + 39 06 6873035
STARRY DOME PRODUCTIONS, INC.
linguistic and cultural challenges, also reveling in the freedom of
3434 Wonder View Square, Los
cross-border travel, adventure and discovery. Many directors from Angeles, 90068, CA, United States
China have dabbled in movies — road trip comedies, romances M - eeliasoph@gmail.com
and action adventure stories — that take characters from China to T - + 1 3108902619
farflung locales. But many of these have had a superficial, "picture
Following a tragic accident that leaves postcard" quality. By contrast, I have actually lived in Europe for
a young boy orphaned, a career- many years, and I would like to think that my film will have a certain
crazed actress must make a cross- fresh authenticity as a result.
continental journey to take up the most
challenging role of her life -- MOM
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Born in Lanzhou, China, Difei Zhou left to study in the U.K. when
he was 15. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh with
majors in Arts and Film Directing, he embarked on a career in film
and television production. His first job, as an assistant on the US
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS China co-production Karate Kid (2010) , which starred Jackie Chan,
was representative of the sort of cross-border production in which
Su Mo, an actress whose star is fading, would give anything to
COUNTRY he thrives. Over the last decade, Difei has produced a wide range
succeed in her career. Her husband moved to France years ago,
China, Italy, France of both film and tv projects. As his feature debut, Little Bastard will
and now her marriage exists in name only. While rehearsing for
be a showcase for his bilingual and bicultural fluency.
PRODUCER her new film, she receives an urgent call: her husband has died
Maria Cucinotta, Ellen R Eliasoph in a car accident. She flies to France, only to learn that there
was a woman in the car who also died in the crash. She finds COMPANY PROFILE
PRODUCTION COMPANY Ellen R Eliasoph | Producer
her way to her husband’s flat and is shocked to discover a young
Seven Dreams Production Seven Dreams Production is the production shingle of Maria Grazia
boy, Alex, waiting there for his parents to come home. Su Mo
Starry Dome Productions, Inc. Cucinotta (born 27 July 1968). Maria is an Italian actress who has
also discovers a practical problem: her husband left his legacy
DIRECTOR featured in many films and television series since 1990. She has
to Alex, with whom she has no blood ties. She decides to travel
Difei Zhou also worked as a producer, screenwriter and model. Cucinotta
with Alex to Sicily, where his maternal grandfather lives, to fight
was born in Messina, Province of Messina, Sicily, Italy. She is well
WRITER for what she deserves.
known in Italy as a movie and television actress, but internationally
Difei Zhou Su Mo is by turns frustrated and amused by her naughty
she is best known for her roles in Il Postino and as
GENRE companion. Alex keeps asking where his parents have gone.
the Bond girl, credited as the Cigar Girl, in the James Bond film The
Comedy, Family, Road Trip Su Mo finally says they’ve “gone to hell”. But as they get to know
World Is Not Enough.
each other in the course of their trip, she is moved by this quirky
TOTAL BUDGET Starry Dome Productions is the production shingle of Ms. Ellen
kid, and Alex comes to appreciate this odd, unpredictable
€ 4-5 M woman. Ruth Eliasoph, an award-winning international producer who
FINANCING IN PLACE When he finally learns his parents have died, he breaks down, works principally in the Chinese and Australian film industries. Ms.
Difei Zhou | Writer & Director
€2M arousing Su Mo's hidden maternal instincts. Eliasoph's notable productions include Stephen Chow's Journey to
the West: Conquering the Demons, Zhang Yimou's Shadow, Larry
LOOKING FOR
Yang's Mountain Cry, Teng Congcong's Send me to the Clouds,
Co-production, Financing, Filming
and Wen Shipei's upcoming Killing Time. Ms. Eliasoph is a voting
member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as
well as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
12 13
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
With thriller, horror snuff and action genre aiming to draw SWALLOW WINGS FILMS
attractiveness from the film audience, I'm ready to make a 7F-6, No.76 Kunming St., Wan Hwa
R-rated film to show the extreme situation the characters Dist., Taipei, 108003, Taipei City,
LOW-END confront in such a "low-end." On one hand, I would like to bring
more audience to attach migrant workers issue by genre and
Taiwan
M - pacificoceansy@gmail.com
entertaining elements. T - + 886 23610873
On the other hand, I want to stand out the fact that how these
ordinary and innocent people are driven crazy by the terrible
environments, which help us to reflect the social class issue.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Four illegal foreign migrant workers
imprisoned in one basement get Graduated from Taipei National University of the Art, Lai has a
involved in terrible murder caused of splendid and complete filmography with works including short,
affairs. How could they find help in commercial, documentary, film and series. Futhermore, he
time without identity has won Golden Harvest Award, Golden Bell Award as well
as Taipei Film Award. His short Panic House earned attention
of International Film Festival Rotterdam. After serving as
executive director of See You Tomorrow, his feature film Stand Albert Yao | Producer
By Me also screened in 2019.
