John Woo says his Chinese epic is transnational
Seen from left; Hong Kong director John Woo, Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, Taiwan-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, Taiwan actor Chang Chen, Taiwan model/actress Lin Chi-ling, and China actor Hu Jun unfurl blessings for their movie during a press conference ahead of the premier of Red Cliff Part 2 in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009. Directed by famed Hong Kong director John Woo, Red Cliff Part 2 is a Chinese epic film based on the Battle of Red Cliffs and events during the end of the Han Dynasty and immediately prior to the period of the Three Kingdoms in ancient China. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – John Woo said Wednesday that his first Chinese-language film in 16 years will prove that an epic about the Middle Kingdom can appeal to a worldwide audience.
Woo’s statement came as he readied an international version of “Red Cliff” for American distributors. It has already been picked up in Europe and South America.
The $80 million epic, based on an ancient Chinese battle, was split into two installments lasting a combined five hours for Asia. A single movie lasting two hours and 25 minutes has been prepared for audiences elsewhere.
Hong Kong native Woo said he is confident his film will be an international success following the strong Asian box office from the first installment.
“This movie will prove that Chinese historical stories can appeal to an international audience,” Wu said. “European distributors and critics have praised the film as the grandest epic in recent Chinese history.”
The war epic is set in the Three Kingdoms historical period, about 2,000 years ago.
The first installment of the “Red Cliff” project – released in Asia in July – earned more than $100 million, including $50 million in Japan and $47 million in mainland China.
The second installment will debut in China on Thursday and across the rest of Asia later this month.
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