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS COMPANY PROFILE
Four foreign migrant workers lived in one basement during the Swallow Wings Films Co., Ltd., founded in 1976, is a film
COUNTRY transfer period. They have different backgrounds and reasons company that both distributes and produces motion pictures.
Taiwan and no choice but to work in Taiwan. One is Yanni, a 42-year-old Swallow Wings Films distributes award winning films, including
PRODUCER mother from Indonesia, another is a handsome 23-year-old guy Farhadi’s A Separation, Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others,
Albert Yao Homer, also from Indonesia, and the other two are a 25-year-old Haneke's Amour, Free Solo, The Legend of 1900, etc.
man Jinxiong and a 22-year-old hot girl Sile, both from Vietnam. Among Mandarin film releases are Tsai Ming- Liang’s The
PRODUCTION COMPANY
The four people doesn’t really know each other and put together Wayward Cloud, Hou Hsiao-Hsien‘s Three Times, Chang Tso-chi’s
Swallow Wings Films
by the intermediary Zhaocheng Liu temporarily. Two young guys Thanatos, Drunk, Lou Ye’s Spring Fever. In 2017, Swallow Wings
DIRECTOR quickly start to get Sile’s attention while she is extremely sexy. In Films produced The Last Painting, A Fish Out of Water, and Blood
Meng-Chieh Lai conflict, Jinxiong accidentally and seriously injures Homer. Yanni Amber, all of which were selected in notable international film
WRITER and Sile quickly stops him and ties violent Jinxiong to a chair. festivals.
Meng-Chieh Lai, Shi-Hsien Chang After calming down, Jinxiong regrets and wants to call ambulance
GENRE to save Homer immediately. Of course, Homer is eagerly to do
Asian, Thriller, Crime, Action the same thing. However, the problem is: both Yanni and Sile
refuse to call the police while they are runaway workers and they
TOTAL BUDGET
will do anything to ensure they can keep working in Taiwan for
$ 660,000 their family...finally, who can really escape from the basement
FINANCING IN PLACE after all the tension and contradiction?
$ 100,000
LOOKING FOR
Co-production, Financing,
Sales Agent, Festival
14 15
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
I’m always looking to tell stories that pique my own curiosity, and WAYANG WORKS
this one deals with an untold, and potentially even taboo issue. A-11-16 Pinnacle PJ, Petaling Jaya,
But I am deeply intrigued by the journey of a character like Bayu. 46200, Selangor, Malaysia
MAYANG She has always been a practising Muslim but finds her faith
challenged when her husband is lost at sea. How deep must
M - mo@wayangworks.com
priyawork100@gmail.com
that desire, love and belief be so that one turns away from what T - + 60 143488123
has always been the right path? + 17 6576510
Being an avid fan of supernatural dramatic films, I find this story
most fitting to mark my first foray into the genre. I have long
stayed away due to an uncanny reason for sure. Even as we
speak, and develop this film, there have been unexplained
After losing her husband at sea, Bayu bumps and thumps in the darkest of the nights, and nights of
starts experiencing mysterious calls waking up in cold sweat at 3am.
by the 7 goddesses, testing her faith And as they say, the best stories are the ones that are usually the
and leading her to believe that she can hardest to tell.
bring him back to life.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
With her debut feature Motif, Nadiah Hamzah has been hailed Mo Bahir | Producer
as “one to watch” by The Hollywood Reporter. Her anti-bullying
film for Save The Children, exploded online and has earned her
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS a win at the Adfest, The One Show, and a Cannes Lion.
Nadiah Hamzah was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia.
On the 40th day of losing her husband at sea, Bayu returns to
COUNTRY After a brief stint as a copywriter in McCann Erickson, she
the seaside town of Kuala Terengganu to recover her husband’s
Malaysia enrolled in film school and graduated with an MFA (Film & TV)
missing boat. However as she gets closer to the coast, a familiar
from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University..
PRODUCER sensation begins to overcome her - something she has felt
Muhammad Bahir, Priya Narayanan before as a child growing close to the beach, and she felt it again
PRODUCTION COMPANY
when she first came to look for her husband. But this time the COMPANY PROFILE
feeling is much stronger.
Wayang Works Wayang Works is a film company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
As everyone else begins the process of accepting his demise,
DIRECTOR We are in a unique position where the director’s creative freedom
Bayu begins to feel as if her husband is back with her. At times Nadiah Hamzah | Director
Nadiah Hamzah is encouraged, but commercial sensibility is never forgotten. This
it seems so real, physical changes begin to happen.
puts us in a place where commercials, music videos and films
WRITER The song Ulek Mayang catches her attention. It did not seem
can coexist, and our directors provided the space to create truly
Sharifah Mayang Marhaeni Syed much at first, the melody is too familiar. But behind the
engaging content with fresh ideas that are not tied to a specific
Ahmad serenading verses praising sea goddesses, the song is very
medium or trend.
GENRE forthright with its intention, calling upon the spirits of the seas.
Supernatural, Psychological Drama Resolute to save her husband, Bayu begins uncovering the
existence of the sea goddesses and along the way questions her
TOTAL BUDGET
own religious convictions. Mayang is a story about a woman who
€ 212,766 is strong in her belief, struggling to make sense of the intersection
FINANCING IN PLACE between the old world and the new world.
€ 50,400
LOOKING FOR Priya Narayanan | Producer
Co-production, Financing,
Sales Agent, Festival
16 17
ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
Ordeal of roses where the echoes of the 1900s resonate like HARAKIRI FILMS LLC
MISHIMA, ghosts in the chaos of a post-pandemic scenario. A grotesque
and moving neon thriller set between Italy and Japan, dedicated
1-6-6-403 Baika, Konohana Ku,
Osaka, 554-0013, Japan
THE ROSES to lovers of Asian cinema, pop culture and Italian genre films, in
which La Strada and Sonatine meet the 80s hard-boiled movies,
M - taroimai79@gmail.com
T - + 81 8031574496
OF VENDETTA with a dose of dark humor and suspense. The fate of MISHIMA,
iconic heroine fighting against the yakuza to avenge her parents,
changes forever when her blood-soaked path crosses that
of the man she falls in love with: ERVIS, an unlikely Italian
amateur singer obsessed with Presley, forced to smuggle an
illegal miracle drug by a gang of bodybuilders led by a masked
Only the two men she loves can influencer known as Myss Zeitgeist.
help Mishima take her revenge: the Ultimately the theme of the film unveils exploring their
Japanese sumoka who saved her and relationship with power. A struggle for dignity, in the realisation
an Italian singer forced to smuggle an of one's art, of becoming oneself.
illegal serum dressed as Elvis Presley.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
His latest film Lucania, Land Blood and Magic premiered Taro Imai | Producer
in L.A. winning numerous awards like Best Foreign Film in
Houston, Best Film at Social World Fest, the Hero and Time
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS Award in Russia.
Both on Amazon Prime, his feature debut Babylon Sisters
Since her mother’s suicide Mishima lived away from her yakuza
COUNTRY screened over thirty festivals becoming the poster of BFI
father, now gone missing. In the attempt to avenge him Mishima
Japan, Italy London Film Festival 2017. A London Film School and Berlinale
is abducted by Osaka boss Reiji Imai in retaliation for wounding
Talents. Campus Alumni his short films won him an internship at
PRODUCER his son Kazuo. During her imprisonment she finds an ally in her
Universal Studios L.A. Winner of Torino Film Lab 2012 and the
Taro Imai jailer Jumonji, a former sumo wrestler. One night she meets
Solinas Prize 2018. Author of documentaries, The Road to Kabul
Ervis, an Italian amateur singer obsessed with Presley forced to
PRODUCTION COMPANY was awarded Best War Doc of Italian TV.
smuggle an illegal drug for a pharmaceutical company run by
Harakiri Films LLC
a gang of bodybuilders. Once in Japan, after his show at Imai’s
DIRECTOR nightclub Ervis is awarded a night with Mishima. Spellbound by COMPANY PROFILE Gigi Roccati | Director
Gigi Roccati her beauty, Ervis decides to rescue her and the two escape to
Harakiri Films is an independent feature film production company
WRITER Italy. Living on the run on Ervis’ motorbike they’re hunted by
based in Osaka. It focuses on low budget international co-
Gigi Roccati, Shogo Yasukawa, the Metalife mob led by a masked influencer known as Myss
production and local original films targeting theatrical distribution
Diego Malara Zeitgeist. Also a fierce music producer, she pardons Ervis and
and film festivals. It was founded by Taro Imai in 2015 in order to
GENRE offers the couple a contract with her label. As their restless love
reincarnate the filmmaking scene in Osaka. For Harakiri Films,
Thriller, Musical, Black Comedy grows into alienation, Mishima begins to plan her vendetta and
development of unique stories and theatrical distribution are 2
Ervis is unwillingly transformed into a popstar. But when Kazuo
TOTAL BUDGET important keys as we are storytellers to deliver good stories to
Imai shows up with his gangsters to bring the girl back to Japan,
€ 1,5 M our audience. As the name of Harakiri Films resembles, we are
Ervis and Jumonji will help avenge in blood the ordeal endured
committed filmmakers, and we believe in that screenwriting,
FINANCING IN PLACE by Mishima.
acting, and directing are 3 fundamental factors in filmmaking. Its
€ 86,531
second feature film, Eriko, Pretended was released theatrically in
LOOKING FOR Japan and in Thailand in 2018. In 2018, the company became a
Co-production, Financing limited liability company.
18 19ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
When I shot a film in Taiwan in 2014, 21-year-old Cheng Chieh POTOCOL
stabbed as many people as he could on the subway. While his 2 Marina Boulevard #52-06 The Sail
younger brother supported him, his parents publicly begged the @ Marina Bay, Singapore, 128042,
PIERCE government to execute him.
Having grown up with an older autistic brother, I wrote Pierce
Singapore
M - jeremy@potocol.co
to explore our sibling relationship. When I was young, not sam@potocol.co
understanding my brother’s condition, I idealized him to be a T - + 65 91909169
loving, caring older brother. It was only when I grew up that I + 65 81281214
realized our relationship was made up in my head, and I would
never know if my brother actually loved me. Accepting this has
been a painful journey for me, and is the same one Jie takes in
When his dangerous older brother is Pierce.
released from jail, high school fencer As an ex-national fencer, I felt that fencing mirrors the intensity
JIE believes Brother has changed of the family dynamics. Aurally, I imagine the tense family scenes
and helps him, defying their mother’s to be extremely quiet, in contrast to the loud fencing training and
attempts to bury his existence. competitions full of piercing screams.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE Jeremy Chua | Producer
Nelicia Low is a ex-National fencer and writer-director based
in Singapore and Taiwan. In 2018, she received her MFA in
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS Film Directing at Columbia University. Her short film Freeze
premiered at the 2016 Clermont-Ferrand ISFF and screened at
High school fencer JIE (17) is shunned by his teammates after
COUNTRY over 70 international film festivals including Busan ISFF, Taipei
his disturbed older BROTHER (24), once a fencing champion,
Singapore, Taiwan, Poland Golden Horse IFF and Brussels ISFF. She was chosen for New
was sent to jail for a monstrous crime. Their widowed MOTHER
Waves: Emerging Voices of Southeast Asia.
PRODUCER (45) is determined to bury their family’s traumatic past and
She is an alumni of Talents Tokyo 2020 where Pierce won
Jeremy Chua, Sam Chua hides the truth from her wealthy boyfriend ZHUANG (50).
Special Mention Award, Full Circle Lab Philippines 2020, Le
When mother and son find out Brother will be released, Mother
PRODUCTION COMPANY Groupe Ouest’s LESS IS MORE 2019 and SGIFF’s Southeast
arranges to send him away but Jie goes behind her back to see
Potocol Asian Film Lab 2018.
him. Brother appears regretful for the way he treated Jie as a
DIRECTOR child, and though doubtful of Brother's sincerity, Jie is desperate Sam Chua | Producer
Nelicia Low for a relationship with Brother and decides to give him a chance. COMPANY PROFILE
WRITER Jie steals money for Brother, and in return gets fencing lessons,
Founded in 2014 by film producer and screenwriter Jeremy Chua,
Nelicia Low improving drastically.
Potocol focuses on coproduction of Asian films. It has produced
GENRE Realising her sons have reconnected, Mother furiously
or co-produced A Yellow Bird by K. Rajagopal (Cannes Critics’
Drama, Thriller reports Brother to his prison officer, jeopardizing his freedom.
Week 2016), A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery by Lav Diaz (Silver
The brothers retaliate by threatening to reveal the truth to
TOTAL BUDGET Bear, Berlinale Competition 2016), Brotherhood by Pepe Diokno
Zhuang. Just as they all agree to find a compromise, Brother
€ 750,000 (Karlovy Vary IFF 2016), A Family Tour by Ying Liang (Opening
causes another violent fencing accident. As the National
Film International Competition, Locarno IFF 2018) and Motel
FINANCING IN PLACE Championships approach, Jie struggles to determine which
Acacia by Bradley Liew (Tokyo IFF 2019), A Love Unknown by
€ 575,000 version of Brother is the genuine one, only to realize he might
John Clang (2020 IFFR Bright Future), Death Of Nintendo by
LOOKING FOR never know the truth.
Raya Martin (Berlinale Generation 2020), and Rehana Maryam
Co-production, Sales Agent, Noor (Cannes Un Certain Regard 2016). Nelicia Low | Director
Festival
20 21ALL GENRES PROJECT MARKET
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
THREE I lost my older brother last month. He was in Toronto, I was in
Hong Kong. I could not travel back to Toronto for his funeral. The
KENBIROLI FILMS LTD.
G/F, 58B Nam Shan Village,
FUNERALS online funeral brought our family and extended family together
around the world.
Sai Kung, 00000, New Territories,
Hong Kong SAR China
AND A My Jewish friend’s mother died in California during the height
of the pandemic there but she was in Hong Kong at the time.
M - ahkatlee@gmail.com
T - + 852 9365 1350
WEDDING She couldn’t return for the funeral in the US. She had a virtual
funeral and Shiva. She memorialized the story of her mother
using a few simple photographs. I got to experience this moving
and immersive experience. In normal times, few of us would
cross oceans and national borders to attend a friend or their
A Zoom funeral in Hong Kong sets off relative’s funeral. With virtual memorials, a hundred screens
an interlocking story of people across pop up on the computer screen. The world becomes flat and
the world, living the biggest events fascinating as we can reach into each other’s lives. These virtual
of their lives through the computer rituals allows us to find our way to our humanity.
screens.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Kenneth Bi’s first film, Rice Rhapsody (2004) was in Kenneth Bi | Director & Writer
competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival. It also won
Best New Director at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS The Drummer (2007), was a co-production among Hong
Kong, Taiwan, and Germany. It was selected for competition at
HONG KONG
COUNTRY the Sundance Film Festival.
TONY(66)’s emotional virtual funeral brings together family
Hong Kong SAR China In 2010, Bi directed GIRL$, a topical social drama.
and friends around the world. Son RAY in Berlin and daughter
In 2013, Bi crafted the neo-noir suspense thriller Control with
PRODUCER CHARLOTTE in Taiwan. Two mysterious participants have their
striking visual effects and a stellar cast led by Daniel Wu. Wish
Katherine Lee cameras off. PISON and MIHOKO.
You Were Here (2018) starring Faye Yu and Takao Osawa
TOKYO
PRODUCTION COMPANY marked Bi’s first Japanese co-production.
Mihoko (32) is a hospital nurse who looks after a 7 year old
Kenbiroli Films Ltd.
Italian boy called ROMAN in isolation, lending him her iPad to COMPANY PROFILE
DIRECTOR chat with his parents. When the boy dies, his parents call her
Kenneth Bi iPad. Mihoko tells how Roman’s honest words about why she Kenbiroli Films is a Hong Kong based independent film Katherine Lee | Producer
WRITER looks different than her siblings set her on a journey. production company. Its first 35mm feature film, Rice Rhapsody,
Kenneth Bi BERLIN executive produced by Jackie Chan and starring Sylvia Chang
RAY (30), knows Tony’s health is declining so he wants to get (20,30,40), Martin Yan, and Melanie Laurent was bestowed
GENRE
married soon. With the safety of everyone being in different “Top Ten Chinese Language Films of 2005” by the Chinese
Drama
countries, Ray can marry his partner, YOAL, an Israeli male Film Critics Association and earned Bi the “Best New Director
TOTAL BUDGET Award” at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. The Drummer,
cellist. Tony and the Jewish-in-laws in Israel surprise everyone
$3M with their speeches. a co-production between Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Germany
FINANCING IN PLACE BANGKOK garnered the distinction of being the first Chinese-language
$ 50,000 PISON (25) is a policeman. He logs on to Tony’s memorial to film funded by Germany’s Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg as
expose Tony’s past. Pison’s father was Tony’s partner and he well as the first film from Hong Kong and Taiwan selected for
LOOKING FOR
was murdered 25 years ago. Tony fled. Now that Tony is dead, competition at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was named
Co-production
Pison loses purpose. He holds a symbolic virtual memorial “Critics’ Pick” by the Hollywood Reporter.
for his father at an AA online meeting. Afterwards, he refuses Kenbiroli Films is currently developing its first English language
bribes, putting him in danger. TV series, Las Mulas and feature film Boxes.
22 23FAR EAST
IN PROGRESS
PARTNER
FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
ADEMOKA P. 26
BIRD EYES P. 28
DAY TRIPPER P. 30
REBORN P. 32
ZOMBIE CRUSH IN HEYRI P. 34FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
Social films don't have to be heavy and sad, the audience - and KAZAKHFILM JSC
the filmmakers - have the choice to embrace a certain lightness, Kazakhstan
no matter how important the subject. M - kinostudia_kaz@mail.ru
ADEMOKA The film focuses on the personalities of the characters, on the
people. A minimum of effects, music and action: nothing should
SHORT BROTHERS LLC
Kazakhstan
distract the viewer from the people. Their feelings and inner M - kinostudia_kaz@mail.ru
struggle come first. ARIZONA PRODUCTIONS
Every person has to deal with routine problems every day. France
The struggle that a person has inside. And at first sight it is M - guillaume@arizonafilms.net
invisible. My mission is to see the inner world of Ademoka and
his teacher Akhab behind the daily course of things.
A young girl, Ademoka, wants to go to These two people are exactly opposite to each other. But at the
school but her status as Lyuli, a kind of same time, they are similar. They love art, they seek the beauty
gypsy from Central Asia, destines her and grandeur of literature; and both are in search of knowledge.
to begging - except for a few people Akhab sees that this is his unseen achievement - to beat the
who will help her. system and help Ademoka become educated. This is finally the
ultimate goal of his life.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Guillaume De Seille | Producer
Adilkhan Yerzhanov is a film director and scriptwriter. He was
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS born in Djezkazgan city of Kazakhstan on August, 7, 1982.
In 2009 he graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts
Fifteen-year-old Ademoka arrives with her entire Lyuli family
COUNTRY with the major in “Film directing”.
from Tajikistan to beg in Kazakhstan. A customs officer notices
Kazakhstan, France her talent for drawing and writing, which gives her the idea to try
PRODUCER to get into school. COMPANY PROFILE
Olga Khlasheva, Serik Abishev, The surly principal considers all Lyuli to be potential thieves,
Short Brothers LLC, film production company, founded in 2004
Guillaume De Seille so he turns Ademoka away. But a discreet woman directs the
by Serik Abishev and Adilkhan Yerzhanov.
young woman to a rather unusual teacher, Akhab. Alcoholic and
PRODUCTION COMPANY Production and International promotion of all short and full-
idle, he starts by robbing her of her meager earnings and then,
Kazakhfilm JSC, Short Brothers, length feature films & one documentary by Adilkhan Yerzhanov.
upon reading what she has written, finally decides to help her
Arizona Productions Olga Khlasheva | Producer
get into college.
DIRECTOR Arizona Productions, Paris based, is led by Guillaume de Seille
After some epic lessons, during a shooting or a short stay in
Adilkhan Yerzhanov to mainly produce and coproduce art-house feature films
prison, Akhab insists on the school to recognize the girl's talent.
directed by non- French emerging talents. Between two dawns
WRITER She finally graduates and learns that her teacher lost his wife
by Selman Nacar (Turkey) Ademoka by Adilkhan Yerzhanov
Adilkhan Yerzhanov and daughter in an accident for which he was responsible.
(Kazakhstan), Kerr by Tayfun Pirselimoglu (Turkey), After the
LOOKING FOR Ademoka finally gets the right to study at the university.
winter by Ivan Bakrac (Montenegro), Ulbolsyn by Adilkhan
Gap Financing, Festival Release, Sales Yerzhanov (Kazakhstan), Tallinn Black Nights Netpac award
Agent, Italian Distributor 2020. Yellow cat by Adilkhan Yerzhanov (Kazakhstan), Venice
Orizzonti 2020. The island within by Ru Hasanov (Azerbaijan),
Sarajevo best director 2020. A dark, dark man by Adilkhan
Yerzhanov (Kazakhstan), San Sebastian competition 2019. Oleg
by Juris Kursietis (Latvia), Cannes Directors Fortnight 2019.
26 27FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
philosophies of its makers can be seen and felt. And I do COMPANY CONTACTS
sincerely believe that we all live our lives according to what we
think is the next right decision, like characters in a film. In Return ARKEOFILMS
of the Owl, retired director-screenwriter Leonor tries to write and The Philippines
BIRD revise her life in ways that she can, and she does it through her M - monster@arkeofilms.com
mariocornejo99@gmail.com
imagination — fiction that she materializes through this film that
EYES she tries to complete.
Growing up in Manila, I vividly remember that our President was
literally an action star leading a country. Now it makes sense.
This film therefore is a concretization of cinema’s effect on
people - how it can blur our realities and how it can create them.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Leonor Reyes, a retired filmmaker, gets
hit in the head by a television and falls Martika Ramirez Escobar was born in Manila in 1992. Her
into a coma that transports her into an love for the bizarre is best reflected through her films and
unfinished film she tries to complete. photographs. After graduating with honors from the University
of the Philippines, her thesis film Stone Heart, competed at the
19th Busan International Film Festival. The following year, it won
Best Film at the 11th Cinemalaya. Her latest film Living Things
won her the Best Director award at the 16th Cinemalaya. Mario Cornejo | Producer
She is an alumna of the Berlinale Talents Tokyo, Asian Film
Academy, Southeast Asian Film Lab, Luang Prabang Talent
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS Lab, Fantastic Film School, Mowelfund Film Institute and is a
Leonor Reyes was the only Filipino woman who wrote action recipient of the Purin Pictures Film Fund.
COUNTRY films in the ‘80s. Now, 72 years old, she lives in a cluttered Most of her work, including her first feature Return of the Owl,
The Philippines apartment with her son, Rudie, who has plans of migrating to which and first documentary feature Tell Me About Darkness
PRODUCER join his boyfriend. which participated in the Asiadoc Residency, are self-reflexive
Mario Cornejo, Monster Jimenez After a heated argument with Rudie, and a visit from her dead films about her relationship with cinema.
son, Ronwaldo, Leonor eyes an ad inthe newspaper: Isapelikula She is currently working as a freelance director-cinematographer
PRODUCTION COMPANY
- turn your words into movies - and decides to write again. for various local and international productions.
Arkeofilms
About to complete her long unfinished script, a television
DIRECTOR lands on Leonor’s head, causing her to fall into a coma. While Monster Jimenez | Producer
Martika Ramirez Escobar
COMPANY PROFILE
confined in the hospital, she is transported into the film that is
WRITER playing on the television. Leonor wakes up inside the world of a Arkeofilms is a company based in Manila and founded in 2000.
Martika Ramirez Escobar classic macho 1980s Filipino action flick, featuring her dead son Arkeofilms takes its place as one of the country’s leaders in
Ronwaldo, whose sudden disappearance propels her to become independent filmmaking. Our short and full-length features
LOOKING FOR
the selfsacrificing hero of the film. At this point, Leonor’s body have been screened in film festivals and have won awards
Gap Financing, Festival Release, Sales
vanishes into thin air, and the lines between her action fantasy and recognition from the local industry, critics and the press.
Agent, Italian Distributor
and unforgiving reality begin to blur. Our projects in development have been awarded funding from
national agencies and institutions and have been selected for
special programs and workshops abroad. Today, the company is
DIRECTOR’S NOTE pursuing international coproduction for its upcoming full-length
Life has always appealed to me as an unusually long film — a features.
temporary contained thing with characters, a plot, sounds and Martika Ramirez Escobar | Director
images, and myself a “director” who tries to navigate what it is
that I want to happen in this narrative we call life. Its complexity,
I think is best shown and shared through cinema, where the
28 29FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
What happens during a day is like a meaningless roaming, FACTORY GATE FILMS
people work hard in their daily life, but there is nothing they China
DAY can control.
However, the tone of the film is not that heavy, but humorous
M - huangxufeng@gongchangdamen.com
TRIPPER and absurd. We can watch the present society of China in a
slightly playful and ironic way through the film.
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Yanqi Chen, director, writer and sometimes editor, was born
in 1990, Harbin, China. He was graduated from London Film
School in 2016. His graduation film The Road won the Best
Student Film at the 6th UK Film Festival. Three years later, he
It’s all the same story. People try to
made another short film named Deep Sleep, which was selected
survive in the world they were born.
in the Beijing International Short Film Festival in 2019, and
reached the final shortlist of Director’s Fortnight in 2020.
Apart from his short works, he has been working on the feature
project Day Tripper since 2017. The project has won a prize at
the Project Market at FIRST Film Festival and was one of the top Sunan Lin | Producer
10 projects of CFDG Young Director Support Program of China.
2019 Deep Sleep (short, fiction.) - Director/Writer/Editor
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS 2016 The Road (short, fiction.) - Director/Writer/Editor 2013
Underground (short, documentary.) - Director
High school boy Fan will spend an ordinary day in the wintry
COUNTRY city of Harbin. His father finds his position replaced by a young
China person. COMPANY PROFILE
PRODUCER He doesn't know where to go.
Factory Gate Films is a production company founded in 2017
Xufeng Huang His mother wants a new life and to break up with her secret
by veteran film lovers and experienced professionals from
lover. All of his classmates are numbly arranged in the cold
PRODUCTION COMPANY different branches of the cinema industry. With a production
schoolyard. A young teacher is trying to change the traditional
Factory Gate Films lineup blending arthouse and commercial work of acclaimed
education system. At a remote bus stop, people wait all day for
DIRECTOR and upcoming directors, Factory Gate’s mission is to produce
a bus that seems to never arrive. The owner of a barbershop Liang Ying | Producer
Yanqi Chen unique and high quality films for both Chinese and international
forces his barbers to go outside to grab customers. While a
audiences, with an emphasis on scouting and fostering new
WRITER barbecue shop owner is transforming his shop into a nightclub.
directors and talents.
Yanqi Chen When night falls, all these people end their day and come to the
Factory Gate’s production line-up includes Summer Blur by Han
LOOKING FOR new nightclub. They lose themselves in the gorgeous illusion.
Shuai (Berlinale Generation Best Film, Busna Fipresci Award),
Gap Financing, Festival Release, Damp Season by Gao Ming (IFFR), Balloon by Pema Tseden
Sales Agent, Italian Distributor (Venice Orizzonti, 2019), Dwelling In The Fuchun
Mountains by Gu Xiaogang (Cannes Critics' Week, 2019), The
Return by Fang Liang (FIRST FF) and Mr. Big (Beijing IFF Best
Documentary Award) amongst others.
30 31FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
The story takes place in the county seat of Guizhou Province in COMPANY CONTACTS
the middle of summer, probably because Guizhou is the place
where the character archetypes are produced, which naturally FACTORY GATE FILMS
SAILING fits the atmosphere of the story. Its many ethnic minorities, China
M - huangxufeng@gongchangdamen.com
simple and fierce folk customs coexist, jumbled with numerous
SONG cultures and legends. liangplusying@gmail.com
OF JUNE DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Chen Yanbin, director and script writer, was born in Guizhou in
1992. He once worked on set as 1st AD, producer, production
manager, screenplay supervisor and post-production supervisor.
He was the producer of Uncle and House and the 1st AD of
Ran who returns to hometown with Butter Lamp (nominated at Oscars). Sailing Song of June is his
father to avoid creditors, accidentally debut feature.
meets a girl nicknamed "Siren". Along
with the disappearance of his father,
the story starts
PRODUCERS PROFILE
HUANG Xufeng’s filmography as Producer: Mr. Big by Tong
Shengjia (Beijing IFF Best Documentary 2018), Dwelling in
the Fuchun Mountains by Gu Xiaogang (Cannes Critics’ Week Liang Ying | Producer
2019), Balloon by Pema Tseden (Venice Orizzonti 2019), Damp
Season by Gao Ming (IFFR 2020), Stars Await Us by Zhang Dalei
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS (Pingyao IFF 2020), Summer Blur (Busan Fipresci Prize 2020,
Ran returns to his hometown with his father to avoid their Berlin Generation Best Film 2021), Ripples of Life (Cannes
COUNTRY creditors. At the new school, Ran accidentally meets Linwen, Directors’ Fortnight 2021).
China a forthright, estranged and mysterious girl nicknamed “Siren”. As Executive Producer: A Trophy on the Sea by Ju An’qi (Pingyao
PRODUCER The two of them, with very different personalities, help each IFF 2020)
Xufeng Huang. Ying Liang other get out of their troubles in this underdeveloped town of
China full of juvenile delinquents, illegal loans and superstition. LIANG Ying’s filmography as Producer: Dwelling in the Fuchun
PRODUCTION COMPANY Mountains by Gu Xiaogang (Cannes Critics’ Week 2019),
They become closer, but Ran’s expectation of intimate
Factory Gate Films Summer Blur (Busan Fipresci Prize 2020, Berlin Generation
relationship was never allowed by her. One day, Ran’s father’s
DIRECTOR body is found in the river outside the town. Devastated, he Best Film 2021), Ripples of Life (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight
Yanbin Chen believes the debt collectors must be involved. By chasing the 2021).
WRITER murderers, he puts himself in danger and gets hurt. Linwen As Executive Producer or Associate Producer: Ta’ang by Wang
Yanbin Chen decides to help Ran by her way: she confess her pain and Bing (Berlin Forum 2016), Shanghai Youth by Wang Bing (Venice
sickness, then sets off before dawn… Orizzonti 2016), Chinese Portrait by Wang Xiaoshuai (Busan
LOOKING FOR
2018), Balloon by Pema Tseden (Venice Orizzonti 2019), Damp
Gap Financing, Festival Release,
Season by Gao Ming (IFFR 2020), Stars Await Us by Zhang Dalei
Sales Agent, Italian Distributor DIRECTOR’S NOTE (Pingyao IFF 2020).
This is a real reflection of the current social ecology, can only
take place in Guizhou folk culture under the youth growth film.
Many characters in the film can find in Guizhou, and each one
is fresh and interesting. The style, interpersonal network and
behavior logic of these characters converge into the ecology of
the county, and the process of dealing with the social relations
around each characters in this ecology interweaves into the so-
called "story".
32 33FAR EAST IN PROGRESS
DIRECTOR’S NOTE COMPANY CONTACTS
I believe everyone will experience the painful loss of their loved JAZZY PICTURES (M) SDN BHDL
ones when they reach a certain age. It is a pain that hurt ones Malaysia
deeply into their heart. However, everyone has different ways to M - joanne@jazzygroup.com
REBORN deal with it. Some people choose to cry everyday and takes a
while to stay calm, whereas some people choose not to accept
their loved ones have passed their lives thus unable to relieve from
it. So, I want to explore the psychological state of these people,
they will feel regret that they did not treat their loved ones properly,
they will try to find ways to make up for their regrets when they
lose them, and even fall into the extreme! They might escape and
even having delusional strange behaviour. What should we do as
a spectator? Shall we follow? Or shall we pretend that we do not
At this moment, she remembered the know anything about it?
strange content which she had seen on
social media...
DIRECTOR’S PROFILE
Danny Pang is one of the Pang brothers. Pang started his career
as an editor working on numerous Hong Kong films such as The
Storm Riders and the Infernal Affairs series, he also wrote and Joanne Goh | Producer
directed Neung Buak Neung Pen Soon (also known as 1+1=0 or
Nothing To Lose).
PROJECT INFORMATION SYNOPSIS
Haohua is having dinner with his wife, Xueqing and their son, COMPANY PROFILE
COUNTRY Xiaoyun. Xueqing is a mother who strongly cares about her
Jazzy Pictures (M) Sdn Bhd is an established film and TV content
Malaysia, China children's health, therefore most of the food that she cooked
production company based in Malaysia. Ms. Joanne Goh founded
PRODUCER is vegetarian. However, Xiaoyun did not like to eat these foods
the company in early 2017, with a mission to produce highquality
Joanne Goh much. Suddenly, Xiaoyun told Xueqing that his chest is not feeling
films to bring the name of the company and Malaysian film and TV
well, Xueqing is very nervous and quickly apply some ointment
PRODUCTION COMPANY industry to the international market.
on Xiaoyun's chest. Haohua advised Xueqing to take Xiaoyun
Jazzy Pictures (M) Sdn Bhdl Jazzy Pictures is also one of the independent film distributors
to the doctor as he thinks that the ointment does not work. One
DIRECTOR in Malaysia. The company is comprised of a committed team of
day, Xueqing is preparing dinner in the kitchen, and Xiaoyun
Danny Pang film enthusiasts; they are aspired to bring in more diverse movies
is standing behind her covered his chest. His nose is blooding
for the domestic movie industry. As a dynamic film production
WRITER endlessly but Xueqing did not notice it. Xiaoyun falls down and
company, Jazzy Pictures strives to continually discover new
Danny Pang Xueqing is completely at a loss when she turns around to see the
talents to deliver fresh and relevant content for the local and
LOOKING FOR situation. Unluckily the doctor informs the death of Xiaoyun to
international audience. To expand the local film and TV projects
Festival Release, Sales Agent both Haohua and Xueqing.
abroad, Jazzy Pictures starts to engage in int.
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